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Kubbra reveals three secrets to success

Throughout the podcast, I tried to just have fun and talk about my experiences, rather than focus on what the “idea of success” is. I’ve tried to talk about small things that make a difference, like my gratitude jar, and it’s all available on the episode for everyone to listen to…Kubbra Sait speaks with Siddhi Jain.

Being happy is the first and foremost thing in life. For ‘Sacred Games’ actor Kubbra Sait, the idea of success is much beyond ‘gaadi, bangla and bank balance’ (car, house and bank balance), the concept of success is purely based on the larger emotion of happiness. In a new Audible podcast, the quirky actor revealed her three secrets to success — one of them being, ‘get lots of sleep’!

“My 3 Secrets to Success” is available exclusively on Audible, produced by FirstAction Studios, a Rainshine Company. It reflects on Kubbra’s journey to success and her mantras that have led to it. It is a series that features prominent personalities from various fields speaking about success, its definitions, evolution, and the three principles that have led them to what they are today. Catch Kubbra being funny, philosophical, and downright crazy as she shares her insights on success and the importance of gratitude, on the podcast.

Kubbra Sait reflects on the podcast in an interview with us:

In the Audible podcast, you mention the concept of success has largely been rooted in personal happiness for you, since childhood. What are your thoughts on this cookie-cutter idea of success installed from a young age?

A: I think the concept of success is purely based on the larger emotion of happiness. I think that happened to me when I grew much older and when I started doing things that I actually loved, but until that point of time it was always the cookie cutter idea of success. We’ve been raised as a subcontinent to be people who save for tomorrow, and not who live to experience the today. Everything’s always been based on a settlement of value that has been instilled in us since the time we were babies. Throughout the podcast, I tried to just have fun and talk about my experiences, rather than focus on what the “idea of success” is. I’ve tried to talk about small things that make a difference, like my gratitude jar, and it’s all available on the episode for everyone to listen to.

It’s only when we look back at it, that’s when you discover that one moment where you literally go “Damn, that’s funny I actually enjoyed that”. That’s when it clicks that what if I could make money, live a decent life or live doing what I love to do. Or what if I have limited resources but hey, at least I really love doing what I do. I think the minute you tweak your mind to think that way, automatically success comes your way. And in the new age, we’ve got people like Vijay Varma, Taapsee Pannu who encapsulate that. They love what they do and they’ve worked so hard to get to where they are, that you actually look at them and see a quality career based out of doing what you love. Even me for that matter, now that I know what I love to do, I want to work harder towards what I love to do rather than chasing the money. That is always a byproduct so if success is directly correlated to money, then I think that’s the short game that you’re in, not the long term solution.

You decided to give your life the Bombay spin at the age of 27. Give us a glimpse of your mind back then, what were you thinking?

A: I was thinking of burning bridges with what I was doing at that point. I was pretty clear that if Bombay doesn’t work out, and isn’t kind to me, which it truly was, then I would have said that I’m going to drop everything and go look for another job in some other part of the world. But it would not have happened if I would have said that “Oh, I’m still going to have my safety net in Dubai, then I probably would not have been able to do what I’m doing in Bombay”. So yes, there was a little bit of fear of failure but there was also breaking out of the fear knowing that it’s only beyond this fear that I will truly discover what I want to do in life.

“In life, you should appreciate the lows as much as the highs. Like in Music.” were your inspiring words on the podcast. Why is acknowledging and accepting low points so important?

A: I was trying to tell my story. I think each person’s story is so unique and storytelling is so important. Accepting highs and lows truly define who you are. I think the character of a person comes through how you can be when you are going to the lowest of your lowest phase. I think it’s the true test of character when you’re at your lowest low because you tend to hold other life rafts to yourself, which are beyond your success… which are beyond what you do, and it all starts coming down to who you are, and the tenacity of you as a person. Which is why it’s really important to appreciate the lows when they come to you. I don’t mean it’s easy to appreciate your lows, but it’s just about going through them as you would go through the highs, but if you think life is all about the highs then we wouldn’t be living life, then we would be playing a game, and even in games you have to lose a couple of lives.

Has the lockdown, in any way, shaped or changed ideas of happiness or success for you?

A: Oh my god, yes. In a gazillion ways. I think you look around you and learn to be appreciative of the many things that you have and what you can do for your immediate circle. I’m not saying this is a Miss World answer where you go and say, I want world peace, but I’m just trying to see as an individual, if I can impact even one other life. I think that for me it has been life altering to be able to sit in one place without being edgy about yourself. I’ve come close to meditation during the lockdown so that’s helped me a lot. So in many ways it’s been a personal journey for me.

On the work front, what’s keeping you busy these days? What’s upcoming?

A: I’m really excited about ‘Foundation’ that’s about to release this year. It’s I think one sole project that I have put in about a year and a half of mine, and that feels extremely valuable because I don’t think today, your currency is money, your currency is time. So if I have been able to break out of that mental block and invest time in a project that I believe in, I think it’s going to pay off pretty well and I’m quite excited about it. Apart from that, I’ve got three work projects in process and when they come to realisation, I’ll share them with you. But otherwise I can say that, I’ve got a book coming, I’ve got a show coming out, I’ve been on this Audible podcast. Also, I’m in a state of solitude in a state of Zen. I am being that person. And it’s just allowing you to recognise the past, the present and the future as it’s going to be. I think it’s very important to be in a state of Zen so that you can allow the future to unfold. It’s exciting. So, what’s keeping me busy, my Zen is keeping me busy.

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Cityscape into bold expressions of artistry

I noticed how the new development wrapped harmoniously around the preserved structures, which links with the collaborative theme within our previous murals of contrasting cityscapes layered with overgrown nature. ..says Rabecca.

Street art murals have a unique culture and much more to speak to the people. Home to towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolitan streets, it’s easy to assume that Hong Kong is just another modern city. But, along with being Asia’s financial capital, Hong Kong also plays host to one of the region’s most vibrant art hubs.

From world-class galleries and exhibitions, to dedicated Art Months, the creative spirit is well and truly alive here. And nowhere is this more evident than on the streets. From the ”east-meets-west” inspired murals found in busy Central, to the urban graffiti in industrial Wong Chuk Hang, and colourful hipster delights of Sham Shui Po, street art is transforming the cityscape with bold expressions of artistry. Local and international artists alike have taken to using urban surfaces, big and small, as their canvas.

“Creative hustlers” Carol Mui and Rebecca T Lin speak about their street art murals, as well as their favourite Hong Kong neighbourhoods for art and inspiration.

The artist duo look to the beauty of nature for their greenery-filled murals. The friends started their mural business in 2017 to help offices, restaurants and shops transform their walls with art, and have since worked with clients like DBS, Lululemon and Pizza Express. Uniquely balancing dreamy streetscapes with luscious depictions of plantlife, the duo’s signature style is anchored in Carol’s philosophy of “slowing down”, whilst drawing on Hong Kong-born Rebecca’s dedication to home and heritage. Their piece at landmark revitalisation project, The Mills (now a cultural, experiential and retail hub), brings Mother Nature to the location’s industrial landscape.

