Although she has just begun her journey in Bollywood, Kriti Kharbanda is already a star down South where she has been working for 9 long years. From ‘Boni’ in 2009 to now, ‘Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana’ and ‘Veerey Ki Wedding’ in 2018, this Delhi girl has come a long way. In an exclusive chat with Exhibit Magazine, the beautiful Kriti Kharbanda is all heart for gaming and flaunts her gaming quotient like a player!
Ex: What do you think about the ever-changing gaming scenario in India? KK: Gaming is more serious than it used to be. When we were kids, we used to play video games just for fun. But now it can be a serious profession as well. My friend is a professional gamer now. He gets paid to test games (laughs). So yeah it has changed in more ways than one. We had parents telling us not to play video games as there is no future in it. But now they cannot say that as it is a great source of income.
It takes a lot of courage to actually give up everything else and do something in this regard.
Ex: Which is that one mobile game that you are addicted to? KK: You know when Candy Crush had come, I was really addicted to it. Then I remember I used to love Pokemon Go as well. Whenever I used to travel for work or when I was bored, collecting Pokemon was my big-time high. In fact, my mom made me quit as I was that into it.
Ex: Have you ever played PUBG? KK: Yes, I am currently addicted to this game. I started playing it because it was trending all over. The best part about PUB G is that you can play with a real person, unlike other games.
Ex: What is your preferred gaming platform? – Console (PlayStation, WII), PC or Mobile? KK: My PS4 and I are best buddies. My brother got me addicted to it as we both sit and play FIFA together. Something I am really excited about. Sometimes on a day off you really want to be lazy on the couch but at the same time, you do want to keep your mind occupied. So this is like the best way to go about things. So the answer would be the console.
Ex: Tell us about the first game that you ever played in your life. KK: My first game was Super Mario.
I remember playing it with my brother when I was young. I always used to wait for my brother to die soon in the game so that I can play. He purposely used to take a lot of time.
Ex: Kriti And Tech: Tell us about your relationship with technology. KK: I am totally into technology. As I loved gaming and I was always curious to know about the new gadgets that have come into the market. I like to keep myself updated about certain electronic accessories including mobiles, AirPods, speakers, etc.
Ex: How does technology help you ease your life on a daily basis? KK: I think technology has evolved over the years and it certainly plays a major role in everyone’s lives, especially if you consider women safety in today’s time, it’s pretty much sorted, in terms of security cameras installed at almost every public place.
Ex: Do you agree that the future is all about technology? KK: Yes, we are rapidly moving into a progressive and an advanced technology world. Sometimes, it feels that the world is at your feet, with everything you need is at your disposal, all thanks to the technology.
Ex: Any message to our gamer audience? KK: I love the concept of gaming awards as I feel that gamers in India need more encouragement and motivation. So thank you Exhibit for coming up with ‘India Gaming Awards’. All my best wishes to the gamers and the events. I am sure it’s gonna be a super hit!
His brooding eyes stole hearts of many a young girls when he just stepped into the business. While Arjun Kapoor has done a series of toughie roles, somewhere everyone still knows that he is gentle; that he doesn’t boil, he simmers. And that simmering is ineffable.
Coming from a family that is full of names Bollywood is proud of, Arjun Kapoor leaves no stone unturned and continues to maintain the legacy. In a one-on-one with Exhibit, Arjun reveals to us a side we never saw. The techie side.
While Arjun Kapoor is riding high on success with 2 States, he dismisses his contribution saying, “While I’m glad people appreciated my performance, the movie’s success excites me more than my success. It is a great feeling to know that people have accepted the movie and that it was seen a source of wholesome entertainment.”
Being one of the most sought after actors from the new crop, he is one of those actors who started working behind the cameras before they changed sides.
“My first assignment was with Dharma Productions and I was the 6th AD (Assistant Director) on Kal Ho Na Ho. I was basically the one behind the making of the movie; if you go back and watch it, they have even included my name as its Director which was really sweet of them. I got paid ` 3,000 for it and after deducting the tax, it was somewhere close to 2,700”, he ends with a laugh.
