Lauding her director, Kunal Kohli, the actress said she was confident about her character in the show because of him…Lara speaks with Akshay Acharya
Lara Dutta’s digital debut ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, directed by Kunal Kohli, has set the stage for the entry of Lionsgate Play in India. The show revolves around a modern Indian family, who are quite open about talking about pretty much anything that is considered taboo in our society, from their dating to their sex lives.
Lara, who plays Vasudha Rao, a single mother recently separated from her husband at the age of 40, spoke about the show, her thoughts on the changing nature of conversations on taboo subjects and how she approaches a character. Excerpts from the conversation.
Talking about the mix of nervous energy and excitement with which she views the show, the actress, who was most recently in the news for playing Mrs Indira Gandhi in ‘Bell Bottom’, said: “For an actor, every single release brings along nervous energy. But when it’s ready when you see the finished product, it’s always made for the audience, we don’t make things for ourselves. There’s also excitement when you feel like you’ve been a part of something really special, crazy and fun.”
Speaking specifically about the central theme of ‘Hiccups and
Hookups’, Lara said: “Picking up a subject like this and presenting it in a relatable and humorous way, and to normalise a lot of things that are considered taboo subjects in a contemporary way, is what makes it truly special.”
Sharing how she approaches a character, the actress said: “When I hear a story, I already start seeing certain scenes in my head, imagining what those scenes would look like on screen. For ‘Hiccups and Hookups’, I was the first actor to be cast, followed by Prateik (Babbar) and Shinnova.”
Explaining how the creative process works, she added: “So, when the actors are cast, once everyone starts doing table reads together, once everybody gets on sets, it (the story) evolves in many ways. The beauty of it is that what sounded one way on paper, can completely transform and elevate when brought to the screen. That’s the best part of being an actor: you create magic on sets.”
When asked about her source of inspiration for the show, Lara said: “You draw inspiration from people you interact with, from the observations you make in routine life and circumstances that life throws at you.”
Lauding her director, Kunal Kohli, the actress said she was confident about her character in the show because of him.
Concluding her conversation, she said: “Having Kunal Kohli helm this project, I knew right off the bat that I was in the hands of an impeccable director. Kunal is a director who has a certain sensitivity and sensibility about the way he sketches his female characters for the screen.”
“I believe in serving humanity and working collaboratively to make a positive global change” Author, Philanthropist and TedX speaker Dr Parin Somani tells Asian Lite’s Deputy Editor Ragasudha Vinjamuri
Tell us your background. Education, upbringing family and career.
By profession, I am an Independent Academic Scholar, TedX and International Motivational Speaker, Educator, Author and Philanthropist with over 35 years of professional experience, largely in the finance industry. I hold six Doctorate degrees and four World Book of Records achievements. I am fortunate to have the support of a loving husband and daughters who are my backbone.
What has influenced you to come into the area of Beauty Pageants?
I have a passion for helping humanity, which is reflected through my humanitarian and philanthropic work. I was hence identified by the media and nominated to participate within beauty pageants as a role model and inspiration to women globally, who can support individuals needing encouragement and confidence towards a self-sustaining future. This includes the underprivileged in remote villages in different regions of India to who I provide hope, education, and skills.
With achievements comes the strength to help others. Explain some of the social and voluntary activities of yours that helped others in their livelihoods or well-being.
Through achievements, the responsibility to serve society increases. I am involved in numerous initiatives including being International President- SP Women’s Wing; Editor: R&D Creativity; International Director SAARC Nations International Human Rights Association, to name a few. During the pandemic, I have spoken in more than 200 national & international webinars and conferences on numerous topics. Through my humanitarian work, I have successfully educated more than 100,000 people globally. I have published more than educational papers, newspaper articles, magazine articles and books including during the COVID-19 pandemic to help societies. Currently, I am building a school and training centre in a ‘forgotten’ village in the Jharkhand state of India. It will provide education, skills, and tools for the underprivileged enabling a better quality of life for current and future generations.
