TV actors like Shilpa Shirodkar, Yashpal Sharma and Achint Kaur remember their favourite teachers on Teacher's Day and thank them for mentoring and guiding them.

Teacher's Day is celebrated Sep 5 and here's what they have to say:

Shilpa Shirodkar: I fondly remember my schoolteacher Sama. Whatever she said and taught us was so amazing that she actually became our friend. I remember when she was getting married and going to leave the country, she threw a party in her house for the whole class. I would also like to mention my guru Gopikrishna who taught me dance and whenever I'm complimented on being a good dancer, I feel that I owe it to him.

Yashpal Sharma: Uday Bhanu Hans, a national poet and the Hindi professor from my college in Haryana, is someone I still remember and talk to. What used to set him apart were his classes, where the likes of Mira, Surdas and Kabir were discussed in a manner that was relevant to modern and contemporary life.

His classes, which included him also narrating mythological tales, used to transport us to a different world altogether. Recently, when I went to meet him, he mentioned how proud he was of me. He has written an autobiography and has dedicated one entire chapter to me.

Achint Kaur: My mom is a teacher. In my life as far as a teacher or a guru is concerned, it has always been her. She is an amazing teacher not just for me but also for people across the world that have been taught by her. She has been my guiding light, inspiration, guru and most of all my best friend.


Vaishnavi McDonald: Theatre director Dinkar Jani is my mentor and guru in acting. During my initial days, I used to get nervous easily. He was the one who introduced me to a mantra in acting that changed the way I saw the art completely and also changed me as an actor. His magic words were - 'Don't act, just react'. I feel that it was only after that, that I truly understood what acting was all about.

Mohit Malik: I really admire and look up to theatre personality Raj whom I had the chance to meet early in my career, in 2006, after I shifted to Mumbai. That moment changed my life because he really was the one from whom I learnt a lot about the technicalities of the acting craft. I will always follow him and he is my guru in acting.

Paridhi Sharma: The best teacher I've had in life is a lady who taught me the basics of living. She taught me to smile in spite of failures and to be humble and grateful when life gives you success... And the day when I become the reason for someone's smile, she will accept me as her teacher. She is my mother.

Karan Kundra: She was one of the exchange teachers from Britain and was barely 21 years old. I don't remember her name, but she had a beautiful smile and long hair. To make an impression, I actually called my sister and asked her for style tips, as I wanted to look dapper.

English was the only subject where I used to sit on the first bench and look my best... and I always made sure I reached the class a little earlier so that I could sit on the first bench.