Verve’s Fresh List 2014 | Verve Magazine
India's premier luxury lifestyle women's magazine
Verve Trendsetters
January 27, 2014

Verve’s Fresh List 2014

Interviews by Wyanet Vaz. Photographs by Sameer Mangtani (Mumbai), Neha Choudhury (Delhi), Sukil Tarnas and Khushboo Agarwal (Chennai). Illustrations by Foram Shah. Conceptualised And Executed by Poulomi Dey and Soumya Kumar. Styling by Anuradha Gandhi. Make-Up And Hair by Saks (Mumbai), Lakmé Absolut Salon (New Delhi) And Lakmé Salon (Chennai)

Verve’s Gen Next achievers are leading the winds of change. The one attribute that binds them all is a sense of freedom – the liberty of choosing careers in challenging territories, changing mindsets and being their own inspirations. Their achievements are testimonies of moving out of a comfort zone while believing their dreams will lead the way

  • Jinali Sutariya
    Jinali Sutariya
  • Ashita_Restauranteur
    Ashita Relan
  • HARSHI MADHAPARIA
    Harshi Madhaparia
  • Hussain Dalal
    Hussain Dalal
  • Kartik Sood_Artist
    Kartik Sood
  • KreshaBajaj_Fashion
    Kresha Bajaj
  • Madlasa Sharma
    Madlasa Sharma
  • MiliNair_Singer
    Mili Nair
  • NehaBagga_TVActress
    Neha Bagga
  • Rasika_Model
    Rasika Navare
  • sohum-shah
    Sohum Shah
  • Virdhawal_Swimmer
    Virdhawal Khade

SOHUM SHAH
30 THINKING ACTOR
FOR SCORING A PAT ON THE BACK FOR HIS UNSINKABLE PERFORMANCE IN SHIP OF THESEUS

HOMETOWN
Sri Ganga Nagar (Rajasthan).

SO FAR
Acted in and produced Ship of Theseus. Set up Recyclewala Films production house.

INSPIRATION BEHIND SHIP OF THESEUS
It was a unique story that simply had to be told.

CHERISHED COMPLIMENT
When Anand Ranganathan, the Newslaundry critic said that if Ship of Theseus deserves five stars, then I should get an entire constellation.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Tumbad by Rahi Barve and Anand Gandhi’s next film.

LIFE IN MUMBAI
Super hectic!

DREAM ROLE
Christian Bale in The Fighter.

AN ACTOR’S INSPIRATION
Plain and simple – to entertain.

ACTING OR PRODUCING
Acting all the way.

BIGGEST HURDLE IN THE INDUSTRY
Time – the lack of it!

WHEN NOT ACTING, YOU ARE
Spending time with family, producing films at Recyclewala and watching movies.

AN OLD HABIT THAT’S HARD TO KILL
Gorging on good food.

SONGS ON YOUR IPOD
Assorted tracks from Coke Studio and The Beatles.

KARTIK SOOD
27 ARTISTIC WHIZKID
FOR GOING BEYOND MERE BRUSHSTROKES TO MAKE AN IMPACT WITH HIS MIXED MEDIA WORKS

HOMETOWN
Shimla.

SO FAR
Recipient of the Emerging Artist Award 2013 by the Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art. Has shown at four editions of the India Art Fair (2010 to 2013), Art Gwangju (2012), as well as India Art Collective (2011).

CONVENTIONAL ART VERSUS NEW MEDIA
Art is art is art.

THE FEELING ON SEEING YOUR FIRST ART WORK SELL
I didn’t feel, I thought. I thought that the man must be rich!

YOUR MUSE
Stories from life.

DRIVING FORCE
Art school drove me to the real world and the real world to art.

GREATEST INSPIRATION
Fiction.

ARTISTIC QUEST
To create art, beyond time.

IF NOT AN ARTIST
I would be a lost soul.

YOU IN THREE WORDS
Human, too human.

RICHEST ADVICE
Fear kills creativity; do not be afraid.

