"We are not product hawkers"
Interview with Rakesh Pandey, CEO, Kaya Skin Clinic, Marico Industries By Aditya Kuber
What is the concept behind the clinics and what are its specialities?
We are pioneering skin care in India. There is a need for result-oriented skin treatment in India. We are offering it in a spa-like ambience. We are also offering the best-in-class techniques and people at our clinics. We have an inhouse dermatologist at every clinic who first checks the client and then suggests a treatment and the tenure.
How many clinics are there already?
We already have 15 clinics and this will be sixteenth. We have seven in Mumbai, six in New Delhi and two in Dubai. We will also be opening another one in Pune on Law College Road shortly. We have also planned 3-4 clinics in Bangalore. We plan to have 29 clinics in all by the end of the financial year.
Why did you choose Pune after Mumbai and Delhi?
Pune is critical for our expansion plans. This was to be the first clinic outside Mumbai and Delhi and Pune seemed just the right place to be. We expect to have 40 people walk in daily.
What is the investment per clinic?
We are investing nearly Rs 1 crore including the machines. We now believe that our expansion is limited only by our abilities.
Are these franchisee-owned clinics?
All clinics are owned by Marico. We are not following the franchisee route because we want to ensure quality. We are offering some complex and unique treatments and products and it is important that we keep a check on the quality.
How much do you expect the products to contribute to the revenue?
As of now, they are contributing 10 per cent but eventually, we expect them to touch 25 per cent. However, we will not just be selling them. We are not product hawkers. We will offer counsel before selling about how the products are to be used.
What is the size of the beauty industry worldwide?
Worldwide, the industry is worth Rs 1500 to Rs 1800 crore. The US is the biggest market for beauty products.
Who are your competition?
To be honest, there is no real competition. Other spas or clinics are in different areas such as Ayurveda. We all have our own space.
What are your most popular services in Mumbai and Delhi?
The acne and pimple treatment is very popular. We have noticed, from our own research, that this is a growing trend even in adults due to our changing lifestyle and eating habits. We believe almost 80 per cent of youngsters in the age group of 15 to 25 are facing this problem.
As published in 'Business' section, The Herald, Pune. (c) The Herald.
Posted by Scribbler at 3:35 AM
"This is a long-term Budget"
Interview with Atul Kirloskar, former President, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Pune (India) on the Union Budget 2004-05 By Aditya Kuber Overall, how would you rate the Budget? The Budget is looking at sustenance. Through his speech, he kept announcing plans that ran well into 2007 and 2008. So I think he wants people to know that these are long-term plans and this is a long-term Budget. Who do you think will be most affected by this Budget? The rural folks’ demand by mandate has been reflected in this Budget. There is a great boost to agriculture and water. And this was necessary. Water is indeed the very basic necessity we all have. He has also looked well at the value chain, as was indeed being suggested by the MCCIA. What other industries and sectors would the Budget boost? Dairy, tractors, are just some of the other sectors that would be boosted by this budget. The accelerated irrigation projects, water harvesting, improvement of water structures, the entire gamut has been covered. What boost will the manufacturing sector get? The good thing is that now, he wants education to be the primary concern for the entire country. Education before population control is a must. The boost that is being given to ITI’s across the country is fantastic. There is an attempt of a public-private partnership and the good thing is that it’s through education. What, if anything, did you find lacking? There was absolutely no mention of labour reforms in the Budget. This is an important requirement for the industry today. Is the amount being spent on agriculture and related industries and education right? There is corporate social responsibility and by implementing the cess on all taxes, everyone owns up to their social responsibility. It is like planning ahead and it is always good. As published in The Herald, Pune. (c) The Herald.
Posted by Scribbler at 3:40 AM
Rakesh Shrestha
He recommends photography as a profession to everybody all the time. In the past 20 years, he has captured more glamour in his camera than anyone else. Meet Rakesh Shrestha. His dream now is to start an academy where he can train the future photographers of India. In a candid talk, he took us on a ride through his life and let us in on some of his thoughts and ideas.Why did you take up photography?
The reason is simple. I did not want to get into the family business that had been going on for such a long time. I had been brought up in that environment and had seen everything. I was ambitious. I always wanted to do something that gave me a lot of mileage as far as my field of profession was concerned. That left with only two choices- fashion designing or photography. In those days it was tough to get into fashion designing and so it was photography for me.
