Name: Vijay Barse

Profession: Photographer

Sun Sign: Libra, 1 October 1968

Educational Experience
I was never really academically inclined. After HSC, I joined commercial arts course at Raheja. Ever since my childhood, I have been fascinated by camera. My father has an TLR camera, whenever I did get the time I would take it and start clicking. Later, I also did a photography course from JJ School of Arts.

Professional Experience
After completing my commercial arts course, I started freelancing for advertising firms and also doing some live photography. But I soon realised that my interest wasn't in the photography, I just loved shooting live pictures and I was pretty good at it too. So I joined Zee in the year 1995 and started doing their press pictures. But my first, so to speak, big break came when I was hired to do the photography for teleserial Shanti. Ever since then started my association with Mandira Bedi. At that time, I did not have an idea that Mandira Bedi would be such a hit. Neither did I think that I would be able survive in the industry. What I knew for sure that I did love working for television, I liked the people.

While was working with Zee, I started getting lots of offers to freelance. I thought it was great opportunity, so I left Zee after almost working for a year and half. In 1996, I started freelancing for In house productions. I used to do the live shots for their programmes for Sony, Star Yaar Kalakar and Harmony.

I still remember, Sony officials really liked the pictures that I did for Sudesh Bhosle's unplugged. They approached me to do their pictures and frankly it has been going great ever since. They give me a call whenever they need me. I work on hourly basis. Rest of the time I am free to take up any other assignments. I have also been working for production housed like UTV, In house and Polygraph, plus some studio and live shots for Agencies.

I have also been doing some portfolio for wannabes and established Television acts. Amongst my celebrity list includes Mandira Bedi. We often bump into each other. In fact, I have been doing her pictures till date. Even now, while I am at Sony, she is MAX's mascot.

Television as career choice
I have been also freelancing for film production houses as well, but I not usually very keen working with them. Be it a starlet or an established actor, they have an attitude problem. Where as television people generally avoid the filmi act.

Plus, I think my specialty is live photography. It is the kind of photography that has greater scope in Television.

Present and future of Photography
Broadly speaking, there are three types of photographers: industrial, commercial and glamour. Glamour photographers like Jagdish Mali, Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Subi Samuel are well known and often in the limelight. But despite of being talented lot, the industrial photography has few takers.

With advent of digital photography, the art part of the photography is slowly dying. You can easily mix and match few stuff with just a click. Photography needs to be treated like art, but I guess we have a long way to go.

Current Television scenario
I don't watch television, so I can't help you there. But one thing is for sure, my family does watch a lot of television. Besides the saas-bahu dramas' on the Hindi entertainment channels, which are a must watch, they also catch a lot of regional television. Both at home and my village in Ahemadnagar, Alpha Marathi, DD Sahyadri are regularly watch.

As for the television as the work place, the scenario is far from good. What has kept me going in this industry is my speed. I can deliver thousand prints, in few hours. You can never afford to relax, even after a decade in the industry I never rely on anybody. I personally supervise the wash and check the pictures as soon as they are done. The industry is so fickle that the moment you lax, you are out. You have to be punctual as well as patient.

Right and wrong about current television scenario
In the current television scenario, where daily soaps are the flavour of the season, the production values have become dismal. In the previous set up, just prior to the channel boom, there was a system in place. You had a set of veteran professionals and their understudies who made sure that the work is done well.

In the soap land, where the priority is on fast and cheap production, they were soon replaced the middle men, who with their production houses and channels contacts, got the work done cheaply. In came the gullible souls, the newcomers who were willing to work for lower wages, the middle men got work done for say Rs 5000 that would have otherwise cost 10000. Undoubtedly, the work was shoddy and the newcomers were paid as low as 1000, sometimes not even that.

Five years from now
While I am good at live photography, I would like to experiment with the art aspect of photography. I would love to open up my own advertising firm in another five years.

Hobbies
Though I did love to travel, I rarely get the time to do so. If I can manage, I take off with my friends for weekend. In last eight years, I have just managed to take my family out once for a ten day trip at our native place. I like taking my parents and family to Nasik or Lonavala.

