It’s t2’s birthday today and as we turn 19 this year, we had the super handsome Yash Daasguptaa and the stunning Koushani Mukherjee play muse for a very special t2 shoot. The theme? Time travel. The subject allows one to travel through eras — past, present or simply dive into the future. For our fun shoot at Hashtag Kolkata, we put together the mood board with the actors and explored the iconic 1920s and dived deep into the future. The shoot was wrapped up by a hearty chat with Yash and Koushani on being 19, loving t2, and prepping up for the much-awaited t2 birthday bash!

A t2 chat with
Yash and Koushani: Yash, we wrapped up a very special shoot for t2’s birthday. What do you enjoy most about shooting for t2?

I love the effortlessness. Shooting with t2 never feels rushed or mechanical. It genuinely feels like being with family, there’s comfort, trust and a lot of laughter on set. It’s that rare set-up where you feel so comfortable that you forget you’re being clicked and that’s probably why the shots turn out to be so good.

What is your fondest memory with t2?

Yash: One of my fondest memories with t2 goes back to 2022-23. I remember shooting for multiple editions in a single day. We started early and wrapped up late. I was mostly based in Mumbai then because of my film shoot, so that day felt like a proper creative reunion. What made it special was the energy, the t2 team feels like family, so even with multiple looks and constant changes, it never felt hectic. We worked hard, laughed a lot, and in the end the photographs turned out fantastic, which made the long day completely worth it.
Koushani: I think all my t2 shoots! Whenever there is an edition featuring my picture, my parents always make sure to have a cutout. Specially, of those cover shoots. I still have them at home. It really feels great to see myself on the cover page. I really love t2 from the core of my heart and would love to be associated with forever.

Your fave t2 party theme...

Yash: The one that stands out for me was Lets go OTT theme, where we dressed up as our favourite film or OTT characters. As actors we normally do that in front of camera but this was more of pretend play. I went as Harvey Specter from Suits, partly for the sharp suits, but mostly for that quiet confidence and clarity he carries. It was stylish, playful and fun as usual, which is exactly what a t2 party does best.
Koushani: As someone who really enjoys following themes, picking one is difficult. But I really want to thank my t2 family for coming up with such exciting themes every year. It gives us an opportunity to experiment.

An advice you would give to your 19 year-old self now...

Yash: I’d tell my 19 year-old self to relax a bit. Life isn’t a race and nobody’s handing out medals for overthinking. Also, trust me, most of the things you’re stressing about won’t even make your highlight reel. Life sorts itself out much better when you stop micromanaging it.
Koushani: I lacked patience and determination when I was 19. So, I think the advice that I would like to give my 19-year-old self is to be more calm and more focused. I would also tell her that there is time for everything and nothing can be resolved with panic and anxiety. I should have been really calm in handling things. I should have taken things slowly in my life instead of panicking.

What was the wildest thing you did when you were 19?

Yash: Oh, I’ve done a few very crazy things at 19, the kind that are best left off record. Let’s just say if I start listing them, this interview might turn into a legal document. Let’s keep that part happily mysterious.
Koushani: Wildest thing that I have done when I was 19 would definitely be going on a girls’ trip. I made crazy memories! I don’t want to specify all that I did in that trip! (laughs) It was the best trip of our life.

There are parties and then there is t2 party! What makes you look forward to it?

Yash: Well you’ve answered it yourself that there are parties and then there’s a t2 party, which already says a lot. What I look forward to is the vibe. It’s stylish without trying too hard, fun without being forced. It never feels like an obligation, rather it feels like catching up with your own people, dressed really well.
Koushani: t2 has been an emotion for all of us. I am a person who looks forward to my birthdays, and t2’s birthday feels equally personal. I plan for it almost like my own birthday. I really look forward to the themes every year. I get really excited about my styling and make-up. I anyway love partying, and with the t2 team and people of the fraternity, it gets all the more crazy. I have never seen anybody missing the t2 party! It is definitely a diet cheat day, too! And, I love unwinding in that carefree zone. The kind of warmth and the love that I share with the t2 family is unmatched.

If t2 was a person turning 19, how would you describe its personality?

Yash: It would be that fun, slightly mischievous kid with great taste and zero boredom tolerance. Always dressed right, a little opinionated, and definitely the one planning the party and making sure it’s talked about the next day. Smart, curious, not afraid to push boundaries, basically the kind of 19-year-old parents worry about and friends swear by.
Koushani: Fun, wild, full of life and loved by all.

Is there a particular shoot with us that stands out in your memory?

Yash: The Valentine’s Day shoot is hard to forget, though I don’t remember the year precisely. We were on a speedboat with the Howrah Bridge playing the perfect romantic backdrop, straight out of a movie. I was in a black suit, Nussrat (Jahan) in a red dress, with flowers and chocolates courtesy the ever-enthusiastic Team t2. It was one of those days where the romance felt effortless, the mood was light, and the shoot almost turned into a date. By the end of it, we were smiling for real, which probably explains why the pictures still feel so alive.
Koushani: My connection with t2 goes far beyond shoots. Ever since I started my journey with films, starting from film promotions to interviews... I think it is going to be a lifelong journey with t2. Shoots with t2 are always fun. I feel pampered. It is always effortless, and full of fun and gossip! But if I have to choose, I would pick this shoot for t2’s 19th birthday. I think this is the best shoot I’ve done so far with t2. Going ahead, I would like to cherish the memories of this shoot. t2 really pushes the boundaries with every shoot and I had great fun doing the Audrey Hepburn look. I am a total fangirl!

Parties are incomplete without dancing, what is your current fave dance song?

Yash: Lately, my go-to has been the Dhurandhar album. It has that perfect mix of high-energy beats and swagger.
Koushani: This year, I am going to dance till my feet hurts! And yes, the Dhurandhar album is trending and is perfect for the dance floor. I like AP Dhillon tracks and Punjabi mixes as well, but current favourite is Dhurandhar

Yash, between you and Nussrat who gets more excited about dressing up for the t2 party?

Yash: Nussrat definitely shows her excitement more openly. You can see it instantly! I’m a little quieter about it, but make no mistake, I’m just as particular. One of us expresses it on the outside, the other processes it internally, but the end result is the same. We both genuinely love dressing up. By the time we’re done, we’ve spent hours getting ready and are equally excited to walk in looking our best.

Koushani, between you and Bonny who gets more excited about dressing up for the t2 party?

Koushani: Bonny is more of a chill person when it comes to following the party theme, getting ready or doing a particular look as per the theme. He doesn’t take much effort to look a particular way or plan outfits. I am more freaked out about all these things, so I really put in effort thinking how I want my outfit or hairstyle or make-up to be. I also like to explore new things, so between us, it’s me of course!

Styling: Isha Thakkar and Suchismita Dasgupta (for vintage looks, assisted by Evana Sultana)
Outfits: Kiran Uttam Ghosh, Kommal Sood, Label Rahul Dasgupta and A1 Dress Suppliers
Jewellery: Jhulan Dey (for Koushani’s vintage look) and Lashkaara by Ritu Dhingra
Yash’s hair and make-up: Piku Mandal and Babusona Saha
Koushani’s hair and make-up: Abinash Bhowmick and
Pritam Das
Location and hospitality: Hashtag, Kolkata