Paresh Pahuja, Gagan Dev Riar and Mohit Tyagi talk 13th: Some lessons aren’t taught in classrooms

In a world obsessed with success stories, 13th: Some Lessons Aren’t Taught in Classrooms arrives as a heartfelt reminder that behind every achievement lies a journey of resilience and mentorship. Based on the real-life story of educator Mohit Tyagi, known for his free IIT-JEE lessons, the series is a slice-of-life series that thrives on its humanity, tender storytelling, and strong performances. 

For Paresh Pahuja, Ritesh wasn’t just another role; it was part mirror, part challenge. "A lot of Ritesh is like me," he admits. "That stubbornness, that rebellion—I’ve grown up with that. But there’s a very thin line between stubbornness becoming ego, and that’s the lesson Ritesh had to learn."

The show traces Ritesh’s journey from a small-town IIT aspirant to a rising venture capitalist to someone who leaves it all behind to find meaning in his life. "Sometimes scripts find you. You don’t find scripts—they find you because you need those lessons in your life," Pahuja says. "One lesson I’ve learned from Ritesh is that you can’t do it alone," he says. "All of us need help—from friends, family, mentors. That idea of being self-made, of doing everything on your own, it’s just a defence mechanism. You have to let people in. And, it’s not only about you—your purpose, your career, your life. You have to make other lives better along the way."

For Mohit Tyagi, the man behind the story, the idea of a show based on his life initially felt surreal. "Abhishek Dandariya from About Films approached me," he recalls. "He told me he wanted to make a biopic on me. Initially, I felt I didn’t do anything to make a biopic! But he wrote the story, and I think it’s a great feeling to be telecasted."

Gagan Dev Riar, who essays Tyagi’s role on screen, immersed himself completely in preparation. "I went to Jaipur, spent the whole day with him," Riar shares. "He introduced me to his students, and I saw how much they respect him. I even recorded him reading my dialogues, so I could capture his speech and gestures." Some of Tyagi’s most profound lines were improvised by Riar after hearing the educator speak. "He once said, 'I don’t want to sell false hopes and dreams, no matter how much loss I have,'" recalls Gagan. "That line wasn’t in the script—it came straight from him. I knew I had to include it."

Tyagi’s own journey began with hardship. "When I was in Class 12, I heard for the first time that there is something called IIT-JEE," he says. "I had financial stress, a lack of information. Later, when I started teaching, I saw so many kids from UP and Bihar putting everything at stake. I wanted to help them." That determination led him to start uploading free IIT-JEE lectures on YouTube in 2013, long before 'edtech' became a buzzword. "Many teachers told me not to do it," he remembers. "They said I would become redundant. But I told them, if my career ends, but it helps students, I’ll take that risk."

Talking to the real Mohit Tyagi, it struck me just how accurately the reel Mohit Tyagi has captured his essence — the conviction, the idealism, and that ability to speak with both authority and warmth. 

At its core, 13th is a story of mentorship, how one teacher’s faith can transform lives. "In mentorship, academic knowledge is essential," Tyagi explains. "But it’s equally important to listen. Often, a student’s problem is not academic—it’s mental or emotional. If you can be patient and really listen, you’ll be a great mentor."

When asked what he hopes young viewers take away from the show, Tyagi says, "The scale of success can’t be measured only by money. You should be happy and enjoy what you’re doing. If you are truly curious, you’ll automatically excel." For Riar, the message is universal. "It’s a story about second chances," he says. "In life, success or failure is not permanent. If you fail today, try again tomorrow. If you’re successful, stay humble. And if you have a good teacher who believes in you—you can go anywhere."

Pahuja names a similar sentiment when summing up Ritesh’s arc: "Aane wala pal jaane wala hai, ho sake toh issme zindagi bita do, pal jo yeh jaane wala hai. That’s our existence on this planet is short—so let’s live it fully."

Also Read: '13th: Some Lessons Aren’t Taught in Classrooms' Review | A tender watch with strong performances