Idea of enjoyment
Drive out of the city or catching a good movie with my friends

Name: B Shankar

Designation: National Sales Head, Raj TV

Sun Sign: 16 Jan 1974, Capricorn

Educational Experience
I am a science graduate, BSc Physics. Later, I did my post graduation in System Management, followed by a sales training course. Besides, I have also done a number of courses to keep myself abreast of the latest technologies, be it in the IT sector or the advertising and marketing field.

Professional Experience
After my PG in in System Management, I joined a computer firm as a programmer. The job was smooth sailing except for the fact that I felt that my creativity and talents weren't really being used to the optimum. I felt stifled, I knew that it wasn't something that I would be happy doing for the rest of my life. My boss at the computer firm offered me a sales project and I found my calling. I knew I wanted to be with people and so I chose to opt for a career in the advertising and marketing sector.

My first stint was with Get it Yellow pages in Hyderabad, it was a challenge. Later, I joined the investment firm Capital Market and then Indian Express. With most of my formative years spent in Chennai, I had always wanted to visit Mumbai. I have been fascinated by the city. When accidentally I landed up in Mumbai, I was amazed by the spirit, the professional attitude of the city, but due to some personal compulsions, I had to go back to Chennai. However, I guess coming back to Mumbai was in store for me.

It was just some time later that I was contacted by Raj TV and thus began my career with Raj TV as the sales head. Later, I was appointed as the National sales head in Mumbai. I have been with Raj TV for six years now.

On moments of personal triumphs
One thing that I learnt in the course of my career is that, establishing a relationship with the client is a must. In 2002 when we approached Cadbury's to sponsor our Rajnikanth film festival, it seemed like quite a task to convince them to advertise down South. Since Rajnikanth is a superstar, we created a campaign with Five Star chocolate bar. It was my first mega campaign in Mumbai and I pursued the clients till we got the deal done.

Another campaign that has been quite memorable is the Videocon Kollywood festival. I was in Mumbai at that time and the we got the news that Sunil Tandon would meet me at Chennai. I clearly remember it was 26 April 2001. So I immediately flew there but due to some problem he didn't land there, I waited the entire day. The very next day, I managed to fix an appointment in Mumbai. After convincing Sunil Tandon about our capabilities, I clinched the Rs 7.5 million contract. Later, there were quite a few, including soft drink giant Coca Cola.

Marketing in Television as career choice
Television as a dynamic and glamorous field fascinated me a lot. It has that audio visual feel, the ability to connect with people that wasn't there in print. Besides, I have always wanted to meet people, interact with them. Television was ideal for me to broaden my horizons. There is a constant need to innovate and dynamics of the field are brilliant.

Current television scenario
Good and looking up by the minute. It has a lot of scope for improving but I guess we are getting there.

Right and wrong about current television scenario
One good thing about current television scenario is that it has opened up a myriad of job opportunities for people. It offers 50 per cent more jobs than cinema. As for the creative aspect, people are getting more and more content savvy, there is a certain programme loyalty and there is a market for niche programming.

One thing that irks me are these TRPs, GRPs,CPRPs... for me it is very difficult to sell an half hour show. Advertisers are very skeptic. As a result, there is a chance that a good project will wither for a lack of sponsors. The entire cycle is vicious. In such a scenario, people are unwilling to experiment.

Personally, I believe that only public broadcasters like Doordarshan are beyond all this and are willing to experiment.

The rating system cannot be done away with till an alternative yardstick is established. But people need to look beyond the numbers; only then can television and its advertising market bloom.

Five years from now
Be it in this industry or any other, I should be the one of the best. Up and raring to go would be my state of mind even then.

Hobbies
I guess catching up with my friends, either on phone or personally. In my profession, where spare time is a luxury, I have learnt to squirm in some moments of fun. Listening to FM is my hobby, I used to love 94.6. So whenever I am stuck in traffic, I am very happy! Besides, the industry itself is a hobby.

Now that I am married for two years, we both try and catch up with the city. She is also from Chennai... though she had some problems earlier, she loves the place more than I do now. We just live and love every moment of it

Idea of enjoyment
Switching off the mobile phone and going for a drive to Lonavala.

Name: Shweta Pandit

Profession: Singer

Sun Sign: 7 July 1986, Cancer

Educational Experience
I did my schooling from Utpal Shanghvi School at Juhu. I just cleared my standard 12 exams from Mithibai college in Mumbai, and am contemplating on which course to take up.

