My graduate degree didn't pay in acting career

Irrfan Khan, who has always chosen to tread the unbeaten path in Hindi filmdom, believes in "wholesome" education, but says his own graduation degree turned out to be "useless" for his career as an actor.

Some of Bollywood's leading actors have made it big with their talent despite not having completed their education. Irrfan feels it's always good when people follow their interest rather than chasing the 'formula' of completing education first and then stepping into the field they desire.

Irrfan said: “If you have done your schooling and if your kids decide to go for their passion (acting), it's their choice. You can't force such things (further studies) on your kids. You can't have the formula of doing graduation first and then MBA and then come to acting (or whatever their passion is)."

Citing his own example, the actor, who is a father of two in real life, recollected how "my mother's only condition was 'Tu graduate hoja, fir jo karna hai kar lena' (finish your graduation first and then do whatever you feel like)".

"But for me, that is (turned out to be) useless. It didn't pay me at all,” said the 48-year-old actor.

“Our kids today have become much smarter. When you ask them that 'What do you want to do', they say that they will decide when they are in eleventh or twelfth standard. I feel that’s good and I respect that. They want to see where their interest lies and then they think of deciding their career. That's very good,” he added.