AN OLD HABIT THAT’S HARD TO KILL
Thinking. Brooding.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Residencies at Gasworks, London. The FICA art award with Pro Helvetia residency in Switzerland.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
2013 all over again.

MILI NAIR
28 VERSATILE CROONER
FOR BLENDING THE SOUNDS OF JAZZ WITH THE NOTES OF INDIAN MUSIC AND MAKING A MARK WITH HER RENDERING OF MEETHI BOLIYAAN IN KAI PO CHE

HOMETOWN
Chennai.

SO FAR
Besides Meethi Boliyaan, worked with A. R. Rahman in Ambikapathy and Raavanan. Worked with Amit Trivedi on Badri Badariya and Yatra for Coke Studio at MTV.

MEETHI BOLIYAAN OR YATRA
Both are my favourites.

THE BADRI BADARIYA EXPERIENCE
Amazing to work with music director Amit Trivedi. It felt like young love in the monsoons.

ON YOUR IPOD
Sting, Roja soundtrack, Pink Floyd.

DISCOVERED YOU COULD SING
Was told by my family that I could hum in tune even before I could speak.

FIRST EVER PERFORMANCE
Annie’s Song when I was six.

YOUR VOICE IS
My life.

EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Taking long walks for my music lessons. My mind would be filled with songs just learnt.

WORKING WITH A.R. RAHMAN
A treasured experience. He gave me my first break in the world of playback singing.

MOST LOVED BANDS
The Police, AC/DC, Steely Dan.

SUCCESS IS
Believing and dedicating yourself unconditionally to your art.

CURRENT OBSESSION
Song writing.

IF I WERE A SONG
I’ve Got the World on a String.

MADALSA SHARMA
22 SCREEN PRINCESS
FOR ACTING IN MULTI-LINGUAL AND INTERNATIONAL MOVIES AND BEING ON THE VERGE OF SEDUCING BOLLYWOOD

HOMETOWN
Mumbai.

SO FAR
Upcoming Bollywood debut with Rajshri Production’s Samrat & Co. Acted in seven films down South and a German film titled The Girl with the Indian Emeralds.

FACING THE CAMERA FOR THE FIRST TIME
When I was 17 years, for a Telugu film.

GREATEST INSPIRATION
Marilyn Monroe.

FAVOURITE STARS
Tom Hanks, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan.

DREAM ROLE
Paro in Devdas.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
My Punjabi film Patiala Dreamz, followed by a Telugu film and later Samrat & Co.

MOM TO YOU IS
My biggest motivation.

WARDROBE MUST-HAVES
A comfortable pair of shorts and fantastic shoes.

A DREAM COME TRUE
I would love to own all of Paris Hilton’s collections.

LAST SPLURGE
An awesome trip to Berlin.

IF I WERE A SONG
The Tide is High.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
The success of Samrat & Co.

ALISHA ABDULLAH
24 ROAD RACER
FOR HER FEISTY SPIRIT, AS SHE RIDES HER WAY THROUGH A MAN’S WORLD

HOMETOWN
Chennai.

SO FAR
Achieved the unique distinction of being India’s only female superbike racer. Finished eighth at the Volkswagen National Polo Cup (2012).

DAD (R. A. ABDULLAH) TO YOU IS
A famous bike racer and a seven-time national champion. He has always been my motivation and greatest inspiration.

YOUR CURRENT BIKE
Repsol Honda 600.

FIRST TIME ON WHEELS
The first time I rode my bike, I fell.

MEMORY OF YOUR FIRST WIN
I cried when I won my first race against 25 boys.

YOUR NEED FOR SPEED
The adrenaline rush is tempting.

GAME PHILOSOPHY
Race like it’s the last day of your life.

BIGGEST WIN
Every win has created history.

FASHION ESSENTIALS
A stylish pair of earrings, pretty shoes and good eye make-up.

ON A LAZY SUNDAY
Working out and eating simultaneously!

DREAM MACHINES
A Bugatti and a Ducati.

IF I WERE A SONG
Eye of the Tiger.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
International racing.