Professional Experience
I started singing when I was four years old. My first recording was for the Hindi dubbed version of a Mani Rathnam film Anjali. Soon after that, I got loads of offers to sing for films as a child singer. I have a faint memory of those songs. Amongst the ones that I do remember are for Nishana, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Saaz, Dil Kya Kare and the recent Devgan Productions' Raju Chacha.

My defining moment as a singer came when I was selected by the Yash Chopra banner to sing for one of the leading ladies in their movie Mohabbatein. I was the playback for Shamita Shetty's character 'Ishika' in the movie. It was an exhilarating experience working under the Chopra Banner and I was barely 13. Working with Yashji and Adityaji [Chopra] was a great learning process. The entire unit of Mohabbatein, both the music and film units, was very helpful.

My first debut devotional album was with Pandit Jasraj called Mahalakshmi, that was launched by Times Music. After Mahalakshmi, I also sang for an album called Dashavatar under the same music banner. Recently, I recorded yet another devotional album for them. It should be out this year as well.

Besides, I have also sung for films like the Hrithik- Amisha starrer Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, the Raveena Tandon starrer Soch, the teen flick Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai (YKHRH). With the talented music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy being the music directors for YKHRH, the assignment gave me an opportunity to work with musicians totally a league apart.

Recently, I did the title track of Nayee Padosan, which topped the music charts. Currently, I have two projects in my kitty, Rudraksh and Kal Ho Na Ho. I have also sung for the Jimmy Shergill- Harshita Bhatt starrer Haasil.

There is lots more comming up, but I guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

Why music?
My family is into music for four generations now. I am the grand daughter of classical vocalist Pandit Pratap Narayan and Pandit Jasraj happens to be my grand uncle, so you can say that music is in my genes.

I have been trained in the Mewati gharana of classical vocal tradition plus the onus of obtaining training from my grandfather Pandit Pratap Narain and father Vishwaraj Pandit was something I could not afford to lose. Even my sister Shraddha Pandit is a playback singer.

Current music scenario
It's definitely a phase and audiences are very fickle. Actually for no particular reason, there are certain songs that climb the popularity charts. Sometimes, even good songs get stifled in the process. I think people are tired of the same old tunes and therefore lap up anything that is different. So for us musicians, we have to keep trying something new.

But even if the so called popular songs are shown 1000 times on television, people will get tired after the intial hype and reject them. Conversely, even if a song is great but is hammered several times on television, people get bored. Over exposure is definitely bad.

Right and wrong about current music scenario
The videos are getting vulgar. Well, at least some of them. I cannot watch them. They make me uncomfortable and eventually I change the channel. It is a bad influence on the kids. I can tell you for sure because I have seen my young cousins getting affected by some videos. Personally, I think they should be banned. As for the songs, they are remixes of great evergreen songs, so they can't be bad. But sadly, the original people associated do not even get the credit for the songs.

Five years from now
I should still be singing and entertaining audiences. My music should be better.

Hobbies
I love reading, watching films, catching up with good friends and listening to songs on the radio.

Idea of enjoyment
My idea of enjoyment is getting up in the morning, spending some time with myself. I love relaxing with my family, listening to great songs and learning something out of it. Catching a good 9-12 film with my family.

I am happy when I go for recording, play badminton with my sister in the evenings, and sing along with her.

Name: Zubin Driver

Designation: Creative Director, Cell Communications

Sun Sign: 19 February 1970 half Pisces, full Aquarius

Educational Experience
I did my Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Then I pursued post graduation in Literature from Mumbai University.

Professional Experience
I have been in a number of MNC agencies in India. Each of them were great learning experiences. Lowe, TBWA, O&M and Madison are a few of the agencies I have worked with.

My last Advertising agency assignment was with TBWA Mumbai as a creative director. I left TBWA to form Cell Communications in September 2002.

As a creative director at the Cell, the task that I was assigned to involved handling all of CNBC TV18's communication needs: advertising, DM, branding and internal communication. The aim was to achieve focused, hard-working and clutter-breaking advertising that would actively move a brand.

In the last few months, Cell Communications has evolved into an independent brand and design consultancy that now handles large brands outside the CNBC -TV 18 family. Our list of clients include CNBC TV18, a New York based magazine Mantram, business & financial services portal based in India - Moneycontrol.com, all the products in the IL&FS portfolio, IL&FS Mutual Funds and Beauty Without Cruelty - BWC.

