Nikhil Nanda on balancing personal and professional life

Actor-producer Nikhil Nanda, known not just for his work in the entertainment industry but also as an industrialist and fitness enthusiast, shares his insights on the age-old challenge of balancing personal and professional life. According to Nikhil, achieving this balance doesn’t require one to disrupt either aspect of life. Instead, it’s about managing time effectively to ensure that neither side is neglected.  Nikhil emphasizes the importance of time management in maintaining equilibrium between work and personal life. He explains, "Balancing work and personal life doesn't necessarily mean you need to have a disturbed personal or work life. It means you may not achieve or overachieve what you've set for yourself on either side, depending on which side is tilting." He acknowledges that there will always be a natural tilt towards one side—whether it's work or leisure. If you're investing more time in work, the scales will naturally lean towards your professional life; conversely, if you're spending more time on personal pursuits, financial gains might not be as significant.
However, Nikhil is quick to admit that finding this balance is no easy task. "It's much easier said than done," he says, pointing out that everyone faces their own unique set of challenges. He believes that we often only see the brighter side of others' lives, which can create the illusion that their lives are more balanced or easier. "The grass always looks greener on the other side because we only see the good parts of someone else's life. But they have their own challenges, just like we do."
Nikhil's perspective is a reminder that balance is subjective and personal. It's about making conscious choices, understanding the trade-offs, and accepting that occasional imbalances are part of the journey. The key, according to Nikhil, lies in being realistic and acknowledging that perfection in balance is not always attainable—but striving for it is what matters.

Celebrities reminisce their Janmashtami stories

Gulfam Khan Hussain
Balgopal... The beautiful face, the innocent eyes, and a mouthful of stolen butter... The image is simply enchanting. It's one of my most cherished memories. Growing up, we had neighbors from Uttar Pradesh, and the Panditji who visited their house would tell us childhood stories of Sri Krishna. I love the festive atmosphere, the positivity, and the lights. I usually visit the ISKCON Temple and the Radha Krishna Temple on Veera Desai Road.
Rinku Ghosh
The day is considered spiritually significant as Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated to honor his divine mission of eradicating evil and establishing dharma. As a child, and even today, we observe a fast until midnight, the time Krishna was born according to Hindu scriptures. We used to make a palna (cradle) for Nandlal (a loving name for baby Krishna) and prepare sweets or kheer for him. The next day, we celebrate Dahi Handi, a joyous occasion marking Krishna's birth, by forming human pyramids or tall human towers to break the handi, symbolizing the pot of butter. As a child, I remember that the day before Janmashtami, boys would dress up as Krishna, and girls would dress up as Radha and go to school. My 9-year-old niece does the same today.
Hansa Singh
The best celebration I have witnessed as a child remains so fresh in my mind, and I wish to recreate it all on Janmashtami. My family hails from Mathura, and it’s all about Krishna, our beloved Laddu Gopal. We would stitch new clothes for him, decorate his jhoola (swing), and prepare all the delicacies with prasad of "Panjiri," as we say, pakka khana: poori, sabzi, Raita, and kheer... sigh. At midnight, we would all sit together and perform pooja to celebrate the birth of our Laddu Gopal, followed by a night filled with bhajans. This year, I will be with my family, so I will feel the same warmth and camaraderie, asking for his blessings as always.
Sherleen Dutt
As a child, Janmashtami was a day of excitement and joy. I loved helping my family decorate the puja room with flowers, rangolis, and little idols of Lord Krishna. Dressing up as Radha or Krishna, and participating in the Dahi Handi event, where we formed human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, were highlights of the day. The celebrations ended with a special feast of Krishna's favorite dishes prepared by my mother. As I've grown older, Janmashtami has become more intimate, often celebrated with close family or on my own. While the grand communal aspect has faded, the day remains special for reflection and reconnecting with my spiritual side. Despite the fast pace of modern life, these festivals still hold great relevance, reminding us to pause and focus on what truly matters.
Aadesh Chaudhary
As a child, Janmashtami was a day filled with joy and anticipation. I remember waking up early to help decorate the house with flowers, small idols of Lord Krishna, and tiny footprints symbolizing Krishna's walk into our home. The highlight was participating in the midnight celebrations, where we sang bhajans, performed aarti, and broke the Dahi Handi, which was always a fun and spirited event. Regarding the relevance of festivals like Janmashtami in today’s busy world, I believe they still hold great importance. They offer a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with our cultural roots. While the way we celebrate may evolve, the values and teachings associated with these festivals continue to provide meaning and a sense of community. In a fast-paced world, these traditions remind us to slow down and appreciate the spiritual aspects of life.
Shubhangi Atre
One of my most cherished childhood memories is the Janmashtami celebration. My mother would dress me as Radha for my school’s Dahi Kala celebration in Indore. My father would take me to the famous Laxminarayan temple, also known as the Birla Temple or Krishna Parnami Temple, where the festival is celebrated on a grand scale for blessings. At home, we would paint tiny baby footprints on the floor to symbolize Baal Krishna's steps. We would stay awake until midnight for the aarti and enjoy special sweets like makhan mishri, lauki ki barfi, makhana kheer, and many more, all lovingly prepared by my mother and grandmother to offer to Lord Krishna. My only wish for everyone this Janmashtami is that Lord Krishna brings happiness and peace to everyone’s life.
Manmohan Tiwari
I am from Rishikesh; I was born there. Rishikesh is a divine land where every festival, whether related to Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu, or Lord Shiva, is celebrated on a grand scale. I was born in a temple, and my grandfather was the head priest. Our temple had special displays, and during my childhood, I often played the role of Lord Krishna, while my siblings took on various other roles. We have very fond memories of those times, and we always tried to quickly visit other temples to see their displays before participating on our own. Whenever we portrayed Lord Krishna or other children, we didn't get the chance to see the displays at other temples because each temple had its own activities and events going on. There were always some wonderful displays and happenings. We used to go barefoot, as we didn’t wear slippers in Rishikesh during those days. These memories are excellent and connected us with our friends. All the friends and siblings would gather together to celebrate Janmashtami. At midnight, we would make an offering of panjiri, which we would then eat. These are beautiful memories. I believe that these days, many festivals are celebrated on Instagram, but I feel relieved that our devotion and faith haven’t diminished. Even if we go to the temple to take photos or make vlogs, I believe that God has created these mediums. Every medium is created by Him, so if, for any reason, we stay close to God, worship Him, meditate, and remember Him, I consider all these reasons to be good.
Shivangi Verma
As a child, Janmashtami was always a day filled with excitement and joy. We would set up a small cradle for baby Krishna and stay up late to celebrate his birth at midnight with bhajans and sweets. Being born on Janmashtami makes the day even more special for me—haha, my birthday and the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth add an extra layer of meaning. Even though our lives have become busier, I believe these festivals are still incredibly special. They bring us back to our roots, reminding us of the values and stories that shape our culture.
Rushad Rana
I have never really celebrated Janmashtami, but I don’t think the relevance of festivals is diminishing in our country. In fact, our country thrives on our festivals, and it will continue to do so. We should never lose touch with our roots, culture, and traditions, as they are what make India what it is.

