Nov 4, 2014

ladies we love

Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 11.3.14 2:34am

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

ladies we love

Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 10.30.14 4:00am

Eve Mayer: CEO, Social Media Delivered

It should come as no surprise that Eve Mayer, CEO of the reputable Social Media Delivered, has mastered her own social media domain. With 94,000 followers and counting on Twitter, she understands the elusive art of a compelling tweet. More than that, she knows how to deliver those insights to thousands of fans and followers—not to mention companies and conference groups including Cisco, Vistage and Microsoft.
The author of Social Media for the CEO and The Social Media Business Equation has been recognized by Forbes as the fifth-most influential woman in social media, and by Webbiquity as one of the top 50 women on Twitter. #Intimidated yet? So were we. But Mayer proved herself a gracious interview subject, discussing the power of LinkedIn, how to balance work with your personal life, and the surprisingly few times she tweets a day. (Twitter addicts, take note.)
You are considered a social media phenomenon and pioneer. Was there any particular incident that made you realize the significant impact social media can have?
I first comprehended the impact of social media on a business or an organization as early as 2008. I was working for a company and we managed to clinch a big business deal worth $100,000 through LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking service. The ease, speed and interactivity with which we could move and tick off our to-do lists was amazing, giving us a first-hand experience of what it was to leverage social media for one's business.
Have you completed any formal/professional course in social media? If not, how did you learn how to navigate the social media world?
No! I was among the first to use social media. When I started out, no one knew what its future was. But that helped me to learn, unlearn and explore so many angles of social media. I am proud to say that those raw experiences helped me write my books.
You are also termed the LinkedIn Queen. Why do you think LinkedIn is a powerful social tool?
LinkedIn is a professional-oriented social network. While companies use it for recruitment purposes, individuals can use it for networking. It is important to showcase your skills to the world, connect with peers and colleagues, and stay in the loop. Social media is the future of recruitment and networking.
Do you see PR companies getting replaced by in-house social media managers?
Good social media platforms make for good PR. However, big companies with great client interactivity invariably have to hire social media experts. Which is why many PRs are turning into social media managers.
As the CEO of a company, what are the biggest challenges you face on a day to day basis?
I often find that the company is growing beyond my ability. At such junctures, I need to step back, take a fresh stock of things and then hire the right professionals who can handle things for me. I hired Shannon Streater as president of the company and that was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
What is your average work week like?
Firstly, there is no average week. Everyday pans out differently. On some days, I am commuting between London, Rome and Paris. So the day features handling different time zones and jetlags. One day I could be talking to a big group of CEOs in upmarket New York. Another day could be like today, where I do a press interview as I drive to the local farmer’s market to pick up furniture for my home.
What are the management mantras that you want to share with others?
Understand when you need help. Ask for it
Don’t put everyone else first and yourself last. A happy and rested you is better than a tired and cranky you.
Embrace fun in your life. That will keep you alive, young, excited. Put together, it makes you happy.
Enjoy every role of yours—girl/woman, girlfriend/wife, mother, employee. On some days, you may have to temporarily cease being a career woman and briefly switch over to becoming a doting mom. Another time, you may have to abruptly hang up on your family for an impending meeting. Neither is bad. Look at the bigger picture and ensure all roles are justifiably played.
You've written books titled Get It Girl Guide to Online Dating andSextiquette. What are two quick tips to land a great date?
First, always put up a profile picture that is less than six months old and within a six-pound difference of your weight. Any picture older than six months or lighter/heavier than six pounds amounts to cheating your prospective date. So stay honest.
For someone who has 94,000 followers on Twitter, I would think you are constantly tweeting and checking your phone as you drive, brush your teeth . . . How do you balance not getting addicted to tech while leveraging it fully?
You may surprised to hear this, but I check my tweets only twice a day. I typically get 50 to 60 tweets which I see, write back or retweet for follow-up action. I love to exploit technology, not get addicted to it.
http://www.ravishly.com/ladies-we-love/sanjjanaa-south-indian-movie-star