What was the inspiration behind this piece?

Rebecca: On my site visit, I noticed how the new development wrapped harmoniously around the preserved structures, which links with the collaborative theme within our previous murals of contrasting cityscapes layered with overgrown nature. I took inspiration from the architecture, specifically the notorious green pillars, and incorporated our signature greenery into what looks like a paradox between a thriving environment and an abandoned workplace to evoke feelings of sentimentality — ultimately highlighting the history and heritage of the building.

What was the process of painting this mural like?

Carol: It was an interesting experience painting in Tsuen Wan; my mum grew up there, so it was nice exploring her childhood jaunts on our breaks — like trying her favourite noodles in the Heung Che Street Market. It’s great that some of these places are still around. There was also a really sweet moment when a stranger passing by gave us two cold drinks he bought from 7-11 because it was such a hot and sunny day.

What has been the public reaction to your piece?

Rebecca: We’re honestly surprised by how popular this one has been — we didn’t expect this mural to be the background of so many Tinder profile photos! It’s always flattering when a piece is well received, and interesting seeing how different our piece can look depending on what filter was used.

Where in Hong Kong do you like to go for inspiration?

Carol: There’s a lot of plants and botanicals in our work, and Hong Kong is the perfect place to go hiking and get lost in the mountains for some inspiration. Rebecca lives in Sai Kung, and I used to live on Lamma Island, so nature was literally on our respective doorsteps. It’s also fun going to the Prince Edward Flower Market to look for special, seasonal or rare plants we wouldn’t find while hiking — we’re both obsessed with house plants (surprise, surprise!), so it doubles as a fun shopping day — although both of us are running out of space for plants at home.

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‘Kathak is like a meditation, a sadhana’

Sufi is not a practice, it is a thought. To blend with Sufi in one colour without any discrimination is a way to connect with the supreme power above…Rani interacts with Siddhi Jain.

Dance is a passion for many. An astute Kathak danseuse of the Lucknow Gharana, Rani Khanam has dared to differ in her dance practice. Integrating Islamic verses and Sufiana Kalam of mystic Sufi poets in her Kathak practice for over 20 years, she has carved a global niche as a pioneering Muslim Kathak classical dancer. She has also used choreographed productions as a medium to raise awareness on causes like HIV/AIDS, rights of women, including Muslim women, and persons with disabilities.

The founder-director of ‘Aamad Kathak Dance Centre’ in east Delhi, Khanam recently performed on the compositions of Bulleh Shah and Hazrat Amir Khusrau. Excerpts from an interview with her on the sidelines:

How did you take to dancing and Kathak?

I have been dancing since childhood. Everything I have done so far is a contribution to this field. In fact, since a very early age, I have seen and understood things through dance’s perspective. I pursued Kathak as it is one of the classical dances of the North and carried on with it since then. For me, Kathak is like a meditation, a sadhana that is there in my everyday practice.

You are a practicing Sufi, how do you incorporate it into your dance practice? Please also tell us about the historical research undertaken by you on the Islamic influence on Kathak.

Sufi is not a practice, it is a thought. To blend with Sufi in one colour without any discrimination is a way to connect with the supreme power above – the almighty. Sufi has a very simple way, let it be through devotion or Sufi, it’s the same thing. Alongside, I have done the research and been working on Islamic verses, Sufiana kalam of renowned poets for the past more than 20 years. I have performed on it at an international level and collaborated with international artists and Sufi dancers.

You have defied many odds during your dance career…

Every artist, every human has odds in their life and it is very natural. But when you are focused on your goals you don’t realize when you have surpassed those odds. Being a Muslim, I had few obstacles as at those times dancing was not pursued openly. But with conviction, power, and passion I was able to overcome all these and till today I am working in society by maintaining all due respect.

How did you keep refining your practice during 2020’s lockdown? What did it mean to you?

For the past year, due to Covid, life has given us time to think positively. Being an optimistic person, I believe that if things go wrong there must be a good reason behind it. It needs us to improve. This was a refinement period for me. I took classes, participated in virtual programmes with the kids and other artists. I have been a part of various online discussions. So, last year I tried to be as constructive as possible.

You performed Holi Khelungi Keh Ke Bismillah’ by Bulleh Shah at Kathak Kendra. Please tell us about it.

Kathak Kendra’s event ‘Swadheenta Ke Rang, Phalgun Ke Sang’ is a very nice concept where they have invited all the Kathak artists along with artists from other art fields on the occasion of Holi. I performed a few Bandish, one of them was of Hazrat Amir Khusrau’s and is based on Raag Basant Bahar Mishr. The second bandish was by Baba Bulleh Shah’s Holi Khelungi Keh Ke Bismillah’. The way I portrayed was the Almighty is the actual painter who has painted the entire world with the colour of love. He combined all the true colours of love and unity and came with a rainbow. All the colours on the earth like sea, leaves are all given by God. I am glad that people admired my performance during the show.

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‘Curly Tales’ of food and travel

The pandemic allowed me to relook at my business. Even though Curly Tales is in the travel space, travel can never be replaced with an online experience… Kamiya Jani speaks with Puja Gupta.

Becoming a blogger is a common thing in modern times. Her videos often pop up on our Facebook feeds and give major travel goals. Mother of one, Kamiya Jani quit her full-time job as an anchor to follow her passion for travelling and exploring the world.

What started as a personal blog ‘Curly Tales’, is one of the most popular online platform that shares recommendations for food and travel.

In a conversation with us, Jani talks about her journey, her venture, apart from her views on the present scenario of the travel industry. Excerpts:

When did you begin your journey as a content curator, and how has your journey been till now?

Even though I started this journey by writing blogs and articles, I realised that not too many platforms were making videos around this. That is when I forayed into videos, which were very well received by everyone who watched them. The journey has been full of excitement, starting with just me and my passion for food and travel. I now have an amazing team of 25-30 people.

What started as a food and travel platform where I would make 1-minute videos on topics of interest — from street food, unique servings in restaurants, we have surely come a long way. We are now well placed to host celebrity interviews, wherein I invite renowned personalities for a brunch. They then discuss their journey, their passion for travel, and their food experience, through a very candid and free-flowing conversation. This concept became pretty unique, and was well received by the audiences.

What was your inspiration to start your journey in this field?

I was working as a business news anchor at a renowned business news channel, and I had been a journalist for the past 10 years, before Curly Tales. Although I enjoyed that stint entirely, I used to feel pretty confined in the space. While on the job, I strongly felt that I wanted to enjoy myself exploring the world.

