There’s no wrong way to be a woman.

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Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 12.15.14 1:45am

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Shanoor Sana: Accomplished Actress

It's a pretty universally held belief that being an actor is cool. Being an actress who is instantly recognized in the movie-crazy south of India? Decidedly even more so. But being the mother of two twenty year-olds—while looking like a 30-year-old—hailing from a super-conservative Muslim family, and getting her mother-in-law to accompany her on her shoots during her debut days of modeling and acting all when working for movies was considered a taboo . . . well that’s not just cool—it’s one helluva achievement.

Shanoor Sana, better known by her onscreen mononym Sana, is enjoying her space and place in movies from the south as an artist today only because she took the first tentative steps with great confidence. In her own words, it is not as much about her roles in movies, but her ability to break the shackles of traditions to do movies and yet manage to stay grounded with her family. This is what has moored her in her myriad accomplishments.

Sana never imagined that her professional journey, which started as a feeble request to her husband and mother-in-law 20 years ago to allow her to shoot for a sari ad, has evolved into a war cry for her favorite political party during the national elections that took place this summer. She is currently working for a daily soap called Pratibhimbam on ETV, the magnum opus mythological film Rudramadevi, and a Tamil movie. Her filmography has Telugu (a south Indian language) blockbusters such as Ninne Pelladatha, Pandurangadu and Sriramarajyam.

She covers this sprawling evolution, her roots, and of course that awkward moment when she posed for a bathrobe ad right in front of her mom-in-law . . .

Back in the 90s—when working for movies was looked down upon—how did you, a married woman, mother of two, and the daughter-in-law of a conservative Muslim family manage to gain a foothold in showbiz?

Frankly, there is no big story. I was an active student who loved taking part in theater and who wanted to try her hand in the arts. My parents are pretty progressive in their outlook. In fact, they had an inter-religious marriage (my mom is a Muslim and dad’s a Christian) in the 70s, which was a big deal in India. But even before I could have big dreams of a career, I was married off. My dad had suffered severe losses in his business and he was at an all-time low. His friends and family advised him to get me married as in India a girl child’s marriage is considered a big event and ticking it off one’s list is a big achievement in and of itself. So I was married off to Sadath and life was a merry ride with cooperative in-laws. I had a lovely family comprising a big, joint family, a son, a daughter and lots to do in life.

However, I always wanted to go beyond the four walls of my home and prove myself. When my children started going to school, I was checking out the local newspapers for job placements and found an ad for a sari model. I had no idea what modeling was—I thought it was another profession like teaching or banking. I never knew that modeling would put me under the spotlight and that my pictures would be on posters or newspapers. In a traditional Muslim family, being a dedicated wife, daughter-in-law or mom is core to her very being. The goodwill of the family is actually imperative. So I asked my parents-in-law to accompany me to the shoot. No one had any idea of what it was going to be. Soon after I went, they did a screen test and I was selected and given an assignment. Within a few days, I got another offer. Even before I could actually sit and plan or decide on the ground rules I would play, things started moving. Modeling gave way to roles in television and then movies.   

Did showbiz turn out to be the way you had expected it?

I think it was easy for me because I was playing character roles that didn't demand that I show skin, wear skimpy clothes or get too intimate with my co-stars on-screen. Fortunately in Indian movies, once you decide to stick to character roles (as opposed to playing the main female lead), there is plenty of work, less pressure—though a few negative aspects as well. But yes, movies can be demanding as sets don’t always close at 6 pm, which is the announced pack-up time. One may have to travel out of town or country. I have a joint family so when I was out of town, I had the others in my family to babysit my children or send them to school. I am happy that despite all odds, I have worked in over 600 movies so far. I have to attribute my success to my husband, children and parents-in-law.

What is the best thing and worst thing about being in your position now?

