‘This school inspires students to soar higher’

He is an international fashion and advertising photographer and has worked with multinational brands such as Dior, Christian Louboutin, and Paul Smith. To this add another feather; he is among the youngest photographers in the country to do so! Meet Koushik Roy, alumnus of Apeejay School, Kharghar.

In a candid interview, this 2001-2012 batch student talks about the parts of school life that have had the greatest influence on him.

Tell us about yourself.

My clientele includes leading Bollywood actors and industrialists like the Poonawalas and the Ambanis, as well as most major fashion brands in India, from Manish Malhotra to Masaba Gupta. I am also an educator and teach fashion photography at institutes like NIFT and internationally at Istituto Marangoni, headquartered in Milan. Having lived and studied abroad for many years, I felt a strong urge to return to my country and help shape fashion imagery as a space for expression, one that reflects the rich heritage passed down to us by our ancestors.

What prompted you to attend the Silver Jubilee, and what was your reaction?

I was deeply motivated to attend the Silver Jubilee, as my very first teacher continues to shape young lives in kindergarten even today. She is the reason my family always believed in me and encouraged my creative pursuits without doubt. Returning to the campus was heartwarming. The school has evolved beautifully. The classrooms now have flat screens, the washrooms have been revamped, and the football field with turf is truly impressive.

Which spaces or moments stirred the strongest memories for you?

Quite amusingly, it was the area outside the principal’s office. I spent a lot of time standing there during my school days, and seeing it now brought back memories in a rather fun way.

How did the Silver Jubilee help you reconnect with your school journey?

The biggest achievement I noticed was how the school now actively encourages students to pursue diverse streams such as humanities and commerce. Students have excelled and earned major distinctions. It was also wonderful to see children exploring a wider range of sports, including boxing.

What part of school life had the greatest influence on you?

My adolescence at the school was the most influential phase of my life. I was often misunderstood and was once on the verge of expulsion until one teacher truly believed in me. From 2008 to 2012, those years became the golden phase of my life. One of my teachers helped me rediscover my artistic voice, and it was also the year I was published internationally for the first time.

How do you think the values imparted by the school continue to reflect in your life today?

The values instilled by my school guide me to be a responsible citizen within my country and a proud representative of it beyond its borders.

What did it mean to you to see teachers who once guided you still shaping young minds today?

Seeing my teachers continue to shape lives gives me a deep sense of reassurance about the future, along with immense gratitude.

If you could relive one ordinary school day, which day would you choose?

Every day at school felt extraordinary, but Annual Day and Founder’s Day stand out as my favourites. Those days involved leading groups of students to plan and create visuals and performances, along with the unwavering support of my art teachers.

How does this school leave a lasting impression?

It offers space, resources and, most importantly, the right teachers. It constantly inspires young minds to aim higher, do more and leave no stone unturned.