0:00 So, I'd love to share my journey.
0:01 I hope I don't bore you guys, but I'd love to share my journey.
0:04 >> Not at all.
0:05 It's it's a pleasure.
0:06 >> I started off actually uh acting was never an um was never a
0:12 career option for me honestly.
0:14 Um I wouldn't relate to myself that way.
0:16 I came from a very middle-ass home.
0:18 There were no actors.
0:19 There was nobody from the industry at all in it.
0:22 Um I happen to be sitting outside my college
0:25 and um you know
0:27 when you're young they come to colleges
0:28 and they pick up these uh kids to be part of the background.
0:32 So all my friends were going
0:33 and I was very excited to go
0:35 because I was like you know we're all going to hang for the day
0:38 and we landed up going there
0:40 and uh the girl who was opposite the main actor had not turned up.
0:46 So they came to me
0:47 and they asked me to come there
0:48 and be the second lead,
0:50 you know, opposite the girl.
0:52 I was so upset.
0:53 I was like, "No, I want to be in the crowd.
0:55 I want to be part of the crowd."
0:57 Like that's what I came here to do.
0:58 Have a good day.
0:59 But anyways, I went there.
1:01 That ad never really happened eventually.
1:04 And it was all a lull.
1:05 But at that at
1:06 that ad shoot something went right
1:09 and I started getting these calls uh from a lot of people randomly like
1:13 there was no kind of I didn't have like a portfolio done I didn't
1:17 have like you know things put into place um my aunt always saw me
1:22 as someone who could be part of uh modeling in the industry I never
1:27 saw myself at all my parents thought she was crazy absolutely
1:31 because my parents were like don't spoil our child
1:34 then the indust industry was a big bad word,
1:37 the film industry, you know.
1:39 But having said that, um,
1:41 so she took out these pictures literally of me cutting a cake
1:44 and stuff like that
1:45 and she was like,
1:46 I think that you have potential.
1:48 >> And then what I the next thing I know is
1:51 that I was selected for an ad with Mr.
1:53 Bachan, which was a big deal.
1:55 I mean, and it'll always be the biggest deal of my career.
1:59 Um, and from there I it just never stopped. it from there for my
2:04 first ad itself I started getting movie offers from movie offers I started getting
2:09 better movie offers then I had a break for 10 years
2:12 and I thought and like everyone says you know once an actor takes
2:16 that break you're not coming back
2:18 but I got back on screen
2:20 and um I'm very grateful
2:22 that Amir Khan productions has uh you know signed me on um
2:26 so I think my journey has been a totally unplanned one
2:30 but I think if I've done anything right I've given given at my 100%.
2:34 Um so uh it has earned some fruits somewhere
2:38 and um and and I am who I am today uh all through the
2:42 love all through u a zillion blessings
2:45 and I think most importantly uh
2:47 when when you see my characters
2:49 or when you um relate to me
2:51 as an actor the biggest the biggest blessing
2:54 that I have is
2:55 that I'm taken back home to two families
2:58 and to their homes
2:59 which I think as an actor more than your thousand um awards s
3:04 and the biggest films
3:05 that you get,
3:06 you are part of people's homes.
3:08 So 10 years down the line,
3:09 people in the south
3:10 and people here still remember me
3:12 as Adati or still remember me
3:14 as Hassani.
3:16 And I think there's no nothing more rewarding than that.
3:19 We all wait for validation, right?
3:21 We all wait that if you get an award,
3:23 you've validated the fact that you've done well.
3:25 But we forget to realize
3:27 and open our eyes to see
3:29 that after 15 years,
3:31 Jane has been 15 years ago, people still relate to you as Adi.
3:36 I mean, what more validation do you need in that zone?
3:38 So, that's been pretty much my journey.
3:41 >> A round of applause.
3:43 Of course, there's no need to ask for it now.