The best thing is that if you are good at your craft, you get pampered. Unless you hate to put on makeup, it is like a picnic every day. In India, a politician of 30 years may not be recognized nearlyas often as an actor who has done three movies. The love one gets from people, the fame, money . . . I love all of it. The worst bit is that people always expect you to look gorgeous—even if they catch you at 4 am in the airport after a 16-hour flight. Fans just don’t want that star quality to ever vanish from their idols. So the worst thing is the constant pressure to keep your fans impressed and happy. And yes, even being terribly sick on a set rarely guarantees any sympathy or rest, simply because there are too many things at stake to let you take rest on a day you are expected to shoot. There have been days when I have shot with a high fever, a really bad stomach ache or a sprained leg. Another negative aspect of my life is the loads of trolls with bad comments on their fan pages in Facebook or Twitter.

Any funny rumors you had to face in your career?

That I had married my nephew! I mean I was acting in a daily soap called Chakravakam for Telugu television and the protagonist Indraneel, who plays my nephew, had married the girl who played his mother-in-law in the serial. In India, since both the relationships (aunt and mother-in-law) are addressed by the same name, websites put up my photograph with the groom’s and wrote announced some spicy news. Later, I had to clarify that it was not me.

What was the most challenging assignment you've faced in your career?

When I was in the beginning of my career, I learned that an ad company wanted a model for a bath towel ad. The ad demanded that I wear nothing, just drape myself with a terry towel to look hot. The only thing that was going in my mind when I went for the audition was to just prove to myself that I can be very professional and do what my job demands of me, without having to cringe. Although my prime motive was just to prove a point to myself and many others that I did have the looks and talent to do any kind of ad—I ended up doing that ad, and in the presence of mother-in-law, too.

What roles do you think you have excelled in?

I take it as a big compliment that I often get offers to play Hindu goddesses like Shakti and Kali. Indian goddesses are gorgeous, intense and divine. In fact, after playing a role like that, if I went to villages, people would offer me prayers and holy gifts. Such is the fan following. I have played Shakti in several of my movies. Although it is a tough scene with so much make up and sometimes requires sporting eight hands too, at the end of the day, it's all worth it.

What are your plans in near future?

I am a trained teacher and I would like to open a model dream school soon.

How do you keep in touch with your fans?

I opened my Facebook page just this year and I am humbled that today I have more than 100,000 fans who are following my updates. My son who is 23 years-old and runs his own TV production house and my daughter, a fashion designer, help me keep my page updated and connect with my fans every day.

We hear that you are all set to take a plunge into politics. How are you preparing for this new role?

I had campaigned for the Telugu Desam Party in the twin south Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in May 2014. The party chiefs said they were impressed by the way people connected with me, my ability to communicate with them, and the fact that I was a familiar face that had a good recall value. So far I have played it safe in the movies. But politics is a different ball game. I must be ready to be criticized, run down by detractors and be at the receiving end of several jibes. I am fully prepared for all eventualities, including being issued a Fatwa. But I hope that good sense and good luck will always remain on my side.

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Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 12.10.14 4:00am

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Natasha Lindor: Work-Life Balance Guru

Until two years ago, Natasha Lindor was a typical office-goer—which is to say, she perpetually felt dissatisfied with her life-work balance. Today, not only has she achieved the equilibrium she once coveted, but she's become a leading source of inspiration for others to do the same. Her websiteTheANDFactor.com revolves around an acronym for Amazing New Dimensions, but also applies to the underlying idea behind work-life balance. Lindor's goal? Help women achieve career success and financial security and sustaining relationships and . . .  you get the idea.

Using her own experience climbing the corporate ladder for 15 years, Lindor guides clients during indivdual and group coaching sessions to become the antithesis of what she herself once was.

We caught up with her to talk about her tips for balance, what successful people share . . . and the power of green smoothies.

When did you launch The AND Factor? Was there a particular incident that served as its impetus?

I started The AND Factor in March 2013 after I left my corporate career to help go-getters have a fulfilling career and time for whatever is most important to them—whether that’s friends, family, kids, love, health or just time to reflect and relax.