What would be your message for others, both your contemporaries and the aspirants, for having a satisfactory career and life journey?
I will impart three key messages 1. Always believe in yourself despite circumstances. 2. Follow your true instincts, Do the right thing. Do not forget your ethical values. 3. Be the person that builds bridges and breaks barriers. I believe that by working together, we can make a positive global change. This will facilitate your personal, professional, and humanitarian progression now and in the future.
Tell us about your own journey. Were there any particular challenges that you have faced and how did you overcome them?
I encountered my life’s greatest challenge when I suddenly lost my vision, and I was diagnosed with a life-threatening aggressive cancer on two separate occasions one decade apart. I was very fortunate to survive and regain my vision. However, self-esteem, determination to survive and resilience was tested to the maximum. This was the turning point in my life, I suddenly had a profound insight into the preciousness of life and the value of humanity. This is when I created the 2 mottos of my life to serve humanity lifelong and to work collaboratively to make a positive global change. I have travelled around the world and visited 87 countries globally in an attempt to build bridges and share my knowledge within society. We must all start to view challenges as opportunities and face them with love and compassion.
When I look back, I wonder how that magic happened really because I am the bad guy, I had no track of love story or song picturised on my in the film…reports Asian Lite News.
With an 18-year career in Bollywood that is filled with some of unusual choices of films that hold strong recall value, John Abraham is trying to cater both sections of audience – urban and mass. The actor says, he does not have the fear of failure and that drives him to take risks.
The actor is known for ‘Jism’,’Dhoom’, ‘Dostana’, ‘New York’, ‘Kabul Express’, to ‘Madras Cafe’, ‘Parmanu’, ‘Batla House’ and the latest released ‘Satyamev Jayate 2’.
While some of the above-mentioned films are very clearly commercial potboilers and some are much loved by the urban audience, asked if he has any strategy to make such choices, in conversation John opens his heart.
John told : “I think the only strength that I have in my career since the beginning is, I have no fear of failure. Initially, there was a list of films that I did that were ahead of their time. So they did not work for the larger audience immediately after the release. I was ok with it. I also knew from the beginning that, every story has its set audience.
“If not instantly, eventually the story will find its audience. So, there are films that I did and that earned a lot of money at the box office, which wasn’t something I was expecting when I was making the film. I never put myself under pressure imagining the negative result of the end product. ‘Zyada se zyada kya hoga’, it won’t work for the audience, right? Ok, we will move on to the next film. I live film to film and keep moving on.”
His latest released film ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’, a Milap Zaveri directorial is a sequel to ‘Satyameva Jayate’.
How the new film picks up at the box office, one has to wait and watch.
Meanwhile, John shared some of the films that are very close to his heart.
‘Jism’: Released in 2003 the film received a lot of love and appreciation from the critics and audience alike. John said, “It will always remain a special film for me because it was my debut. My favourite song ‘Awarapan Banjarapan’! it was the first time I got so much adulation from the audience. I realised how my long hair and physicality became a rage among youngsters but for me, back then, I was just a guy passionate about storytelling. Trust me, I am still the same.”
‘Dostana’: One of the most successful films that came out of Dharma Productions in 2008 featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra, the film had a humorous take on gay relationships. “When I read the script, I just found it funny. I was laughing throughout the reading season. That was it for me to come on board and do the film. Yes, the rest is history! But I wasn’t very calculative about it. I was going with the flow,” said John.
‘Dhoom’: Released in 2004 the first instalment of the franchise John, who played the traditional ‘bad guy’, really changed the image of the villain. Again, his physicality and passion for bikes created a rage among a whole new generation due to the success of the film. “When I look back I wonder how that magic happened really because I am the bad guy, I had no track of love story or song picturised on my in the film.
“All I had is the character and my bike! While I couldn’t predict the end result of the film that turned out so successful, I would go back to my earlier point, I had no fear of failure. You see, that is the point, my driving force,” said the actor.
