Name: Gauri Shinde

Designation: Creative films and in-house director, Lowe

Sun Sign: Cancer, 6 July 1973

About my career:
I have been at Lowe for the last four years. I was doing in-house production at Bates before that for a year. I had co-directed documentaries and worked on various documentaries before that.

Recently, I made a short fiction film for which I was invited to the Berlin International film festival. I have been supervising the production of advertising films at Lowe; but now I have also got into direction of films too. I have been involved right from pre-production to post production of films, as an interface between Lowe and production houses.

Career in ad films being an unplanned one:
No, my career in films was not planned, I wanted to be a writer and was fascinated by films. But, when I got a chance to be close to films, that's all I have wanted to do ever since. It has been a great learning experience at Lowe. This is the place where I started my career as an ad filmmaker in the last one year.

I took a break and I did a course on film making from New York in 2001. There, I worked on a short fiction film, a five-minute film on man-woman relationship. When I came back from New York, I got my first break in direction. Balki (R. Balakrishnan) had always supported me and then it was decided, I will direct the Fair and Lovely commercial.

On first directorial assignment:
The first film I directed was the Fair and Lovely (F&L) under eye dark circle remover cream (the "matching") commercial. This I would say was my most challenging assignment. It was a huge responsibility, firstly it being a Levers brand, secondly it was the launch of this variant for F&L. This also is my most cherished work, because it being my first and it doing so well.

I was sweetly shocked. Lot of credit goes to Balki and Lowe, for giving me an opportunity to work on this commercial.

The entire film was complete in less than a month. Pre-production took two weeks, followed by two and a half days of shoot. Post production was complete in a week. Frankly speaking, I had sleepless nights but I am very happy it came out pretty well.

It feels great when any actor does well and gets more work and recognition. For instance, the young girl, who says "matching-matching", got lot of offers after F&L ad. Here mother came to me and told me she was being referred as "matching-matching" kid. She is getting offers on the basis of her work in the commercial so it feels great.

Also, I got to know MTV had made spoof of this commercial. Even cartoons have made in a national daily, so feels great. I am trying to direct more films now and also continue to supervise Lowe films, which are being sourced from outside (other directors).

On advertising becoming television-oriented:
Yes, we can very safely say advertising is television led. It is the most powerful medium, as we all already know. And almost everyone has access to it. It is the best form of communication because with film, language is never a real barrier. Plus, our country is such a film crazy nation and to people like us, what best way to communicate to but through film. I can only talk about the kind of advertising we do at Lowe.

I think advertising is back to realism. Time is up for unnecessary gloss and glamour. So much so that we see a lot of real characters and real stories with nuances that one can relate to. Consumers can see through any fraud that your trying to push, so some amount of sincerity works. Technically, ad films have become more superior.

In today's world, producers cannot afford to relax and have to be updated with knowledge - especially of the way in which films all around the world are made. While doing an ad film, producer needs to take immense care at every stage to see that the quality of the film does not suffer at any point. Or else, there is always another producer to take his place.

Hectic schedule of being supervisor and in-house director:
I love it most when I am busy. In fact, when I am not busy I get restless.

My idol:
I do not really idolise anyone but admire the work some people have done. I have admired Balki for a lot of the path breaking work that he has done; and for his sheer passion for advertising and films. I admire a few current filmmakers in India like Shivendra for his hardcore realism in advertising films. And then I admire some works of some international directors like Frank Budgen, Tom Tykwer amongst others.

Hobbies:
Besides film-making, I love traveling and doing pottery.

Name: Bipin R Pandit

Designation: General Manager The Advertising Club Bombay

Sun Sign: Leo, 29 July

Educational ExperienceB.Com, L.L.B, Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising and M. Com (Part-1).

Professional Experience
My professional experience spans over a period of 21 years. My first job was with The Baroda Rayon Corp. Ltd, where I worked for six years, followed by 10 years with Castrol India Ltd in the Information Technology department.

For the past five years, I have been working with The Advertising Club, Bombay. Apart from this I have compered many shows (mostly in Hindi) and am a mimicry artist.