ladies we love

Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 10.29.14 4:00am

Sanjjanaa: South Indian Movie Star

Articles written about south Indian actress Sanjjanaa with headlines such as "Sensational Sanjjanaa" or "Sweet Sanjjanaa" are more than excellent examples of alliteration—the young, talented actress is truly sensational and sweet. When talking to her, it becomes quickly apparent that this is the rare celebrity who's managed to stay grounded in the cutthroat world of film. She also seems to still be having a good time, without succumbing to the cynicism ever-present in the industry.
We chatted with India's "It Girl" about how she handles film flops, her social media strategy—and why a movie offer after three shots is never a good idea.
You are among the most well-known actresses in south India. How did you land in the movie world?
My original name is Archana Gallrani, and I am a Sindhi girl settled in the south Indian city of Bengaluru. As a teenager I was very outdoorsy and loved sports. My love for athletics kept me fit, a prime requisite for modeling in India. Among my major modeling assignments was a Fastrack ad with Bollywood's John Abraham. Modeling to movies is a natural progression. Frankly, in 2004, when I was offered my first movie, I was looking at buying my own car and the movie offer helped me get closer to my dream. Once I was bitten by the glamour bug, I was totally addicted to movies.
Careers in film are full of highs (read: blockbusters) and abysmal lows (read: flops). How do you cope with these fluctuations? Do you have any unique ways of dealing with both successes and films not doing well?
Each movie is like my baby. Whether it is a flop or a hit, it is mine. What can you do if one baby does well and one does not? I just treat every movie as a labor of love and don't discriminate based on its box-office business.
Like a special child, a flop leaves you drained and feeling sorry for yourself. I have sleepless nights for two weeks when my movies don't do well. I cry myself to sleep. Only my pillow knows how much I cry when a flop hits me hard. I also try to get busy with my workouts, dance practices, yoga and other movie-related activities. I am actually happy to take up any new work that comes at that time, as it takes my mind off the flop and I feel good about the new work.
Before you made it in film, did you have a backup plan for what you wanted to do career-wise? What do you think you would do if you ever decided to stop acting?
I wanted to become a pilot, as you see I've always been a high flier, literally! But soon after the film world beckoned me, I just surrendered and willingly got dragged into the whirlpool of craziness. I have some entrepreneurial dreams, which I will soon realize and will be my back-up if things go south with movies. The movie world is volatile and fluid. Having a plan B is necessary so that one is never pushed to a corner, getting exploited just to earn a film role.
In this day of social media, a public figure's every word, tweet and post are dissected and scrutinized; how do you handle that attention and ensure your fans remain excited about following you and your posts?
I am honest with my fans and never try too hard to impress them. I just say or show it like it is, and they like me for it. So I am never under the pressure to tweet or post on social media. If there is an event I am dressed up for, I post the picture. If there is a thought in my mind, I tweet it. It's almost like I am interacting with my family. No pressure there. I am totally myself on social media.
The schedule for actresses can be downright brutal. From early morning starts to late night parties to occasionally having to shoot in seemingly inhumane conditions (like the freezing climates of Switzerland) to the industry being male-dominated . . . how do you handle it all?
I am currently doing movies in Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, which means literally juggling three different worlds. I put my work before anything else. So if I have to choose between a late night party or waking up early for a morning shoot, I opt for the latter. Parties are fun, but I go to them only when I have the time. Unlike some film folk, I don't believe too much in the networking that happens at parties. I don't trust people who promise me a role after three shots of alcohol. It is really not a forum where you can make or believe promises. A party appearance, therefore, should be strictly if you want to let your hair down and get some branding done with good pictures. But I would advise against using it as a place to land new offers.
Recently, a Telugu actress admitted to becoming a call girl, stating that the industry did not give her adequate opportunities to survive. As a successful artist, do you have any thoughts on this?
The film industry is not a la-la world, and actors are not Alices in Wonderland, able to marvel at everything and sound innocent. People must be realistic about the success rate. If 100 people are working hard in the industry, only five of them are doing great. Once you get the impression that things are not working out or that you are not able to be gainfully employed, you should explore safer and more conservative avenues. You can always go back to working in corporations or companies.
The actress you speak of claimed she turned into a call girl to make ends meet. She was just unrealistic, and that's not the way to go. One has to stay strong and move in the right direction.
Do you have a wish list for 2014? Things you're looking to accomplish both professionally and personally?
My wish list is that every movie of mine is a blockbuster! Personally, I want to be calm and composed and enjoy my success, and at the same time be enthused about better work.
Think you'd be a Lady We'd Love? Or want to recommend a lady you love?Please drop us a line!