I was in fact taking a chance. I told my parents to give me a chance for two years. If I make it, fine, otherwise, there was the family business to fall back on.
What was your first assignment?
It wasn’t technically an assignment. I used to shoot a lot of the models at the shop we had in the Oberoi. My first real assignment would be the one I did for Eves Weekly and Star and Style. They liked my photos and chose them for the cover. That gave me a lot of confidence. I was actually trying to get into film distribution.
I knew a lot of photographers and also a lot of people from the industry. But it was tough. The first star I shot was Neetu Singh. She gave me a torrid time. But once she got into my camera, things were smooth. We never looked back and today, we are best of friends. Ultimately, it’s like this- come what may; you have to go through these tough times. Photography is an art. A lot of times, you can adopt a lot of things and then learn them. But in today’s world, you have to learn. Things are technologically so advanced, that its amazing.
Creatively, talent-wise we are getting much more exposure and so much knowledge. With today’s technology, you don’t even need to be a photographer. You can take a very average picture and make it look good. In 1979, when I started, Indian photographers were at least 10 years behind in terms of technology as against their European and American counterparts. But today, we are right there.
Manisha Koirala by Rakesh Shrestha
What equipment do you use?
When I started, I used to be a Canon user. Then I switched to Olympus and finally to Nikon. I have stuck with Nikon ever since for all my 35mm work. I used to do my 120mm work with Hasselblad until I started finding it slow. It’s a wonderful system, but just a touch slow for my liking. So I switched to Mamiya.
Film stars and you…
I have shot everyone. Most of the celebrities, models… you name them, I’ve shot them. I have monopolised it. It’s a specialisation. So why should I switch to anything else? I am doing fine. I still deliver the goods. Moreover, film’s is the kind of business that never fades out. The exposure, mileage and the fan following is tremendous.
Films was however, not intentional. It just happened. It’s not easy either. It’s very difficult to work with film personalities. You have to understand their temperament, the magazine’s temperament, and the producer’s temperament… its something challenging and you make it happen… in a big way.
How do you manage the rapport?
Twenty years ago and today… it’s a different work culture. That’s another art. You have to understand their psychology, culture, upbringing, and thinking, match their wavelength and only then will they be comfortable. It was entirely different in the late 70’s and 80’s and it’s a whole new ball game today.
That is a part of my success story. I have always dealt with good people. People who are disciplined, professional and who believed in doing good work. So many photographers came and went. I am still standing.
Preity Zinta by Rakesh Shrestha Do you think you are the best?
I don’t worry too much about that. What needs to be seen is how long I’ve lasted. Delivering the goods for 20 years constantly and consistently is not easy. But that’s what matters. I’m just doing my job and a good one at that. All I worry about is whether my clients are satisfied or not.
After so many years, what drives you?
It’s myself. It’s all in the mind. You have to adapt. I work with Preeti Jhangiani and at the same time deal with Subhash Ghai. It’s not just about the young one’s. It’s about dealing with all ages. Photographers in that respect are a bit like psychologists. We understand the mind and then manipulate it and operate. The comfort level has to be there. It’s important how well you can look after them.
Who are your favourites?
The very reason I am here after 20 years is that I have no favourites. My favourite is only my camera and my work. But if I have to name a few, it would be Neetu Singh, because she gave me the break. Then there are Rekha, Sridevi, and Manisha Koirala… Manisha is one person who I gave a good push.
Urmila Matondkar by Rakesh Shrestha
Why don’t you take up advertising assignments?
It’s not that I don’t, but I find it too tedious. It’s too long drawn. I haven’t been brought up in that kind of a scenario. I cannot deal with so many people to get one picture. There’s an art department, a visualiser, a meeting with the client… too long drawn. You tell me what you want and you’ll get it.
Don’t make me run around. Money was never my priority. I always believed that if you keep doing good work, the money would come your way. I had to choose between money and name, I’d choose name. It lasts longer.
After so many years in the film industry, are you planning into diversifying and doing film direction?
I was thinking about it. I wanted to do it. But it’s not all that easy. You have to have it in your system. For the effort you put in, the money that has gone in, if you don’t like what you have done, it’s difficult to go back and correct it. There are lots of loopholes in filmmaking. Maybe a little later I will get into it. Now that’s surely something to look forward to.
Bobby Deol by Rakesh Shrestha
(c) The Times Journal of Photography. All Photos (c) Rakesh Shrestha
Posted by Scribbler at 9:16 PM