Quite interestingly in all these films that become cult, John has received a lot of appreciation for his strong screen presence and good looks. Be it his bare body, long hair look in ‘Jism’, flaunting his biceps and walking around the Miami beach in ‘Dostana’ and biking in ‘Dhoom’.
Does the good looks put him into the box of non-actor, in the eyes of the critics?
“Hey, but I am the same guy who did a film called ‘New York’, a very important story that was. I did ‘Water’, ‘Madras Cafe’ and ‘Kabul Express’ too. I did a film called ‘Zinda’, ‘Force’…well the list is long and I am not being defensive here. I am trying to say in the initial stage of my career when I did those films, ‘subtle acting’ was not a trend then. So, the performance wasn’t noticed perhaps but those films are still watched and loved! Now, I am trying to reach out to every section of the audience, my choice of films is a reflection of that”, John signed off.
Rani says a’Bunty Aur Babli 2′ is the perfect launchpad for Sharvari…reports Asian Lite News.
Actress Rani Mukerji, who will be soon seen reprising the role of Vimmi aka Babli in ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’, has praised debutante Sharvari and said that it is amazing to see talented newcomers come into the industry as they will play a big role in shaping the industry.
Rani said: “Sharvari is definitely a talent to watch out for and she looks refreshingly breathtaking on screen. She has really surprised me with her craft and I feel she has a very bright future ahead of her.
“Sharvari is a very confident performer and has worked really hard for the film. It was evident when she was giving her shots because her skill as an artist shone through.
“It is amazing to see talented newcomers come in the industry because they will play a big hand in shaping the industry in the years to come.”
Rani says a’Bunty Aur Babli 2′ is the perfect launchpad for Sharvari.
“It presents her as the Hindi film heroine on the big screen. Her presence on screen is superb and she dazzles on screen.”
Yash Raj Films’ ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’, which is set to release on November 19, is a rib-tickling comedy that will pit two sets of con artists, from different generations, against each other as they show their mastery over disguises to outwit each other.
Rani feels Sharvari will wow audiences with her screen presence.
She said: “She will take everyone by surprise and hopefully audiences will give her a lot of love and appreciation for her hard work.”
Bali said the Volvo Group India is now working with start-ups suppliers, government authorities for innovation in the areas of future energy… Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group Indiaspeaks with Venkatachari Jagannathan
With more and more high-end work assigned to its research and development (R&D) centre/Global Competency Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru, Swedish automotive major Volvo will be increasing its headcount, said a top official of Volvo Group India.
“Next year we will be adding about 500 people and the majority of them will be in GCC. The centre is getting more complex work from Volvo global. Several patents have been filed from this centre,” Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group India, told in an interview.
The proposed recruits will be engineers having qualifications in embedded electronics, electric mobility and others, he added.
Bali said the Volvo Group India is now working with start-ups suppliers, government authorities for innovation in the areas of future energy.
With a headcount of about 2,500, the centre offers accounting, information technology (IT), truck design, and robotic process automation-related services and others to Volvo group companies around the world.
According to Bali, the Indian GCC will soon be the second-largest centre for Volvo outside of the home country Sweden.
As per India Ratings & Research credit rating report, Volvo Group India had closed a revenue of Rs 35.6 billion in FY20. The company incurred CAPEX of around Rs 309 million in FY20.
In India, Volvo is in the business of construction equipment, heavy-duty trucks, marine and industrial engines, GCC, financial services and cars.
Volvo also has a mass-market truck and bus joint venture with Eicher Motors India – the VECV Commercial Vehicles.
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The group’s products are sold under the brands Volvo, Eicher and SDLG.
Speaking about Volvo Group India’s business prospects in India Bali said the construction equipment market is very good now with investments happening in infrastructure sectors like roads and mines.
“The industry is likely to close this year selling about 80,000 units similar to the peak of 2018 and Volvo will also have a share in the growth in numbers,” Bali said.
With Volvo having launched electric construction equipment and other vehicles overseas, Bali said globally 35 per cent of Volvo vehicles will become electric by 2030 and the group will be carbon neutral by 2040.