This was followed by assisting Director Nikhil Advani on Salaam-E-Ishq and working as an Associate Producer on ‘No Entry’ and ‘Wanted’. Did that help him when he started his career as an Actor? “It did. In retrospect, I know it better as to why things happen the way they do; that if there are 300 people on the set, it is because they are needed. You understand the process and do not act like an outsider. I have been and would like to remain a part of this industry.”
And while the camera loves him, his aspiration also extends to Directing. He wants to be a part of the film making process by all means. But currently, he is on a journey of self-improvisation and wishes to give his best to everything he does. “With each thing one does, the benchmarks keep on raising. My first movie was with YashRaj and that was an achievement by itself. The more I do, the more I feel the urge to better it.”
One might consider him to be shy but he invests, almost preserves, himself for those he loves the most. And Arjun’s love for his mother, Late Mona Kapoor, his Sisters Anshula, Sonam and Rhea and mentor Salman Khan is widely known of. He elaborates, “I think I’ve spoken for Salman bhai a dime a dozen times – of how he has been an emotional support to me and my family and how he has inspired and motivated me and helped me believe in myself. As for my sisters, Anshula, my real sister, is someone who I need all the time. She is that person who I am closest to right now.
As for Sonam, she’s more like a friend. We have the same set of friends since we were in the same school and bond at the same level. We care a lot for each other. As for Rhea, she’s extreme. If ever I need an honest opinion and a critique for my work, she’s there. She is like my mirror. She’s a bohemian. There are times when she will stay away from everyone but she jumps into action whenever I need her. Like the other day I told her that I’ll be shooting and she came with 6 bags of clothes… that’s how she expresses her love.”
There are various shades to Arjun – at times he goes all out in explaining himself and at others, he thinks some matters are “too personal to discuss.” Giving a miss to all such topics, we ask him about his role in his upcoming movie, Finding Fanny. “It’s a Homi Adjania movie so you can expect a complete Homi kind of humour; somewhere on the lines of Being Cyrus. It’s an English-Konkani movie and my co-stars are Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dimple Kapadia, Deepika Padukone.
Unlike all the roles I’ve played in the past for all the commercial movies, I play the role of Savio Fernandes who is a mechanic and the only one amongst the lot who knows how to drive. All of them are on a road trip to find Fanny, who Naseeruddin Shah is deeply in love with and only realizes a little too late, after 40 years. So it is about the discoveries and revelations that take place while all are together and about what eventually happens. It’s releasing on the 14th of September”, he ends with a smirk.
Arjun Kapoor – Up and Close!
Car that you drive?
Mercedes’ Limited Edition ML 350 CDI. That’s how they sold it to me!
One habit you want to change?
I bite my nails and fidget a lot with my hair, too. These are two habits I want to change.
A word that describes you the best?
Pragmatic.
How do you unwind?
Sleep. With the kind of things I have at hand right now, it is something that I really need.
Could you tell us about your love for gadgets? Which are your must have gadgets and what apps do you use the most?
Phone is something that goes without saying. Since I love watching movies whenever I have time at hand, I have a huge DVD collection and love sticking around with my Blu Ray. PS4 is an indispensable part of this list and my love for it never dies.
Currently I’m always on it because of FIFA’14. Also, I always need a trimmer in order to maintain my stubble. Since, I have a tendency to get addicted to things too soon, I have deactivated my Apple account, otherwise all I will do is download apps. I don’t have an iPhone for the same reason.
Any gadget that you bought and regretted?
I had an iPad that I later replaced with an iPad Mini and frankly there was nothing different about it. I’m finally using the Mini, but I was like ‘What the hell!’
If you were to invent an app for convenience or luxury, which one would that be? A Time machine… I think it’s high time we get one; plus, I’d like to get a phone that walks with me… on a practical level, that is. One that can read my mind, dial numbers of people who I am thinking of, text what I want to… Just so that I don’t have to carry it.
