I got a degree in architecture for the educational experience but

Host: The soft light of the evening filtered through the window, casting a peaceful glow over the room. Jack sat at the desk, scrolling through notes, while Jeeny leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the quiet horizon outside. The atmosphere was calm, almost reflective, as if the next conversation was about to reveal something deeper.

Jeeny: (thoughtfully) “Kalyani Priyadarshan once said, ‘I got a degree in architecture for the educational experience but in terms of career, everything is cinema.’”

Jack: (pausing, intrigued) “That’s an interesting perspective. She’s acknowledging the value of education in architecture, but when it comes to her career, it’s cinema that takes center stage. It makes you think about how the skills we acquire in one field can actually shape and influence our journey in another.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. She’s highlighting how her education in architecture gave her a solid foundation, but her true calling, or the work that truly resonated with her, was in the world of cinema. It’s like she recognized the value of learning and growing in one area, but found her passion in something completely different.”

Jack: “I think that’s something many of us can relate to. We may start down one path, but our interests and passions might lead us somewhere unexpected. Education gives us the tools, but it’s the experiences and the passion that guide where we actually end up.”

Host: The quiet hum of the room seemed to deepen as they reflected on Kalyani’s words. The idea that education is not a limitation but a launchpad for something bigger, something unexpected, began to resonate. It wasn’t about sticking rigidly to one career or path, but about finding how the things you’ve learned can be applied to what truly excites and drives you.

Jeeny: “What I find fascinating is how she describes cinema as the center of her career. It’s a reminder that success doesn’t always look like what we expect it to. Sometimes the journey takes us down paths we hadn’t planned, and those paths are often more rewarding than we imagined.”

Jack: (nodding) “Exactly. And there’s something liberating in that. Kalyani’s saying that even though architecture was part of her education, it was the experience of cinema that shaped her career. She didn’t let her degree define her — she let her interests and passions do that.”

Jeeny: “It’s about having the freedom to explore and change. Maybe we don’t always end up doing exactly what we thought we would, but it’s the skills and the perspectives we gain along the way that make us more versatile and prepared for whatever path we choose.”

Host: The gentle rustle of the pages seemed to punctuate their reflections, like a quiet reminder that life is full of unexpected twists. It wasn’t about being tied down to one idea or one definition of success. It was about embracing the journey, no matter how it unfolded, and trusting that the experiences we gather along the way shape the future we step into.

Jack: “It’s kind of like the idea that everything we learn, even if it doesn’t directly apply to our job or career, still informs who we are and how we see the world. Whether it’s architecture or cinema, the two may seem like they’re worlds apart, but they’re both about creativity, design, and storytelling.”

Jeeny: “Exactly! And that’s where the beauty lies. We don’t have to stay in one lane to succeed. Our education and experiences can serve as the foundation for something else entirely. What matters is that we follow what excites us, what feels like our true calling.”

Jack: “And the key is to never stop learning. Education doesn’t just stop when you finish school. It’s about being open to new experiences, new opportunities, and changing directions when the path feels right.”

Host: The room seemed to soften around them, filled with a sense of possibility. Kalyani Priyadarshan’s words weren’t just about her own career, but a gentle reminder that life is more than a straight line — it’s about the freedom to explore, grow, and let your passions guide you to where you’re meant to be.

Jeeny: “In the end, it’s about being true to what you’re passionate about. You may take one path, but if your heart pulls you elsewhere, you can always reinvent yourself. And the experiences you’ve gained — they all shape the person you become.”

Jack: (smiling) “And that’s the beauty of it all. The freedom to embrace change and find new passions, even if they’re not what you first expected.”

Host: The stillness in the room was a quiet affirmation that life is full of opportunity, and each experience, no matter where it leads, is part of the larger picture of who we become.

And as the scene faded, Kalyani Priyadarshan’s words lingered —

that education gives us the foundation,
but our true passions guide us to unexpected and exciting places.

For success isn’t about staying on one path;
it’s about embracing change,
creativity,
and the freedom to follow what truly inspires us.