In my last corporate job, I was a communications consultant helping leaders and middle management improve employee engagement. At that time, I was coaching on the weekends to meet the number of hours I needed for my coaching certification. Then one morning it hit me in the shower (don’t all great ideas seem to start there?): I had a gift for coaching. My coaching had led people to make big, positive changes in their lives—such as going from a sedentary lifestyle to working out three times a week, or feeling confident enough to interview for a dream job, or falling in love with themselves and realizing the negative impact of habits such as smoking and eating out a lot. I realized that I should put my skills to good use to help myself and those around me. So I gave my notice and haven’t looked back since.

Your work centers on the "Amazing New Dimension" factor. How do you define AND? What do you do personally to find your own AND factor?

Too often, we get caught up in one dimension of our life, such as kicking butt at work, being a great mom, or being a great wife or girlfriend. One of the best parts of being human is that we get to experience life—and it’s too short for us to miss out on what we really want. We’re meant to have the career we want AND the relationships that fuel us AND financial security AND health AND whatever else we desire.

The AND factor allows people to experience work-life harmony and get things done with effort, joy and ease.

I find and maintain my own AND factor by living in alignment with my values. Everything I do supports my core values of connecting with others, walking my talk, and creating abundance, order and inner peace. And I guide those that I coach to do the same.

Many of your clients seem to be those who've lost their groove and need a lifestyle wake-up call. From your experience, what is the typical profile of the people you work with—and what contributes to the necessity of the work you do?

My typical client is a go-getter who is smart, dedicated and wants to live a meaningful life. While she might have invested tens of thousands of dollars and hours in her education and on-the-job experience to get where she is today, she’s living in a place I refer to as The Land of Settling. It’s where people live a life that’s very different from the one they set out to create. Most of my clients traded in some part of their dream to please someone else—whether it was a parent, family member or peers. And they now find themselves in a stressful job or relationship and are too busy or drained to go after their dreams, true values and passions, as well as what is good for them, such as working out, eating better and taking time off.

Where do you think people tend to go wrong in their career, such that they miss out on the “bliss and balance” critical to healthy living?

I’ve found that people go wrong in their career for three big reasons:

1. They make career decisions based on an old set of values. 

While everyone has values, very few people know what their own core values are in relation to who they are today. Even fewer people are making choices about their career based on their current core values. To position themselves for a fulfilling career and a life of bliss and balance, people must recalibrate and make decisions based on the values that are important to them today.

2. They let the “inner game,”or mindset obstacles, talk them out of what they really want. 

Four main inner game obstacles impact success in all areas of life: belief blockers, assumptions, gremlins and stories. I have a whole program that addresses all of these, so I’ll focus here on the biggest of the four—the gremlin. This is people’s inner critic, inner bully or inner mean girl. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t have a gremlin. It’s that little voice in people’s heads that tells them to not try, never take a risk and play small. It has one simple, destructive message: You’re just not good enough! Everyone has a gremlin, but the most successful and fulfilled people know how to effectively manage it. If people don’t know how to defend themselves against their gremlin’s messages, they’ll never get what they want because they won't bother trying.

3. They don’t know how to say no, so they say yes to experiences, projects or opportunities that don’t fit with what they really want.

Many women base their concept of success, self-worth and happiness on someone or something else. They have a hard time saying “no” because they want to seem helpful or polite, they want to avoid conflict, or they fear they won’t seem serious about their career and will be passed up for the next opportunity. By not saying no mindfully and respectfully, they end up in situations that are very different from the ones they imagined.

You work with many high-profile clients. Are there two or three specific traits you've found that contribute to people achieving huge success in their personal and professional lives?

I’d say the three traits common to my most successful clients are:

1. Clarity: They let go of the how and focus on the what. They get clear on what they want and which factors should most influence the way they live, work and play (their current core values). This clarity helps them say yes to the right opportunities and no to the wrong ones—which allows them to go for what they really want rather than settle for less than they desire and deserve.

