IRA DUBEY
A Tryst With Drama
Even though her parents encouraged her to follow her own dreams, the younger daughter of theatre personalities, Lillete and Ravi Dubey, never entertained doubts that she would do anything beyond it. "My sister, Neha and I were always given our private spaces and allowed to do what really inspired us. Although I was a terribly academic conscious student and an all-rounder at Cathedral School," states 22-year-old Ira, "for me, choosing my calling was a natural progression, as drama is ingrained in my blood." Having recently returned from an undergraduate stint at Yale University - "New Haven was very cold and not really what I expected it to be, so it was an overwhelming experience" - Ira will now complete her formal education in Mumbai.

Her studies have not kept the performance-savvy youngster away from the arc lights "and the long and exciting hours on and off stage". A veritable, talented Jill of all trades, Ira has tried her hand at "editing, writing, directing...in fact, everything that constitutes putting a production together." Already in her repertoire are dramatic projects like Sammy and the experimental Fireface and films like The Morning Fog and Marigold.

Bollywood calling? "Two years ago, I would have said, never. Now, it's not my main focus but who knows? I just need to be challenged all the time," she says.