• My Merging Lifestyles : Jiggy George

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jan 03, 2001

    A peek into Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director Jiggy George's mind. He tells Nidhi Jain about his interests, which are a very crucial part of his life.

    Life for me is about merging things that are most important to me within and outside of work.
    At work, life is about responding fast via technology, I am totally hooked to my Blackberry which has my data, schedules, emails etc. When changing gizmos, my research about new efficient gadgets ends with information from my close friends. I often carry a portable DVD player when I travel and a digital camera, as I love to do photography which is my most recent interests. I would love to own a single gadget with multiple functions to make things simpler but life that doesn't work that way.

    My music flows seamlessly in my life from home, to car, to office or anywhere else I may be or travel. I am constantly hooked on to my ipod and have a Docker back at home and one at work, a road trip for my car and a small travel Docker for when I'm away.However I still have my old Panasonic deck only for nostalgia.

    I am not greatly passionate about cars; however my favorite would be the BMW. For me in a city like Mumbai where you run at snails pace and are always threatened by scratches and dents, a car becomes just a mode of transport that takes one from place to place.

    I grew up on the tradition of rock; after which there has been an eclectic and paradigm shift towards jazz and world music. I have recently started lessons in learning the Classical Guitar.

     I am equally a lover of art and have some interesting art in my private collection besides my own prints. I used to do these strange miniature black and white drawings. .

     I am passionate about travel. For travel within India, I think the Outlook Traveler is one of the best things that could happen to a discerning traveler. I have traveled quite a bit within Maharashtra to offbeat destinations and have also traveled to countries in Europe, Africa, South East Asia and parts of the US. Travel for me is an entirely cultural experience gathered by staying with locals and friends, savoring the native cuisine, being introduced to local music, history, art and architecture, cultural traditions, trends and lifestyles.

     As for cuisine I love Thai, Japanese and Indian cuisine. I feel sorry about how for people Indian food is about Northern Frontier cuisine with thick masala rich curries, where the taste of vegetables or the meat is completely lost. I love Gujarati and Maharashtrian food too. I can just about save myself during tough times when it comes to cooking.

    I am a huge fitness freak, I think it's important to stay fit mentally and physically especially when one is constantly challenged by the enthusiasm and energy levels of the young fresh corporate breed. Yoga, running and sessions at the gym form my weekly fitness routine. I like team sports and as a kid played loads of soccer, hockey and cricket.

    As one progresses in life, yoga is more like a spiritual and physical exercise. An hour of yoga is a great kick start to the day as it makes you mentally alert and the energy levels are much higher too. As for being intellectually fit, my work lends itself to lots of creative and mental gymnastics and challenges.

    My personal philosophy in life is to stretch oneself to the extent possible, so that on the final day of reckoning what matters is that one can look back and say that was a good job done and a life truly enjoyed.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • I'm A Movie Buff: Shailesh Kapoor

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jan 03, 2001

    I begin my day
    I leave home early, that is around seven in the morning. I actually sacrifice my early morning sleep to make it to the gym, which is next to my work place. At the gym it's mostly a session of calisthenics. I lug my breakfast along with me, which is mostly some light sandwiches to go along with a nice hot cup of tea from office.

    My diet regime
    I don't follow a strict diet, but I am definitely careful about what I eat. If I happen to gorge on sweets and desert at night, I workout even more to compensate for it the next morning. To maintain myself, I often grab some low calorie food for lunch. Dinner is one meal of the day that I look forward, as after a long days' work I am usually at peace with myself. I love non- vegetarian food; in fact I must confess that I simply can't resist it. I freak out on chicken and prawns. To dine out I love going to Tantra in Andheri, and simply relish the sumptuous kababs at Bade Miyan in Colaba.

    Shopping
    I don't really shop much. And whenever I go shopping, I stick to branded stuff since I don't know how to bargain at all. Provogue is one brand I wear almost all the time. Apart from this, my other favourites remain Nike, Color Plus and Arrow. Since, I am not too much into shopping, I sometimes tell some of my very close friends my requirements and budget and they get it for me.