When I switched, I was already a mom of a three-year-old daughter. I wanted to pursue my dreams with a simple thought — if not now, then when. I wanted to follow my passion for travelling on a personal level. Initially, I just started documenting my experiences and publishing on Facebook, where I found a community of like-minded people that could relate to my content. Additionally, a lot of women started looking up to me, by telling me that despite being married and a mother I still pursued my passion. This only gave me more motivation and drive to continue my journey, document it and publish it, and engage the community with my recommendations and their suggestions.

The whole journey from content has taken a shift to commerce. We are not just recommending but also selling some of these experiences now. Recently, we experienced a staycation package for a five-star hotel, and over 500 people bought that experience through Curly Tales on Facebook after watching our video on it. In all, our journey started from a passion, moved to content creation, to curation and it is now in the stage of commerce, where the transactions are happening based on recommendations through Facebook.

Given that you are also a part of Facebook’s ongoing ‘More Together’ campaign which focuses on the power of connections, how do you relate to it?

The power of connections is all about working together. The connection has been with my team who has helped me build the foundation of Curly Tales and the connection with the followers, who have been following us since we started with 300-400 followers. Moreover, some of those followers have now turned into our clients. I feel all this personifies the power of connections– something that has happened through Facebook. This has brought me even closer to the essence of Facebook’s More Together campaign.

The pandemic-induced disruption in the travel space forced people and travelers to become homebound. How did you cope up with the situation?

The pandemic allowed me to relook at my business. Even though Curly Tales is in the travel space, travel can never be replaced with an online experience. We did some virtual tours but the joy of travelling outdoors can never be replaced by anything else. We were positive that we will be back. The pandemic also allowed us to relook at our content strategy and position ourselves the way we wanted to. During the pandemic, we got an opportunity to focus on written content, and use instant articles on Facebook as travelling guides for people who needed to be reunited with their families. Through this process, we became a catalyst and a mediator of informing people as to how they can travel during tough times.

Share some insights into what went in the travel community during the last few months. Are you excited as travel opens up slowly?

We definitely saw a lull period which started from March-end and went out till September-October, up until domestic flights started. Even when flight operations started, it was not much for leisure, and rather about emergency travel, where people were looking to reunite with their family members. Once travel started, the market bounced back due to the pent-up demand of people wanting to travel. The demand was clearly at its peak and there was a ‘revenge travel’, that we saw, where people were wanting to get out of their homes and explore, even if it meant to get away on road trips.

I do think that domestic tourism is growing and has caught up already. This is also why we have started our new show “I love my India”, where we discover hidden gems in India and where Indians can actually find international experiences right here in the home country.

What were some of the challenges that you faced, when you shifted to this from your job? How did you overcome them?

I gave myself a time limit of one year, thinking that I will boomerang into my job. But as fate had it, there was no looking back. The biggest challenge for me in this journey has been to find people with whom I can share my passion. A shared vision fueled by mutual passion leads to the meaningful content of relevance and keeps the team motivated. I feel blessed to have an amazing team that meets these requisites, and have been instrumental in taking Curly Tales to where it is today.

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‘Indian Democracy At Crossroads’

Dr. Yashwant Sinha, the former finance minister of India, who has recently joined the Trinamool Congress, engaged in a candid interview with Manish Tiwari, political columnist and a leading multicultural marketing guru based in London. EXTRACTS:

MANISH TIWARI: A recent report has termed India to be an autocracy. It says that social rights in the country are in peril and even the Constitutional institutions are also facing marginalisation. Is it true that the present system of governance is all about total domination and control?

Yashwant Sinha

YASHWANT SINHA: What you are seeing from a distance is something that we are experiencing every day in India. The ruling party and the rulers of the day have established what can be described as an elected autocracy or electoral dictatorship. Democracy and democratic values are eroding in India under the present regime. All the institutions responsible for the safeguard of democracy, like the Parliament, the Judiciary, the Election Commission, the media, etc. are been subdued.

For instance, the retiring Chief Justice of India is being nominated to the Upper House of the Parliament immediately after his retirement, and he accepts it! This shows the extent to which the judicial system has been compromised. The less said about the media, the better. The media with a few honourable exceptions are is being the government’s lap-dog in most cases.

Manish: But, what you are saying has happened before in this country during the Emergency. Isn’t it?

Yashwant Sinha: The Emergency was a purely political escapist route which was taken by Mrs. Indira Gandhi to safeguard her chair. This ‘Emergency’ is far more dangerous because it combines communalism with autocracy. I a situation like this most people are feeling helpless and they are scared. There is a lingering atmosphere of fear in the country because agencies like the CBI, the IT department, the NIA, the ED, etc. are being misused by the government to silence its critics and to ‘fix’ the political opponents. It is happening so fast and with such monotonous regularity that people have now come to accept it as the new normal.

Manish: Sitting here in London, we see some efficiency in the operations of the present regime. The way the corona situation was handled in India, the precision with which international flight operations were regulated during the pandemic is some such instances. Do you agree that this regime does have a certain amount of efficiency?

Mr Sinha: No, I do not buy that theory. It is the lap-dog media of the country that has created the impression that it is a very efficient government. Look at any part of the government functioning and you can witness its inefficiency. The pain that demonetisation caused to the people and the damage that it did to the economy is forgotten. Another blunder of the government was the introduction of the GST in a half-baked condition. All these now seem to be in the past as public memory is short and media memory shorter.

Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, the misuse of the government agencies. People yet to be scathed are feeling that they are safe without realising that the day is not far that these types of machinery can come knocking on their doors. The impression that is being spread, that this is a strong and efficient government, is far from the truth.

Manish: So you reckon that all the success stories of the government are media projections spun out of the PR machinery?

Yashwant Sinha addressing a press conference

Sinha:  These are all well weaved false projections by the media. The BJP indeed came into power in 2014 due to the corrupt Congress regime, but their re-election in 2019 was entirely on account of the unfortunate Pulwama incident, followed by a strike against Pakistan which was blown out of proportion by the media. That impacted heavily on the mind of the people and they voted in a particular way. There is a lot of evidence which were put together by enterprising journalists which evoked doubts about the government’s claims and actions. So, I would say that this government can stoop to any level to win an election. I am seeing this with my own eyes in Bengal.

Manish: The whole world is witnessing an ultra-nationalist trend of politics as propagated by leaders like Trump. A call to bring back past glory seems to be working everywhere. Even in the UK, Brexit happened on that notion. Modi is also talking about revoking the glorious past of India which he claims was lost through centuries of foreign rule by the Islamic invaders and then the British. This kind of narrative seems to have captured the imagination of the Indian voters. Do you agree?

Mr Sinha: The present BJP leadership is not talking about the glories of the past; they are being communal. They are invoking communalism in a major way into the politics of this country and they are misusing the religion card to garner votes. Whatever is happening in India is unique and has no semblance to the political scenario of the countries that you cited. I can’t imagine an Atal Bihari Vajpayee, behaving in the way the present Prime Minister is behaving.

