< PreviousTrailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Newsmaker SANJAY RAINA @sanjayrainafox GENERAL MANAGER, FOX NETWORKS GROUP Sanjay’s experience of working in the broadcast and media industry spans close to two decades and two continents. Currently the man in charge of Middle East operations for Fox Networks Group, he is responsible for driving growth in the region, through initiatives such as widening the company’s Pay TV operation, expanding into new markets, and developing sales for Fox International Channels Middle East, which will include Fox Movies, Fox and National Geographic Abu Dhabi. Sanjay joined Fox from large sports broadcaster Ten Sports, where he was chief operating officer. He spearheaded International operations, leading a team of 140 people and reporting to the CEO. In 2014, Sanjay’s wife Neena founded a centre for children of determination in Dubai. Tender Hearts is the UAE’s first centre that targets the recreational needs of children with special needs. Neena was inspired by the experience of parenting their older son Varun who is on the autism spectrum. Now 21 years old, Varun is an accomplished singer and a YouTube star in the making. Sanjay’s younger son, Saransh, 16, is a budding golfer with a handicap of four. A “pure Kashmiri”, as he puts it, Sanjay was born and raised in Srinagar. He left the valley to study in Pune and arrived in Dubai in 2011 after working in Indonesia. An electronics engineering graduate and MBA in marketing from the University of Pune, Sanjay is also an avid mountaineer and keen golfer, trekker and swimmer. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: JESSICA SAMPSON Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL App-tly Talented CHANDA BARJATYA SURANA @tellatina FOUNDER AND CEO , TELLATINA She belongs to the famous Barjatya household, carrying forward a legacy of 71 years and is married into the Surana family, pioneers of the Jaipur jadau style of jewellery making. Quite like her famous brother, Sooraj Barjatya, Chanda Surana carries her traditional values and modern outlook with aplomb. The graceful Chanda straddles two worlds effortlessly. While she is a doting wife, mother and family woman, she is also a go- getter entrepreneur coming up with innovative ventures. Her talents include jewellery designing, teaching spirituality, Kathak and Odissi dancing, and playing the tabla and piano. But her initial brush with entrepreneurship happened when she started Sudhasugandh, a platform for homemakers to exhibit their culinary skills. In 2018, she entered the digital world with the launch of a unique, pathbreaking app, TellaTina. TellaTina is an avenue for the elite to connect with friends, share resources and information. Membership is only by recommendation and strictly curated. Within a year of its launch, TellaTina’s membership count numbers thousands, including celebs like Anupam Kher and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. TellaTina has now turned into a one-stop shop for getting authentic information on anything under the sun. With interest groups offering services in spirituality, dream analysis, finance and investments, pets, fashion and matrimony, the app has become a useful tool for its high-profile members. Chanda now aims to increase her global reach, with Dubai being an important stop on the way. Her motto: remain humble, spread positivity and use the digital world to bring people closer. WORDS: LEKHA MENON; PICTURE: SUPPLIED 72 MASALA! Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Into the Frying Pan ARVA AHMED @fryingpanadventures FOUNDER, FRYING PAN ADVENTURES If you’ve lived in Dubai long enough and still can’t tell your mansaf from a manakiesh, then a Frying Pan tour is what you need to go on. Since 2013, tourists and residents alike have feasted with Arva Ahmed and her team on their food and story-telling journeys through the backstreets of Dubai. Arva founded Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s first licensed food and culture tourism company, driven by her hunger to show people the delicious side of her city. Frying Pan is a family run company run by Arva and sister Farida, with whom she also co-hosts UAE’s first-ever dedicated food podcast, The Frying Pan Diaries. Her company offers trails that are not solely about eating but about using food as a lens for discovery, understanding food history and the local community. The experiences could be a four-hour walking feast through Old Dubai, food tours on wheels, scavenger hunts, taste battles across town or limited edition food events across Dubai. It was through her blog that Arva brought alive the treats to be found in Dubai’s underbelly away from the sheen of five-star fine-dining. The mum of one and Wharton alum tried working in a conventional career but gave it up to follow her passion for discovering out-of-the-way eateries and the wealth of cultures hidden away in the city. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: AASIYA JAGADEESH Trailblazers MOST INFLUENTIAL Eventful Journey CHIMOO ACHARYA @chimooacharya FOUNDER, L’ATITUDE EVENTS AND ENCORE THE DESIGN STUDIO Hailing from an illustrious family – both her grandfather Bimal Roy and father, Basu Bhattacharya were legendary filmmakers – Chimoo grew up with a deep-rooted desire to make a niche in the film industry. Cinema continues to influence her creative sensibilities even today. Chimoo‘s first foray in Dubai was as marketing head of the Landmark Group. She then launched L’atitude, her events agency in 2002 with an Aamir Khan concert! L’atitude cemented its place in the event management business pulling off many more noteworthy gigs; in Mumbai, London, Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat, Singapore and Hong Kong. In 2010, Chimoo launched Encore the Design Studio, a new division specialising in event styling, residential interiors and weddings. It wasn’t long before her creativity fetched her high-profile clients – for weddings, events and interiors. Her signature aesthetic of lush blooms paired with oversized candles has been stamped on many a memorable event in the UAE. One recent project where her creativity is best seen is the styling of Purani Dilli, the Indian restaurant at Four Points by Sheraton, SZR. Chimoo adds a touch of class to every project she takes up, making her one of the most sought-after and respected designers in Dubai. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: AASIYA JAGADEESH; LOCATION: TAJ DUBAI Creatives MOST INFLUENTIAL The Changemaker VIMI JOSHI @vimijoshi M . A . C COSMETICS GLOBAL SENIOR MAKEUP ARTIST A self-confessed “global nomad”, Vimi was born in Uganda, in a traditional Indian family and grew up in England. She started her career in the medical industry, before becoming fascinated with the transformative power of makeup. When she told her family that she wanted to be a makeup artist, her mother gave her one year to prove herself. Vimi worked hard and built a successf ul career, working with top actors and pop stars along the way. Her magic brush has changed many a celebrity’s look, making her a favourite among some of the most beautiful women in the world. Invited by the Kuwaiti royal family as a makeup advisor, she eventually moved to the Middle East. Subsequently, she moved to Dubai where she now works as M·A·C’s global senior artist. The diverse cultures that she grew up with continue to inspire her work. Some of the famous faces she has worked on include Amitabh Bacchan, Sonam Kapoor, Richard Gere, Kurt Russell, Gurinder Chaddha, Helen, Asha Bhosle, Vidya Balan, Bipasha Basu, Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta and of course, a host of supermodels from around the globe. From IIFA and other film awards in Bollywood to Fashion Foward in Dubai to the hottest runways of Milan, New York and London Fashion Weeks, Vimi’s strokes have created a beauty statement of their own. Recently, she had a very special moment when she took to the stage and spoke her heart out at the TEDxLeicester 2019 Conference which won her much appreciation. While she counts quite a few A-listers among her friends, the down-to-earth Vimi finds inner peace and balance through meditation, yoga and of course, makeup! WORDS: LEKHA MENON; PICTURE: ABUZAR SAMO Creatives MOST INFLUENTIAL Gentleman’s Club VAROIN MARWAH @varoinmarwah FASHION DESIGNER He dresses the best of them. From Bollywood superstars like Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao and Varun Dhawan to local movers and shakers, everyone swears by Varoin Marwah, a true made-in-Dubai success story in the world of men’s fashion. As a brand, Varoin Marwah debuted at the IIFA Dubai celebrations in 2012 and there has been no looking back ever since. His signature style subtly draws from human nature and boasts of clean lines, careful detailing and international silhouettes. As a successor to the brand’s debut, Varoin paved his way into international markets by opening the show at the Cayman Islands Fashion Week, the India Resortwear Fashion Week and Fashion Forward. The affable designer made headlines when he was nominated by the Dubai Design and Fashion Council to represent Middle East at the prestigious International Woolmark Prize in 2017. Following that Varoin has won various awards like the Fashion Designer of the year, Most Stylish Man of the year, NRI fashion designer of the year in 2017 and been featured in the 2017 list of 25 most influential Gen Next. This year, he lent his creativity to another realm, designing and curating a very happening club night that has fast grown in popularity among party-troopers. WORDS: LEKHA MENON; PICTURE: ITP PHOTOGRAPHERS Creatives MOST INFLUENTIAL Glittering Success PAYAL SHAH @payalia FOUNDER AND DESIGNER, L’DEZEN BY PAYAL SHAH Her jewellery has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Sofia Vergara and Mindy Kaling. Payal Shah is an inspiration for ambitious young Indian women. Raised in Hong Kong, her education in architecture and interior design led her to work on projects like the Taj in Chennai