Job Profile
Am in charge of the secretariat of the biggest and easily the busiest Advertising Club in the world. I am the point person for the biggest Advertising event of the country -the "ABBY Awards" and also the media awards - EMVIEs and the International awards "EFFIEs".

I have also been entrusted with the responsibility of the secretariat for the biggest advertising event in Asia -"AdASIA 2003", which will be held in Jaipur between 10-14 November 2003.

I was an integral part of the administrative set up that mobilised a delegation of 68 people from India to Pattaya in 1999 and 40 people at Taipei in 2002 for the AdASIA congress. Event coordination, conducting meetings and workshops form a part of the daily activity. I am on the advisory board of NIEM as well.

As a compere and mimicry artist, I have done around 1,000 shows in Mumbai, the interiors of Maharashtra and major metros. I have performed with Abhijeet, Mohammed Aziz, Gunjan, Zankar, Babla and the Beatles

Media as career choice
I chose a career in media because it is dynamic and offers many options. Moreover, the relentless pursuits interlinked with public relations (my core strength) and close functioning with advertising ensure that there are no dull moments.

I love my work as it allows me to meet and interact with people. Also, being a stage artist has helped a great deal in establishing contacts.

Current Media scenario
The awards bagged by Indian ad agencies in the International award ceremonies be it Clio, Lions, Cannes or AdAsia bear testimony to the fact that we are doing very well in the advertising world.

Media nowadays works at a break neck speed, it's dynamic, marketing savvy and accessible with the latest updates at any given hour. To an extent, it has become a viewer's and reader's delight.

Right and wrong about current media scenario
As far as advertising is concerned, I believe that while making ads, one should not make digs at each other. By doing so, the creative element suffers. It's important that this kind of competition be checked.

Though today's media is fearless, informative and exhaustive in its coverage, I feel it does get ruthless at times. Unfortunately, it gets swayed by glamour and important news does not get the required prominence. Also, there is an overdose of repetitive information by TV news channels flashing the same news.

But then again, while it is easy to pin point the wrong things, one has to remember that we are operating in a competitive world where we have to sell our product. One has to decide if he wants to produce an art movie that runs for a week or a runway commercial hit that churns a good surplus. It is imperative to maintain a balance.

One area where media can play a very decisive role is creating social awareness. Despite one's busy schedule, one does keep in touch with media. So use this powerful tool for a social cause.

Five years from now
I see myself pretty well placed and leading from the front. I know for sure that times are difficult, turbulent to say the least, but sincerity coupled with proactiveness will help me overcome challenges. I want to give voice-overs a shot. The efforts are on.

Hobbies
Giving voice overs, mimicry, singing, music, cricket, films, partying with friends and I dare say keeping fit by walking and swimming.

Idea of enjoyment

Going out with my family for a trip - wife Nandini and son Neeraj (a good mimic), meeting friends and partying with them, singing and rehearsing voices of different filmstars. Eating good food and having a nice drink twice a week. I also love to meet new people and make friends.

In addition, I enjoy doing my job with l00 per cent involvement. I am grateful to God for bestowing me with a skill through which I can make people laugh.

Name: Mallika Sherawat

Designation: Actor

Sun Sign: Scorpio, 24 October

Educational Experience
I studied in Jindal public school Rohtak, Haryana till standard eight. Then, I joined Delhi Public School where I completed my schooling. I graduated from Miranda House, Delhi with Philosophy honours.

Professional Experience

After graduation, I came down to Mumbai to become an an actress. While waiting for film offers, I was approached to do a BPL advertisement. The ad that featured me with the living legend Amitabh Bachchan, gave me instant recognition. Then, came a Hyundai Santro advertisement with Sharukh Khan. I have also endorsed Roohafza sherbat and Elle 18 eyeliner. Currently, you can also see me on the television in the Amul ads.

Luckily for me, Govind Menon who was scouting for talents happen to notice me and signed me for Khwahish alongside Himanshu Mallik.

Media as career choice
Since the time I was a little kid, I have nurtured the dream to make it big in Bollywood. I actively participated in the theater during my school as well as college days. While my parents always encouraged me to participate in extra-curricular activities, they threw a fit when I told them that I wanted to be an actress. Being a small town girl, all my life, they wanted me to fit into the 'normal daughter' category- one with decent profession and plans to get married and have kids. Bollywood is a big bad world for them.