“In line with that Volvo’s operations in different geographies would progress,” Bali said.
On the issue of high steel prices and Volvo Group India’s ability to pass on the hike, he said the challenging scenario is expected to get solved in one quarter.
New York City generates as much waste as a small country. How can the city handle its waste in a sustainable way?
There will be some price adjustments in the products. In the construction equipment segment, it has been made.
“We are bullish about the construction equipment segment as the government has announced the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) involving an investment of $1 trillion. A lot of investments are happening in the road sector as seen from the demand for road construction equipment,” Bali said.
About 40 km of road is laid per day now in India as against 8-9 km per day earlier.
“It is going to be a virtuous cycle as the government has also announced its asset monetisation plans. So, infrastructure will be built, it will be monetised and further investment will be made in the core sector,” Bali said.
Volvo has about 40 per cent local content in its construction equipment and during the last three years a lot of localisation of components has happened, Bali added.
The company also exports its construction equipment to South Asia.
Similarly in the heavy trucks segment that is used in the mines, Volvo is gearing up further.
In the case of 5-8 litre industrial engines, made at the VECV commercial plant in Pithampur, the Volvo Group India apart from selling to marine and industrial segments has started selling to makers of sugarcane harvesters, compressors and others, Bali said.
Earlier Volvo Group India had under its fold the Volvo Bus division which transferred to VECV Commercial Vehicles.
As per plans, high-end luxury buses will be badged as Volvo and the mass-market vehicle will be sold under the Eicher brand.
Recently officials of VECV Commercial mentioned 16 bus prototypes which would be badged as Volvo or Eicher depending on the market segment they would address.
VECV Commercial has launched a 15-metre luxury sleeper coach –badged Volvo and priced over Rs 1.5 crore — with 39 sleepers.
The first eight coaches made at its facility in Hoskote near Bengaluru have already been sold to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.
Bali said the future of automation will be largely driven by: combination of electric and alternate fuels (CNG, Hydrogen); autonomous/driverless vehicles in confined areas like ports; new transport concepts like last-mile connectivity, long haul cargo; connectivity and digitisation which would throw up a large amount of data requiring analytics and new transport business models like cargo aggregation and ride-sharing.
The book also talks about household risks and how adopting certain lifestyles can minimise the risk of cancer…writes Vishnu Makhijani
His father being diagnosed with lymphoma prompted Aditya Mohan Wig, a best-selling author and content development consultant with the World Bank, to collaborate with Dr Mrinal Kaushik, whose expertise was in chemotherapy on a book on cancer, specifically in the Indian context.
The book was almost complete when tragedy struck – Dr Kaushik met with a fatal accident in the Mussoorie hills and it was left to Wig to complete “Life After Cancer – An Essential Guide for Patients and Caregivers’ (Bloomsbury).
“By all rights, it should be Dr Kaushik who answers these questions, but he passed away towards the end of this project, before the final draft was submitted. If it had not been for his notes and his vast understanding of the subject well, it’s unlikely this book would have been written,” Wig told in an interview.
It’s a project that had begun in 2018.
“This came about a year or so after my father had been diagnosed with lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system). I agreed, for a few reasons: First, it was a crash-course of sorts into the medical process-diagnosis, confirmation, treatments-that my father was undergoing. Second, I had already done some reading on the subject and had realised that while there was a lot of information available, more often than not, it was written by doctors for other doctors, not for the general public.
“Third, after my father’s diagnosis, I had already been grappling with a lot of fear about what might happen. Writing about it helped process that. Fourth was the financial motivation – I was in between jobs at the time, and while I wouldn’t describe the Indian literary market as a particularly good place to earn money, something is better than nothing,” Wig explained.
The primary research material was the draft chapters Dr Kaushik had written.
“Before signing on with Bloomsbury, we’d structured the book outline and written a few sample chapters. If I remember right, these were the introduction – a short overview of how our understanding of cancer has evolved over the past few centuries – a chapter on chemotherapy, and a chapter on a carcinogen (I think it was tobacco).