and Marriott in Bangalore. But soon her attention turned to jewellery and she launched her brand in 2011 – at the age of 21! What started as a hobby, has grown into a global enterprise. She is involved in all aspects of the business from the design aesthetic to growth strategy and each of these roles have led her to associate with top bloggers, CEOs, stylists etc. Numerous awards aside, Payal has also been featured in the Rolls Royce Enthusiast 110th anniversary coffee table book and her work has been displayed at the Mood Museum of Design in Milan. As an influencer for women entrepreneurs, Payal is a regular speaker at business schools and is also an advisor for start-ups and new businesses. She also launched another platform, www.payal.life through which she encourages young women to follow their dreams and goals. And that’s not all. Payal is the co-founder of a VC fund, where she and her brother invest in luxury and fashion start-ups at Angel round. Currently, they have a portfolio of 12 start-ups they are involved with. A dedicated philanthropist, Payal launched the ‘Design for a Cause’ programme where she designs jewellery inspired by what the specific charity stands for and auctions these items for the proceedings to go to voluntary organisations. She has also worked for institutions like Mothers’ Choice, Breast Cancer Fund and Music for the Growing Mind. WORDS: LEKHA MENON; PICTURES: SUPPLIED Creatives MOST INFLUENTIAL In Perfect Sync NIKI MUKHI @nikimukhii GUITARIST, COMPOSER AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER, BRAPP A man on a mission to connect aspiring musicians across the world via the borderless digital space, Niki developed two apps, Making Music – a music sketchbook to write and record musical ideas, and Brapp. The youngest of four, watching his brothers follow their musical dreams through the guitar and drums allowed him to realise his own inclination for the Flamenco guitar. Niki started working as a guitarist, composer and musical director, doing session work and performing at places as varied as Glastonbury to the Cologne Philharmonic. As a musical director, he has composed and performed the score for three plays, touring London, Madrid and Edinburgh and soon after, worked with ARK UK at schools in London, teaching music. Since 2010, Niki has toured extensively with Flamenco/Ladino star Yasmin Levy across 45 cities, recorded with Foreign Beggars, Ustad Aashish Khan, Engine Earz (for Akala), Niraj Chag, singers Noush like Sploosh and Gayathri Krishnan. He was also invited to jam with Joss Stone for her upcoming DVD as part of her quest to jam with musicians in every country. Niki is currently writing and recording a flamenco and slide guitar album. Having worked briefly in the family business, handling his loved ones’ investments and stocks, and pitching Brapp to various investors, Niki saw the need to put together a simple document outlining tips and tricks on how to manage finances. When his little piece of work received much appreciation, the determined 34-year-old turned it into a book. Written in colloquial language with simple illustrations, the jargon-free book aims to teach people how to manage their money. WORDS: SHALAKA PARADKAR; PICTURE: AASIYA JAGADEESH Creatives MOST INFLUENTIAL In Style SALMA KHAN @salmakhanfashion DESIGNER AND FOUNDER, SALMA KHAN FASHION HOUSE From a young age, Salma Khan was mesmerised by fashion. Her father brought fashion magazines home that she obsessed over for hours. Her passion soon led her to becoming a designer. The USP of her eponymous brand is uniqueness and emotions. Each of her creations either reflect her feelings at the time of designing or are specifically tailored to the client’s requirements. Salma personally meets and spends time with her clients to personalise the design, look and feel of the garment. Salma faced several challenges while setting up her store. A perfectionist, she wanted every aspect of her store to be in sync with her vision yet fluid enough for change. However, the bigger challenge was juggling motherhood (she has three boys) with the demands of a growing business. Over the years, her brand has grown, with clients from the UAE and beyond. Salma believes her design philosophy evolves with her personal growth. The cuts, embroidery and embellishments may be a constant and in her signature style, but new ideas are reflected in every creation. The result is bespoke pieces that speak to and of the wearer. Salma is now entering the movie business, with a production that will tackle a different and relevant subject though she refuses to divulge details. The opportunity to showcase the new set of skills she has acquired is her greatest motivational force at the moment as she steps into a whole new arena. For someone who is forever on the go and on the lookout for new, exciting opportunities, Salma’s move is reflective of her creative, buzzing mind that is an inspiration for women across the UAE. WORDS: MASALA!; PICTURE: ADEL RASHID Creatives MOST INFLUENTIALNext >