It is not as if I am a rebel but I want to act more then anything else. Getting into the industry minus a god father and family connection has been a miracle. To add to the thrill, Khwahish has been rated quite well and is doing quite well too. The recognition that this movie has given me is good enough reason for me to want to stay here for good.

Current Television scenario
Though I would love to I am not watching much television these days. But whenever I get the chance, I do catch a movie on Star, Zee MGM and HBO. Strangely enough, I also love watching Hindi movie promos. Just like the urbane, young viewer I guess, whenever I have the time I watch Friends. So for me the television scenario is hunky-dory as I get to see what I want to.

Right and wrong about current Television scenario
While I am not an ideal viewer, I do feel that there is a lack of meaningful shows on the mainstream entertainment. I quote Sir Lawrence Oliver 'Television is a writer's medium', so we can have good television only if there are good writers.

We can get good writers, provided the pay is good and the talent is encouraged. I guess with the English medium education being preferred over vernacular, good writing in the regional language from the recent crop is rare.

Five years from now

Well, I would like to own a bungalow in Goa by the seaside and relish fresh sea food. Since I am a health freak and hassled by the gym schedules, I would love to work out in my own gym.

Hobbies
I love working out in the gym. Kathak is another one of my passions. I also love reading and watching movies.

Idea of enjoyment
Reading a complete bound script of a movie with an exciting story and an equally exciting role for me.

Name: Gagandeep aka Gagan Greval

Designation: Model cum Actor

Sun Sign: Cancer, 19 July

Educational Experience
I did my schooling from APJ Jalandar and my premeds from Government College for boys. I graduated in 1991 from DMC medical college. So I am a qualified MBBS doctor with four and half years of study and an internship too.

Professional Experience
During my internship, I got a few pictures clicked by a friend. While it was just a hobby for him, the photos turned out to be great. So we sent those to Grasim and as luck would have it, I won the 'Grasim Mr India' title.

Since I was always artistically inclined and opportunities kept coming my way, I decided to take it up as a career option.

The first ramp show that I did was quite some time back, I think it was for NIFT in Delhi. Established designers like Rohit Bal had showcased their lines. Then Excalibur got in touch with me and I did both print and screen ads for them. Later, I came down to Mumbai from Delhi to pursue modelling. I have done ads for Arvind group of textiles, L'oreal, Titan for O&M, Bajaj, Fair and Lovely, BPL, Red and White and Royal Challenge.

For the past one year, I have been planning to switch to acting, which I think is a natural step after modelling. While I was looking forward to offers from the big screen, Vipul Shah approached me for the new show on Sony called Naam Gum Jaayega. Since it is my first project, I wanted to do a character which is by and large closer to my personality. The character Aryan Bhatia fits the bill to the T, so I opted for it.

Current Television scenario

Very Promising. It is the place to be in. Speaking from an actors perspective, it gives you recognition not just in the metros but in far-flung regions as well.

Right and wrong about current marketing scenario
Right and wrong is a subjective issue. What is right to me might not make sense to somebody else. I am very fond of movies and since I get my fill from cable TV, I am not complaining. There is a variety in the programming, so there is something for everybody now.

Five years from now
I want my face to be on all the Billboards in Mumbai! As of now, I am playing safe and sticking to what I can do justice to. But I would like to be more creative and do something more challenging.

Hobbies
Music! Depending on my mood I can listen to anything from rock, pop, jazz to alternative music to ghazals. Amongst the younger Hindi lot I love to listen to Shaan and Lucky Ali.

Being a true movie buff, I just love watching movies. I am quite fond of sports. So when there is a good game of soccer or formula race, I am glued to my TV. Besides that I love to run. Just yesterday I went for a two and half kilometer sprint. I go to the gym regularly which by the way is not just for my profession. Last on my hobby list is cooking. Initially I cooked to survive, now I just love to cook.

Idea of enjoyment
Earlier it was house hunting! Well now that I have a house, it will have to be working.