2. Alignment: They strategically align their life choices and approach to career, relationships, health and finances with their current core values. They also have daily practices to support their aligned life and build resiliency to help them recover when life throws them a curveball.

3. Support: They understand the powerful role that community plays in their success. There’s a saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with!” These five people create what I call people’s circle of influence. One thing I know for certain is that people’s circle of influence is key to their success or failure. The most successful people I’ve worked with have continued their momentum because of the support they’ve received from those around them—whether their circle of influence holds them accountable or embodies the qualities they want more of in their life, such as knowledge, positive influence, happiness, wealth, inspiration, fun and health.

What do you do to find your own bliss and balance in life?

Once I uncovered my top core values, I determined that living in alignment with these values is my secret to bliss and balance. For a long time, I didn’t have regular practices that supported what I said I wanted in life . . . so it was no surprise that I didn’t have what I wanted. Now, I have daily practices such as my FREEDOM morning ritual to ensure that I maintain peace, order and flow in my life. It’s been such a powerful tool that I’d like to give the ladies in this community access to it.

I’m also a spa buff. I love everything about spas—the way they feel when I walk in, the aromas, the yummy food and the treatments. My home reflects this love: I have a steam shower, rolled towels in the bathroom, bamboo bath mats, a fireplace with stones instead of fake logs, scented candles and a green smoothie habit.

I even lead live workshops and retreats at spas and other wellness-centered establishments as part of my business.

You send out a newsletter, update your website, do videos and run a business, thus seeming to be on your toes at all times. How do you keep yourself organized and on top of things? Are there any specific management mantras that you follow?

Planning, trusting my intuition and working with an amazing team keep me on top of things.

Clarity is power. Having a clear plan allows my team and I to know what to work on every day, every month and every quarter, so we can focus on what will ultimately support our clients as well as The AND Factor/Bliss & Balance community.

People can’t create what they can’t envision, so I approach planning in a way that integrates my work and personal life with my core values and life mission. Too many people get into action mode and skip the planning (I used to do it myself). When they take the time for clarity, however—using their intuition to envision what they want and how they want it to feel and then backing it up by creating a plan and enlisting a strong support system and team—they are unstoppable.

What things do you think are absolutely essential in order to have a "soul-satisfying" life?

I’d say it’s essential for people to know their current core values and align their lives with these values to create a strong foundation for a purposeful, soul-satisfying life. Then they need to keep up the momentum by:

· Following daily practices, such as a morning and evening ritual. Here's a free gift for Ravishly readers:http://theandfactor.com/ravishly 

· Surrounding themselves with supportive people. Considering the fact that people are the average of the five people they spend the most time with, it’s best that those people support and represent the kind of life that fuels them.

· Integrating emotional intelligence and a positive mindset into how they communicate with themselves and others.

· Giving their bodies the exercise, fuel and attention they need.

· Revisiting their vision to make sure it’s still the vision they want and making adjustments as they learn and grow from life experiences.

Think you'd be a Lady We'd Love? Or want to recommend a lady you love?Please drop us a line!

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Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 12.1.14 12:46am

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Richa Anirudh: Prime Time News Anchor, Revolutionary TV Personality

Perhaps one of the best ways to get a snapshot of a person is to look up his or her schedule. Were you to do so for Richa Anirudh, India’s prime time news presenter, radio personality, talk show host, motivational speaker and more, and you would be bowled over by everything she manages to pack into a day—and all with a beautiful smile, words of wisdom, and a vibe of warmth and hope.