3:46 But I would say
3:46 that uh you have been u one of the luckiest persons on the planet
3:51 because when we talk to actors
3:54 or when actors tell their stories
3:56 and of course Bombay is full of them uh you know people who never
4:00 made it or people who made it they all come up with stories like
4:03 you know I slept on the street I didn't have things to eat I
4:07 was starving this and
4:08 that.
4:08 I mean there are stories of struggle
4:10 and all of that
4:12 but you have been
4:13 so >> hugely lucky.
4:15 I mean >> I have absolutely I I can't disagree with your statement.
4:19 I absolutely think I've been really lucky.
4:22 I u see everyone has their own crosses to bear
4:25 and I think everyone whether it's we talk about nepotism we talk about all
4:29 of that but everyone is having their own cross
4:32 that they're carrying.
4:33 Um, so yeah, while someone's struggle might have been, you know,
4:37 spending the entire night on the road,
4:39 my struggle could have been just not understanding what's going on at all and,
4:43 you know, put being put into a place where >> which movie to pick.
4:47 >> No, I mean from my first film, I didn't know what was going on.
4:50 I would just cry and cry and cry, you know,
4:52 initially because you don't know how to be correct.
4:55 You don't know what is correct.
4:57 Um, but having said that,
4:58 I cannot deny the fact
5:00 that I've been extremely lucky. um extremely lucky to be in in the place
5:05 that I've been.
5:07 >> I wish I had a similar struggle like your >>
5:11 So Janilia you also spoke about the break
5:14 that you took and it would be great
5:17 if you could dwell a little more on it you know how it happened
5:20 why it happened and
5:22 then consequently you came back also uh all of
5:25 that and how has this journey been to being a mother married life all
5:30 of that So I got married in 2012
5:34 and um you know like everyone in every every individual after a particular time
5:40 in your life you feel everything is monotonous
5:43 and you you're not reinventing yourself.
5:45 I felt my chance to just take a break was at at the time
5:50 that I got married
5:51 because I wanted to give my 100% to the family
5:53 that I was in.
5:54 So prior to that I worked 365 days.
5:58 I worked in four industries you know um
6:01 so while people thought
6:03 that I was just doing you know Bollywood films I was doing films all
6:07 over the south which I mean today the south is a big deal
6:11 then people didn't know
6:12 that the that you know such big films I've been part of Rajimali >>
6:16 absolutely and a round of applause for
6:17 that Janelia has worked in four different film industries >>
6:22 and very very versatile
6:23 as an actor >> yes yeah
6:24 so um so that was my part of you know uh doing work
6:29 and honestly I missed all birthdays.
6:31 I missed uh you know every time my family got together I was hardly
6:36 around because I was working
6:38 because of the fact
6:38 that I was not just stationary at one place I had to travel to
6:42 four different industries.
6:43 So when I got married, I decided to take a break.
6:46 Um I thought it would be a year, a year and a half,
6:49 but then I um got my babies and I didn't understand how to multitask,
6:55 you know.
6:55 I was like I could either be this or I could be that.
6:59 Uh I don't think I was 100% happy in
7:01 that zone because I thought there was
7:03 so much more to me to give also.
7:05 Um and I thought I was very happy
7:08 and I thought I was doing a great job.
7:09 But Retesh saw me and he said,
7:11 "You need to get back to the screen because that's what you love."
7:14 I was like, "I can't do this and that."
7:16 He said, "You can do everything.
7:18 You're a mom and you'll figure it out."
7:20 And I kept saying, "Yeah, it's so easy for him to talk.
7:23 I have to do all this hard work."
7:24 You know, but he kept pushing me through this period
7:27 that I was off to a point
7:29 when he decided to direct.
7:30 He said, "You have to act on it."
7:32 Now, I couldn't say no because I was like, "So, he said,
7:36 "You'll figure it out."
7:37 And I started acting back again with
7:39 that film and I realized I figured it out
7:42 and I realized I was a much happier mom.
7:44 I was a much happier person at home
7:47 because I was doing what I loved the most.