AMRITA BAGCHI
29 INNOVATIVE DOODLER
FOR WALTZING THROUGH THE DIGITAL WORLD WITH AN UMBRELLA OF IDEAS

HOMETOWN
Kolkata.

SO FAR
Founder of Asthir Art collective. Collaboration with Indie rock artists to create music related artworks.

ASTHIR ART COLLECTIVE IS
A compilation of ideas, and people who believe that art should be accessible to everyone.

COLLABORATING WITH MUSIC
Musicians are the best people to work with.

INDIE MUSIC TO YOU IS
Crazy art, interesting people in semi-dark rooms and music festivals.

ART SCHOOL VERSUS THE REAL WORLD
I don’t think the real world gives us much of a choice.

VALUED CRITICISM
It isn’t good unless it hurts a little bit.

ART HEROES
Spiegelman, Shaun Tan, Neil Gaiman, Satyajit Ray.

FAVOURITE GRAPHIC NOVEL
The Arrival by Shaun Tan.

BIGGEST SPLURGE
Books.

A CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY
Please pay the artists!

AN OLD, PERSISTENT HABIT
Procrastination.

ON YOUR IPOD
Caravan Palace, The Puppini Sisters, lots of swing, old Bombay Jazz.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
An upcoming graphic novel and a safer country for women.

NEHA BAGGA
21 DRAMA QUEEN
FOR GETTING THE TRPS ROLLING WITH HER PIVOTAL ROLE IN BANI – ISHQ DA KALMA

HOMETOWN
Chandigarh.

SO FAR
Essaying the role of second lead Rajji in the popular television series.

CHERISHED COMPLIMENT
When my co-star Upasna Singh kissed my cheek, and told me that I have a lovely smile.

SIMILARITY WITH RAJJI
I am as bubbly as the character I play.

GREATEST CHALLENGE
Enacting romantic scenes.

ON LONG WORKING HOURS
Acting is my passion. So, I love every bit of it.

FAVOURITE STARS
Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan.

A DREAM COME TRUE
Playing the role of Rajji.

COVETED ROLE
A character whom I can relate to like Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met or a role where I could express my emotions through gestures – like Rani Mukerji in Black.

FAVOURITE OFF-SCREEN GARB
Stylish and funky pants and over-sized T-shirts.

ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH
Kapil Sharma.

SUCCESS IN THREE WORDS
Recognition. Satisfaction. Happiness.

RASIKA NAVARE
23 CATWALK DEBUTANTE
FOR SASHAYING DOWN RAMPS IN STYLE, GIVING GLAMOUR A MODERN TWIST

HOMETOWN
Pune.

SO FAR
Walked the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week, featured on several magazine covers and the face of Chemistry and Lakmé.

FIRST RAMP STRUT
Miss Pune pageant in 2009.

BEST PART OF THE INDUSTRY
I get to travel a lot.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Working on global assignments.

MODELLING IDOLS
Kate Moss, Miranda Kerr, Indrani Dasgupta.

IF NOT MODELLING
I would perhaps have been in the medical field.

BEST ADVICE
Thoughts become things. Choose the good ones.

CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Since I had really short hair, most people mistook me for a boy.

ESSENTIAL FASHION ELEMENTS
Denims, comfortable shoes and a perfectly fitted jacket.

COMMON MODEL MYTHS
That we starve.

CURRENTLY READING
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

SUCCESS IS
Being happy and content.

TRISHYA SCREWVALA
27 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
FOR BEING THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER – ENLIGHTENING AND EMPOWERING

HOMETOWN
Mumbai.

SO FAR
Founder and director of Raindancer – a non-profit organisation for sustained volunteerism. Spearheading one of India’s first mentoring programmes called The Lighthouse Project. Produced The Greatest Love Story Ever Told (Cannes Film Festival 2011) and One in a Billion (Public Broadcast Service 2014).

BREAKING OUT ON YOUR OWN
I chose a path most true to me.

ON SEEING RAINDANCER GROW
Excited to create collaborations and bring in a sizeable community of youngsters to affect change.