    Travel Destination
    I am extremely fond of travelling but unfortunately most of the time I am not able to. I normally don't like going out of India much, as I feel that India is in itself a mini globe. I had recently gone to Sikkim with a few friends. It was great fun remembering the good old days and pulling each other's leg.

    Relaxing Mantra
    I quite enjoy my work, so I don't really feel stressed. But after a long day at work, I love to generally relax and watch television or just chat with my friends. Watching television also keeps me well informed of all the happening around the world which is very important in our profession.

    In conversation wiith Shailesh Kapoor, Head of Marketing and Content, Filmy Sahara

     

    Gadgets and Gizmos
    Being an engineer I ought to love gadgets, but I am not really a gizmo freak. I own a Sony Ericsson K750 mobile phone. I do possess a DVD player and a laptop which are basic necessities for me. Though, I don't like to buy too many of gadgets & but I but I do like to read and know more about them.

    My Favourite Car
    I drive the Palio which I have been driving for the last three years. And for the near future, I want to possess a Mercedes, just as every one else.

    On Books
    I am not too fond of books. I think reading requires a lot of devotion and time. I am more of an outdoor person. So, even when I have time on hand I do not like returning home early from work. I would much rather go out with my friends rather than sit at home and read. Sometimes I read fiction if I am ever in a mood to read. Recently, I quite enjoyed reading Richard Barker's production management book- Goal.

    I have a fetish for
    I have a great fetish for movies. I just love watching movies and I am a self confessed movie buff. I prefer watching more of Bollywood masala stuff rather than Hollywood. My all time favourite is Sholay. I loved watching Lagaan and from the Hollywood world, I loved Devil's Advocate. Rishikesh Mukherjee, Ram Gopal Verma and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are some of my favourite directors.

    My idea of entertainment
    A movie followed by an amazingly planned dinner with friends or my near and dear ones, is something that brings out the real me. This is my idea of complete entertainment.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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  • "Truly Cosmpolitan" - Vikramjit Roy

    Submitted by ITV Production on Jan 03, 2001

    Vikramjit Roy, head publicist, Sony Pictures, tells Nidhi Jain that a lot of what he is has been shaped by people around him.

    By Birth
    I am a Bengali, but Indian at heart and truly cosmopolitan. I have been to different cities, traveled all over the world, met political leaders, met grassroots workers, NGOs. I and my thoughts are not bound by any 'ism'. I was bound when I was into politics during college days, not anymore. Neither am I bound by any cultural definition.

    Religion
    I am very assertive, confidant and rational. God is a source of power, inspiration, dedication. That's the greatest entity. My views are not dogmatic. It's about tolerance - Sarvat Dharm Sambhav. I drew a lot of inspiration from Swami Vivekanand. He had a Guru like face.

    Values
    Values that I have and the culture that I share is the same as the organisation I work for. I am lucky to be part of that system basically, which has integrity - self, family, work, courage, empower, people, responsibility (for action). Sayings like every action has an opposite reaction is also a part of my life. Great thinkers had respect for others opinions. I truly believe in democracy, women empowerment. Only if we learn do we grow.

    Belief
    On a purely religious perspective, because I am a Bengali,one cannot be separated from Ma Durga. Durga puja is an intrinsic part of my life. I like to just chill out with myself. My daughter, Veda, is a great fan of Ganapati.

    Rituals
    A lot has come from my paternal grandfather who was Indian National Congress member, a Member of Parliament and later became an MLA. A lot has been shaped by mom and dad and now by people I work with, my boss Uday Singh, colleagues. People have influenced me in big and small ways.

    Spiritual guidance
    Spirituality is experiencing the grandeur of darkness.

    Positive thinking
    Always. Everything can be achieved if we try and if we don't get than we have to try harder. No point in getting upset.

    Karmology
    If we do something right only right will happen.

    Relaxing spiritually
    I just ease myself out spiritually through yoga.

    Are you Destiny's child?
    It's for destiny to say.

    indiantelevision.com Team
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