Talking to Rukmini Vasanth (rukmini_vasanth), you begin to see the loose-limbed joy of play at work. She takes a person apart and puts her back together differently, looking at the little details that make a character feel alive. There is always another question to ask, another way to try. Mary Oliver’s instructions for living come to mind: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” Forty minutes with Rukmini and you think: what a way to spend a life. Read her full cover story at the link in bio, and grab a copy of our 30th anniversary issue of September-October ’26, on newsstands now! Editor: Snigdha Ahuja (snigdha.ahuja) Interview: Akshaya Pillai (akshaya_pillai) Photographer: Aastha Manchanda (manchandaa) Stylist: Nishtha Parwani (nishthaparwani) Makeup Artist: Savleen Kaur Manchanda (savleenmanchanda) Hair Artist: Sourav Roy (souravv_roy_) Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (shalinikanojia) Fashion Assistants: Maitri Desai (maitriidesaii) and Ria Kothari (ria.kothari) Fas...