Manish: Having said that, don’t you think there is a semblance in ways that the mechanisms of electoral politics e.g.) the social media, are being used by leaders like Trump and Modi? Trump did that successfully during the US elections and I believe even Mr. Modi has a strong influence over the netizens. What do you think?

Mr Sinha: Mr. Modi has been using social media influence for a pretty long time since the days when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Using social media largely depends on the resources available at ones’ disposal. For instance, in 2014 there were five or six other Chief Ministers from important States who were contenders to be the Prime Minister. Yet, Mr. Modi became the only acceptable face for the Prime Minister’s post.

It was all because of social media. Through a bombardment of fake news and false propaganda, he was made to look larger than life. People from other States also started believing in stories about the wonders that he had done as an administrator in Gujarat. They wanted the same for the country and fell for that false propaganda. The added ‘potion’ to that was the religion card.

Concocted false propaganda designed by an American PR agency with the help of enormous resources helped in creating a false image of Mr. Modi which yield him fantastic results.

Manish: I am aware of the Gujrati community raising huge funds for Mr. Modi, here in the UK. Won’t you give him the due credit for the successful mobilisation of the diaspora? I mean there is nothing wrong with using ones’ contact and support base.

Mr Sinha: The diaspora doesn’t vote. We know that far more Gujrati brothers and sisters live abroad than any other people from any other State. They rooted for him because he is from their State.

Manish: Having said that, we can note that, first Mr. Amit Shah and then subsequently many other important posts went to people from Gujarat Mr. Modi’s regime. Do you think that a trend of regionalism has been introduced by the present government?

Mr Sinha: There was an unwritten rule in the BJP and even in other national political parties that, the President of the party in power and the Prime Minister would not be from the same State. Now, when this party came into power in 2014, Rajnath Singh was replaced by Amit Shah as the Party President. Subsequently, Amit Shah was brought into the government and he replaced Rajnath Singh to be the Home Minister. This also is weird that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister are from the same State and have no precedence in our history. A regional balance has always been maintained in the Government of India. But, they abide by no rules and have no respect for any conventions. Therefore, they brazenly do whatever they feel like doing.

Manish: When you quit the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2018, you cited that “democracy in India is in grave danger” and the “party’s condition.” What did you exactly mean by those phrases?

Mr Sinha: When they became powerful in the party, they first extinguished the internal democracy within the BJP. That disturbed me a great deal and I started drifting away from the BJP. Between 2014 and 2018, I saw major instances of democracy getting extinguished at the national level. That’s when I decided, despite my advancing age I must stand up and fight these forces and that’s what I am doing even today.

Manish: Your son Jayant Sinha is still a BJP MP. He was the Junior Finance Minister of the Modi government at some point in time but now is just an MP. Do you think your vocal opposition against Narendra Modi is the reason for your son’s demotion?

Mr Sinha: Jayant Sinha is a highly qualified individual who has won his Lok Sabha seats through merit. He was given the posts of Junior Finance Minister and the Junior Minister for Civil Aviation due to his qualifications and he brought a lot of merit to the job he was doing. Now he is just a Member of the Parliament and heads the Standing Committee of Finance which is not a ministerial post. People tell me that this is because of my opposition to the government. If that is so then I would say that it is a very cheap tactic as my son and I are two very different individuals. He holds his own rules and I mine. Therefore, if he is deprived of anything that he deserves from the government due to my opposition to this government, then I must say that it is a very sad state of affairs.

Manish: Will you say that, in promoting only those who will toe their line, the current government is going the Congress way?

Yashwant Sinha arrives at Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum on Bihar floods to Governor Phagu Chauhan, in Patna

Mr Sinha: The Congress regimes in the past may be guilty of many misdemeanours, but I don’t think and Congress Prime Minister has descended to this level in which Mr. Modi has descended. Just look at the Bengal elections. He comes here and behaves like a street urchin when he calls out, “Didi, Oh Didi!!” What kind of behaviour is this? Can you imagine Jawaharlal Nehru or Manmohan Singh or Vajpayee behaving like this, even in an election rally? He has demeaned the post of the Prime Minister.

Manish: Quoting John Dalberg-Acton, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Do you think that the sense of absoluteness in the present government is leading it to be arrogant and autocratic?

Mr Sinha: Most certainly. The more the media talks about his enormous popularity and the fact that there is no challenge to him, he will continue feeling omnipotent and will ignore the rules of the game. This is the reason why we are seeing all aberrations in our democracy and a departure from the rules of the game.

Manish: My friends in the Indian media tell me that, it has now become an accepted truth that if you criticise Narendra Modi or any of his actions, you will be viciously bombarded with trolls coining you a Pakistani and an anti-national. Have you ever experienced this phenomenon?

Mr Sinha: I get trolled every day by their army of trolls who I know operate from outside India. However, trolling is not the major factor. What happened to Indian media is that powerful journalists having an independent voice have been marginalised. Unfortunately, all Indian media houses are owned by big corporate houses. The owners of these houses are now being controlled by the party. They are told whom to hire and whom to fire. Micro-management of the media has gone to such an extent that even the subject of discussion in the evening prime time shows is decided by the party. The media houses are also instructed on the panel of guests to ensure that the discussions weigh heavy on the government’s side.

Manish: Director General Julio Ribeiro once said that in India, if want to find any anomaly against any individual, it can be easily found as the law operates in such a way that they will have at some stage done something that can be held against them. So do you think that people are being easily penalised because of their vulnerability?

Mr Sinha: I disagree with the term penalised. They will be raided and often a case will be started against them which will have no outcome. Public memory is short and media memory is deliberately shorter. Chidambaram was arrested and put behind the bars for more than a hundred days. Then what happened? Nothing. I can quote several such cases which bore no fruit. Often in such cases, the media will blare out their trial.

Remember the death of an actor before the Bihar elections? That episode went for a long, and now that the Bihar elections are over, only a handful number of people are concerned about that case. Almost the whole media has bowed down to the government. How will correct information reach the people?

Manish: Where are the regulators?

Mr Sinha (stops Manish in between): Which regulators are you talking about!! There are Constitutional bodies that have succumbed, so do you think that a regulator appointed under some law will have the courage to stand up? Especially the head of that regulatory body who probably would have been appointed by this government, will he have the courage to fight for regulations?

Manish: You have been the Finance Minister of the country. Yet, the Prime Minister talks about a $5 Trillion Economy by 2024. As the former Finance Minister of the country, do you think this to be a viable dream?

Mr Sinha: Let’s not waste time on the slogan of a $5 Trillion economy. I think it is a waste of time even to discuss it for a minute. How many people do have the idea of a trillion or are aware of the value of the dollar? So, why are we talking about a $5 Trillion economy when addressing the masses of India? $5 Trillion economy by 2024 is a pipe dream. I may not be around to see it, but I will be happy in heaven if we can achieve the dream even in 2030.