Padma Shri Kailash Kher channels divine inspiration with the release of "Hey Kanha Hey Gopala" 

In a divine confluence of music and spirituality, the illustrious Padma Shri Kailash Kher is set to grace the world with his latest devotional masterpiece, "Hey Kanha Hey Gopala." This soul-stirring track, a heartfelt homage to Lord Krishna, will resonate across all major streaming platforms on the revered occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. "Hey, Kanha Hey Gopala" is a profound musical offering that immerses listeners in he serene and sacred realms of devotion. Kailash Kher's evocative voice, coupled with the delicate symphony of keys, flute, and synthesizer, weaves an intricate soundscape that is at once soothing and spiritually elevating. The composition gracefully ascends to a majestic crescendo, encapsulating the deeply spiritual odyssey of love and devotion, leaving the listener with a sense of divine fulfilment.

*Reflecting on the creative muse behind this celestial composition, Padma Shri Kailash Kher shares* _“Bhagwan Krishna embodies love, beauty, and happiness, all of which are reasons to celebrate. Celebration is at the heart of festivals, and in essence, Bhagwan Krishna's teachings remind us that life itself is a celebration. Bharat, the land of festivals, is where this spirit thrives. Let’s come together this Janmashtami to celebrate with 'Hey Kanha Hey Gopala.'” Enhancing the ethereal experience of the song is a visually breathtaking music video that reinterprets the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna with a contemporary twist. In a daring and imaginative portrayal, Lord Krishna is envisioned in a modern, Michael Jackson-inspired avatar, while Radha retains her timeless traditional elegance. Their dance, a sublime fusion of classical and modern expressions, breathes life into the eternal narrative, creating a visually stunning tableau that transcends time and tradition. The music video features the viral Internet sensation and Michael Jackson-style dancer Baba Jackson, along with Sanaya Shiva, a talented student from KKALADHAM (Kailash Kher Academy for Learning Art). The video has been expertly directed by the reputed choreographer and director Swarupraj Medara.

Aadesh Chaudhary: The actor who embraces his craft with humility and passion

Aadesh Chaudhary, who has been part of "Diya Aur Baati Hum", "Laal Ishq", "Doli Armaanon Ki", "Maitre" is  known for his versatility and dedication to his craft. In a recent interview, Aadesh shared his approach to acting, his experiences on set, and his thoughts on the industry. He emphasized the importance of continuous practice and improvement, stating, "I keep practicing with any scripts I have because I want to get better at what I do." He also highlighted the value of staying relaxed and focused, saying, "I don't worry too much about the details or overthink things; instead, I just go with the flow and take things as they come." The actor recently showcased his multifaceted talent by writing, directing, and producing his music video, "Love Zalay Tuzyavari." When asked about his experience, Aadesh said, "Whenever I'm not acting, I'm always busy doing something creative, like working on different projects."
He also spoke about the importance of a positive work environment, saying, "We have a good time on set, and the atmosphere is always positive. We make sure to enjoy our work and have fun while doing it." The actor, who has worked on shows like "Crime Patrol," acknowledged the stress that comes with the job but emphasized the importance of learning to manage pressure. "An actor's strength lies in their ability to deeply feel the emotions of different characters," he said.
The actor's humility and gratitude were evident when he said, "I wanted to do more work, but it's important to be happy with what you already have. It's good to appreciate what you have achieved, even if you still have more goals." When asked about the importance of TRP ratings, Aadesh admitted, "Every actor pays attention to the TRP ratings for their shows. We all want to see how well our work is doing and how many people are watching." The actor concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and feedback, saying, "There is always room to improve, no matter what. Getting feedback is important."