Most mornings, while you're still struggling to get out of bed, Richa is on Big 92.7 Delhi FM giving a wake-up call to New Delhi's masses on her breakfast show Dilli Meri Jaan. She generally devotes the pre-lunch segment of her day to speaking at a college, moderating a panel discussion, reading at a book launch event, or serving as a motivational speaker to a group of women. Then she's dashing off to her office to edit her new monthly magazine publication for school students. After a quick catch-up on home affairs and updating her 90,000 social media followers with her thoughts for the day, she drops by the IBN7 office to read the 9 pm news—the most-watched time slot in all of India.

She attributes her ability to excel at so many roles at once to having interacted with several hundred people at close quarters daily for her landmark talk show Zindagi Live a few years ago. The show was India’s first talk show and has touched on a swath of important matters in Indian society—including some that are taboo. Best known for her sensitivity and ability to empathize with her interviewees, she says: “I am a woman, and that warm, soothing and nurturing streak comes naturally to me."

She filled us in on how her childhood shaped her success, the role of a broken hand in the genesis of her marriage, and the nitty-gritty of being a star media personality.

From the small town of Jhansi in North India to a primetime TV host of a high-profile show in Delhi, your journey has been remarkable. Can you describe your background a bit, with maybe a few glimpses into your childhood and how it shaped who you are today?

I was born as Richa Badal (my maiden name) in 1975 in a family of grounded and hardworking people. My dad was a doctor and my mom is a homemaker. I studied in a regular private school in the historic town of Jhansi in North India. My mom has always been a very progressive person and even in that small town, she always wanted me to make it big. I wasn’t exactly sure what I had to become to make her proud. But I was always good at school, public speaking, community work. In general, I was an active and sociable student throughout my childhood.

We hear that while you were the one who fell and broke your hand years ago, it was really your husband, Anirudh Tatte, who fell for you—hook, line and sinker.

Yeah. Funny story. I was 14 years-old and broke my hand. My future-husband Anirudh’s dad—who was a family friend—was an orthopedic surgeon. I remember running into their house to get it treated and demanding that they switch on the TV because my favorite show was on. Apparently Anirudh was fascinated seeing how sociable I was—also the way I mingled with everyone. He wooed and pursued me for the next three years and we got married when I was 22 and had just finished my degree. It was all so smooth, as we used to hang out with each other frequently and our circle of friends was sure we would tie the knot. Surprisingly, we never had the formal "will you marry me" moment. It was a very casual and natural progression to getting married. Then my daughter Ayesha was born when I was 25.

So you started your professional journey in 1997 after you were married?

No, in 1995, I started doing a computer course with ApTech Computers in my hometown Jhansi. They were looking for a student counselor, and 

asked me if I wanted to work—I jumped at the offer. In 1996, I moved to the national capital of New Delhi where I had to finish the last leg of my 

computer course. It was at that time that I got an offer to work with an art and culture organization called Spic-Macay for whom I had volunteered 

when I was in college. They were paying me Rs 3,000 (about $50). I felt grown up and independent. On one occasion, when I was talking to the local press about the impending concert of a highly talented musician, someone from national television suggested that I give them the "bytes" about the show. That's how I made my first, unexpected debut on national television. Knowing Hindi (India’s national language), being articulate, and being photogenic did help. Later, a senior producer gave me the opportunity to work as a freelance news presenter.

A few years later, when I was willing to work full-time, a few of my initial contacts helped me land a job at Zee News, a 24-hour Hindi news channel. In 2007, I got bored with it and just then the TV channel I was working for proposed a talk show. That's how India’s first talk show along the lines of Oprah came to be. In the very first year, my talk show,Zindagi Live, won the Best Talk Show award given by Indiantelevision.com for its episodes on relevant social issues like student suicides, female feticide, child sexual abuse. We tackled subjects that are generally taboo in Indian society, such as homosexuality. After that, I took a break and I am back again in 2014—both as a news presenter of a primetime 9 pm news bulletin and as a radio compere.

Your website defines you as a "speaker, mentor, author, host, friend." What is the real Richa like? Which role do you most enjoy and why?