“The research process for this was essentially me first reading Dr Kaushik’s draft of the chapter and then noting down the questions I had, which I figured would be a decent proxy for the questions other people without medical degrees might have. After that, I’d rely either on institutional sources (reports from the Mayo Clinic, the World Health Organization, etc) or on Dr Kaushik’s notes to restructure/ rewrite the chapter based around those questions, which was then sent to Dr Kaushik for review, or for more explanation of a particularly complicated concept,” he said of the manner in which the book was structured.
The book is primarily focussed on two aspects of cancer – known carcinogens (substances that increase a person’s risk of getting cancer) and treatment. Some carcinogens are very well known, like alcohol, tobacco and meat. Others are pretty surprising; for one, even fluorescent lighting is suspected of being a risk factor.
“After a month or so of research, I realised that one reason it is difficult for people to come to grips with the subject is because there are simply so many moving parts in the equation, so many aspects to the disease, so many complicating factors. It is not as straightforward as cigarettes cause cancer; also in the mix are factors like a person’s specific genetic makeup, their individual immune response, their lifestyle, how many other carcinogens they’re being regularly exposed to and so on.
“This complexity can lead to an extraordinary mish-mash of information that can be very difficult for people without medical degrees, like me, to make sense of. This book attempts to put some of that information into context with other relevant information – for example, explaining what the ‘cell cycle’ is so that readers are in a better position to understand the two broad types of anti-cancer drugs – CCSAs and CCNSAs (cell cycle specific and cell cycle non-specific agents),” Wig elaborated.
What, then, are the key aspects that cancer patients and caregivers need to be aware of?
“For one, treatment is not a guaranteed cure. It often dangerous, and can be fatal. For example, some medications cause a condition known as ‘myelosuppression’-the body’s ability to produce blood cells is damaged, which can lead to death. Many anti-cancer drugs are carcinogenic themselves. All the allopathic treatments I’ve personally come across can have major side effects. Dealing with these is a major aspect of treatment, especially for patients and caregivers, since treatment is an extended (weeks- or months-long) process.
“The psychological aspect is another major factor. It’s extremely common to become depressed or fatalistic or to lose hope once a diagnosis has been confirmed. This becomes worse if there are major side effects to the treatment.
“Think of how miserable it feels to simply be hung over; now imagine feeling the same way because of a medication that you have to take for an extended period of time to treat a condition that will probably kill you, especially if you refuse treatment.
“This is also where the fear of death becomes very real. We often refuse to engage with the idea that our loved ones will most certainly die at some point, simply because it’s too painful to deal with. I personally found that this conversation is essential, especially early on when there is still time to have difficult conversations. My own relationship with my father is certainly richer, deeper and more evolved because of it. After acknowledging my own fear of his death – and expressing it to him – it has become a lot easier to be a source of emotional support,” Wig elaborated.
Another miserable reality is the cost. Cancer diagnosis and treatment can often cost tens of lakh rupees, if not more. For most people, this is a life-changing expense. Many people are unable to get treatment because of this, and it can be another factor that causes depression, he said.
The book also talks about household risks and how adopting certain lifestyles can minimise the risk of cancer.
“Three primary household risk factors are tobacco, alcohol and meat. Giving these up – much easier said than done – goes a long way toward reducing the risk. A major aspect of the risk is also the amount of exposure one has to a given carcinogen, and how often it happens. If you find yourself unable to give these up, you can at least reduce the amount you consume, or how often you do so,” Wig said.
Other risks are less easy to address.
“There is little one can do about exposure to Delhi’s air, for example, or the toxins that may be in the water, or in paint, or in cleaning solutions or even in our food. The ideal solution, as I understand it, would simply be not to live in a city; however, that’s again easier said than done.
“Reducing the risks often involves giving up pleasurable lifestyles – it is as simple as that. The balance one chooses to strike is a personal choice; this much risk for that much pleasure. Of course, another way to look at it is that 70 or 80 years from today, most people reading this will have passed on, cancer or no cancer.
