09092024-LSTL-01.qxd 9/8/2024 8:27 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE THE BABY HAS ARRIVED Life Deepika Padukone and her actor husband Ranveer Singh have become proud parents to a baby girl. Earlier, on Saturday, the actress was spotted at the HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai. On Friday, the actress paid a visit to the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. It’s a date Popstar Taylor Swift and her beau Travis Kelce were seen stepping out for a dinner date in New York after the Kansas City Chiefs’ big win over the Baltimore Ravens. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 9 SEPTEMBER 2024 Nothing is impossible, says Kamiya Jani, who was awarded the Best Travel Creator title for her digital channel Curly Tales Anandita Gupta F ROM being the daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver to India’s leading travel content creator, Kamiya Jani’s life has been nothing short of an amazing adventure! Turning her love of travel, delicious food and heartfelt conversations into a passionate venture, Jani has been cruising through life with her favourite playlists and a bagful of travel dreams. Presently associated with premium brands like Starbucks, Cox & Kings, JW Marriott, Japan Tourism and Royal Orchid, Kamiya’s digital travel channel Curly Tales is among the top 10 Facebook video pages in India, with monthly views of over 45.4 million. This travel platform has over three million monthly visitors. In 2022, Kamiya was honoured with The Best Food Influencer of The Year award by Exhibit Magazine. She was awarded Best Travel Creator for Curly Tales by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024. “I’m a visual storyteller. All stories interest me; but travel stories haunt me till I don’t share them on social media!” smiles Kamiya. The ences through engaging videos. After quitting her full-time job as an anchor with a business news channel in 2017, Kamiya poured her passion for travelling into her personal blog, Curly Tales. “Ever since childhood, I’ve had this strong desire to see this beautiful world. By 18, I had seen quite a few places in India in a limited budget. So, after having worked as a producer and news anchor in with ET NOW, Bloomberg TV and CNBC TV18 for 10 years, I felt that I should pursue my passion to travel the world,” recalls Kamiya. During Covid, when we all were confined to our homes, she introduced the pathbreaking concept of armchair travel. “While sitting in the safety of their houses, we made people explore new places virtually,” she quips. While Curly Tales takes viewers on a journey through offbeat locations, Kamiya’s popular show Sunday Brunch With Kamiya Jani hosts celeb interviews, wherein, Kamiya invites renowned personalities for a brunch. In free-flowing conversations, they discuss their journey, their passion for travel and their food experiences. The road ahead And today, Curly Tales is undoubtedly on of India’s top food and travel content platforms. Amidst her astounding success, however, Kamiya gives the girl-next-door vibe, calling herself a local wanderer in the city of dreams! Navigating her way through inspired storytelling, Kamiya has till date travelled 40 countries and 153 cities. Next in her wish-bucket is her desire to conduct a content creation guide for aspiring travel bloggers. She’s also launching her video series India in Motion— a pioneering exploration of India’s elevated travel infrastructure. adventures of Kamiya Jani SUCCESS MANTRA Discovering her true calling When she switched to Curly Tales, Kamiya was already a mother of a three-year-old daughter Zaina. However, unlike many Indian women who lock their personal dreams in a suitcase once they become moms, Kamiya used her maternity leave to discover her true calling—travelling! “My pregnancy was a difficult time physically and emotionally. But it taught me something —that I could not stay confined at home!” I decided on taking a sabbatical, to explore the world!” reveals Kamiya. She pursued her travel dreams with a simple thought—if not now, then when? So, it was while juggling her job as an anchor, part-time mommy and her passion to travel the world, that she got an idea to start Curly Tales! Passion for globetrotting Rather than travelling solo, she ideated on sharing her globetrotting experi- I travel the world despite a job, marriage and a kid. Nothing is impossible if you really love your dreams. My pregnancy was difficult. But it taught me something — that I could not stay confined at home!” ENVIOUS OF KAMIYA’S JOB? Want to make moolah while chilling out and exploring the world? Well, follow into Kamiya Jani’s footsteps, with