Artist who almost became a soldier

By Hemant Mishra | Mint

But soon, he began to realize that he wanted to be an artist. At 18, during the selection trials for the Indian Army, he was the only one desperate to get disqualified. “I knew I should not become a soldier even if my well-wishers forced me into it. It was a do-or-die situation."

Sujith had two choices—become a disinterested soldier or at least try to be an average painter. With his mother’s approval, Sujith chose the second option. He convinced the officers to set him free before recruitment.

That was the first breakthrough.

12 January 2010