The field record

In May 2003, Cell Communications decided to pitch in the open market as an independent brand and design consultancy. We pitched for IL&FS Mutual Fund and bagged the account after a two week long process. We have launched the IL&FS Growth and Value Fund campaign in June 2003. It is a multi-city and multi-media campaign including Press, Hoardings, TVC and Email.

Meanwhile, in May 2003, Cell Communications was also approached by the Reliance Corporate office to do a re-design project for their corporate communication brochures. We delivered in record time and the brochures are in print.

In keeping with our unique approach to work, we decided to offer our services to an NGO. We now handle BWC, Beauty Without Cruelty, a well-respected NGO working in the area of prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion of vegetarianism.

Television as career choice
Television has exciting possibilities. It is an evolving category in India. The idea of starting an in-house creative and brand consultancy was very challenging.

Current Television scenario
It is very fascinating. Increased segmentation, fierce competition... the most interesting phenomena being the emergence of so many news channels. It will be great fun tracking their progress.

On the television software front, specially soaps etc, we've seen not too much progess on original ideas and great scripts but the industry is picking up...of course and how CAS will change everyone's lives...another big question is how will the mass entertainment channels build differentiators over time, will individual programmes compete on conflicting time bands, where will the brand war be played out, how is the consumer going to react to proliferation and over selling from channels....will inherent brand values of a channel make any difference or will increased commodification make the whole game even more ruthless and fickle.

Right and wrong about current marketing scenario
Simply put, what is right is the freedom that channels have been given and what's wanting is quality, delivery and responsible reporting. We still have some work to do.

Some news channels are still in the 'sensationalist' phase, they need to evolve into deeper analysis and quality perspective, while others are just mirroring the lowest common denominator for mass viewership. Such channels generally compromise on the holistic perspective. Training of personnel in the industry is a huge issue. Channels need to invest in their intellectual capital, rather than physical capital. That's where we lack as compared to some of the older foreign channels. On the other hand, a lot of India based channels have found their own unique voice and are bonding strongly with their viewers. It's a dynamic and fascinating scenario.

Five years from now
On a six month cruise somewhere in the middle of the Pacific....

Hobbies
Writing, theatre, reading, walking and watching people.

Idea of enjoyment
Chilling with a lovely book on a rainy day.

Name: Dr Chandni Sharon

Designation: Actor, RAPA jury committee member

Sun Sign: Virgo - 15 September

Education:
I was born in Africa; did my schooling in Karnataka; went to the US for post-graduation studies as my father works for the United Nations. I am a linguist who speaks eight languages - all the four South Indian languages in addition to English, Amhari (African), French and a smattering of Hindi. I have completed my doctorate (Ph.D in food and agriculture marketing).

In fact, my languages skills ensured that I was chosen the jury member for the RAPA awards for television. It was an enjoyable experience as there were so many entries (in varied media) in different languages.

Entry into the world of films:
My tryst with glamour started long back when I was in the United States. I won the Miss Photogenic title at the annual Miss India World 1999-2000 pageant held in New York. Bollywood veteran Dev Anand and Meenakshi Seshadri were amongst the panel of judges.

Someone in Bangalore saw my pictures and showed them to director Upendra who was launching himself in his debut film. 'A' broke records and created history by completing 275 days at a stretch. Critics loved my character of a pampered actress who has a change of heart towards the end of the movie when it is revealed that she has an incurable disease. 'A' was made in Rs 10 million and earned Rs 200 million.

I followed up my first success with a string of films in the South which performed well - AK-47 which completed 100 days; and a bilingual film with Om Puri, Girish Karnad and two different heroes (Shivraj in Kannada and Sai Kumar in Telugu).

I have also acted in a Gujarati film called Maru Ghar Kya Chhe produced by Venus music company and co-starring Rita Bhaduri. It was a women-oriented theme and I play a character who ages from 16-60 years. Actually, I feel as if this is the story of my life because I, too, don't know where I belong.

I narrowly missed co-starring opposite Sunny Deol in Zee Telefilms' Gadar-Ek Prem Katha (Amisha's dates were clashing and finally she sorted out the dates issues) and Shah Rukh Khan (Hrishita Bhatt eventually played the role in Asoka).