The next gadget that you want to invest in?
I don’t know if you could consider it as a gadget, but it would be the Jukebox that you can connect to your iPhone. It’s already available abroad and I’m waiting for it to arrive in India.
If you could write a biography of one person, who would that be and what would it be called?
My father. It’d be nice to spend some time with him and interesting to know him. I’ll call it ‘My Father’… as simple as that. The title speaks for itself.
What is the most expensive thing you have ever purchased online?
I mostly purchase a lot of plain tees and Blu Ray DVDs online. But recently, I purchased Alexander McQueen Shoes worth ` 90,000 and I’ve not even used it until now.
If you were to get into a tech related profession, which one would that be?
I would be a Car Designer. That’s some cool profession to be in! And this, I say, after watching Rush. I would like to design a Ferrari.Also Read: Undaunted Taapsee Pannu Answers Our Fiery Questions
Today is International Yoga Day. In today’s world, Yoga has become easily available to all by means of videos and apps. Technology has made it easier for everyone to practice yoga in the comfort of their homes. Yoga is known to relax the body and the mind. In today’s times when stress is at its peak, yoga can greatly help relieve tension and keep the fitness levels up. If you’re looking at making yoga a part of your lifestyle then here’s what these start-ups have on offer.
Wellnesys (YogiFi)
Image for representation purposes only
YogiFi is a smart yoga mat that connects all its users with a virtual instructor by using AI and a mobile app. It has pressure sensors that guide you and also provide real-time feedback on the posture, balance and flexibility after every session. Try this out in this International Yoga Day.
Muralidhar Somisetty, the founder and CEO of Wellnesys, suffered from a severe spinal injury and that is when he thought of creating YogiFi. Yoga helped him get better and also reversed the condition for him.
Retail price of YogiFi :
$199 (15,000 INR approx)
Although this seems to be on a higher side, the founder says it is in fact better than spending a monthly fee upwards of 2000 INR. Also, you enjoy so many benefits like strength and flexibility monitoring that you wouldn’t if you were to attend a Yoga class.
While it does sound promising, reviews from users will shed some light on how well it performs and if it is here to stay. We do feel this is a good solution, considering the fact that stress levels are high and on the rise. Moreover, since people will now become more used to staying indoors, this seems to be a perfect way to keep your mind and body fit.
Prayoga app was founded by Krishnaprasad Jagadish. He is also the co-founder of Parjanya Creative. The app makes use of machine learning and Apple’s ARKit body tracking tech to analyse the users’ poses. Prayoga is exclusively available on iOS and it gives real-time feedback to it’s users.
According to Jagdish, yoga isn’t only about performing the poses but also about performing them correctly. Yoga is only effective if the pose is correct and that’s what the aim of Prayogya is.
The main USP of Prayoga app is that all the asanas are available as high quality 3D models. This is important to learn the poses correctly. Jagadish consulted a lot of Yoga teachers before making the app.
Both of these startups have put in a lot of hard work in order to give the best experience to the apps’ users and we’re sure they will greatly help people adapt to a lifestyle that focuses on physical fitness and mental well-being. As for how people will adapt to the change in the way they practice yoga, time will tell us that. Until then we will try these out for sure.
We have transitioned into the new normal where conversations still happen but over virtual mediums. In another episode of Lockdown Diaries, Ramesh Somani, Editor-in-Chief of Exhibit Magazine sat down to have a heart-to-heart with our June cover star, @Rakul told us her how she’s been spending time at home, how technology is actually the need of the hour and how foldable technology could be the next big thing!
