Happy Ki Ultan Paltan actor Kamna Pathak considers theatre stalwart Barry John her mentor. She says, "I met Barry Sir in 2010 when I did an advanced course from the Barry John Acting Studio. There's a diploma course and an advanced course in which students are selected by Sir himself. I was selected for the advanced course as I was already doing theatre in Delhi."

She adds, "Whatever I learnt about acting is through him. He taught us to emote. We used to have Friday classes where we watched films and discussed every aspect of it in detail. I was being pulled back by many things like background and society boundaries. It was only after I did his course, my mind opened up. I would want to work hard and that's the guru dakshina, which will make him happy."