Aaah. Tough one. I enjoy being just simply Richa, a small town girl—sans makeup and pretensions, comfortable in her own skin, at home, just being me. It’s not my role, but my soul, that defines me.

Zindagi Live is a landmark show in Indian television. How do you think it has impacted society? What goes into the making of the show?

I think it touches a lot of people. For example, a young girl from Allahabad in central India told me that she dropped the idea of taking sleeping pills and ending her life after she watched a special episode of women braving the odds stacked against them. We often get to hear about Zindagi Live helping people choose the right profession and path for them.

And on a personal level, I have become a better person. After having heard the gut-wrenching stories of so many people—mothers who lost their only children to a war, people making it big in life despite their empty stomachs and grueling poverty etc.—I have become more tolerant and feel more grateful. I've stopped asking "why me" and instead have adopted the attitude of gratitude.

You have been vocal about the Nirbhaya rape incident that shook the nation in December 2012. What do you think is the solution to the widespread issue of sexual violence against women in India? Having worked closely with many rape victims for your show, do you have any sense of what their perspectives might be on addressing this issue?

Frankly, I don’t feel safe anymore. A friend once went to a lady police officer to complain that her husband was beating her up. The cop said casually: “That’s no big deal. It's part of every marriage.” In such circumstances, it's important that women learn to stand up for themselves. Unless they are assertive, they will never be able to fight issues such as gender bias in workplaces, sexual abuse of women and so on. The first step to getting safer and find one’s right place is to stand up for yourself.

You are currently juggling the TV show "Dilli Meri Jaan," hosting the news, and running a school magazine—School Live. What else is in the cards?

For now, I am back on primetime television. Hosting the radio show is immensely enriching as I am dealing with trying to find solutions for day-to-day issues in New Delhi. Hosting the news keeps me updated on all the current affairs. Working with students to gather feature stories for my monthly school magazine School Live helps me stay young and enthusiastic.

How do you keep yourself updated and prepared for all that you do? Do you have a management mantra?

Yes, my management mantra is: "Let it go, don’t fuss." Prioritize your work, but choose your top three tasks and don’t get worked up on what you cannot do. I practice Osho philosophy which advocates doing the right thing and not trying too hard to accomplish everything and please everyone in one go. Slow and steady does it.

As such a busy woman, how do you unwind from all the pressures? Do you go on any fun vacations with your husband and daughter?

I love to drive, sing, dance—my daughter Ayesha Anirudh Tatte is my dance partner. I am also into Osho meditation. It helps me de-stress. I take off on ten-day spiritual camps to hills.   

You are among the best dressed of all the television hosts in India, looking contemporary and chic both on the air and at events. Are your clothes and accessories from your personal collection? Do you have any style suggestions for women who want to look their best?

For some shows, the production house sponsors it. In other cases, I choose from my own wardrobe. I would like to believe that I have the right sensibility and judgement when it comes to wearing an outfit. I try to wear something ethnic for a social event; something more funky when I go for a college or youth event. I love to stock up on quirky jewellery and accessories.

Do you have a wish list for 2015?

A to Konkan with family, lots of hope and love. At the end of the day, I will take one day at a time and relish it fully.

Think you'd be a Lady We'd Love? Or want to recommend a lady you love?Please drop us a line!

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Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 11.16.14 2:19am

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Suchitra Karthik Kumar: South Indian Singer

If you have ever been to South India and traveled by road, chances are that any one of the radio stations are playing a peppy "Suchi" song —no matter the hour of the day. And why not? South Indian live and playback singer Suchitra Karthik Kumar—"Simply Suchi" for her fans—manages to impress not just her music directors and fans, but even the irate drivers negotiating peak hour traffic with her repertoire of 500 songs.

Suchi shares her interesting journey into the world of music with us.

You are a popular playback singer and a peppy on-stage performer down south (recently at the Mirchi Music Awards). How would you sum up your journey? Was it smooth sailing? Or very tough with struggles and tears?

