Mumbai: Acting is far more than delivering lines in front of a camera. It demands an understanding of character, emotion, movement, voice and the ability to make even the most complex roles feel authentic. For several Indian actresses, that understanding began long before they stepped onto professional film sets. They chose formal training in acting, theatre and filmmaking, investing in the craft and developing the skills that would later shape their screen careers.
Among them are Rasika Dugal, Kalki Koechlin, Tillotama Shome, Athiya Shetty and Vidhatri Bandi—performers whose journeys reflect how structured learning can complement natural talent and bring greater depth to an actor’s work.
Vidhatri Bandi is one such actor who has approached acting as a craft that requires continuous learning. Best known for her work in Shiddat, Bandi graduated from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television in 2016. She subsequently pursued a professional programme in acting for the camera as well as a career development course. Her training also included a month-long basic improvisation course at The Groundlings. Improvisation can be particularly valuable for screen actors, helping them respond instinctively to a scene while remaining emotionally connected to their characters.
Kalki Koechlin developed an interest in theatre at an early age. Her formal education in drama at Goldsmiths, University of London, further strengthened her connection with performance and storytelling. During her school years at Hebron School in Ooty, she was also involved in acting and writing. That early exposure to theatre and writing eventually became an important part of the distinctive approach she brought to both mainstream and independent cinema.
Rasika Dugal pursued formal acting training at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, where she completed a postgraduate programme in acting. Her time at the institute also gave her the opportunity to learn from veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. Dugal went on to establish herself through performances marked by emotional restraint, subtlety and considerable character depth. Her work in projects such as Mirzapur has further showcased her ability to inhabit layered and complex roles.
Tillotama Shome, widely recognised for her nuanced performances, has also built a strong academic foundation in theatre. She completed a master’s programme in Educational Theatre at New York University. During her time in New York, she also taught theatre to inmates at a high-security US prison—an experience that offered her a distinctive perspective on performance, human behaviour and storytelling. Her subsequent work has often reflected an ability to explore complicated characters with remarkable sensitivity.
Athiya Shetty chose to pursue formal training before building her career in Hindi cinema. The Hero actress studied at the New York Film Academy, where she trained in acting and pursued studies combining filmmaking and liberal arts. The experience gave her an opportunity to understand performance within the larger ecosystem of filmmaking, from acting techniques to the broader creative process behind a production.
While every actor’s journey is different, their experiences underline an important aspect of the profession: talent can open the door, but training can provide the tools to grow. Acting schools and theatre programmes offer performers an environment in which they can experiment, make mistakes, understand character psychology and develop their voice without the immediate pressures of a commercial set.
For screen actors in particular, learning the craft can help translate instinct into technique. Camera acting requires an awareness of subtle expressions, pauses, body language and emotional continuity—skills that become increasingly important as performers take on more demanding roles.
From film schools and university theatre programmes to improvisation workshops and practical teaching experiences, these actresses have invested in understanding performance from the inside out. Their journeys demonstrate that the road from the classroom to the film set is not simply about acquiring a qualification—it is about building a foundation that can continue to evolve with every character, every scene and every new story.
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