FAVOURITE ICONS
Helena Blavatsky, Anaïs Nin, Jeff Skoll, S. N. Goenka.

THREE ESSENTIALS IN BUSINESS
Passion. Creativity. Guts.

CHALLENGES OF RUNNING YOUR OWN VENTURE
Sticking to your vision and not letting circumstances shift the goalpost.

DAD (RONNIE SCREWVALA) TO YOU IS
Someone who marches to his very own beat.

EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY
My first ballet shoes.

GUILTY PLEASURES
Grey’s Anatomy.

CURRENTLY READING
At the Feet of the Master.

HARSHI MADHAPARIA
26 PASSIONATE SONGBIRD
FOR CROONING ON STAGES WORLDWIDE SONGS THAT ARE INFUSED WITH HER EASTERN ROOTS AND WESTERN CULTURE

HOMETOWN
Wembley, London.

SO FAR
Has won Indian Idol UK and was a finalist at Saregama UK. Has performed at more than 1,000 shows across the globe.

FIRST ON-STAGE MOMENT
Standing as still as a rock, singing a fast song with only my lips moving.

BACKSTAGE RITUAL
A quick word with God and a simple blessing from the stage.

GREATEST INSPIRATION
Michael Jackson for his energy, stage presence and funk.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
An album mix of slow, romantic and fast music – everything I love! And there is a movie in the making.

SUPPORT SYSTEM
My family. There’s nothing like soaking up some love and mum’s laddoos!

BOLLYWOOD MUSIC
Love it from childhood. Hopefully should hear my voice on the radio soon!

ASPIRATIONS OF GETTING THERE
It is every singer’s destination.

IF I WERE A SONG
Pagli zara si hu main from my album, Sajna.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
To go skydiving!

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
A bigger house and a better car!

HUSSAIN DALAL
24 DRAMATIC PERFORMER
FOR HIS INCREDIBLE SENSE OF HUMOUR AND NIFTY ACTING PROWESS

HOMETOWN
Mumbai.

SO FAR
Have worked on plays like Shankar Aur Bhagwan, Greater Elephant. Dialogue writer for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

FIRST TIME ON STAGE
Time to Tell a Tale in 2006. I trembled in fear.

STAGE FRIGHT
Always.

THEATRE OR WRITING
Difficult to say. It’s like choosing between water and air.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Dialogue writing for Two States and Happy Ending. Acting in a film titled Margarita with a Straw.

AN ACTOR’S INSPIRATION
Is in the everyday.

BEST PERFORMANCE SO FAR
Still trying.

ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH
Stupidity.

ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU CRY
Stupidity.

BIGGEST MOTIVATION
The film I am Sam.

SUCCESS IS
A word. Financial stability. The rest pretty much remains the same.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION
Don’t change anything. Improve, if at all.

KRESHA BAJAJ
25 FASHION PROMOTER
FOR DARING TO BRING A RAZOR SHARP BRAND TO THE COUNTRY, ALTER PERSPECTIVES AND LIVE HER OWN FASHION

HOMETOWN
Mumbai.

SO FAR
The launch of Koëcsh, an online fashion destination in India.

THE NAME ‘KOËCSH’
It has absolutely no meaning. I want it to be open to interpretation.

IF NOT FASHION
Fashion is the only world I know and I don’t want to know any other.

GREATEST ADVICE
Always go with your gut.

HARSHEST CRITICISM
That I am living in my own bubble.

BIGGEST FASHION FAUX PAS
Animal print on animal print.

CURRENT OBSESSION
Jeffery Campbell.

ABSOLUTELY TRENDY
Individualism.

SUCCESS TO YOU IS
Happiness.

THREE FASHION MUST-HAVES
A pair of killer JC’s, a crazy corset and fingerless gloves.

FAVOURITE PIECES IN KOËCSH
Signature bustier, signature collar and chain-one-down set.

ON A LAZY SUNDAY, YOU
Work from home.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
VIKI line of clothing filled with amazing pieces.

