Homecoming after 35 years: Pankaj Kapur

LUDHIANA: Nostalgia was at its peak at Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Civil Lines on Monday evening on the occasion of the alumni meet. Students, alumni, principals of KVM school and staff members gathered to get a glimpse of Pankaj Kapur.
Kapur, a theatre, television and film actor and ex-student of KVM, came with his wife Supriya Pathak. Remembering his days as class VII student in the school in 1965, he said there were 11 rooms and less exposure to cultural events.
"School days were very special to me as I never found the time to complete my graduation.I did drama school in Delhi. I am glad I studied in a school where cultural activities were significant. My wife and I often have debates about who studied in a better school and when I list KVM alumni, she kind of loses the argument. It is not just about the school but also the time spent with friends. I am highly obliged to former principal Kamla Jain, who got me enrolled in this school and I am feeling embarassed to be giving away a memento to her," he said.
Talking to TOI, Kapur said coming here after 35 years and meeting old friends, Mukesh Marjara, Ashwani Gulati, Jagdish Goyal, Amarjeet Dhaliwal, Ashwani Malhotra and Vipan Chabra was like homecoming.
He commended the talent displayed by students and said it is a must if one wanted to succeed.
On the demonetisation move, Kapur said the step is wise but not implemented judiciously.
Mukesh Marjara, the actor's former classmate said they were together till classes IX and X of the 1969-70 batch. He said he was a student of Pankaj's father, AP Kapur, who was a lecturer in Arya College and principal of the evening batch.
Another alumni, Mukesh Kaura said, "Even after gaining so much fame he is our Pankaj, that extrovert guy in the school." He said the school is like a banyan tree and the alumni like its branches, which, after a few years, become a self-sustaining tree. Once established, the relationship is
forever and as such the alumni are forever the part of the institution," he said.
School principal Navita Puri said the alumni meet contributed to the betterment of the society. She said the alumni are associated with various organisations and have done remarkably well.