“There is no ‘total protection’ from risk, and I personally feel is somewhat futile to attempt to create such a bubble. Live as healthily as you are able, and be honest – at least with yourself – about the risks you are taking. The rest is largely out of our hands,” Wig concluded.
One should reuse their clothes. You don’t need to buy new clothes, all the time. We share clothes, among friends with similar body types, all the time, whether it’s children’s clothes as well as my clothes…Soha says.
At the recently held Lake Fashion Week X Fashion Design Council of India event which took place in Mumbai, actress Soha Ali Khan was a muse for Megha Jain Madaan. The festive collection by Madaan for her label Abstract was a luxurious line of creations. Khan dazzled in a sensational, black, will-powered gown with horizontal gold braiding, while the deep olive train added a regal touch. IANSlife caught up with the celebrity on the side-line of the events to discover her take on fashion. Read Excerpts:
Are you looking forward to on-ground fashion events and the energy that comes with physical shows and appearances?
I am I mean, I think that it’s been a while that we’ve all been at home and the livelihood of artisans, designers make-up artists, hairdressers has suffered. Everyone’s looking forward to being backed and last but not least; there’s a different energy, of course.
The outfit chosen for you at the show, how does it complement your style?
I really think that the outfit complimented my body type because it sort of showed off my arms which are very toned and strong. I’ve been working on them. So I’m happy that they chose, an off-shoulder outfit. The beautiful train added length which I require a little bit off. So, I think it was very feminine, and I think the silhouette was a good one for me. What are your travel essentials?
Wet wipes, sanitiser, spare masks and water. I would say a book but I haven’t read a book since I’ve become a mother. I would say iPad, cotton wool for ears, and a lollipop.
A book, a movie, the gym, or a night out. What is your perfect way to unwind?
If you really work out some point in the day, it just helps you to wind down. So I really believe in physical exercise. Well, I love massages and I really enjoy good conversations with good friends.
Soha (Pallav Paliwal)
How do you support sustainable fashion?
One should reuse their clothes. You don’t need to buy new clothes, all the time. We share clothes, among friends with similar body types, all the time, whether it’s children’s clothes as well as my clothes. Recycle, you know, if a pair of jeans have started to fray, cut them into shorts, you can also T-Shirts in a number of different ways. So you can recycle, use materials that are good for the planet, don’t use plastic and things like this.
What is an experience in your life that you’re waiting to have?
If it is for the day, I prefer denims that are lose and slouchy. Having said that, that would also be my style for an evening out…says Deepika.
Nothing like statuesque Deepika Padukone in a pair of jeans right? Well she gets our vote, as well as iconic denim brand Levi’s who recently announced the launch of its collaboration Levi’s x Deepika Padukone. Rooted in the brand’s authentic style and updated with Padukone’s signature style, this inaugural collaboration exudes freshness and confidence.
It re-imagines Levi’s classics through its range of jeans and denims while introducing Padukone’s signature favourites like athleisure pieces, edgy faux leather pants and oversized shirts. “The endeavour with my first ever collaboration with Levi’s was for it to be an authentic representation of my personal style. And I believe we’ve been able to stay true to that vision,” said Padukone.
The collaboration brings Padukone’s ultra-casual style to life through long varsity jackets, co-ord sweatsuits, crop-tops and bralettes. It also features modern and updated interpretations of Levi’s denims, with new on-trend 70s-inspired high waist jeans and cut and sew wide leg silhouettes to be paired with extra-long or cropped trucker jackets, a range of oversized shirts, soft romantic tops with organza sleeves, easy graphic t-shirts and elevated sweatshirts. Overall, the collection features quintessential pieces that will stand out in any wardrobe.
The collaboration is responsibly made, in line with the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Sixty per cent of the collaboration line is sustainably sourced with 100 per cent of the line ethically produced. Featuring organic cotton, super-soft Tencel made from wood pulp, cottonized hemp and denim produced with the brand’s Waterless technology, the line allows consumers to make a statement, with sustainability at the forefront. IANSlife caught up with the actress to get her take on the collection and her personal favourites:
Nothing beats a pair of denims, you can dress them up or down depending on your mood. Do you agree?