Editor-in-chief (and Interviewer): Ramesh Somani Content Curation: Smriti Raizada Video Editing: Harman Singh Featured Gadget: Motorola Razr (@Motorola India) _________________________________________________
Leaping forward moment by moment and Tan Tana-ing her way to the top, Taapsee Pannu returns to add her exclusive charm on the Exhibit cover once again. While at that, we revelled in a lot of nostalgia – catching her between shots as she touched her makeup and she bowling us over with her bold aura. But like she said, February wasn’t too far away when we shot her first. So we wonder has anything changed at all?
Well, by the looks of it, it was long enough for Taapsee to become absolutely fit, do multiple films, have a big release under her belt that I’m sure you all know about and mark her “here to stay” spot in Bollywood, too. The last time was an intense conversation about Bollywood, Taapsee as an individual and her strong tech game. So this time, we decided to ask her a bunch of strange questions. But the undaunted Taapsee answered like a Queen and we expected nothing less from this intelligent actress who has been ever so smart in her film choices just like the Hyundai Verna she poses with that’s equally intelligent in design and style.
We took a little tour inside Taapsee’s mind, and it was more entertaining than the Netflix show you’re going to watch today.
Ex: When we shot you in February cut to now – what has changed since we spoke last? Taapsee Pannu: I have reduced a few inches! Apart from that, I’ve had an interesting change over in terms of the film that I’m doing and something totally different coming up. It’s a very good, upbeat phase of my career. Actually from the time I shot for Exhibit the first time, there has been a very interesting up-phase of my career where people have started noticing me much more, not only in terms of the roles and films I’ve been choosing and doing but also beyond films that I’ve been doing. Everything has been going extremely well without a plan.
Ex: You are on a roll and we’re super excited about seeing you in Judwaa 2. How was your experience working in it? TP: It was a very different experience from what I’ve done so far but it wasn’t a new experience because I’ve been doing that kind of big, glamourous films in South. It’s just that in Hindi it’s the first time I’m a doing a film of this scale with all glamour and fun. So that way it is new, I’ve done it after a really long time. It felt nostalgic working with David Sir again because I started my career with him in Hindi so getting to work with him again is a big back to square one kind of a feeling. It actually felt like a continuity coming back to the set because a lot of people are same behind the scene when it comes to David sir.
A lot of different co-stars but the same set. Even the choreographer Ganesh Acharya has been doing the Oonchi hai buildings to the Tan Tana Tans and he choreographed Chashme Baddoor and he’s back here. So there were a lot of deja vu moments being on a David Dhawan set. I think I had my moment of being a quintessential Bollywood heroine – you get to wear the best of clothes, the best dances and be the Diva. So it’s like I had to go through those entrance exams to finally be the Bollywood Diva. It was like a picnic or like a gift you get when you’ve done well where I could just enjoy and be like royalty.
Ex: Tech and Fashion – what do you think of this unique relationship? TP: When you talk about a person who bends towards Technology, we very rarely care about what Fashion is because we’re so into what technology about, what’s new, what’s coming up, what can be changed and rebooted. But when it comes to gadgets, they need to be extremely in sync with Fashion because it becomes a part of your look. So gadgets need to be in sync with Fashion, I feel. That’s where Fashion comes in Technology.
Ex: Who is your fashion role model and why? TP: It has always been Kate Middleton. I’ve always seen her as a fashion inspiration.
Ex: What’s your go-to Fashion trend? TP: Actually I don’t follow trends; it’s more like what you are comfortable in or what you can carry with confidence or with which you can make your own style statement. I don’t keep track of trends actually, my stylist does it for me. I’m very bad at keeping up-to-date with what is going on in the Fashion world right now.
Ex: Name the worst fashion blunder you made. TP: When I went by someone else’s fashion sensibilities, feeling nice about what I was wearing just because I thought that person was better than me. It turned out to be a big blunder because I was not comfortable, it didn’t match my sensibilities and I wasn’t carrying it well.
Ex: What is the best learning you have had as an actress? TP: Just forget that there is a camera. A lot of times people act for the camera, I used to do that too. The moment you forget that there is a camera, you’ll become a better actor.