Manish: The Indian middle class is in great peril at the moment. Bank interest on savings is decreasing now and then, fuel prices are at their all-time high, joblessness is rampant. Do you think the people of India will hold the BJP accountable in the next general elections in 2024?

Yashwant Sinha

Mr Sinha: Currently five State Elections are going on including Bengal. The Bengal elections of 2021 and then the UP elections next year will lay the ground for the 2024 elections. I shall not be surprised if the untruth that is uttered by the government, and the Prime Minister is found out by then. If the people are not misled, and if no ‘accident’ happens involving our neighbouring country, then this government will go in 2024.

Manish: You mentioned the Bengal elections. There have been some indicators that the BJP has made some headway and is in a position of control. Do you agree?

Mr Sinha: You are sitting in London right, and your source of information is probably the Indian media. BJP is strong in controlling the social media and the media here, but they are not at all a strong force in Bengal. All kinds of false and fake news are being propagated through the media, and that’s how the BJP has positioned its image as a challenger to TMC in Bengal. I have travelled from place to place in Bengal. They are nowhere on the ground, but they have resources to buy flags and festoons which they put up all around. Thus, creating an illusion of their presence. Let me tell you with a command that, the BJP will do very poorly in the Bengal elections and Mamata will reign for the third time.

Manish: The media narrative can be controlled by the BJP, but what about the heavy campaigning by almost all the heavyweights including Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath? Don’t you think that these rallies and campaigns will have some impact? 

Mr Sinha: Every government in a democracy has an opposition, so does Mamata Banerjee. In Bengal, the Left and the Congress have completely ceded ground to the BJP. The CPIM workers have all migrated to the BJP. Therefore, the opposition space is empty and the BJP might emerge as the second-largest party here and take that position. However, what is being projected now as their superiority is a reflection of their money and muscle power, which is far from reality.

Manish: The opposition in Bengal pins Mamata Banerjee and her politics of Muslim appeasement to be the reason for the BJP’s advent into an otherwise secular-minded State. Do you agree?

Yashwant Sinha addressing a press conference

Mr Sinha: If you are secular and you treat the Hindus and the Muslims equally, then the BJP always accuses you of Muslim appeasement. Their policy is of majority appeasement based on a majoritarian doctrine. Therefore, anyone giving equal treatment to all communities, what our Constitution enjoins is something which is an alien concept to them.

Manish: So you reckon that Mamata Banerjee will come back to power?

Mr Sinha: With absolute certainty.

Manish: What will be your role in the Trinamool Congress if it comes back to power. Will you be working towards taking the party national, or are you going to work with Mamata Banerjee at the State level?

Mr Sinha: It is too early to talk about such issues now. I cannot predict anything at this point. It will be for the party to decide what roles they want me to play after the elections.

Manish: We are approaching the end of our interview and I shall now want to talk about your autobiography. You are 83 years old now, and at an age when people retire, you made a comeback into politics to fight for values that you deem right. Is this because of this relentless spirit of yours that you named your book- Relentless?

Mr Sinha: I have relentlessly pursued certain things in my life. I have always stood for the prestige and dignity of my country. There is an incident mentioned in my autobiography, about a brawl that I got into with some students from my university when they were bothering some foreign girls. I took a beating and broke my nose in that street fight. I was fighting for national honour. I couldn’t let those boys ruing the name of my country. That is ingrained in me. I have fought for my country’s honour relentlessly throughout my life and shall continue to do so.

Manish:  We have been discussing values like secularism and liberty being in peril during these times. Now, before concluding this interview, I shall want to know what you think should be done about it?

Mr Sinha: All these values that you are talking about, are encapsulated in our Constitution. If we value, the Constitution of India then we need to stand for its protection. There is no doubt about the fact that there are threats. The present regime is the biggest threat that India has faced as far as these values are concerned since our independence. However, I have great faith in the judgement of the people and feel that when they see the wrongs that have been committed, they will lose no time in throwing out this government. If the government interferes with the use of ballot power, then the people are not going to tolerate that. It will be the people’s power that will fight out the authoritarian power of the government.

                                     (Compiled & Edited by: SOUMIK SAHA)

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Food Interview Lifestyle

Swati’s Spice In The Limelight

FnB columnist Riccha Grrover in conversation with Chef Swati Bhalotia, a London-based private home chef and foodpreneur, on her venture Swati’s Spice Journey that she set up during pandemic lockdown times-an exclusive for Asian Lite International

Chef Swati’s food journey as she describes, is a function of her ancestral roots in Rajasthan and Kolkata.

The City of Joy, like London, is a melting pot attracting immigrants from far and wide through the ages. Beyond the native Bengalis, there is a large Marwari community (to which she belongs), a vibrant Chinese & Tibetan population that gave rise to the famous Indo-Chinese cuisine, the Bangladeshi community that brought yet another flavour profile & the Anglo-Indian community that have all contributed to the richness of flavours and cuisines of this incredible city.

Talking about her journey as a chefpreneur she said “My inroad into the food business was a happy accident! In spite of my deep love of food and cooking, this was for the longest time, a labour of love that I performed for family and friends only. It started with a school fair stall where my dishes drew a long queue much to the pride of my daughter. I did this a few times a year and the love and support of complete strangers completely bowled me over and inspired me. Then things happened organically. A friend suggested we run some cooking classes & I went along for the experience and that business took off!

Covid-19 lockdown was the turning point for my home catering business. With most eateries closed, I started to receive requests from friends & their extended network across London. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was cooking for hundreds of people and my social posts & networks started to fill up with recommendations and reviews from my patrons…

RICCHA GRROVER: Tell us about your venture Swati’s Spice Journey. When did you set it up and what was your motivation?

SWATI BHALOTIA-My whole life I have enjoyed cooking Indian food for my family and friends. Some friends started asking me to create pastes for them so they could recreate some of my flavours at home. Others asked me to cater for their small events and Swati’s spice journey grew organically out of these requests. I now make food and pastes for hundreds of customers in and around South West London.

RG-Tell us about the concept of your home cooking concept. What are the main items you cook? Is it for collection and delivery both? Do you take catering orders as well?

SB-I create a diverse variety of curry pastes and chutneys that people can easily use to make quick mid-week meals at home for their family.  They include; chickpea curry, cashew curry, coconut and peanut curry, spinach curry, Nyonya curry (the most popular) coriander and mint chutney etc. All my pastes come with easy to follow instructions on how to bring the dish together and can be served as vegetarian dishes.
In addition to this, I have a broad menu of traditional and regional dishes that people can order and collect or I can deliver if within a five mile radius. These  can then be easily heated before being served. I use fresh produce and a high quality selection of spices for all dishes and I can of course cater for milder tastes as required.

Riccha

I can also cater for larger group events, provide handpicked spice boxes as gifts and also love doing cooking lessons in my home kitchen.

