By Anbahalath Vajuravel and Aryan Sharma, Photo: Misba Shaikh; GIIS Journalism Club

Renowned theatre director Feroz Abbas Khan encouraged students of the SMART Campus to be all-rounders and be curious about subjects other than their own area of study, at the second Leadership Lecture Series which was held here in August 2018. His advice to students included wisdom like one must “search for excellence, not success”. The words highlighted the importance of holistic development – which is a hallmark of GIIS - by “encompassing everything around us”.

Mr Khan, whose recent directorial venture Mughal-e-Azam is setting the stage on fire all over the world, was interacting with the students in an hour-long session during which he coaxed students to shun mediocrity and to go for things which challenge their abilities.

“Entertainment should be used for social change,” Mr Khan said at the GIIS LLS held at the Multipurpose Hall filled with students, teachers and staff members including GIIS Chairman Atul Temurnikar, Country Director Rajeev Katyal and Principal Melissa Maria.

Mr Khan has been in theatre for the last 35 years and has enthralled audiences with productions like Tumhari Amrita, Salesman Ramlal and now the musical Mughal-e-Azam. His current show ‘Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hun’ (I am a Capable Woman of Achieving Anything) is getting rave reviews on television with its unique story of a Lady doctor going to her ancestral village to provide Medical aid and bring about social change. It has a viewer base of 400 million around the world and is one of the most watched shows.

Mr Khan was given a warm welcome in the school where the Theatre Club put up a short skit for him on stage. A panel of students later asked him questions ranging from his inspirations to his most challenging moments. Replying to one question, Mr Khan said liberal arts is one sector which is gaining popularity among students, and parents need to allow their children to be themselves and not a replica of the parent.

Throughout his speech, Mr Khan highlighted the importance of tenacity and hard-work. Looking up to Mahatma Gandhi as his role model, he expounded upon the importance of “giving a voice to the voiceless” and aiding the weakest and poorest sections of the minority.  Helping “the last person in the line” is a common recurring theme in his productions, which further strengthens his firm ideological beliefs.

Later, speaking to students of the Journalism Club, Mr Khan said the deteriorating and myopic mindset of cinema and television distressed him, but he felt encouraged by the development of entertainment in the past decade. He shared that his future project involves establishing a repertory theatre for a selected small number of budding young actors to learn and work alongside professionals to hone and nurture their talents. Best of all, the establishment aims to be completely free for the shortlisted actors.