I begin my day with
My wife puts it in the most appropriate way. To quote he verbatim, `He either sleeps at 4 am or wakes up at 4AM.'That's so true for me. I can live my life with five hours of sleep, so if I sleep at 4 ? I am likely to head to the office at about 11 ? but if I get up at 4 then it's me and my Apple. That's the time to finish up all the work before going to office. Most people in my team are used to getting mails from me at 5 am.

Workouts
An absolute must ? need this to recalibrate my system on a daily basis ? varies from Squash at `The Club', Yoga at home with an instructor, Walk on the Lokhandwala Track or Pumping Iron at Sykz. If there is no time for any of this, then just me and my skipping rope in the building compound. My workouts keep me physically fit as well as mentally agile. I feel extremely dull on a day when I miss my workouts.

Diet Mantra
Two egg whites for breakfast, simple dal,roti and sabzi - salad from my dabba at lunch, as soup and salad dinner. Changes from this boring diet are General Tsao's Chicken at Mainland China, Brilliant Salads at TGIF, Sumptuous Kebabs at the Garden Grill at The Club, Fantastic Fusion food at Seijo.

Shopping
Usually shopping was something that one did only overseas, but with the new malls in Mumbai, there's no need for that. Shopping is usually for music, books, sports accessories, gizmos and trivia. Since I am extremely indifferent to `brands'? my clothes are usually from anywhere ? as long as I am comfortable in them, for the rare occasions of formal wear Gabbana manages to rustle up stuff for me.

Travel Destinations
I love traveling. Usually, I take off at least thrice a year. Sometimes it's a business tour or sometimes it's with family and friends. But given a chance I would love to take off at least ten times in a year. I feel traveling gives me the best opportunity to broaden my horizons and meet people, also make friends with the locals. Traveling in Europe is most fun because of the ease of travel and great connectivity. Great holidays in the past sometime have been Cinque Terre / Portofino on the Italian Riviera with a bunch of European friends, a wedding of a close friend in small wine village in the South of France called Bezeirs, the fast track in Barcelona and Manhattan, Single Malt Trail across Scotland.

My all time favorite city is Paris. Great walks, tons to soak in culturally, interesting people to meet. London is another fantastic city with a great buzz. Since I have a lot of friends and work associates in both cities there's always something new to do.

The travel bug bites again and this time I'm headed to New Zealand. My friends from there who are doing the organizing threaten to make me camp on a volcano top.

The Carnival in Rio and the Oktoberfest in Munich are still on the agenda.

Gadgets & Gizmos
Whereas my friends, associates and family have dubbed me as the `Gizmo Freak', I do believe that Gizmos are not an obsession, finding the right gizmos is the real obsession. What started as digital diaries and graduates to PDA + Mobile Phones are a great business tool and have always interested me as they support my fetish for being organized. The Palm has been a friend for a long time but my new friend is the Sony Ericsson P 910i.

Photography is always been a hobby, so photography related gizmos are always a part of the endless search.

My most trustable companion remains Mac Power Book, the custodian of all my work, my music, my photographs, my life ? and extensions of the same from the King of perfection Steve Jobs like the I Pod, I Shuffle. God bless Steve Jobs, without him the world would have collapsed into a window of mediocrity.

Stress busters
Workouts are the greatest Stress Busters. A game of rough squash at the end of the day can calm all jangled nerves especially if the experience is topped up with some fine Pinot or Malt.

Parties
Meeting friends, sharing a beer, jokes, general abandon and no shoptalk. All time stress buster. Great places and usual haunts are Olive, Seijo, Zenzei, Myst, The Bar at The Club.

Music
Another stress buster of all times. My tiny little iPod manages to isolate me into my own paradise whenever I need the disconnect. My music is a complete mish mash of all sorts, lot of latest and old Hindi Film music to all kinds of World Music, to a little bit of Jazz to the All time Greats like The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Lobo, Al Jarreau, Floyd, Doors, Rolling Stones, Al Stewart, Alan Parson, Joel, Dylan, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Abba and all of it. My entire collections is about 12,000 songs so that pretty much encompasses everything.