RG-Does the menu keep changing too as per different diners requests or is it a fixed menu? Do you cater to dietary requirements?

SB-Alongside the fixed traditional and regional menu that people can order from I also can create a bespoke menu which may include, low spice, no dairy, no onions etc.

RG– What are the top five dishes that you love cooking and would recommend someone to try?

SB-My favourite dishes are Pav Bhaji, Masala Dosa and ma ki daal (black daal). They are all extremely tasty vegetarian dishes that are unique to Maharashtra, an area of Western India.  People are always impressed with them when I make them and both are relatively easy to recreate at home. I also adore sabudana khichdi and would like people to try Rajastani gatte ki sabzi.

RG-Tell us about your bottled pastes and chutneys. How long do they last?

SB– These can last up to 2-3 weeks long in the fridge or many of my clients freeze these and they can last in the freezer for us to 2 months. You can learn more about how to use these pastes to drum up a variety of versatile dishes in no time whilst being reassured that these pastes are lovingly home cooked with the highest quality ingredients – just the same as I would for my closest family!

RG-What keeps you inspired?

SB-I genuinely love the feeling of people enjoying my food and I thrive off introducing new customers to the exciting flavours of Indian food.

RG-What is your vision for the future for your home cooking project?

SB– I don’t actively plan for the future, instead preferring to flow with the tide and let the food and the opportunities take me where they will. But my mission is to ensure that everything I dish out is authentic and infused with passion and is a source of joy and happiness to people.
One day I would love to see my pastes available in the supermarkets and would love to widen the audience on my home cooked Indian food. Other visions include giving group and individual cooking lessons and supper clubs at home.


RG-What words of inspiration would you give to aspiring foodpreneurs?

SB-Never give up, ask for help when you need it. Use local marketing channels to spread your message! And as the saying goes, if you do a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life!
Chef Swati signed off by saying “ I have always wanted to get into every dish and create a story or drama around it. What inspires me is just the sheer breadth and richness of flavour spectrum within the Indian subcontinent. It’s more than the regular curry-rice fare you find in your neighbourhood Indian takeaway here in London. And even though some of these are quite authentic, for me it has always been about introducing my British and sometimes even Indian friends to something a little off-the-beaten-track, something authentic to offer both a new flavour experience but hopefully also a sense of discovery.”

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Food Interview Lite Blogs

VILLAGE DEGH: Sameer’s Ode To India’s Culinary Heritage

Foodpreneur Sameer Dhar meets Asian Lite’s FnB columnist Riccha Grrover to share the story behind Village Degh

Foodpreneur Sameer Dhar who believes that change is the only constant in life. While setting up a delivery kitchen and scaling up his brand Village Degh in post pandemic times, he decided being a part of that changed landscape and thinking beyond linear and hence decided to reinvent his creative, sustainable business model with real-time focus. Sameer shares about his unique brand as an ode to culinary heritage…

Village Degh’s Sameer Dhar

RICCHA GRROVER- Tell us about your delivery brand of heritage Indian food Village Degh. What traditional cooking methods do you use?

SAMEER DHAR- The Brand name is Village Degh. Its heirloom Indian recipes and centuries old cooking techniques, It’s all about going back 100+yrs in the history, using the traditional methods of cooking. The concept is basically of 4 points.

1-  STOVE- Heating process-

When we go back to the ancestral era, cooking was primarily done on Chulhas, so we had to design a modern day cooking range with efficiency and at the same time smokeless. So we designed the Chulha according to our need, with a cooking rage and a dum (slow heat) range, with fire Bricks. We can surely say that this is the first ever commercial chulha in the world with efficiency and 100% smokefree.

2-      Utensils & equipment –

The equipment used in primitive era were majorly of copper, stone, soil and wood. So, we had to source all equipment from different corners of India. Be it for pounding, grinding or making dips, we procured stone mortar & pestle of different sizes. We have different equipment for different purposes. For dry spices we have OKHALS, for dips we have silbattas, for we grinding we have different Okhli, for grinding we have Chakki. Meanwhile we got the wooden ladles, customized pestles, thanks to certain villages still existing in India. Further for storage of green vegetables, we surely do need refrigeration sometimes. For that we developed an underground off-grid refrigeration system, that manages temperature between 9-11 degrees irrespective of the outside temperature.  

3-      Ingredients

Any food is basically known by its ingredients; they have to be fresh. Although everyone uses this basic in buying green vegetables, but do we use it in dry ingredients. Are we sure about spices, what year crop are we using- e.g. – Green Cardamom, crop of 2020 vs 2018, it’s all about aroma. Same goes with organic produce or dairy. It has to be fresh. So we procure whole spices and then grind them in-house.

4- Packaging

As a Village Degh brand, we have to engage in the primitive techniques. So packaging has to reflect the brand, that has to pass on a message to the consumer about the brand. Hence cloth tapes, muslin cloth, Indian post card, wooden crates. The clay pots- handis have to be porous, unlike the terracotta pottery, that can’t breathe. The detailing is precise.

RG- What have been the challenges to the FnB industry in Covid-19 times and what difficulties have you overcome an FnB entrepreneur in these time.

Riccha

SD- The Covid-19 has devastated the industry greatly, as this industry is completely based on human collaboration from all sides. Be it from the backend operations or the front end guest relationships. The impact has been very huge and it has more or less reduced the industry a lot as compared to pre covid-19 times. In such circumstances, change is the only constant, and we have to be flexible enough to manoeuvre the bends. Devising just in time tactics and tuning to the market situations is the key.

Our core business- Nowhere Terrace brew pub café- a dine in café with one of the largest breweries in Gurgaon is still shut, as it was nearly impossible to manage with 100% compliances as per Covid-19 protocol.  We will be back with our dine-in by April.

Meanwhile, Village Degh a completely quarantined kitchen came to rescue to accommodate and engage the team. The post-Covid-19 period seems to be promising as majorly the businesses are managed on bottom line now, rather than the Top Line. Pre-Covid-19 times were for investors, soft funding, seed funding completely based on Charts, Projections, Futuristic. But now it is going to be Bottom Line, day to day profitability, Long term vision based on short term performances.

RG- How is a meal from Village Degh different from other Indian restaurants? What makes it unique. What are the top 3 dishes you recommend a first time diner to try?

SD- The comparison is not right; we cannot compare apples to oranges. Village Degh prepares food with “PATIENCE & PASSION ON CHULHA” – It’s similar to granny’s home cooked food, because we may try our best but we can’t put the granny’s emotions in it, Our Food will surely remind you of granny’s meal, that’s what our benchmark is. 

The Top 3 Dishes that we would recommend are 1) Beramkhan Dal Gosht – its goat meat cooked with pulses. 2) Mirzapuri Shammi Kebab Kathal – Vegetarian Kebab’s, but impossible to distinguish from Mutton Kebab. 3) Kadhao Kheer – Dessert – Rice, Milk and dry fruits.

