Offbeat: Netflix, Pak shows on YouTube keep Gitikka Ganju Dhar busy

Adgully’s special feature section – ‘Offbeat’ – seeks to give a peek into the lesser known facets of our very well-known industry leaders. We present, in the industry leaders’ own words, an interesting read on areas that are not usually highlighted in regular media coverage – be it about their childhood days, secret skills that they possess, how they unwind from their hectic schedules, and much more.  

Hailing from the beautiful land of Kashmir, Gitikka Ganju Dhar, Anchor, Moderator, Writer and Talk Show Host, has woven her path to success against all odds. Dhar’s career has not only been a hallmark of triumph, but is an inspiration for many as she strongly believes that sheer perseverance, hard work and determination will not only make one’s dreams come true, but can also make one the best at whatever it is that they wish to accomplish. 

This constant drive to keep getting better has won her several awards such as the Business World Award, Eemax Spotlight Award, Bharat Nirman Award and many more. Recently, she added a new entrant to the list with the ‘Wow Award - The Artist Of The Decade 2018’. 

Dhar has been a veteran of more than two dozen television shows and more than 3,000 live events across the globe. She is also a content curator, moderator and writer and is India’s preferred anchor for content-based flagship conferences and high profile government events that involve the presence of Heads of State, Presidents and Prime Ministers. 

A precious childhood trait that you still possess?
Sad movies still make me cry. I still like to wear white. I still believe in ghosts. I still sleep on my right side. I still buy soft toys. I still listen to ‘Thriller’ and ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’. I still like to set my books from tall to short, precise to the last millimetre. I still fight with boys. And I think, I still hold some amount of my erstwhile ability to sulk. Improving with age, though! 

Any superhero fetish and what power you wish you possessed?
The one super heroine fetish I would like to possess is not having to type or write what’s on my mind and for all my scripts to get magically transcribed onto paper. The second super heroine power I would love to possess is the ability to be able to keep an eye on my near and dear ones even if I am not present where they are, in person. 

What is your biggest fear and how do you face it?
Lest anything negative or untoward were to happen to the people I love and care about, is my worst fear. I don’t think there is anything else that affects me as much as this would or has in the past. I have not pushed myself to gain the ability to face any such events. I recall, it took me almost four years to get over the pain of losing my pet, Peppy. I think her passing on affected me for a very long time. 

A secret that you have which no one knows about?
Well, then it won’t be a secret and of course like any other human being there are things that will go with me to the grave. It is called - Being human! 

Also Read: Offbeat: Getting to know Josy Paul anew

What would one find in your playlist?
Oh wow! Tough question, the truth is I listen to various types of music which ranges across genres – from Hindi film music to a bit of jazz, some Nat King Cole, ABBA, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, George Michael, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, Adel, Norah Jones, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady – the list is endless. Quite honestly, it’s a big mixed bag of music. And I listen to whatever it is that I like depending on my mood. Though, you would find very little music from the current decade on my playlist. I think music lost its soulfulness a few years ago. My current favourite is the song is ‘She’ from ‘Notting Hill’. I can listen to it a million times a day. 

Your go-to activity to relax?
Watching movies, losing myself to the mashed potatoes dish at Pali Village Café, watching Pakistani dramas on YouTube, spa sessions and shopping for my daughter. 

What is the greatest lesson that you have learnt from life so far?
Don’t trust easily and don’t depend on anyone but your closest family. Bear in mind that everything in life is transitional. Never try to seek perfection from any human being. And most of all, if something is not going your way, first, look within. 

A social cause that you are most passionate about?
Educating the girl child, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 

What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?
Be more fit. I certainly need to find the time to exercise more. I wish to live a healthier life. I also tend to shop more than what I need to. Lastly, I feel that owning to my hectic work life I do not get any Me time. This needs to be bettered. I tend to forget to drink enough water through the day, which is something I need to be aware of and I need to definitely put in a conscious effort to consume enough water through the day. 

If not a popular anchor and public speaker, what would you have been?
I nearly became a Hindi film actor when I was all of 21. At that time I was offered a movie which went on to become a massive commercial success later, with another lady in the lead. I remember, I got cold feet and I backed out of it. Apart from this, I feel that if I hadn’t been an anchor I would have certainly become a classical dancer or a writer. However, I believe that in life one must have no regrets, my career as a talker has brought me immense happiness and satisfaction. After a series of prestigious awards as Best Anchor India, I thought I could not be more thankful. However, when I least expected it, I ended up being named the ‘Wow Live Artist of The Decade’ at WOW Awards Asia this year. This award is indeed a specially one only because this award has never before been presented to anybody from my field of expertise and I was not expecting to receive this incredible honour so this one is truly special considering that nobody is likely to receive it at least for another decade. 

Also Read: Offbeat: Manas Gulati on why he wants to be a Chief Happiness Officer

What are the three apps on your mobile you couldn’t live without?
WhatsApp, Twitter, and Oxford Dictionary. 

What’s the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it?
I watch a lot of shows on Netflix across genres and I do a lot of repeat watching, in fact, recently I watched a lot of SRK movies which I have seen several times before. 

Which two organisations outside your own do you know the most people at and why?
I share a lot of mutual goodwill across industries and I respect a lot of individuals because of their work ethics. 

Two things about this industry you don’t like or don’t understand?
The laidback chalta hai slip-shod attitude, where the quest for perfection seems to have become an occupation for a few, is extremely putting off. Additionally, our industry needs to be more organised as an independent sector in India. Currently, we have very few people representing it, this definitely needs to improve. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Spain, Kashmir or London.

Click here to read more Offbeat articles.