I had finished my SSC Board Examinations and of course, was very excited. Why? I was very happy that I won’t be going to school any longer and that soon I will be going to college. My exams had also gone very well...yeah you are not sure about your percentage but you do have a fair idea that you have done well. I had done my calculations and I knew I could manage to get about 75 per cent. And I did get 73 per cent! So what…you don’t hit bull’s eye every time. I was happy nevertheless and my parents were also happy and the best part was they didn’t even mention once that I could have scored a distinction. I remember till about Class 8, my dad always wanted me to be a doctor. I don’t know how and when he changed his mind; because after I finished my Class 9 he never mentioned about that again. He always told me, ‘Study hard’. Actually, I didn’t want to be a doctor and I think he realised that. My mother always said that you study well and whatever you choose to do, be it science, engineering or commerce, am there with you but now both mom and dad both were with me and they let me choose whatever I wanted to do. It was a decision by which I could sculpt my future. In other words, that was the first and most important step. I chose commerce and at that time I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. I thought I will do my masters in commerce and then maybe, start a business. I started my college life and made loads of friends. For me, it was totally a different world because I was born and brought up in the suburbs and my college was in town. I graduated from Jai Hindi College. I didn’t even know south Mumbai exists. I had heard about Churchgate station but didn't know that what it looked like. In a year’s time my personality changed completely. If you stay in the US for a year or so, you become an American, at least you try and live like them, get that accent and those clothes, mannerisms, etc. I didn’t become one but I felt like one in college. Earlier, I would wear whatever clothes my mom used to take out for me. In a year’s time, I started wearing clothes according to the trends. I decided to try my luck in modelling. It was high time I got some money home instead of taking it always from my parents. And so I got my portfolio done and did a few ads too and then after graduation, I did theatre and then rest as the cliché goes is history. Follow your heart with passion and you are sure to do well. And yes, supporting parents always help. I thank mine for not forcing me to do anything. Disclaimer: the views expressed in this column are those of the author and TellyChakkar does not necessarily subscribe to the same.