RG- Share with us how you used your restaurant spaces as emergency kitchens during COVID lockdown times and your social responsibility and meal distribution projects at that time.

SD- Well on Lockdown day in India 23rd March 2020, the only thing that was worrying me was the team, how are they going to survive. As a restaurateur, our team usually get breakfast, lunch, dinner at the restaurant. So most of them who stay alone in the city don’t have cooking facilities in their rooms. We started with the immediate team that was stuck around the restaurant plus the security guards and maintenance team of the Mall plus some ATM guards etc, we started preparing 100 meals for lunch and dinner. By 28th March we were doing 1500 Meals per day and by 4th April we were doing 3300 meals a Day. At this point the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram approached us for food and we were more than happy to volunteer for the same. From 5th April onwards we were doing 35000 meals a day. The funding for all 1.8million meals- 55% of Gurugram food demand- that we did was completely managed by individuals, friends and family and Patrons of Nowhere.  How we managed to procure the Utensils, laying of a new gas pipeline for the stoves, it was a mammoth task. Managing a team of 85 people, with Covid-19 Protocol cooking 2000Kgs of rice and 800kg of pulses, a feat achieved by the blessings of the supreme.

RG-What words of advice do you have for budding FnB entrepreneurs? What is it that keeps you inspired in your profession?

SD-Innovation and Focus is the key, that’s what keeps me inspired always too. Keep Innovating.

RG- Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

SD-Taking Village Degh concept to various metro cities of India is being planned. 

RG- What have been your biggest highs in the Village Degh project and what is your vision for it in the future?

SD- The Biggest high is making it work. Village Degh doesn’t have any referral frame, only concept and an age old traditional experience, that had to be pulled up from scratch into reality. The day we were able to prepare Food for the first time in the traditional Kitchen, it was Bliss. After that is the consumer wow and repeat orders. We have three-year projections and plan with us. First we have to set up 30 satellite distribution or franchise setups across Delhi NCR- so that the food prepared in single Base kitchen in Gurugram reaches these outlets and is then served within a 5km radius to the patrons. After that we shall be replicating the same in other cities or overseas. 

Flipping through the pages of History and inspired by food memories each dish at Village Degh is all about how Indian food was cooked a century ago in Indian villages and about the heirloom recipes that passed down from generation to generation, village by village 

At Village Degh those handpicked recipes are cooked for hours on spit fire with patience & passion to recreate those nostalgic flavours of an era gone by.

Every dish has special Potli Masala hand pounded in an okhli or the coarsely grinded Silbatta chutneys made by the khansamas at Village Degh are ensured of passion, taste and hygiene. 

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Interview Lite Blogs

‘Pandemic changed our view on craft’

The collaboration is a way to forget the past and ring in a brighter future and new beginnings. After a truly testing year, we joined hands with Lakme Salon, FDCI & LFW are striving to spread joy and laughter, in the most trendy, stylish way possible…Pankaj and Nidhi speak with Puja Gupta.

Talking about fashion itself is fashionable trend in the modern world of craft and art. Fashion designer duo Pankaj and Nidhi said the pandemic has changed their perspective towards their craft.

“We’ve realised how prudent and imperative it is to design sharp and focused collections – reduce waste by designing less and ensuring each sample and each stitch and each cut of cloth counts,” they told.

Considering these factors, the duo launched their latest collection at the ongoing phygitical FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week. IANSlife spoke to them to know their views on how the fashion industry will shape in a post pandemic era and the major collaborations that the industry has seen this year. Excerpts:

Q. How do you see the fashion industry shaping up in a post pandemic era?

Pankaj & Nidhi: The pandemic has definitely changed our perspective on our craft. We’ve realised how prudent and imperative it is to design sharp and focused collections – reduce waste by designing less and ensuring each sample and each stitch and each cut of cloth counts. Our planet and nature need nurturing and so do our creative souls and there won’t be peace if one comes at the cost of the other. We need clothing that remains wearable and feels good. The fabric is our immediate environment. Humankind has its environment in nature but the body’s immediate environment is the clothing that we wear. These are cool and comfortably stylish.

Q. How do you see the collaboration between FDCI and LFW?

Pankaj & Nidhi: A much-needed cohesive platform – unified with the energy of two powerhouses of Indian fashion, sending a message of solidarity, unity and cooperation between all stakeholders, a great message for everyone out there watching and following Indian fashion. The collaboration is a way to forget the past and ring in a brighter future and new beginnings. After a truly testing year, we joined hands with Lakme Salon, FDCI & LFW are striving to spread joy and laughter, in the most trendy, stylish way possible

Q. The year already has seen many big collaborations in the fashion industry. How do you see this move?

Pankaj & Nidhi: It was high time the fashion industry put a single consolidated front. Through these collaborations and the phygital editions they can enable designers to expand their consumer outreach.

Q. Tell us more about your latest collection.

Pankaj & Nidhi: The collection is inspired by a kaleidoscope and the myriad of unique patterns and visuals it offers. We’ve always loved geometrics. This time we were really fascinated with how patterns keep changing when you view them through a kaleidoscope. It’s a technicolour explosion and we wanted to do something vibrant, positive, and optimistic. This collection ‘Kaleido’ is geometrically sharp & comes in a burst of rainbow hues of brilliant reds, luscious oranges, unabashed pinks, ultra-violet blues and electric greens. The silhouettes are holiday ready — flowing maxi and mini dresses to kick back and let loose and tailored co-ord sets with sporty elements, to acknowledge our pursuits towards wellness and fitness. The fabrics are sheer, translucent, breathable and easy to wear.

A kaleidoscope generates changing symmetrical patterns from small pieces of coloured glass, symbolising constant evolution. Creatively, too, we are always evolving, and this is the essence of our collection.

Q. What kind of trends do you see in the season?

Pankaj & Nidhi: We love the colours – they are brightly saturated and kaleidoscopic. The collection comprises comfortable jumpsuits and floor and midi length skirts and flowing maxi dresses along with bomber jackets in cropped length, and puff sleeve blouses in electric colours. We need a dose of cheer and this collection brings us a bit of joy and hope it does the same for everyone.

The collection is spontaneously engineered to evoke optimism. With hand-cut appliques, a riot of rainbow colours, a plethora of breathable fabrics, and an array of wearable silhouettes, we want to help usher in a new beam of light into our lives and rejuvenate our souls. We’re excited to be collaborating with Lakme Salon, which shares our core values and has created a collection of fluid, free-spirited hair looks that beautifully offset our pieces.

Q. Slow fashion is the talk of the hour, your views?

Pankaj & Nidhi: Slow fashion is the need of the hour. Sustainability is an idea that we all need to embrace from the stage to of conception to execution. Even small individual contributions make a difference – and we are doing it by reducing waste, using recycled materials, producing sensibly and making each item worthy of being bought with some conscience.

