The fourth episode of Talking Point with Ritwika Gupta features JD Majethia, an actor par excellence, a producer and director of some very popular television shows.  He is also the co-founder of HatsOff Productions and also runs his very own acting academy, HatsOff Actors Studios. On this episode, JD shares his interesting journey from advertising to theatre, television and films. Confessing that he probably cannot imagine doing anything else apart from acting, JD sees life in a very positive manner and reveals the secret behind donning a hat all the time!

Ashok Pandit, Producer, Sarrika Images was born in Kashmir and brought up in an highly spiritual environment. He tells us why he believes a lot in destiny. 

My parents migrated to Mumbai at the time of the exodus. Later I studied at the N.M.College in Mumbai. But Kashmir surely has remained a part of my sensibilities. I had no clue that one day I will become a producer, director, a social activist and earn fame. That is why I believe in destiny a lot.

I begin my day with
Whatever time I might sleep, I always get up between 6 and 7. I begin my day with Kashmiri tea called Kehwa. It's a ready mix that I get from Kashmir. There's no milk or sugar in this kind of tea. Instead we grate some almonds in it. After that I go for a walk on the Juhu beach as it's very close to where I stay. I have never liked going to a gym. I feel as if I am confined to boundaries there.

My diet
For breakfast its mostly porridge or fruits. I do not have lunch. My evening meal is roti, sabzi, dal and salad. Sometimes, it's also also just boiled vegetables and salads as I am trying to reduce weight.

Eating out
I don't fancy eating out much. One thing I hate is to wait for your meal. That's why I prefer going to Urban Tadka and Pappilon as they belong to friends. I call them up before reaching so that I get the table. I am a khichdi freak and love to order it even at a five star hotel. Often me and Mahesh Bhandarkar, who happens to be a good friend get together for our Khichdi sessions. I love going to Pritam da Dhaba at Oshiwara as they make excellent Khichdi.

On Page 3 parties
I love socializing and meeting new people. Talking about page 3 culture, I would say that it's changing. Now- a -days one does not have to be dressed- to- the- hilt or be a socialite to appear on page 3. In fact, all the happening parties around town have business tycoons as well as simple achievers. But what gives me a lot of happiness is socializing of a different kind. I like to meet aggrieved people, maybe at a police station or just on the road. I believe that just talking or interacting with people in distress helps them ease their pain.

My balancing act
Sometimes the media portrays a larger than life image of celebs; so success can go to ones' head easily. My family keeps me rooted all the time. I do not let my ego rule me. Good times do not always last. Many a times, just to keep in touch with reality I travel by train or even have a vada pau when hungry. I also make it a point to react to unjust and unfair situations.

Spirituality
My grandmother was a great spiritual writer. Even my mother is a spiritual leader. I have always got a lot of my positive energy from them. They give me a sense of security, along with a strong sense of belief in life. Theirs is the only unconditional love in this world.

Gizmos & gadgets
I use a functional mobile. Besides this, I have not enslaved myself to other electronic trappings.

Cars
I drive a Tavera. It's a functional as well a spacious car. Otherwise, I am not fond of cars.

Clothes
I don't believe in brands. Ones' personality should be ones brand. I love to shop kurtas from Fab India.

Travel destination
I do not like to travel much. I avoid holidays which really irks my family. Once I was to accompany my wife Nirja to the US for her show [she is a singer] but at the last minute the thought of a day long journey in the aircraft made me cancel the trip. We went for a holiday to Kashmir last year.

Reading
I read only newspapers. I get them from all over the world. I also browse on the net for more news. I feel it's very important to read the newspapers to keep abreast of the changing times and happenings. I would love to read more but time does not permit it. I have read a lot of Hindi literature and have enjoyed Premchand's work immensely.