these on-the-go tips! HAVE A PLAN B: Making a strong Plan B before taking the plunge is the smart thing to do. DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY: On my work trips, I start my day at 6 am and end it at 11 pm! Following a routine really helps taking things forward. TAKE THE PLUNGE: Don’t wait for the big moment. Just to go out there with your mobile phone and a selfie tripod and create content. EMBRACE YOUR SHORTCOMINGS: The most important rule is to remind yourself constantly that you cannot have everything all the time and that’s absolutely okay. WEIGH THE RISKS INVOLVED: Assess the situation completely before setting out to pursuing your passion. Creative vision must be bolstered with an ability to see things as they stand. Alia Bhatt, Adarsh Gaurav, Akshay Oberoi and Tara Sutaria — meet these Bollywood actors who transitioned from child artistes to leading stars B OLLYWOOD has a long history of nurturing talent from a young age. Many of today’s leading actors began their journeys as child artistes, and their early experiences have shaped their successful careers. Let’s take a closer look at some of these stars. BRIGHTEST STAR: Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt made her debut as a child actor in the 1999 film Sangharsh, where she played the younger version of Preity Zinta’s character. Alia now has grown into one of the most successful and versatile actresses in Bollywood. After her breakthrough in Student of the Year (2012), she has delivered powerful performances in films like Raazi, Gully Boy and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Alia will be next seen in Jee Le Zaraa. ROARING START: Adarsh Gourav Alia Bhatt Kunal Khemu Adarsh Gourav began his acting Aditya Seal They’d a head start journey as a child artiste in the critically acclaimed film My Name Is Khan (2010), where he played the younger version of Shah Rukh Khan’s character. Adarsh gained international recognition for his role in The White Tiger (2021). He continues to make waves with his unique choice of roles, starring in projects like Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Extrapolations. UPWARD MOVE: Aditya Seal Aditya Seal first caught the audience’s attention as a teenager in Ek Chhoti Si Love Story (2002). In the film, he played a young boy infatuated with an older woman, portrayed by Manisha Koirala. Aditya is now known for his performances in films like Tum Bin 2, Student of Sanjana Sanghi the Year 2 and Indoo Ki Jawani. He was last seen in the film Khel Khel Mein. COMPLETE PACKAGE: Kunal Khemu Kunal Khemu was a prominent child actor in the 1990s, starring in hit films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Raja Hindustani (1996) and Zakhm (1998). Kunal has successfully transitioned into a leading actor. He is known for his roles in films like Go Goa Gone, Kalank and Lootcase. He also made his directorial debut with Madgaon Express. ACTION ZONE: Akshay Oberoi Akshay Oberoi began his acting career as a child artiste in the Hollywood film American Adarsh Gourav c m y b Akshay Oberoi Chai (2002), where he played a teenager named Neel. Akshay has since become known for his intense and versatile performances in films like Pizza, Gurgaon and Inside Edge. He is currently working in the action-packed film Toxic. GOOD GOING: Fatima Sana Shaikh Fatima Sana Shaikh began her career as a child artiste in Chachi 420 (1997), where she played the role of Kamal Haasan’s daughter. She also appeared in films like One 2 Ka 4 and Tahaan, showcasing her acting chops from a young age. Fatima gained national fame for her role as wrestler Geeta Phogat in Dangal (2016). She later acted in films like Thugs of Hindostan, Ludo and Ajeeb Daastaans. Fatima was last seen in Sam Bahadur alongside Vicky Kaushal. ROCKING START: Sanjana Sanghi Sanjana Sanghi made her debut in Bollywood with the film Rockstar (2011), where she played the role of Nargis Fakhri’s sister. Her brief but impactful role as a young girl caught in the complexities of family and love left a lasting impression. Sanjana gained widespread recognition for her role in Dil Bechara (2020), opposite late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She was also seen in the action thriller Om: The Battle Within. Tara Sutaria STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: Tara Sutaria Tara Sutaria began her career with Disney Channel India, starring in shows like Big Bada Boom (2010), The Suite Life of Karan and Kabir and Oye Jassi. Tara made her Bollywood debut with Student of the Year 2 (2019) and has since starred in films like Marjaavaan, Ek Villain Returns and Apurva. (Compiled by Dharampal) Fatima Sana Shaikh