Pretty smooth. I’ve been blessed with composers who recognized that I have a specific tone, and "created" songs for it ("Yen Idhayam" from Singam, ‘Tharai Erangiya’ from Eeram and "Kanninima" from Anwar are examples). It also keeps me exclusive, not overworked and therefore no burnout!

You have a hectic life with a playback session on one day, a live performance for an awards function another day and perhaps giving a voice-over for a character another. What is a typical day in the life of Suchi? Do you have a mantra that allows you to balance all these and still be able to give your best to work?

Some days are packed with 17-18 hours of work and some days go by with nothing at all. I love this kind of life. And some small routines of mine, like a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning, and half an hour of guitar practice, are constant—no matter what the day looks like. These things keep me centered.

You transitioned from an IT job to radio hosting a few years ago. Why did you make this transition?

It happened organically. I always rely on common sense and instinct to make my decisions. So when such opportunities came alone, if it "felt" right, I went for it.

You've had a successful stint as a radio jockey for Radio Mirchi but your primary profession is singing. In such an industry where new talent and new faces often get the attention, how do you maintain your personal brand?

Again, it happened organically. Maybe my personality helped too. Sometimes having a personality to go with a voice makes one more of a media person than just a singer.

How do you keep yourself updated on your skills, your looks, the latest musical equipment etc? What do your read or watch to stay on top?

I learn all the time. All the time! I'm a curious student of everything—music, food, fashion, life.

Any specific hilarious or memorable moments from your time in the limelight?

Yeah! One day, this guy comes up to me and says, "Hey I'm a huge fan of yours. I follow you on Twitter. May I please have a picture with you. . . . . Chinmayee?” Haha, I simply said "thank you." [Chinmayee is another popular singer, a contemporary of Suchitra.]

With late night shoots and rehearsals, how do you stay safe and secure? Is there is a small emergency kit that you often carry in a big, bad city like Chennai, India?

Chennai is absolutely safe! It has the most helpful, respectful people. I have never, ever faced a problem here.

As a playback singer for films, there are times when a movie doesn't do well and your song barely gets heard. How do you handle the disappointment of a song you love—and put a lot of work into—not getting much attention?

By detaching. I don’t associate expectations with any song I sing. I love it for the way it makes me feel when I sing it, and I have it on my iPod for life. It makes me feel blessed and grateful each time I listen to it, and my life is more beautiful as I have that song in it. What more do I need?

Who are your musical role models, and why?

George Michael for the longest time; I love the way his personality shines through his music. Each time he has reinvented himself, his music has reflected it. In India, Amit Trivedi and Rex Vijayan. To me, they come across as musicians who have let their music organically flow through them. Almost like they are a conduit to it, and not really the "inventors." Early Ilayaraja music feels like that to me too.

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Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 11.3.14 2:34am

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Rujuta Diwekar: Fitness Aficionado, Star Nutritionist

So are you all set to lose those five pounds for New Year’s Eve? And working towards dropping ten inches for your bestie’s wedding? By all means, drop that weight, but be afraid—very, very afraid—of India’s top dietician and weight loss expert Rujuta Diwekar. Rujuta is going to lambast you because she feels that such short-term goals and targets display a gross disrespect for one’s body—and she's about real health.

Rujuta is the Mumbai-based celebrity nutritionist who was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in India by People magazine in 2012 and was recently credited with helping to sculpt India’s top star Kareena Kapoor’s incredible body. Her books such as Don't Lose your Mind, Lose Your Weight and Don’t Lose Out, Work Out! have been bestsellers, helping millions across the globe lose weight and stay fit. Rujuta’s advice for good health is rich in ancestral wisdom and her mantra is "back to basics."

She spoke with us about what it is that makes her famous, her approach to fitness, and how's working to help people unlearn many unhealthy fitness lessons.

What makes you the most successful nutritionist and health advisor in India and among the 50 most powerful women in the country?