Taapsee PANNU – the Tech Freak
Ex: Tell us the techiest fact about yourself. TP: That I’m still one of those teenagers or kids who get excited when they see a toy. I still spend 24 hours non-stop whenever I get a new gadget in hand. So I get very excited with my new gadgets.
Ex: The latest gadget you’re trying your hands on? TP: New Macbook Pro
Ex: Best tech you own? TP: Being a traveller, I’m very proud of owning a GoPro because I feel like I don’t need anyone to take my pictures anymore and take some really cool pictures.
Ex: A gadget you can’t wait to get your hands on? TP: I need to get some new Wi-Fi speakers for my place which I can connect to my TV, my phone or computer.
Ex: Favourite App? TP: Right now I’m trying some courier app which can help me deliver couriers without going to a place.
Ex: Thoughts on AI? TP: I want AI to tell me which picture or video out of the lot is better because I always get confused.
Ex: Favourite feature in a phone? TP: That I can multitask in between my mails, calls, messages and pictures.
Ex: A gadget you wish is invented? TP: Time machine.
IF-
Ex: You could live in any era what would it be? TP: I would probably want to go back to 90s. There’s some nostalgia about, that time.
Ex: You were the President for a day what would you do? TP: I would give myself a National Award.
Ex: You had to be stuck on an island, 3 things you’d have with you? TP: I don’t want my phone at that point (laughs). I would want a boat but not to go back home, but to go exploring, a small sleeping bag because I live to sleep and my GoPro!
Ex: You could have one superpower? TP: Travel in time.
Ex: You could master one instrument- Flute TP: Your life was a book, the title would be- Live life Queen size.
THAT ONE-
Ex: Country you’d like to visit? TP: There’s not one. I need to visit many before I die. But the one country I’m really looking forward to seeing is Caribbean because there are so many islands! I want to get stuck on one of the islands there.
Ex: Thing you can’t live without? TP: I think I can live without anything. I’m not over-attached. I know the art of detachment.
Ex: Person who makes you starstruck? TP: Sam Clafflin, Andy Murray and Robert Downey Jr.
Ex: Sci-fi character you wish comes to life? TP: I want all Avengers to come to life. My personal fav is Iron Man. He should come to life and I should get to meet him.
FAVOURITE-
Ex: Movie? TP: I’m a huge X-men fan so it has to be the X men series.
Ex: Cheat food? TP: Chole Bhature or cake.
Ex: Quote? TP:“Jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai aur acche logon ke saath hamesha accha hota hai” – that is something I always tell myself whenever I feel a little down or out.
Ex: Cocktail? TP: I’m a hopeless teetotaler. I can’t even tell you the difference between any type of alcohol.
THE BEST
Ex: Piece of advice given to you? TP:“Suno sabki karo apni” – by my dad.
Ex: Gift you have given? TP: I think I give the best gifts to my sister. I give her gifts without her knowing it’s a gift. She gets free trips to Goa, she gets everything sitting at home be it holiday or the best of restaurants to go to or the spas.
Ex: Pinch me moment? TP: I still don’t believe it has happened when I had dinner sitting next to the President of India. I saw Pink next to him and then I went and sat next to him to have dinner.
Ex: Inspirational movie? TP: Chak de India.
We’re sure you never got asked this but-
Ex: What makes you judge a person the most? TP: Just the sense of conversation, how that person strikes a conversation.
Ex: What song are you listening to on loop? TP: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Ex: Your spirit animal? TP: Tiger
Ex: Best and worst pick up lines said to you? TP: Some of them are very lame like, “Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?”
Ex: Funniest person you know? TP: My sister.
Ex: An animated character you love the most? TP: All the three Powerpuff girls.
Ex: Weirdest hashtag you’ve read? TP: There is one I made which is called #IDon’tKnowHowToUseFilters because I try to use them and I make it worse at times. So I just say #NoFilter because #IDon’tKnowHowToUseFilters.
For no reason at all:
Ex: Worst habit? TP: I eat my nails and the skin around it.
