Leaders

In the present era, where life is full of stress and anxiety, the media and entertainment work as stress busters, giving us a few moments of distraction from the real world. A fresh and engaging concept in the media and entertainment domain will always attract the audience. The brainchild of Aakanksha Manglani was based on the idea of creating media content which is fresh, unique and engages the audience at large.

Aakanksha did her schooling at Carmel High School and is a degree holder in English honours. Crowned as Mrs. India Worldwide, she pursued her interest in the film industry which encouraged her to establish Kefi Media and Entertainment Company.

Aakanksha Manglani, Founder, Kefi Media and Entertainment engages in a one-on-one interaction with Women Entrepreneurship Magazine.

Give Us A Brief Overview Of Kefi Media & Entertainment. What Are The Important Features Of Your Expertise As The Leader In The Media & Entertainment Domain?

Kefi Media and Entertainment is a media production company at its foundation. So far, we've produced several music videos and three big feature films, two of which are in Hindi and one in Bengali. My team and I began our journey a little over a year ago, and we have had nothing but success so far. As the company's Founder and Director, I made certain that the content we produce is fresh, inventive, and engaging. I'd like you to focus on my experience in an industry that I was told was hard to break into for an outsider, and how I overcame all of the challenges that comes-up with being a woman leader.

Brief Us About Your Educational Journey & Prior Industry Experience. What Was The Underlying Idea Behind The Establishment Of Kefi Media & Entertainment?

I studied at Carmel High School and later graduated with honours in English. I was married at a young age and shortly after I took on the role of mother to my lovely daughter Amaya. I'd always desired to work in this sector, and thanks to God's grace and my tireless efforts, I was crowned Mrs. India Worldwide and there has been no turning back since then. Coming from a strict Gujarati family, I had no knowledge or experience of how the film industry worked, so I began reading and learning about the industry and the kind of content being created.

“Dream big, educate yourselves about IT and run for IT”

As I became more familiar with the content created in the country's eastern regions, I realised that there was a lack of innovation and originality and that many writers and directors with outstanding scripts were failing to find success. Nobody wanted to bet on them or take chances with them and this is where I made my decision and spoke with a couple of financiers who I knew would back me up in my endeavour.

What Are The Roles & Responsibilities You Currently Shoulder As The Founder Of The Company & How Do You Face The Challenges Related To It? What Has Been Your Driving Force Towards The Achievement Of Your Career Milestones?

Being a woman in this field is difficult enough, and I am not just a woman, but also a mother. From the pre-production work of my next initiatives to the accounting of my former ones, I look into everything at my workplace. I make all of the creative decisions, from the design of the posters to the next film or shoot. My enthusiasm for the profession and movies keeps me going.

We've made two major Hindi films and one Bengali web film in just over a year. We've organized and hosted many shoots for reputable businesses, as well as a few beautifully produced Hindi music videos, and I'm happy with Kefi's success thus far. I work with a small but amazing team whose motivation has become a driving force for me.

If you ask me, I've noticed a significant shift just this year. There's a lot of amazing fresh talent out there now, and there's a lot of very good content out there. The public has begun to recognize the difference between good and terrible material as a result of the increase in over-the-top (OTT) content. I am convinced that over the next five years, a slew of new film-makers, actors, producers, and writers will emerge from all corners of the country to tell their tales; all I want to do is to be a part of it. My organization aspires to expand its creative capabilities and produce visuals that will linger in the minds of viewers for as long as they live.

What Advice Would You Like To Give To The Young Girls & Women Who Are Aspiring To Become Business Leaders In This Domain?

To get to where I am now, I had to overcome several challenges. Coming from a strict Gujarati family, I never saw myself as Mrs. India or a business creator. I'm only here because of a dream! I wished for success and it came true. My single piece of advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs is to dream big, educate yourself, and go for it. You're a Goddess, and no one can stop you.

Aakanksha Manglani, Founder, Kefi Media & Entertainment

Crowned as Mrs India Worldwide, and Founder of a media company, Aakanksha Manglani is setting a great example of beauty with leadership skills for women worldwide.