7:50 I was doing something
7:51 that was mine versus you know
7:52 when you when when we become moms we forget the fact
7:56 that we are individuals
7:58 as well and we can do a lot you know uh I mean of
8:01 course handling a home is handling the biggest thing ever
8:05 but I also think we do it thinking
8:07 that it's our duty to do it
8:09 and we don't know how to do better >>
8:11 but if you sit
8:12 and strategize and figure out your life I feel
8:15 that you can do both
8:17 and you should do both
8:18 because there's there's there's an element of you
8:21 that you're losing out on uh
8:23 when you don't put yourself back into what you're meant to do.
8:27 And that's why I came back to films.
8:29 I started uh you know doing films again.
8:31 I don't do it as often as I used to but that's fine.
8:35 That's a small small thing small adjustment
8:38 that you make in your life
8:39 and a happy one too.
8:41 Um and today I'm back to doing I I'm I'm doing a film in
8:46 Hindi.
8:46 I'm doing one I did a film in Marathi
8:49 which was uh which was wildly acclaimed uh
8:52 and also a new industry
8:54 that I was part of.
8:55 Um and then there's also I'm doing a south film again.
8:59 So it's it's the whole system.
9:01 It's the whole cycle starting back again.
9:03 Um I'm very excited with my new phase into films.
9:07 I've seen a lot change.
9:09 I've seen a lot evolve.
9:11 Um and all in a good way.
9:14 I would want to say that you have had an envious life.
9:18 >> Yes.
9:18 >> And again say that you are one of the luckiest people on the planet.
9:22 Why I'm saying that is
9:23 because and a round of applause for
9:26 that >> her husband is the one who pushed her back into acting.
9:32 Generally we also come across these stories
9:34 and there is a perception
9:36 that once women get married there is a resistant >> resistance to them to
9:41 continue to working in this industry.
9:44 >> It's been the exact opposite with you.
9:46 So again you're very very lucky.
9:48 >> Yes I am.
9:49 Or maybe I'm just amazing.
9:52 I >> I think I'll need some of your luck.
9:57 >> Uh so you know and you are also an entrepreneur.
10:01 Yeah.
10:01 I mean >> yes >> we must add
10:03 that to your terribly to to your wonderfully you know versatile personality
10:09 that uh being a mom acting production >> yes >>
10:13 and you know being involved in
10:16 that side of it you also have your own venture
10:19 so how did this thought of becoming an entrepreneur come
10:23 and if you could you know really share a little about your uh venture
10:27 we would love to know it >> yes
10:29 so my venture is called impossible Impossible Foods again it is something that's related
10:34 to food tech.
10:35 It is u it is a very very new market.
10:39 Uh it's something that me
10:40 and Resh lived in the US for 3 years
10:42 and uh we were non-vegetarian eaters who gave up our nonveg
10:47 then.
10:48 Uh initially we thought vegetarian food meant only peas
10:51 and potatoes and then we went there
10:53 and we realized there's
10:54 so much more and it's it's probably even better than a non a non-vegetarian
11:00 palette which is only chicken
11:01 or fish or you know that's it.
11:03 Uh but when we went there we realized
11:05 that the food tech was
11:06 so much on the rise.
11:08 Of course it's a developing market.
11:10 It's more startupish.
11:11 So it has its end number of issues
11:14 that keep arising that there the big giants
11:16 that keep saying no this is not it this is it
11:19 but in our in our venture the primary thing was we realized
11:23 that most and because we are
11:25 so much into fitness
11:26 as well we realized
11:27 that the primary source of a vegetar of veget I mean primary source of
11:32 vegetarian protein is extremely less you know most often
11:37 and most most vegetarians would incorporate a an egg
11:43 or a chicken in their diet much against to what they feel
11:46 or believe just because of of a protein uh requirement.