Ex: Priciest thing you’ve splurged on? TP: I don’t spend on anything as much as I spend on my travel.
Ex: Funniest thing you’ve read about yourself on the internet? TP: When I started my wedding planning company people just didn’t understand that I was not the one getting married.
Ex: Ideal first date? TP: It will be either in the middle of the air while skydiving or underwater while scubadiving.
Ex: Most romantic thing someone can do for you? TP: If he just lets me be without expecting anything from me in return. Just not expect me to always be nice or sweet or be active or do something for him. That is romantic enough for me.
Ex: You always travel with? TP: Phone, wallet, keys, earphones.
Ex: Secret talent? TP: That if need be, I can act really well in real life also.
One of our most anticipated shoots, we knew instinctively, was going to be replete with a lot of youthful vibe despite the location (which is popularly said to be one of the most haunted places of Mumbai) and we couldn’t have been more right. Ananya Birla and her youthful entourage totally justified the theme of our issue. The banter, Ananya’s quirky yet honest responses to our questions and her being a total pro at striking just the right poses all made for a great shoot.
And finally, Ananya was everything she stands for – humble, charming, gentle and genuine, and we were in awe. As we caught her in between shots, she bared her thoughts showing us why she is not just her father’s daughter but her own unique identity that’s ready to propel the Birla legacy to greater heights.
Ex: “What’s in a surname?” Tell us about the stress that comes with being a Birla. Ananya Birla: I see myself as a girl following her passions and pursuing her vision. I feel very blessed for the emotional strength parents, siblings, grandparents lend. My biggest challenge is to live up to my own expectations which, at times, can be stressful.
Ex: You can’t take the Birla out of Ananya – is it so? Or the other way? AB: I would like to believe that both complement each other to distinctly make me who I am today.
Ex: From Businesswoman to Popstar – what’s the transition about and why? AB: I don’t see it as a transition. It is just a parallel career path that I have taken up. I have always been composing my own music and at one point decided that I wanted to share it with the world. Soon after, I started to pitch my work to music labels and in due time, eventually after the struggle, saw acceptance at Universal Music Group – India.
Ex: Does your childhood dream and present reality match when career is concerned? AB: Yes absolutely! I always wanted to be a singer-songwriter, but always doubted myself. As soon as I was able to break out of those shackles and become more self-aware, it all started to fall into place.
Ex: Tell us something about Svatantra and MPower. AB: Svatantra is a Microfinance company, a mini lending-bank of sorts. I started Svatantra when I was 17, so I am very emotionally attached to it. We lend loans to women in rural and semi-urban areas in India to financially support their businesses. In a sense, being an entrepreneur myself, I wanted to fund rural entrepreneurs given the vast potential and confidence these women have.
Svatantra means ‘freedom’ in Hindi and the organization is one of the fastest-growing microfinance organizations today in India. The key aim is to encourage entrepreneurship, self-sufficiency, and financial literacy and inclusion.
While studying at university in England, I interacted with people about my own age who were suffering from anxiety and depression. The experience stirred something familiar in me. In fact, when someone breaks a leg or has a surgery, they get flowers and get well soon cards. But to someone who suffers from mental health related illness, the empathy is sporadic just because they don’t see an actual wound!
I co-founded MpowerMinds as it is a cause very close to my heart, to increase public awareness about mental health and diffuse the social stigma associated with those suffering quietly. At the Mpower center, we let people know that they are not alone and offer a range of confidential services including therapy and psychiatric help.
Ex: What are the other business ideas that Ananya is brewing up in the days ahead? AB: At present, creating music is my main aim and personal focus. However, we have many leaders in our team and together, we are working on a few other ventures as well. You will hear about this soon enough. They all have a larger vision of creating a positive impact and I hope that as a community, it enables conversations and sees participation on various levels.