My debut Hindi film Wonderful Moments is with Kabir Bedi's son Adam. The film is being produced by Rajesh Sheth of Giriraj Music and Media Exim.

Impression of television:
I watch TV. The two channels I simply love are God channel and Hallmark which shows the kind of movies I love to watch.

I like the Simi Garewal show for all the guests end revealing something very personal - a true dimension of their personality. I also admire news channels that bring us "the world" at such a low cost.

Things I would like to change about Hindi film industry:
Bollywood is the only place where knowledge of Hindi is a barrier. Not knowing Hindi properly is seen as a handicap only in the Hindi film industry. So many aspiring actresses or actors haven't made it here due to this unjustifiable excuse given by film makers. No other film industry gives as much importance to language as acting is beyond language barriers. Also, it is a great experience to work with several TV, theatre and film artistes (Ashok Banthia, Nishigandha) in my first Hindi film. These actors are equally at ease in vernacular films or serials or theatre.

Five years from now:
I see myself touching peaks of popularity and working with famous well-known directors. I am getting some good offers from big names in the industry. I am getting a lot of offers from down south in addition to the numerous fan mail.

I am looking for modeling assignments which strangely didn't happen despite the fact that people say that my face is photogenic and camera friendly. I also see myself getting lots of modelling assignments.

Name: Suryakant Mishra

Designation: Manager - communications, Birla Sun Life Insurance

Sun Sign: Aries

Education

After completion of my Master's degree in Political Science, I pursued my M.Phil in the same subject from Delhi University. After completing my M.Phil, I was selected by the Indian Institute of Mass Communications (IIMC), New Delhi. I did my Mass Communications course from IIMC and specialised in Public Relations and Advertising.

Afterwards, I pursued my Ph.D (part time) along with my job and recently submitted my thesis to Utkal University.

Current Work and Responsibilities

I am currently working as a manager-communications at Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI). I look at all aspects of media relations which includes the organisation of press conferences, press interviews, media strategy amongst others. Besides, a major part of my job is internal communications which includes looking after the in-house magazines and journals. Since BSLI is opening branches all over the country, the current thrust of the PR is to develop rapport with the media at the regional and local level.

Entry into the world of PR (Public Relations)
I always wanted to something really challenging and PR provided the best opportunity to achieve my objective.

After the completion of the course, I started my PR career with Abacus, the PR division of Triton Communications, a leading advertising agency. I handled a number of reputed clients. It has been eight years since I started my PR career and it has been a great learning experience for me. The best part of the job is that you find a different scenario everyday. PR is very dynamic field and you need to be always on your toes.

What is right and wrong about the communication field

The best part of the job today is that there is a greater realisation of the need for PR amongst the corporate entities today. PR is no more a job confined itself to press relations alone. The definition of a PR job has considerably widened in the last couple of years. PR is a very specialised field today - corporate communications, media relations strategy, internal communications, media briefing workshops, counsel, training corporate spokespeople, crisis management - there are so many specialised functions.

Even people with professional qualifications in the field of medicine, engineering amongst others are entering the domain. PR as a profession has, definitely got a very bright future. Along with this, we also find the emergence of number of PR agencies which have added a new dimension to the field.

Major successes and failures

One of the major success is related to management of a crisis during my tenure at Abacus. Crisis Management occupies a very important place in the job of a PR person. It would be very difficult to narrate the entire event. All that I can say is that the company was in the midst of a major crisis. The situation provided me with an opportunity to handle the crisis - the key was balance the situation well and provide accurate information to the key media in order to avert a probable crisis situation. The best part of the job is that you learn from each one of your experiences.

Impressions of TV Channels

The very hectic nature of my job hardly provides me any time to watch TV. Usually, I watch TV during the weekends when I am with my family. I like to watch programmes related to current affairs and business developments. I also like to watch musical programmes along with sports events. Some of my favourite channels are Star Plus, CNBC, BBC, NDTV, Star News amongst others. Some of the channels are really good in terms of education and enhancement of knowledge; others provide entertainment.

Hobbies

My hobbies include travelling, music, movies and social work. I have been associated with a number of voluntary organisations - that are involved in matters related to child education and environment protection.