Absolutely! I think a good pair of denims are an absolute must in anyone’s wardrobe. And the best part is that you can either dress it up or dress it down. That’s what makes it extremely versatile apart from it also being extremely comfortable.
Although you’re known to constantly experiment with your style, what we see now is a much more relaxed, athleisure vibe to your outfit choices. How come?
Absolutely! While I love experimenting with fashion and my personal style, I have also always prioritised comfort; and with athleisure wear I am able to achieve both.
Share a few details about your new collaboration with Levis?
The endeavour with my first ever collaboration with Levi’s was for it to be an authentic representation of my personal style. And I believe we have been able to stay true to that vision.
A fashion icon from the yesteryear’s who’s style you admire and why?
Over the years, my personal style has been influenced by several people. But if I really had to choose one icon whose style I admire, it would have to be Rekha ji and her most exquisite sarees. I absolutely love sarees and could wear them almost every day! Millennials and Gen Z focus on utility, minimalism and the use they get out of a garment as much as the style. Do you agree?
Absolutely! I think today, especially post the pandemic, sustainability and utility really are the two main areas of focus. I believe the world was headed in that direction anyway and the pandemic has only accelerated that process.
Which style of denims are your favourite and why?
Honestly, it depends on my mood and the occasion. If it is for the day, I prefer denims that are lose and slouchy. Having said that, that would also be my style for an evening out. All I would do is pair them with different shoes. In the day, I would pair them with flip-flops or sneakers. For the evening, I would probably wear the same look with a pair of heels. That’s what makes a pair of jeans so versatile!
“We are absolutely thrilled that Deepika Padukone’s first collaboration as brand ambassador for Levi’s is so iconic yet personal. We have always believed in ‘authentic self-expression’ and the collaboration is just that. We wanted to work with Deepika because of her iconic sense of style and its influence on consumers. Her understanding of colours, fabrics and silhouettes is unique and extremely individual. With this collaboration we see the inclusion of newer fabrics, finishes and fits. The introduction of athleisure pieces, faux leather pants, long varsity jackets and even the oversized shirts are a way for us to explore unknown textile territories and also relate to a newer fashion consumer,” said Sanjeev Mohanty, SVP and MD — South Asia, Middle East and Africa, Levi’s
The collaboration will be available at Levi’s retail outlets, Levi.in and select partner e-commerce platforms on October 8, 2021.
UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla Al Khaja, the ambassador of OPPO, an acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.
As a global technology brand, OPPO is committed to empowering female business leaders both in the UAE and across the globe. OPPO is dedicated to supporting and encouraging women to be a driving force for change and share their fresh perspectives with the world.
This Emirati Women’s Day, OPPO celebrates by shining a spotlight on acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer Nayla Al Khaja. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.
UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja
In the United Arab Emirates Nayla has written and directed several films, all of which have been presented and awarded at various international film festivals such as Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
As an experienced film director, Nayla Al Khaja understands what is needed to create the perfect shot. As a brand fan and ambassador, the partnership between OPPO and Nayla was conceived from a shared passion for state-of-the-art camera technology available for all to experience and enjoy.
Join us as we learn more about Nayla’s passion, inspirations, and words of advice for budding film industry enthusiasts.
What inspired you to be a film director and producer?
I had a small gallery here in Dubai before I got into film. I always thought I was gonna be a full-time painter, but motion pictures inspired me from a young age.
As a child, I would watch VHS tapes back-to-back for hours. Of course, I was only allowed to watch certain genres as a child but, when I was seven or eight, I accidentally watched ‘The Exorcist’ and it truly scared me. A feeling that I still remember today.