Oct 24, 2014

http://www.ravishly.com/ladies-we-love/bhawana-somaaya-film-expert-star-critic
By Manju Latha Kalanidhi @mkalanidhi
Contributed by Manju Latha Kalanidhi | 10.23.14 2:29am



Bhawana Somaaya: Film Expert, Star Critic

If you love Hindi cinema, fondly known as Bollywood, and have followed the evolution of the industry even just a bit, there is one person who's impossible to miss—Bhawana Somaaya. She is a professional movie buff—a hardcore musical lover, star interviewer, celebrity biographer, and prolific film critic.
Having studied psychology and journalism in Mumbai, she began her career as a film reporter in the 1970s and has been writing about cinema in numerous outlets since—so far she's churned out a whopping 12bestselling books.
And she doesn't just write, either. She's also a film expert with Radio Channel 92.7 Big FM, making her one of the few senior journalists who is visible across all media—from print to radio to web. In fact, few film award functions take place without Somaaya’s expert guidance, few movie directors forget to call her up on a movie's release day, and few movie lovers go a day without reading her incisive interviews or columns.
We heard from the famed critic herself, who let us in on the film journalism industry, Bollywood, and her thoughts on celebrities.
You have 35,000 followers on Twitter, and yet I've read that you love completely shutting down your electronic devices to relax. How do you manage this dichotomy of staying connected to technology without becoming addicted to it?
I work on the computer in the first half of the day, after which I refrain from it unless it is an emergency. I’m against addiction of any kind. I firmly believe that those who follow me on Twitter are here for quality content that's credible. You cannot win people with mischief or manipulation.
What do you think makes you one of the most followed film journalists in India?
I just do my job; I write my columns and books as sincerely as I can. People say they like my writing and identify with my thought process. I hope I can continue to live up to their expectations. What works for me is credibility and consistency, I think.
You have watched the Bollywood industry through the years, starting in 1979 as a reporter. How has the industry evolved since you started?
A lot has changed and a lot remains the same; the 1970s were days of multi-starrer films, the 1980s was a rough time for the industry, while the 1990s paved the way for young filmmakers like Aditya Chopra. And 2000 of course changed cinema after Dil Chahta Hai. From single screens to multiplexes, from Dolby cinema to Sync sound, from makeup rooms to vanity vans, technology has advanced but the content, emotions and people are the same—well, almost.
You've written books and authorized biographies on the biggest stars of the Hindi film industry, constantly rubbing shoulders with the all the main actors and actresses on the scene. What are three important lessons you've learned about the industry?
That times change, circumstances change, status changes but you have to be sincere to your job. There are also no shortcuts to lasting success. Finally, that there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies in showbiz!
What kind of effort goes into, say, writing the biography of Amitabh Bachchan, one of Bollywood's legendary actors?
Writing a book is more about discipline than craft. It is about time management with a regular job and regular life. Writing about celebrities is a little more difficult because you are dealing with vulnerable, artistic, sensitive people. That they are all the time in the limelight makes it more difficult. I would like to believe that top Hindi movie stars such as Hema Malini or an Amitabh Bachchan agreed to my penning their memoirs because they have faith that I will not abuse their trust. My intention is to explore rather than sensationalize.
Tell us about an average day in your life.
I like to wake up early and go for a walk but I never manage to rise before 7:30. I make my own tea and putter around the apartment, opening the windows for fresh air. At 8:20, I walk to the 92.7 Big FM studio for my daily morning link on the breakfast show. I return at 9 and relish another cup of tea with my pile of newspapers. At 9:30 I eat breakfast, after which I disappear to my study for a quick check on emails and social media updates. Then I focus on my daily column and a chapter of a new book. I take a lunch break at 3 after which I check my messages, shower and return to the Big FM studio where I work as an entertainment editor. In the evening I usually have a meeting, screening, or event, depending on the day. I generally avoid parties and eating out, instead watching a bit of TV or reading before bed. I lead a very productive, constructive day; Wednesdays and Thursdays are for new screenings, Fridays for reviews and recordings, Saturdays for friends and Sundays strictly for family.   
How do you find nirvana with so many responsibilities? How often do you go on holiday and how do you unwind?
Spirituality is in the mind, it is a way of life. I pray every morning that I must think, act and speak positively about others and myself. I fly to see my sister every alternate month and stay with her for three days. Just being home and listening to her humming domesticity, talking about our deceased parents unwinds me. I very seldom take holidays because the life of a critic revolves around new releases. But when I sense some weeks are uneventful I do take off with friends—and always without a laptop. I travel a lot for work both in India and abroad and that always refreshes me.
Many aspiring journalists imagine being a film journalist is the most fun media job. Do you have any advice for them?
It is a lot of hard work. Film journalism is perhaps the most difficult of all journalism because you are dealing with eccentric people. Today, though, it is easier because journos don’t have to make any inroads with people for a story—everything is organized at the appropriate time by the PR machinery, so it's not surprising that many film stories have lost their sting and the bite. All stories now sound the same, just in the way all actors look the same in designer costumes—like assembly line products.
Having seen stars in their more real moments, what's your take on celebrities? Do you think they're overly hyped?
I think we need to look at them as human beings, they are as real or fake as us, and they have their moments of strength and weaknesses just as we do. They are very likeable, actually, and good judges of people. You can never fool actors because they are traders of emotions and expressions.
In India, fans often become obsessed with the lives of their favorite actors and actresses. Do you think the media should report on the personal lives of stars?
I have never done it. I have never written an article that I have not believed in, never asked questions that I was not convinced of. Today, unfortunately, journalists are hired on the qualification that they can break stories. Journalism is less about writing and more about accessibility. But I would never abuse my contacts for the sake of a story. The day editors and reporters start writing about what interests them—rather than what they perceive their readers' interests to be—we will have more productive journalism.
When you are friends with stars, what happens when you need to ask them tough questions?
I believe that you can ask anybody anything. It just depends on how you ask it and what your intention is. Are you just asking a question because your editor has asked you to, but are frightened that you will get a defensive answer? The star respects you when you are on side of the truth, and if there is a controversy that is waiting to be addressed you have to raise questions irrespective of your relationship. It is called work ethics and there cannot be any compromises on that.
You can follow Somaaya's work on Twitter @bhawanasomaaya or on herwebsite.
Think you'd be a Lady We'd Love? Or want to recommend a lady you love?Please drop us a line!