11:50 So we felt if we could change
11:52 that around and we could give protein richch foods
11:55 which are tasty which are fine it would make the whole world I mean
12:00 it would make it a market
12:02 that could be developed is what we felt
12:04 when we started imagine foods um we weren't aiming to say
12:09 that we're vegan we are a meat alternative all those various things
12:13 that come out in it our basic intent was
12:16 that if if you feel like
12:18 if you feel like reducing your meat meat consumption,
12:21 you still have your taste with it.
12:23 If you feel as a vegetarian, you need more protein,
12:26 you need a meal that is easy,
12:28 that's another that's another uh added advantage to it.
12:32 And as an most of us have such busy schedules
12:37 and we don't have the time to really cook
12:41 and we land up just eating out
12:43 and you know just just eating what we get.
12:45 I mean, I've been part of that when, you know,
12:47 it's a long night shoot and I just like, give me Maggie,
12:51 I'm fine with it.
12:51 You know, give me just like something that's easy to cook.
12:54 So, being really convenient,
12:56 being being a product
12:58 that was really convenient where you could make it at home was
13:01 and be and having all the elements of it,
13:04 be it, you know, your protein content,
13:07 zero cholesterol. um we wanted to put something like
13:11 that out there and we are evolving every day
13:13 because like I say we are food tech we're not just a food service
13:17 we are food tech today um
13:19 and there is something that's developed every day of course we
13:23 as an entrepreneur I did realize
13:25 that while the west is developed with their coal storage uh setup in India
13:30 there is a mindset against it
13:32 which needs to be um educated I mean
13:36 which we we need to be educated about very often
13:38 because we relate to uh frozen foods
13:43 as stale foods very often.
13:46 You know, because we're okay to keep our food in a fridge in a
13:49 refrigerated condition for 10 days maybe
13:52 or maybe a week
13:54 and we'll think it's still fresh
13:55 because we kept it there.
13:56 But the amount of bacteria that gets into that versus freezing it fresh.
14:01 And when I say freezing it fresh,
14:03 people always go back to the point of it being preservatives, right?
14:07 Everyone thinks that there's there's an N number of preservatives into it
14:11 or it is processed food.
14:13 But I'm like if you use oil
14:14 and salt that is I mean we've made it a bad word,
14:18 right?
14:18 We've made we've made it a bad word
14:20 and there are there are there have been a lot of spoilages.
14:23 There have been a lot of things that have happened in that zone.
14:26 So I don't uh I don't feel
14:28 that the consumer is wrong in feeling it.
14:30 But the education of freezing something at a minus8,
14:34 at a minus32 is just not there
14:37 because then you're freezing it fresh
14:38 and all you're doing is you're thawing it
14:40 and you're putting it out there with zero preservatives
14:44 which is an education
14:45 and which is a fighting battle I think every day
14:48 which will eventually someday open up.
14:50 But that's the zone that we wanted to go in.
14:53 We wanted to make life easier for a mom
14:55 because I found it tough
14:56 when I got back to acting.
14:58 We wanted wanted it to have the protein
15:01 that you need to have without it having any cholesterol in it like zero
15:05 zero cholesterol in it.
15:07 And we wanted it to be a source of a substitute to every non-vegetarian
15:14 or flexitarian which wants to reduce their meat consumption on certain days just like
15:19 how we did.
15:20 I mean we were we were we ate we we were non-vegetarian 7 days
15:24 a week and then we started giving it up
15:26 and we realized we still craved it right
15:28 and when we had substitutes we could manage our way out
15:32 so that's been my journey
15:33 as an entrepreneur um I initially
15:36 when we started off it was a small unit
15:39 and it it still is
15:40 because it's a startup
15:41 and with the startup you have all the things
15:44 that come about it
15:45 but you're also a risk taker
15:47 which you don't get to be in other organizations
15:49 And I think that's the beauty of startup
15:52 and digitalization has helped this happen.
15:56 Helped a startup see new venues, new avenues, new ways of life.
16:01 It's just when you're ready
16:03 and how ready you are
16:05 and how much you are going to use it to your benefit.
16:09 That's important.