When I was in school, I began experimenting with an 8-millimetre camera and by the time I was 19, I had already made my first documentary. After that, it felt only nature that I fell in love with the process of filmmaking. Why filmmaking? Because the process easily spoke to me as I thrive on chaos, madness and unpredictability, and filmmaking had all these components. Being a producer came naturally as did moving into a director role as I had to be in control of my narrative and be true to what I wanted to direct.
What does it mean to you to be an Emirati woman in the industry?
When I lived in Toronto, I was a little fish in this huge ocean. Whereas here, in the UAE, I could be a whale in an aquarium, so to speak. Both experiences came with their own unique benefits and challenges, but I have a better chance to leave my mark and impact in the UAE as one of my primary goals is to inspire young Arabs in the region. I’m just one of the lucky ones where although there are parts of my career that I hate, I would say I love 90% of it, which is a great percentage. It’s fulfilling for me to wake up every day and do what I love doing, which is telling stories. So, I’m very blessed that way.
At what age did you first own a camera? Do you remember your first shot?
Wow, this was a long time ago! I think I was around 12 years old when I owned my first camera. The first shot I took was for a project called cliché where I filmed mundane scenes about life that didn’t mean much individually, but collectively they told a story. For example, one of the scenes I captured was of a man trying to reach up and grab a certain brand of diapers from a supermarket shelf, but he couldn’t reach it even though he was on his toes.
UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja
What advice would you give aspiring Emirati females who are looking to join the film industry?
If you’re a woman with a passion for making quality movies and television shows, there’s no better time to get involved than the present. Despite the challenges women in the entertainment industry have faced, it is completely possible to have a successful, rewarding career in producing and filmmaking. My advice is to be fearless and a force that empowers other women around the world.
For budding directors and producers creating content on their phones, what practical tips can you give to improve their photography and videography?
Go out and explore every horizon that comes your way. No shot is considered a bad shot, creativity lies in the eyes of the beholder. Shooting more will give you more confidence and experience as well as giving you the knowledge to rectify previous mistakes. Don’t be afraid to get out there and shoot anything: there is always a story and there’s always success in failure Take inspiration from renowned directors and photographers making sure you follow and study their work.
As a fan of the brand, how would you describe OPPO? What excites you about the brand?
OPPO is one of the leading innovators when it comes to smartphones. When considering what smartphone to purchase it comes down to the feature and camera abilities. OPPO has managed to stand out from other brands when it comes to its camera abilities. What excites me about OPPO is their photo quality thanks to the hybrid 10x zoom capability. This capability helps me to zoom into pictures without losing any quality while I am working when I’m visualizing a particular shot. The fast charging is also a game changer as it helps me to be more mobile than simply waiting idle for my phone to charge.
OTT has allowed people to access things when they want it. It is tricky, everything has its pros and cons…Ashish speaks with Siddhi Jain.
Ashish Vidyarthi is a favourite villain of South Indian films. Veteran says that OTT platforms have allowed people to access things when they want it, and because of an abundance of options available at a click, one’s “product has to be so much better”.
Asked what makes the medium of web and OTT click, Vidyarthi told : “OTT is a reflection of this time when people want things when they seem to want it. It’s not the fixed future.”
Recalling how showbiz worked a few decades back, the ‘Sunflower’ and ‘Aligarh’ actor added: “Remember the times when we used to have fixed times of film viewings: 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 PM. When multiplexes came, many films ran at the same time with different timings. People had more options, but now people don’t even have to go out.”
Speaking about OTT, he says: “It’s in your hand when you want it — instant gratification. OTT has allowed people to access things when they want it. It is tricky, everything has its pros and cons. As far as I am concerned, at this moment in this form, OTT is the go-to thing. There’s so much to choose from, and therefore your product has to be so much better.”
“OTT has also opened up so many more possibilities. Many more people are at work, they have the possibility to tell their story, make a film, act in films.”
“OTT is a very new thing for me. I think it is a brilliant mix between cinema and television. My work experience with the cast and crew of Sunflower was very fulfilling, as an actor I got a lot of freedom from my director, which helped me learn a lot in many different ways,” he has said previously.