Mar 16, 2014

Published in The Hans India March 16, 2014

In a marked departure from the working women of the 90s who struggled to manage home, little children and family, many women are now taking a well-timed break to tend to families and young children. Using that three or seven year period to upgrade their skills, they are jumping back onto the career wagon soon after their little ones grow up to a manageable age. Best of personal and professional worlds, they say, writes MANJU LATHA KALANIDHI

Pick any two Your sanity. Happy kids. Clean home. This muchshared Facebook post seems to be getting many women think thrice before they take up the familiar route of degree, work, marriage, kids, work, quit, work, quit etc. They do not want to end up as harried working women trying hard to balance young kids and a demanding career with the feeling that neither are they doing justice to their work nor their family. So what's new, you ask.
Well, in a case of `once bitten twice shy' syndrome, most women are now embracing a conscious break ranging between three years and seven to ensure they are done with rearing their children to an age where they are semi-independent and they can get back to careers with gusto.
Bollywood actress and `Gulab Gang' leader Madhuri Dixit-Nene is among those who got her life's timeline bang on. After nearly a decade-and-half long career, she settled down for matrimony, enjoyed her homemaker status for eight years with her sons Arin and Ryan in the US. She admits to having stress free days without a full-time job while a lot of her Indian neighbours in Denver , US, were struggling to take care of both work and children. The actress has now returned to India to pursue a full-time career in the film industry as her sons are merrily busy with their activities. That she spent her time learning horse riding, ballet dancing and Taekwondo during that period has helped her immensely in her new avatar of an action heroine.
Closer home, Sandhya Janak, 50, a familiar face in Tollywood with movies like `Happy Days,' `Maryada Ramanna', `Baadshah' and now `Rudhramadevi' was, a decade ago, busy tending to her banker husband two sons Abhinav and Anirudh. Now with two grown up sons, she has the time to pursue a career in movies. “I was sure that I wanted to be with my kids when they were growing up.
This is the most crucial phase which will never come back, no matter what you do later on in life. Then there's no point regretting later for not having spent enough time with them (the kids) when they needed you the most! I'm of the opinion, that a woman is truly liberated only after her kids reach a certain stage of maturity and gain independence, so she needn't have to suffer from a guilty conscience!“ Vasanthi Hariprakash, TV and radio anchor besides being a renowned Emcee in Bengaluru, went back to work after a four-year break. After having worked at The Indian Express followed by a stint at a property portal for over eight years, Vasanthi decided to take a break to spend time with her four-year-old son Anirudh.
Four years later, when she was offered the job of a radio jockey's job in Radio City, she just couldn't refuse it. “It was a job where I could reach lakhs of people and was close to my passion of being in the field of communication. My son was around seven years then and it did not seem unreasonable to get back to an exciting and demanding job.“ Later, she shifted to NDTV 24x7 for a few years and now she is busy with a multitude of events to host and shoot. “At that time, I felt that I had a good run professionally and things were getting too busy with work, home and a child in his formative years. It helped me enjoy bonding with him and also take a breather to understand what I wanted to do next. I also did not have to deal with the mommy guilt of leaving a young child in the care of others. It was a feel-good period which helped me bounce back with renewed vigour,“ she says in between an event where she hosted Anna Hazare and an awards ceremony on Saturday. Swapna, Telugu TV's most famous news presenter, recalls how from a homemaker in Seattle, US, with two kids (who are now teenagers) and her classical music to keep herself engaged, she suddenly found herself thrust into a demanding career of a live TV show host for TV9 in Hyderabad. “Certain professions like media, hospitality, high-end corporate jobs and glamour can be demanding, with erratic working hours. So being able to give one's 100 per cent will ensure a great take off in your career, even if you start late or had a break. While there is no time a parent ceases to be a parent, it is better to be able to be in a position where one can focus on work without having to worry about things at home, especially children.“ She may have been a late bloomer on the career front, but her personal and professional timelines ensured that she took off in a big way.
