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: Shweta Kunoor

Designation: Actor, model

Sun Sign: Cancer

Education:
I have studied in different cities as my father would get transferred from place to place. I have studied in eight to nine schools - Bangalore, Pune, Willingdon, Jaipur, Indore amongst others. I completed my graduation but didn't pursue further studies.

Entry into the world of modelling and advertising:
While I was studying in Pune, I got my portfolio done. It was just a spontaneous move and I didn't take it very seriously at that point of time. Almost immediately, I bagged the Fair & Lovely cream campaign. Over the years, I have done campaigns for Fair & Lovely creams and soaps. I have also worked in films made for Dabur, Wrigley's amongst others.

View about the controversy over the "fairness" ad:
I don't believe in discriminating people based on their skin colour. However, I do believe that in certain areas of the country, several women face problems due to dark skin. Down south India, "fairness" is the in thing. Well, the strategists of that particular ad must have done their homework. While, we were shooting for the ad, we didn't believe that it would create antagonistic feelings. I feel that things have been blown out of proportion needlessly.

Difference between ad films and feature films:
Ad films have a shorter duration and most of them get over before 25 days. Client requirements are given more importance. In the case of feature films, the unit members spend more time with one another due to longer schedules. There is ample scope for improvisations and innovations. New ways of expressing creativity are sought and discovered.

Entry into feature films:
I used to get several offers for doing feature films - especially from south India. Between 1999 and 2003, I have done 16 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Kanada and Telugu. I have acted with some of the leading actors of south like Ajith, Kartik and Mamooty. She won the "Best Debut - Actress" for Telugu for the film Chala Bagundi in the year 2000.

My first Hindi film that will be releasing soon will be Ramgopal Varma's Darna Mana Hai. However, my real debut will be in a movie produced by Percept Picture Company - CU@9. The movie is being directed by debutant director Marlon Rodrigues who began his career as a promo director with Channel V and MTV and has been involved with popular shows like BPL Oye, Videocon Mangta Hai,
Liberty First Day First show, Bacardi Blast, MTV Fresh, MTV Bakra, Smirnoff Mega mix amongst others.

CU@9 is a spine chilling thriller about revenge, betrayal and self-styled justice. A mystery that explores the darker side of the human mind. Aimed at targeting the contemporary youth, the movie is an edge-of-the seat tale of deceit that guarantees to blow your mind. I play a double role in the film.

Impression of television:
I hate Indian television - I can't stand it and get irritated. I feel that it lacks depth. I hate it when my mother watches the meaningless serials. Things must change.

Things I would like to change about the glamour world:
I would like the audiences to change their tastes so that the people associated with the world of films can make better movies. At present, everyone is sticking to the tested formula. The audiences rarely accept change.

Five years from now:
I see myself touching peaks of popularity and working with famous well-known directors. However, I am sure that I shall never work in a television serial. Even if I don't have work, I would prefer to sit at home rather than work on TV.

Name: Mallika Sherawat

Designation: Actor

Sun Sign: Scorpio, 24 October

Educational Experience
I studied in Jindal public school Rohtak, Haryana till standard eight. Then, I joined Delhi Public School where I completed my schooling. I graduated from Miranda House, Delhi with Philosophy honours.

Professional Experience

After graduation, I came down to Mumbai to become an an actress. While waiting for film offers, I was approached to do a BPL advertisement. The ad that featured me with the living legend Amitabh Bachchan, gave me instant recognition. Then, came a Hyundai Santro advertisement with Sharukh Khan. I have also endorsed Roohafza sherbat and Elle 18 eyeliner. Currently, you can also see me on the television in the Amul ads.

Luckily for me, Govind Menon who was scouting for talents happen to notice me and signed me for Khwahish alongside Himanshu Mallik.

Media as career choice
Since the time I was a little kid, I have nurtured the dream to make it big in Bollywood. I actively participated in the theater during my school as well as college days. While my parents always encouraged me to participate in extra-curricular activities, they threw a fit when I told them that I wanted to be an actress. Being a small town girl, all my life, they wanted me to fit into the 'normal daughter' category- one with decent profession and plans to get married and have kids. Bollywood is a big bad world for them.

It is not as if I am a rebel but I want to act more then anything else. Getting into the industry minus a god father and family connection has been a miracle. To add to the thrill, Khwahish has been rated quite well and is doing quite well too. The recognition that this movie has given me is good enough reason for me to want to stay here for good.

Current Television scenario
Though I would love to I am not watching much television these days. But whenever I get the chance, I do catch a movie on Star, Zee MGM and HBO. Strangely enough, I also love watching Hindi movie promos. Just like the urbane, young viewer I guess, whenever I have the time I watch Friends. So for me the television scenario is hunky-dory as I get to see what I want to.

Right and wrong about current Television scenario
While I am not an ideal viewer, I do feel that there is a lack of meaningful shows on the mainstream entertainment. I quote Sir Lawrence Oliver 'Television is a writer's medium', so we can have good television only if there are good writers.

We can get good writers, provided the pay is good and the talent is encouraged. I guess with the English medium education being preferred over vernacular, good writing in the regional language from the recent crop is rare.

Five years from now

Well, I would like to own a bungalow in Goa by the seaside and relish fresh sea food. Since I am a health freak and hassled by the gym schedules, I would love to work out in my own gym.

Hobbies
I love working out in the gym. Kathak is another one of my passions. I also love reading and watching movies.

Idea of enjoyment
Reading a complete bound script of a movie with an exciting story and an equally exciting role for me.