Also Read-Killer Fashion

Read More-Democratizing the trends in fashion

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Interview Lite Blogs

‘Women should know what they capable of’

Women today are excelling in diverse fields, and that in itself should be a motivating factor for other women to come forward and achieve their goals, she believes…writes Puja Gupta.

Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif says ‘self-love is numero uno’ and urges every woman to be fiercely independent and voice her opinions.

“People will tell us all kinds of things and that is why, self-love is numero uno,” she tells. Adding: “Women should know what they are capable of. Sky should be our limit. We should not give anyone any kind of power to bog us down or even under-value ourselves.”

Katrina says she feels happy to see changes towards how women are perceived today.

“The gap in education, the lack of access to equal opportunities and the deep-rooted belief that women are the weaker sex is a problematic perception. The stereotype that we attach to women should end and I am glad to see a change taking place as we speak,” asserts the popular star.

Adding, “I grew up in a family where I was always surrounded by my mother and sisters. They are the strongest women I know. I believe that I am quite privileged that my gender has never made things difficult for me,” Katrina says.

Women today are excelling in diverse fields, and that in itself should be a motivating factor for other women to come forward and achieve their goals, she believes.

“Sometimes, I’ve noticed as women we feel apologetic for asking what we deserve. Instead, when we see women from different backgrounds and walks of life excelling across diverse fields and carving a niche for themselves, that in itself should be a motivating factor for other women to come forward and achieve their goals,” she says.

“If you do not have anyone’s support, remember that you are self-sufficient. Change should come from within. We need to have a strong sense of self and not forget that we are made for the greatest things,” states Katrina, who recently launched Reebok’s ‘It’s A Man’s World campaign’.

Speaking about the campaign, Katrina says that it is all about celebrating the differences between all individuals, making us all unique. “Our uniqueness is what makes us beautiful. I have always believed that respect stems from understanding and embracing each other’s personalities no matter how different they are to ours. I am glad to be a part of this important campaign,” she says.

Does she feel the campaign is relevant to today?

Kaif replies: “Like I said, it is extremely important and relevant. Men and women are different from each other in terms of their emotionality and physicality, among other things. The idea is to complement and respect each other. We are different but we are all equal in value. The campaign is even more relevant because it makes us think about how unique we are.

“No two people can be the same and they shouldn’t be either. At a time when times are challenging and constantly changing, we need to keep reminding ourselves that we are who we are because of our unique personalities.”

Also Read-Katrina’s new hair cut for new film

Read More-Katrina speaks on sustainable fashion

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Interview Lite Blogs

New age creators to go beyond normal

About releasing a movie on an OTT platform let’s go with the famous movie dialogue “Picture abhi baki hain” and for sure we will let you know if any such development were to happen…. Imtiaz Ali interacts with Puja Gupta.

OTT is a great shift happened in the cinema industry and most of the film makers are accepting it as a ‘new normal’ system of development. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says that the upcoming storytellers want to showcase their stories in new and innovative ways and with the latest technology available.

As a step forward, Imtiaz has directed and shot his latest short film ‘Eyes For You’ exclusively on the OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G smartphone. With this association, the director aims to push the new age creators to go beyond the normal and aim for new horizons with technology that enables them to create superior content on the go.

In a chat with us Imtiaz shares his views on the shift which Bollywood has seen, how OTT platforms has been a game changer. Excerpts:

Q: Given that video consumption has increased both from a creation and consumption standpoint, is it safe to assume you will be releasing a movie on an OTT platform?

A: 5G has enabled explosive growth in video content creation, especially short-form videos, amongst consumers. This sentiment has been bolstered which saw a massive uptick in video content consumption. With the majority of the people staying at home, the type of content consumed has changed which has led to a change in the creation of content as well with more focus being on people around us rather than it being about just us.

Today with enhanced networks and stronger internet connectivity the presence of Indian subscribers on OTT platforms is rapidly increasing. A recent report states that the boost in OTT consumption in India can be attributed to the addition of new subscribers emerging from across India. It surely is the best way to reach out to the audience.

OTT platform is not only a place to be but the people viewing the content are so diverse that I would love to see their feedback. About releasing a movie on an OTT platform let’s go with the famous movie dialogue “Picture abhi baki hain” and for sure we will let you know if any such development were to happen.

Q: Tell us about your collaboration with OPPO? How did it happen?

A: I remember when I was approached for this campaign by OPPO, what struck me the most was how the campaign focused on the power of envisioning something in the domain of videography which is beyond the reach of others, an insight I try to bring out through my work. I thought this was an excellent opportunity and jumped into it.

OPPO’s focus on integrity, innovation, and teamwork resonate with how I like to approach my work and through the campaign, we have tried to inspire the audience to shoot beyond limits and capture what they can imagine with the new OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G. This campaign gave me an opportunity to shoot on the OPPO Reno5 Pro 5G which was an exciting and different experience for me. There were some extra ordinary times as we shot in the dark using the ultra – night video mode on the phone helped the team in getting clear and bright shots while capturing the subjects on frame perfectly. With their latest videography expert, the campaign focuses on inspiring consumers across India to shoot their live story!

Q: How would you define your journey in the industry?

A: I made my way through theatre and television to come into films. I have been very lucky to have started from a place that was far removed from the film industry. Having taken a long journey has given me varied experiences and made me respect people and their journeys more. Like any individual, my journey too has seen its fair share of ups and downs. For me, it’s not the end that matters but how many times you fall, pick yourself up and move forward that matters.

It’s all about believing in yourself, that you can achieve whatever you aspire for, all you need is strong will and determination.

Q: Do you feel Bollywood has to produce more and better content so as to bring back traction?

A: I think we have seen a huge shift in the nature of content that is consumed and how it is made, the approach has totally changed over the last few years. Bollywood has also become open to exploring different themes and it has been a refreshing change to see. I have always welcomed new and fresh stories as it helps in showcasing the real talent Bollywood can offer. The consumers are looking for different ways to showcase their stories and it is exciting to see what they come up with as it is a learning opportunity for us as well.

Like I mentioned before, it is about believing, exploring, and pushing for new ideas, there’s always scope to go above and beyond. The upcoming storytellers want to showcase their stories in new and innovative ways and with the latest technology available, they come out with ideas which is even a learning opportunity.

Q: What are you working currently on?

A: Last year gave me the opportunity to write as much as I wanted, and I made the most of this opportunity. It helped me to think in ways I wouldn’t have earlier, more time meant I could widen my horizons and it all worked out very well. Currently, I am producing and creative producing two shows on the digital platform apart from the new films that I’m conceptualising and writing. I’m also preparing to direct my next feature film as a director.

Also Read-Imtiaz Ali: Shooting in foreign lands is not easy

Read More-Kartik: Imtiaz Ali is not a director but a magician