One of the reasons I am considered a celebrity and top nutritionist is because celebs are my clients and I live in Mumbai where the Bollywood action happens. It is the city of glamor and there is good mileage for what we do here, especially if it involves the stars.

Tell us about a bit about what you were like before you became the woman behind the beauty of India’s most glamourous actressKareena.

I studied in a local school next to where I lived in Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. At school, I was an outdoorsy girl who was into athletics three hours a day. Even in college, I did aerobics and was a part-time fitness instructor. I’ve always enjoyed exploring the health aspects of food and the body and so it was not out of the way for me to choose to specialize in sports medicine and nutrition. In the late 1990s when I started my career, several new entrants into the movie industry were sporting fit and trim bodies. I started working with them and I am happy that I got to work with some of the most beautiful people in India who also know how to love and respect their bodies. My clients like Kareena or her sister Karisma Kapoor, both stars in their own right, have adopted a healthy lifestyle—and not because they want to lose weight for a specific song, presentation or college reunion.

"Weight loss" is the most Googled term in the world. Do you think people across the world are overdoing it and are obsessed with their weight?

Today people think five times before they eat something. In the olden days, people used to relish their food. What do you think brought in this ugly change? While it is good to work towards staying fit, this new obsession for having ridiculous timelines such as "I want to lose x lbs for Christmas" is a not a healthy strategy. We have to live with our bodies and one cannot afford to have such a casual approach towards to them. We need to respect our bodies, work on them and invest in them. I think people got caught in some wrong fads, which steered them away from real wellness.

What do you think made you the top weight loss experts? Why do you think so many Indians connect with your advice in such a big way?

What I say is not really different from what our moms and grandmoms have said. I am basically taking people back to their roots with my advice. I am lucky to have beautiful brand ambassadors spreading the message of a healthy life and that made it easier to convey my thoughts—that element of glamor was missing from my grandma's advice.

What do you think contributed to your meteoric rise in the fitness industry?

I have been working since 1999 and that was the time when the media in India opened up with lifestyle supplements, health advice columns, weight loss sections and glamor news channels etc. So the focus fell on those like me catering to this segment. I guess the right exposure helped. The biggest contributor to my success is really the generous love I have received from my fans. There is no alternative or measure for it.

Where do you personally derive your knowledge from?

Someone in my family is always giving me advice like "Don’t have a long gap between meals," or "Don’t watch TV and eat," and I wanted to pass this scientifically–backed and commonsense knowledge to my fans and clients. Relaying this relevant knowledge is half the job. I also manage to put ancient wisdom in today’s perspective.

Why do you think there are myths such as "don’t eat rice if you want to lose weight" floating around these days?

I think food corporations need to do some business and telling people what they are eating currently is all wrong and giving them some stylish alternatives is a good marketing strategy. But yes it is a big myth that you put on weight if you eat rice.

When you are out traveling, how do you ensure you eat healthy food? Do you carry your own food, cook, eat locally?

I carry dry fruit or chiwda (an Indian snack made of puffed rice) with me as my emergency food. I also try local fruit or a local speciality, which I combine with my comfort food. It's important to fill your tummy with healthy food so that you dont eat junk.

Tell us a healthy day in the life of Rujuta.

I wake up by 5 AM and after exercise, meditation and reading newspapers, I travel to the office and have a local breakfast. Mumbai has lovely sandwiches and healthy bhels and I love to gorge on that. The day unfolds with work for my clients and I take a break from work for a freshly brewed self-made south Indian coffee. I have an early lunch and keep working. I return home for my dance class and then a walk. After that, I wrap up my day with an early dinner. By around 9 PM, I am fast asleep. While I do love to socialize, I do that for breakfast or lunch and rarely during dinner time.

What are your future projects?

I'm currently working on my next—fourth—book which is about exercising.  

You can follow along with Rujuta's work on Twitter @RujutaDiwekar, onFacebook or on her personal website.

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