While doing my architecture from the Parsons School of Design, I also did theatre.

Kalyani Priyadarshan’s quote — “While doing my architecture from the Parsons School of Design, I also did theatre.” — highlights her diverse creative interests and the interdisciplinary nature of her academic journey. By simultaneously pursuing architecture and theatre, she embraced both technical design and performing arts, showing an early inclination toward blending analytical thinking with expressive storytelling. This combination reflects a deep-rooted curiosity and a desire to explore multiple forms of artistic expression.

The Parsons School of Design in New York is a prestigious institution known for fostering innovation in design, and studying architecture there would have provided Kalyani with a strong foundation in spatial awareness, aesthetics, and creative problem-solving. Her decision to also engage in theatre during this time suggests that her passion for performance was not a secondary interest, but a parallel pursuit that helped shape her artistic identity.

The quote reveals how both disciplines likely influenced one another in her development. Architecture, with its focus on structure, visual form, and environmental design, may have enhanced her understanding of stage presence, set design, and the physical dimensions of storytelling. Meanwhile, her experience in theatre would have nurtured her confidence, emotional range, and ability to connect with audiences—skills that became vital in her eventual career in cinema.

Ultimately, Kalyani Priyadarshan’s reflection speaks to the value of a multidisciplinary education. By immersing herself in both design and drama, she cultivated a unique perspective that bridges the technical and the artistic, laying the groundwork for her success as a film actress who understands not only performance, but the visual world it inhabits.