16:12 Thank you.
16:15 >> I think going by the luck that you've had,
16:18 this venture is also going to be a huge >> You seem to think
16:20 I have no hard work.
16:23 >> No, no, of course it's uh it involves a lot of hard work,
16:26 but I have been particularly you know coming as I do.
16:31 I mean my main profession is that of a technology journalist.
16:34 I've been loving this conversation because you have used words like digitalization, >> startup,
16:40 food tech and I'm >> very close to both parts of the world
16:43 and I love them.
16:44 Uh so it's amazing the way you've been talking about food tech.
16:48 >> Yeah.
16:48 >> Uh the way you have been talking about digitalization
16:50 which is impacting our lives
16:52 so much.
16:52 But before we go in that direction, you know,
16:55 how do you really marry the two brands, you know, which you know,
16:59 which come in from your personality,
17:01 that of an entrepreneur and an actor and do they influence each other?
17:06 Do they impact?
17:06 Do they >> um
17:08 so you know when I sit with the team
17:10 and today I'm in a better position
17:12 when I started off it was just two of us,
17:14 me and Resh trying to put this whole thing together
17:17 and I have to tell you I learned all about the supply chain.
17:20 And I learned about distribution.
17:22 I I these round of applause.
17:24 >> These are these were these were honestly words
17:27 that didn't figure out in my life at all.
17:29 But um but it was it was so amazing.
17:33 It was it was unbelievable.
17:34 Ret and me like every time we met entrepreneurs
17:38 and we met we met uh you know professionals we would literally Google what
17:42 they say because they would use likeQ this
17:44 that and we're like what is
17:45 that one second let me like Google
17:46 and see what's happening.
17:48 But having said that after like two years of being at imagine we came
17:52 back u we're back to a place where we do have a team now
17:56 we do have a supply chain head we do have a sales head we
17:59 have a business mentor who's on board um
18:01 and I and I keep telling the
18:03 and when we sit about marketing they're like oh marketing is sorted out we're
18:08 like no no it's not sorted out it's about being honest like most people
18:12 tell me you know just go ahead
18:15 and use this oil palm oil
18:17 and use I'm like,
18:18 "No, I'm a mom first, so I'll figure that dynamics."
18:22 Uh, it may may take me longer,
18:24 but it's just something that I have to sleep back with with my conscience.
18:27 So, I'll just deal with that part a bit.
18:30 Um uh having said
18:32 that I do think
18:33 that uh being in the position
18:34 that we are reh
18:36 and me we do have
18:37 that slight leaveway ahead in terms of we are our we are the face
18:42 of our brand very often
18:43 which would be um
18:45 which would be quite a spend in term of marketing for a startup had
18:49 it not been for us.
18:50 We are socially active
18:52 which makes it so much easier. uh
18:55 but we've always been on the side of actors like today we are
18:59 as entrepreneurs and honestly um what I do realize
19:03 that what I do realize
19:05 that digitally we have got closer to is consumers preferences
19:11 so there is some kind of transparency like I get questions every day on
19:16 um imagine food websites saying what is this what is
19:18 that you have the option of going there
19:21 and messaging the company
19:23 and saying what is this
19:24 and what is That's something
19:25 that you don't have in larger setups,
19:27 right?
19:28 And that's uh that's where uh startups hold a little bit of
19:34 that kind of flavor all over.
19:36 So having coming back to your point,
19:38 I do think make being an actor has aided in my journey of being
19:43 an entrepreneur,
19:44 but I wouldn't be able to make it if I was only an actor.
19:47 I have to be an invested founder.
19:50 I have to have the ability to know
19:53 that I hand it over to professionals versus trying to grab the whole limelight
19:58 which is what we we are very clear about.
20:01 If it's someone who believes in you
20:03 and has the right kind of aptitude to take it,
20:06 it does need people like that versus you just you can aid it.
20:10 You can't um you can't you can't develop a market in that zone.