Satvika Biswas, a consultant with Get Going Career Consultancy in Hyderabad, says that it is professional suicide to get back to work too early if one is not sure of giving his or her full commitment to career. “I have seen many women who get back to work much too early with young kids without a support system and they end up facing problems on the work front only to quit or be thrown out unceremoniously . Yes, not having a nanny or a reliable day care centre or parental support system can severely affect her personal and professional front. Frequent absenteeism citing childcare reasons, unable to take up challenging professional assignments are not good signs for one's career. So if one can afford to stay at home, it is best to get back to work when one is fully ready,“ she advices.
But then HR experts in India say that women suffer a compensation hit of 37 per cent following a career break of three years or rlonger. Isn't that a big f blow to them?
“It takes a lot tof effort to r keep both , going. So if you think you are blessed with great discipline and back-up system, by all means con by all means continue. Otherwise, time your come back wisely,“ she advises. Recognising this new need of women to get back after a break, Tata Group runs a Second Career Intern ship Programme for women (SCIP), a career transition management programme for women professionals who have taken a break of six months or more for any reason, and wish to re-enter the professional space. The programme provides opportunities for such women to take on flexi-hour assignments with various TATA group companies.
Under this programme, Tata Group companies provide live business projects requiring approximately 500 hours of engagement spread over six months on a flexi time basis.
Tata SCIP does not provide full-time job opportunities.
Assignments under SCIP are short-term and aimed at developing alternative talent pools in traditional/non-traditional formats although there is no placement guarantee at the end of the project. All SCIP consultants go through a short induction programme, are provided access to mentors and guides on the project and HR support. For details check http://www.tatasecondcareer.com/ Currently, the Second Career Initiative is for women professionals in marketing, legal, corporate, HR, communications etc who have worked for a minimum of two continuous years in any of the domain areas listed below, prior to taking a career break of six months or more.
Fleximoms, a website for those who want to take time before jumping into a full-time career and prefer to test the waters first, promotes workflex work formats that allow an individual to marry their personal and professional objectives. Whether one is a working woman in a metro city, a housewife in a suburb Fleximoms may have career advice for them.

Dec 10, 2012

How do you think I married Twinkle?


-- Manju Latha Kalanidhi

Khiladi Kumar Akshay and 100 crore heroine Asin were in Hyderabad on Tuesday for the promotion of their new movie ‘Khiladi 786’



His ‘Khiladi’ tag – ‘Main Anari Tu Khiladi’ in 1992 was my first big hit and media gave me the tag of ‘Khiladi Kumar’. Of course, then Asin must have been in ‘Class I’. Now she has grown up to be my co-star. Luckily, Khiladi means a player and that is what I am – a sportive player. Most of my other movies also, by coincidence, had Khiladi in the title – ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’, ‘Khiladi 420’ and now the latest as well. I enjoy being known by that tag. 

About the 100 crore club : Yes, all of us are under the pressure to hit the magic figure. Even making Rs 99 crore doesn’t seem to work. Nahi chalega says the media. I have the pressure of the film on me until Monday. After that I move on and go about signing my next movie.

