The films which inspired 7 Leading Women
Priya Choksi, Co-Founder of ThinkPhi, a clean technology startup
“Growing up my favourite was a French feel-good film called ‘Amelie’. The movie depicts Parisian life through the story of a creative and purposeful girl after whom the movie is named. In spite of being a cautious and shy girl, she takes up the challenge to change the lives of those around her for the better while battling her own struggles in life. The movie was inspiring to me because it made me believe that there is beauty in eccentricity. It also makes you realise that making others happy, makes you happy.”
Aditi Balbir, Founder and CEO of V Resorts
“’Sound of Music’ (1965) has stayed with me the longest because it showed that you can sing your troubles away. Lines from the movie, such as, ‘When the Lord closes the door, he opens a window,’ or ‘These walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live,’ are etched in my mind, because they talk of courage and they talk of will and the need to live a fulfilling life, without glossing over troubles, but overcoming them, that too joyfully. That, to me, sums up life.”
Jacqueline Kapur, co-founder of Ayesha accessories
“I cannot pick one because there are so many but if I have to narrow it down, the list would include the following, Wim Wenders’ ‘Paris, Texas’ (1984) for its camerawork, story and Nastassja Kinski’s performance. Then there is ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976) starring Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster; a movie I’ll never forget. And of course ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, which I feel is Jack Nickolson’s best performance. Watching the 1970s cult film ‘Harold and Maude’ was a Sunday morning ritual. I loved the quirkiness, Cat Stevens’ music and the fact that it was always showing in a ‘secret’ movie hall. But one of the highlights of my youth was definitely watching John Travolta’s ‘Grease’. I recently watched it again and it still made me happy. Just listening to the music makes me feel young again!”
Natasha Jain, fashion designer
“’The Lion King’ was and remains one of my most favourite movies. It taught me so much about different emotions and how to deal with them. But most of all, the lesson learnt was that deep inside we are all very powerful and can accomplish great things no matter how big or small we are. All we need is to realise that ‘Yes, I can do it’ and all our fears will be conquered.”
Anika Parashar, COO of Fortis La Femme
“’Pretty Woman’ (1990) is a light romantic movie, which is why I love it, but it is inspiring as well. It shows that even the most unlikely situations can happen if one truly believes they will. If one believes they are worthy of something, dreams can indeed come true.”
Revathi Kulkarni Roy, Co-Founder of Hey Deedee
“My favorite movie is ‘My Fair Lady’. The evolution of Eliza’s character is fascinating to say the least. It has left a lasting impression that nothing is impossible. I learnt that you can make the impossible happen if you put your mind to it. That if you have the grit and determination to succeed like the movie then you can succeed.”
Nawaz Modi Singhania, health and fitness instructor, founder of Body Art
“One of my favourite movies is ‘Roots’. It is about racism and the way things actually went down in America and how slavery was eventually abolished. It inspired me because it was about the human spirit fighting against all odds and eventually overcoming it all. Then, of course, there is ‘Gone with the Wind’. There is something about the characters of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. She was so beautiful and gorgeous and she used it to the hilt. And he was such a gentleman, so well put together and refined. It was such a classic and so beautifully set and entrenched in American culture and their space. It was also so gorgeously costumed! Of course the best part of it was right at the end when Rhett Butler walks away into the sunset, over Scarlett O’Hara’s infidelities and says well, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give damn.’ Which actually helps in quite a few situations in life, doesn’t it? It is good to have an attitude of that sort from time to time.”
Lakshmi Iyer, Chief Investment Officer (Debt) and Head Products, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management
“I cannot pick one single film that has stayed with me or inspired me as I’m a huge film buff. During college films like ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ and ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’ to ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ made an impact. Then there were more mature films like ‘Lamhe’, and the ones with strong female protagonists like ‘Astitva’ and ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, or women-centric one’s like the recent ‘Dangal’. All of these movies, even the popular ones, have small nuances that change how you view life.”
