Being an entrepreneur hasn’t been a cakewalk for Sushmita Sen. The former Miss Universe didn’t have a title sponsor for her I Am She pageant until a fortnight before the event. Priyanka Jain talks to the actor.
Being an entrepreneur hasn’t been a cakewalk for Sushmita Sen. The former Miss Universe, it turns out, didn’t have a title sponsor for her I Am She event until a fortnight before the event. She says, "Lack of financial backing and sponsors didn’t deter me. Not doing the show was never an option. We held auditions on our own. When you take that step forward, your conviction starts becoming visible, people believe in you. After that, god has been so kind, that it’s been pouring sponsors for us."
Sushmita reveals she didn’t pitch for this franchise. The Miss Universe office called her to take up the responsibility of sending representatives for the pageant from India last year. She says, "Being India’s first title winner, the opportunity fell in my lap." The actor points out that world over, the pageant has been passed on to former beauty queens like 1991 Miss Universe Lupita Jones from Mexico, 1987 Miss Universe Cecilia Bolocco from Chile among others.
The newly-turned entrepreneur insists she will turn around the property in to a profit-making venture soon. About the second edition of Wadhawan Lifestyle I Am She, she says, "Every business is a five-year plan. I am still in my second and I have a lot more to learn. From making excel sheets to giving presentations to corporates, making budgets, I did everything. None of the sponsors on board are through any marketing agency. We went to the corporates with our presentation, talking about what we are and told them ‘If you believe in us, join us’."
Ask her if the many no’s deterred her? She says, "I have had to say no to film producers so many times when I didn’t like my role. Similarly sponsors have a right to decide they want to be a part of some property or not. But when you are in the thick of meeting a deadline and doing the show, taking a ‘no’ at that time, is hard."
However, the beauty queen says she has learnt to "exit gracefully". "I don’t ask twice. It inspires me to believe that I will come back another time when these people will believe that my property is worth investing in. I don’t force them if they are not ready today. But later it will be on my terms; today it would have been theirs. That belief inspires me."
Sushmita promises next year will be more fun. "I was born to be an entrepreneur. I fit into this space comfortably. I enjoy the whole brand building exercise." The actor says as time goes by she will add more businesses to her I Am parent brand. "Besides I Am She, there is a line of spas, film production in the pipeline for now."
Women on top Shilpa Shetty: Iosis Medispa Twinkle Khanna: White Window design store Ayesha Jhulka: Anantaa nail spa Ayesha Takia: Chai Coffee, Koyla Preity Zinta: IPL cricket franchise Kings XI Punjab Shriya Saran: Shree Spa
Naseeruddin Shah has addressed how a rift is being caused among communities in the name of 'love jihad'. He gave the example of his own marriage with Ratna Pathak Shah and how he had hoped it would set a good precedent.
After Esha Deol, Tabu has also informed her fans that her Instagram account has been hacked. She took to Instagram Stories to share a cautionary message.
Actor Sara Ali Khan and her brother were spotted at a restaurant on Saturday night in Mumbai for a dinner outing. Farhan Akhtar and his sister Zoya were seen at their father Javed Akhtar's house for his birthday.
The year 2020 has not been an ideal one for Bollywood with no theatrical releases but during this time the OTTs took centre stage and came to the rescue, something that Anupria Goenka is indebted to.
The OTT platforms have been credited for creating a level playing field for actors, Not just actors but everyone involved in the process of creative process of content creation, be it writers, directors and pretty much everyone.
Mohit talks about his Covid experience and urges people to be vigiliant. He is relieved that his pregnant wife tested negative. “It is all about us taking care as Covid is still contagious.”
A police van and a few police officers were seen stationed outside Saif Ali Khan's home in Mumbai on Sunday. Multiple politicians and leaders have been protesting against Saif's show Tandav for 'hurting religious sentiments'.
Actor Saqib Ayub who was last seen in the film Thugs of Hindustan and OTT series She believes that he nowhere falls into the category of young and restless.
From a pan-India audience to being accepted globally, regional actors have steadily gained popularity in the recent times in the Hindi web space. OTT has brought talent from all across India into entertainment and it’s a win-win for all
Actor Adah Sharma says nothing can disrupt the balance of good content on OTT as the audience wants to see good films and shows despite who’s starring in it.
The incident took place on Friday night near Yavat village on Pune-Solapur highway following which police registered a non-cognisable offence against Mahesh Manjrekar.