JINALI SUTARIYA
23 QUIRKY DESIGNER
FOR GARNERING A CONSIDERABLE FAN FOLLOWING WITH HER FUNKY CREATIONS

HOMETOWN
Mumbai.

SO FAR
House of Chic – a pop-up store that travels to New York, Dubai and Los Angeles. Launch of accessory stores in Los Angeles and Mumbai. Also showcased her collection at Lakmé Fashion Week 2013.

FASHION INSPIRATION
Alexander McQueen.

FAVOURITE DESIGNERS
BCBG, Charlotte Olympia, Alice & Olivia, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna.

GREATEST ADVICE
‘Invest in timeless classics’ – a statement made by Victoria Beckham a few years ago.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
House of Chic is now moving on to cities like Hong Kong and Antwerp. The launch of our online store which will stock absolutely vintage and really dark collections.

FASHION MUST-HAVES
A chunky bling neckpiece, comfortable stilettoes and Bobby Brown lipstick.

ABSOLUTELY TRENDY
Well done nails.

YOU WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD IN
Red lips.

LAST BIG BUY
A Bvlgari Serpenti shoulder bag.

MOST TREASURED ITEM
My Sabyasachi wedding lehenga. It’s a priced possession.

WHEN I’M LOOKING TO GET INSPIRED
I travel.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
Working on a lot more variations in skulls and spikes. Hoping to see a lot more girls wearing them in India.

AASHITA RELAN
27 FEISTY FOODIE
FOR SPEARHEADING THE GOURMET SUCCESS AT THE AWARD-WINNING ROYAL CHINA IN NEW DELHI THAT HAS PUT THE EATERY ON INDIA’S FOOD MAP

HOMETOWN
Delhi.

SO FAR
Founder and Director at Royal China, a chain of fine dining Chinese restaurants that has won over 20 awards in the last three years.

GREATEST INSPIRATION
Food! I love eating at different restaurants and talking to chefs.

FAVOURITE AT ROYAL CHINA
Duck and dim sums.

MOTTO YOU STICK BY
The customer is always right.

ONE THING YOU WOULD TAKE ON A LONELY ISLAND
A device through which I can check out the CCTV coverage at Royal China.

YOU IN THREE WORDS
Enthusiastic. Determined. Workaholic.

FAVOURITE STAR
Shah Rukh Khan in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

DREAM DESTINATIONS
Australia, Pakistan and the Maldives.

A DISH YOU COOK BEST
I love cooking meals in a bowl.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Complete my new chef’s special menu that I have been working on, and expand my outdoor catering.

FAVOURITE ICON
Chef Morimoto.

SUCCESS IS
Hard work and patience.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
Making memories at Royal China.

VIRDHAWAL KHADE
22 AQUATIC WONDER
FOR CLEAVING THROUGH CLEAR POOLS TO BREAK INTERNATIONAL RECORDS IN SWIMMING

HOMETOWN
Kolhapur.

SO FAR
Recipient of the Arjuna Award (2011). Won a bronze at the Asian Games (2010); three golds and three silvers at the Commonwealth Youth Games (2008). Holds five national records and over a 100 international medals.

GREATEST INSPIRATION
I’m living my father’s dream.

FIRST WIN
In 1996, I swam in the under-5 category and won a silver medal.

FAVOURITE STROKES
Freestyle and butterfly.

GAME PHILOSOPHY
Hard work is the one and only key.

NEXT ON THE CARDS
Commonwealth and Asian Games 2014, Rio 2016.

FAVOURITE ICONS
No one yet. I have never wanted to be like anyone else.

CHERISHED COMPLIMENT
A lot of people have mentioned that I’m down-to-earth.

BIGGEST OBSTACLE IN YOUR SPORT
I need to put in thousands of laps every week at the pool. It can get quite boring sometimes.

LAST BIG BUY
A Volkswagen Jetta.

FAVOURITE TRAVEL DESTINATION
Rome.

LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2014
Swimming, working for the state government and hopefully running my own swimming programme.

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