For comedian and actor Navin Prabhakar, best known for his iconic act Pehchaan Kaun, true education has always lived far outside the boundaries of textbooks and examination halls. On the occasion of National Education Day, Navin talks about his school days, his journey into the entertainment world and the importance of education.
He says, “Honestly, I have never seen education as something limited to books and exams. It teaches you to listen, observe people and understand life. I was not the best in the class. I was a backbencher, but when it came to observing people, I was definitely a topper! … Discipline came from school, comedy came from life, and both made me Navin Prabhakar.”
A piece of advice from one of his teachers fundamentally altered how he viewed learning, pushing him toward authenticity rather than mere rote memorisation. “One of my teachers once told me, ‘Beta, it is not necessary to remember everything, but it is necessary to understand everything.’ I have never forgotten those words. They changed my perspective. Instead of always trying to be perfect, I decided to focus on being real.”
Navin expresses immense joy at how today’s youth are breaking away from conventional career paths like medicine, engineering, and law to pursue their genuine passions. “Earlier, when you asked someone what they wanted to become, the usual answers were doctor, engineer or lawyer. Today, a young person can say, ‘I want to be an actor, I want to be a cook, I want to be a comedian or a content creator,’ and there are opportunities to explore those dreams. Hurrah for social media!”
He emphasises that formal degrees should serve as stepping stones rather than boundaries, noting that following his heart on stage is what ultimately brought ‘Pehchaan Kaun’ to life. “Education should open doors for you, not close them. The discipline, hard work and ability to think that you develop through education will help you, no matter which field you eventually choose.”