About being a prankster on and offscreen: I love pulling other’s legs, especially if it is a leggy lass like Asin. One day after the shoot of ‘Khiladi 786’, we went to a restaurant for dinner. I sneaked in a lot of stuff like butter, sugar packets, a handful of knives and forks into Asin’s bag. Then I even told the waiter to che ckher bag as I suspected she was pilfering stuff. One must have seen Asin’s face. It was hilarious. She kept on saying she hasn’t picked up any of it. 

About working with south directors: I’ve worked in 120 movies till now and nearly half are with south directors. It is nice to work with them because they wrap films fast, know their job well and of course have given me hits. I get to learn a lot from them. 
About watching Telugu movies: I watch them whenever I have to work in a remake!

About working in multiple movies in a year: It is very easy to work in at least four films a year. Typically, a movie does not take more than 60 days. So even if I give myself a 30-day break, it is possible for an actor to work on at least three movies a year. So no big deal if I work in many movies a year.

About his lean, mean look: I have been maintaining my weight for the last 28 years. That is the reason, as most of the media persons here said, I look young and fit. 

About his first love cooking: Yes, I love cooking. I was a chef in Thailand and cooked samosa, chole bature, jalebi etc. How do you think Twinkle married me? I cooked for her and she fell head over heels with me. 

Asin on why she is not doing Telugu movies
Her role in the movie: I play Indu Tendulkar, a Mahrastrian girl who is a rough and tough girl. She can pack in a punch and I am the sister of Mithunda in the movie. 

About returning to Tollywood: I am evolving with each movie and it is important to do different and unique roles every time. What is the point in doing same kind of roles and boring the public and finally being called a flop star? I am looking forward to a dhamaka movie in Telugu. I hope someone casts me soon. I will never forget that ‘Amma Nanna Tamil Ammayi’ was the movie that gave me a break in movies.


It’s KICK, not KISS

The Hans India November 2012
TV shows no longer believe in KISS – Keep It Simple and Sweet. Instead it is KICK – Keep It Complicated and Knotty.

Serial makers conveniently have started creating rifts between happy 
couples, split the children apart, introduced the ‘other man’ or ‘other woman’ and filled in the crevices with lots of spice and masala.


Manju Latha Kalanidhi

Simple and basic are no longer in vogue. Even on telly, the in-thing is to have it complex and advanced. Not surprisingly, a happily married couple with one or two children going about their lives, celebrating festivals, weekend outings, annual vacations is considered boring. 

So serial makers conveniently have started creating rifts between happy couples, split the children apart, introduced the ‘other man’ or ‘other woman’ and filled in the crevices with lots of spice and masala. So the topper serials like Bade Achche Lagte Hain (Sony 10.30 pm) and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge (Sony 11 am) have all complicated matters for that extra edge. Even before Priya and her husband Ram cosy up for their big family festival, we see them parting ways, little Pihu being torn between parents. 

Ditto with Kya Hua Terra Wada (Sony 10 pm) with super family dynamics – couple split, husband has his own family; wife has her own family; kids move around with new papa and new momma. The other man and woman crossing paths, ex-flames and what nots. Perhaps it is time to have a simple, sweet family drama like Wagle Ki Duniya. Remember that one about a middleclass man, his wife and his two kids. The episodes were a mere reflection of our everyday lives. 

Hunt for Kingfisher Model on NDTV Good Times (11 pm) takes the complexities to another plane altogether. We have no idea why models are made to run a mile, walk on a Burma bridge, snake through a cylinder, sneak through a narrow passageway. In short, the girls run through a muddy obstacle course, swing on ropes and climb ropes to ultimately pose for the photographer’s camera. 

Well, if the idea is to see how fit they are or how sportive they are, it would have made sense. After the race, the contestants are expected to sleep supine, bovine, prone or whatever position possible on a trawler net and actually pose seductively for a photo shoot. The fashion photographer even has the gall to tell the model, who is precariously balancing herself on the net to pout and ‘bring on the feel.’ 

Then it gets tougher. In the second task of the week, the girls take on the guise of a mermaid maiden and pose under a waterfall in a manmade fin. We knew of beauty contests where they are pitted against each other for their physical beauty, vital statistics, their IQ, special talent, culinary skills etc. This time around, their ‘boot camp’ survival instincts are tested. Talk of complicating matters!