20:15 U I couldn't agree more with you
20:17 and um I must also say
20:19 that I'm loving this conversation
20:21 because uh you know
20:22 because of the way you have been talking about technology
20:24 and I I hope I'm assuming maybe next year we will have a stall
20:29 from >> I really do hope you have
20:30 so much >> I really do hope too.
20:33 So last question you know the time is up.
20:37 What's your favorite technology?
20:38 I mean I'm asking this I wouldn't have asked otherwise.
20:41 Uh but looking at how clued you are into the domain of technology
20:46 and how knowledgeable you are.
20:48 You have so much of information of what is happening in the digital world?
20:51 What's your favorite technology and what would you want to do with it?
20:54 >> You know I have to make an honest confession.
20:57 I was technically challenged a few years ago.
21:00 I was literally technically challenged
21:02 and I realized that I'm technically challenged
21:05 because I'm proving myself to be technically challenged not
21:09 because I'm opening my eyes
21:10 and seeing what is out there in the world.
21:13 Um and then I started the process of understanding how much it can help.
21:18 Today if you ask me be it in Mumbai film company where uh
21:22 which is our production house
21:24 or be it in our food tech company at imagine I just see the
21:29 best and and and for me the best kind of digitalization
21:33 or the best kind of tools
21:34 that is that that is out there is AI.
21:37 I think it's a world of its own.
21:39 It's helping you create a whole ecosystem.
21:43 Good, bad, ugly is up to you to figure it out I feel.
21:46 But the opportunity which was never there all these years is there for you.
21:51 Today I feel business uh you know business honchos big people are changing their
21:57 whole business strategy around AI.
22:00 They're developing more markets.
22:02 They're figuring out availability through digitalization.
22:06 Um and and and when I keep specifying on transparency and clarity,
22:11 I think all this is what um digitalization has got us closer to.
22:16 For me, AI would be a win-win for the next I don't know how
22:20 many years ahead.
22:22 U but I do think what digitalization has done is it's given you this
22:27 tool.
22:28 Are you ready or not?
22:30 Are you ready to harness its power?
22:32 Is up to you.
22:33 Now when you are maybe you're 2 years later like me I took two
22:36 years to figure it out
22:38 but two years down the line I don't know how to do without it
22:42 like today I want to do without I go for every conference I try
22:45 and get my knowledge I mean I'm an actor yeah great
22:49 and I'll sit and I'll do hair
22:50 and makeup when I have to
22:52 and I'll do my 100% with being lucky >>
22:55 but no I but >> I have to give it to you very hard
22:59 working >> hardworking lucky >> no
23:01 but when when when I'm trying to do uh something
23:04 that I'm trying to understand how to push my startup ahead.
23:07 I will try and understand it from a digital medium
23:10 because it's my easiest way to reach my consumer,
23:14 my client.
23:14 Um I honestly see AI as uh the number one out there.
23:20 >> A huge round of applause.
23:23 >> I mean I can actually, you know,
23:26 I can visualize you giving a presentation on AI.
23:30 >> Oh, I hope so.
23:31 >> In our next edition.
23:32 I I really hope so.
23:34 >> You are so clued into it.
23:36 Uh you know as opposed to a lot of people who are still not
23:39 that clued into it you know coming from the industry.
23:42 It's an amazing thing
23:43 and uh Chinilia it's been a wonderfully a lovely lovely talk with you today.
23:49 >> Thank you so much.
23:50 >> Thank you so much for your time
23:51 and u sharing your journey your stories
23:54 and your thoughts most importantly.
23:56 >> Oh thank you for the wonderful interview.
23:58 I I we both spoke before we reached here just for you guys to
24:03 know and I'm like I just need to spend more time with him
24:07 because he knows everything.
24:08 I just want to know so much more like it's amazing.
24:11 >> Now I think you know more than me
24:13 and we are going to have this presentation someday.
24:16 >> Thank you.
24:16 Thank you.
24:16 No thank you so much for having me.
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