Photography
My Nikon and me are constant companions. Quite often I'll just step off the car and walk around the city shooting pictures. My current Diva is my 6-year-old daughter. She loves to pose for the camera is a real delight to shoot. My IPhoto must be carrying more than a thousand great pictures of her.

Watching Movies
Websites like the IMDB allow you to choose what you want to see. I spend a lot of time finding out what I want to see before I see it. Following the work of great directors is a great route to take. Recommendations from friends you trust and another route. Some great films I have seen in the recent past are Cinderalla Man, Sideways, The Pianist, Ray, Closer. Some of my all time favourites are Hurricane, I am Sam, What's Up Doc, The Party. A director whom I follow blindly is Woody Allen, he's and addiction, I wish he made more films.

Hindi films are great fun too, the best in recent times have been made by friends Munna bhai Raju Hirani and Iqbal by Nagesh. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is another director who's work I really admire.

Reading
There was a time when I devoured fiction. Read Chase, Wallace, Sheldon, Harold Robbins, Jeffrey Archer and the whole lot, but now reading has almost got limited to happening is the world of Film and Television.

The core of our business hangs on innovation. Changes in Technology will control the future of the business. It is also a part of the business that I love, so a lot of time is spent reading and learning about innovations across the world from magazines, manuals or websites. Magazines like the American Cinematographer form a very important part of this nutrition.

Family Time
Shut off the mobile, switch off the laptop. Sharing music with my 18-year-old son, hearing his views on life ? immaculate. Hearing my 6-year-old daughter recite some stuff she's going to perform on stage in school ? divine. Hearing my 19 year old wife telling my how to live my life ? ultimate divinity. (19 year old wife, because our marriage is 19 year old.)

Favourite car
I am not a very materialistic person. I feel the better off you are, the less you have. I drive the Honda Accord which is functional as well as spacious.

Life Mantra
I've been there, done that. I believe in destiny and luck. There are tons of people who are working hard but don't make it. I believe in being happy and adding value to peoples' lives

Religion
I have my own self styled religion that I follow. Worship in the traditional sense is not a part of this religion. The genesis of the thought process is from the Bhagvad Gita. The religion is really about being happy and spreading this happiness to everyone who you touch. A lot complex processes and disciplines have brought me to this rather simplistic approach. It works for me.

Name: Vineeta Nair

Profession: Art director, Lowe Worldwide

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Educational Experience
It would have been much more fun had I not been so serious about studies. But what did I know? After tenth in Mumbai, my family rushed me to Kerala in futile hopes of turning me into a doctor. So, did my XII with science and came back to Mumbai to do my commercial arts. After five years of work in various agencies, I thought I should get back to academia. So XIC( Xavier Institute of Communications) - journalism happened. I really enjoyed running to college after work, though life got really stressful at times. But it was completely worth it.

Job Profile
As an arts person and creative executive - one is totally responsible for the way the brand communication looks. Creating a look, seeing that that the 'look' is reflected in every piece of communication- right from a leaflet to a print ad. It requires a thorough understanding of the brand; its equity; all it stands for and primarily who it's talking to. It entails everything from conceptualising the idea, to executing it and in the process spending countless hours in front of computers, going for shoots - not to mention spending nights at processing houses.

Advertising as a career
Advertising can be really rewarding if you do not loose focus. It is an industry which gives you the opportunity of doing very well at all stages of your career. It is probably one of the few industries where everything doesn't begin and end with hierarchy. All it takes is to be young at heart and at work and remain that way.

Current Advertising Scenario
After hearing the word recession for some three years now, it looks like things are finally looking up. In terms of consumers being advertising savvy, we have a long way to go and till that happens we will keep coming up against "the guy in Bihar won't understand!"

Five years from now
Five years is a very long time. It would be a crime to draw a plan for that long and spend five years trying to toe that line. The joy in life comes with surprises. But yes, I intend to get into writing. However, I don't get the time at all now.

Hobbies
Reading all kinds of stuff - sublime to the ridiculous, depending on my mood. Poetry, writing, classical music, painting, doodling on the computer trying out new things.

Idea of enjoyment
Not 'having' to do anything but doing it for the sheer joy of it.