Ex: Ananya – the Businesswoman or Ananya – the Popstar – which one do you like more personally? AB: This is a very tough question as I fancy both the facets in different ways. The business woman keeps my mind going. However, I think being able to create music for myself and the world is probably closer to my soul. I see them both cross pollinating eventually and thus the time I invest would be prioritized as such. Having said that, presently I am investing more of my time in music.
Ex: What have been your lowest lows and highest highs? AB: I had a phase in my life while studying at Oxford where at times I wasn’t able to get out of my cottage. There was a lot brewing inside me then, which at times saw an outlet in composing and writing my music. That time, feeling stifled was probably one of the lowest I have been. Even though there have been speed bumps after the launch of my music career, I have had my highest highs during this journey. I would say peaking on #11 on Shaazam was one of them. Being the first Indian to have DJ Afrojack’s remix of Livin’ the Life being backed by PM:AM – one of the largest dance labels in the world – was another one. I find making history, however small or large that maybe, quite contagious.
Ex: Who is your inspiration to reach where you are now? AB: A larger vision; a wish to impact people’s lives through my work is what keeps me inspired. If you ask of a person, it will have to be my grandfather.
Ex: Do you think your age comes in the way at any point? AB: Only in a positive way. Retrospectively, if I wasn’t 17 when I had started my first company, I would not have made certain decisions that have led up to it being successful today. Having more experience under my belt now, I have learnt a lot from my mistakes and my achievements. I am now in a position where I stand strong and plough my knowledge to excel further in all my other ventures.
Ex: What’s Ananya’s definition of “Livin’ the Life”? AB: Spreading love and seeing people smile. I question whether true altruism exists, however having pure intentions is all that matters. Enjoying everything I do, making the best of every moment that we have been offered, is also what Livin’ the Life means to me.Ex: Ananya Birla – give us the unknown story. AB: I am an explorer, a writer, a singer and just a girl who believes in following her dreams and wishing to make a change in this world. At the end of our time here, we are all just stories and I would like mine to make an interesting read. I love the energy each new day brings.
Some days are spent in board rooms leading strategy, other days are more creative and spent ideating on music. Mostly all my hours are hi-performance driven and crazy but it is that energy that I enjoy. With all that goes on through the week, I try and take a break and choose to be lazy on Sundays. These are spent in bed with my comfortable blanky, reading a book and fighting for space with Skai, my Yorkshire Terrier.Ex: How do you keep a balance between business, music and personal life? AB: I don’t. I am learning to. I don’t truly see it as ‘work’, reason being both the businesses and my music have become a part of my lifestyle. Where my personal life is concerned, I am lucky to have found friendships within my core team itself. Outside of this, my circle is very close knit, very supportive, always there for me and very understanding.Ex: What is the impact of social media? AB: I think anything powerful has both boons and banes. Where social media is concerned, I think one must be absolutely honest and authentic to themselves. That is how I choose to run my social media handles as well. I think it is a great platform, and if used correctly to voice our thoughts and opinions, we can bring about a collective positive change to make the world a better place.Ex: Your take on relationships. AB: Always be yourself. Don’t compromise on who you are.
Ex: What kind of boys would you like to go out with? AB: Blonde hair, blue eyes…haha! On a serious note, someone who I connect with on a spiritual level is important to me.
Ex: Quote that gets you motivated. AB: ‘Fall down for 7, Stand Up 8’ and ‘Try your best and leave the rest to God.’
Ex: Any closing thoughts or positive vibes for our readers? AB: Wake up in the morning and seize each day. Believe in yourself no matter what anyone says because they don’t know the entirety of your life and story – let’s not judge. If you have the right values, work hard, be self-reliant and self-aware, you can do and achieve anything you set out to do no matter what the circumstance.
ANANYA BIRLA – UP AND CLOSE
1) What’s your favorite: • Gadget?
Boring answer but it has to be my iPod • Outfit?
Torn Boyfriend jeans, White shirt and Havaianas. I need to be comfortable when not at events or the red carpet. • Vacation?
