Over the weekend, we sat down for an interview with someone who recalls their humble beginnings serving tea right out of school, and now can’t get enough of the spotlight. Though this character arc might seem vaguely familiar, we’re actually in conversation with Dhrreti Bhatt, a 22-year-old actor-director who breathes everything theatre. “I would often assist the likes of Hidayat Sami and Trishla Patel with backstage production, help the cast with tea during breaks, or sometimes, run errands. I was itching to be a part of a production as soon as I finished school,” she recalls.

If the title of her new production, Sissy, raises a few eyebrows, that’s because it wants to. Described as whimsical, absurd, and mind-bending, it has got the green light from theatremaker Akarsh Khurana. “I had heard of Dhrreti and her works in my circles, but somehow, never crossed paths with her. Earlier this year, I was recording my podcast for Aadyam Theatre, and Dhrreti happened to be in the research team,” he recalls the happenstance that brought them together. “I remember telling him, ‘Anything you’re working on for the stage, I would absolutely love to join,” Bhatt reveals.