Rishikesh and Florence • Cuisine?
Lebanese • Music?
Rap and mainstream pop. Acoustic renditions always touch my soul. 2) Music idols:
Eminem and Kurt Cobain 3) You would tag him on a #ManCrushMonday:
Zac Efron. Honestly though, I think I have a new man crush everyday. 4) Your guilty pleasure:
I chew way too much gum to the point that my jaws start hurting. 5) Food item you hate the most:
Cucumbers 6) One gadget you have your eyes on:
A drone 7) New Year resolution for 2017:
To be less critical of myself. 8) One thing on your Bucket list:
I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Mpower.
The twin industries of fashion and technology are interconnected in more ways today than ever before. We all know of common technology processes being used by fashion retailers and manufacturers worldwide: Corel draw and illustrator to create designs to details like inserting the scanned fabric and trims like buttons labels zip etc to create a tech pack, CAD (computer-aided design) to auto-grade the pattern in different sizes, digital printing, computerised embroidery, blockchain to transparently trace the supply chain,3D printing being one of the newest which enables customisation is less labour intensive as printing on demand saves 30% wastage so it’s sustainable.
But The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the retail industry to a grinding halt; with every brand is now looking to technology as a saviour of its business! Social distancing will be the ‘new normal’.
Does this mean that the ‘touch & feel’ experience that the retail stores have provided all along will now be a distant memory? Well, it is yet too early to analyse the impact this crisis will have on consumer behaviour; however, there is little doubt that going forward technology will play a key role in revenue generation for the fashion industry.
The holy grail of online shopping; the question that bothers every consumer is “WILL IT FIT ME?” once ordered.
According to studies, between twenty to forty per cent of all clothing purchased online is returned, often due to issues with FIT, costing fashion e-tailers millions. A bevvy of tech start-ups is aiming to solve the problem. In recent years, fashion and apparel have become the fastest-growing e-commerce category and the second largest after consumer electronics, but fit-related returns cost fashion e-tailers millions, not only in terms of lost revenue but also because of the expense associated with to and fro shipping, processing them and some of those items may now be worn and not eligible for resale.
Few names such as TrueFit, which works with Macy’s and Nordstrom, like Metail and Fits.me are offering fit guidance solutions that better match consumers with correctly fitting garments they developed digital fitting rooms that use virtual mannequins to mimic a shopper’s dimensions and display what a certain garment might look like when worn. Still, others rely on shoppers to input their measurements, matching this data with specific garments.
Yet, the challenges remain since returns still account for a large revenue loss to the retailer. Apps like “The Dressing Room” that uses Virtual reality that allows customers to try clothes on their avatar – of their size to help decide before making a purchase decision.
PARIS Fashion Week did an augmented reality show in 2017 conjoining the use of smartphones.
In London, Tissot allows shoppers to try on their luxury watches virtually at Selfridges and Harrods’ windows. Christian Dior developed VR glasses called “Dior Eyes” that give visitors a sneak peek behind the scenes at their ready-to-wear fashion shows. In New York City, the flagship Rebecca Minkoff store features a smart video wall that suggests new styles when people pass by or enter.
Forecast websites & Styling Apps are also using artificial intelligence
Ratatouille an artificial intelligence-based software used by Myntra that’s used insights of shopping patterns so far and tells what designs will sell or be best sellers so quantities on those styles and their positioning can be planned accordingly
Luxury brands have also been following innovative sportswear producers in creating technology-heavy, functionality-focused fabrics. Ralph Lauren’s uniforms for the US Winter Olympic and Paralympic teams feature a heating system made from electronic printed conductive inks, which was printed in carbon and silver ink in the interior of the athletes’ jackets.
While we can’t necessarily predict what the fashion industry will look like in the future, one thing is clear: it will only become more complex. Now is as good a time as ever to prioritise technology investments and, as an industry collective, we should be aiming to establish the kinds of standards and processes, which will enable us to collaborate more effectively in the future.
