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From Rekha to Sobhita Dhulipala: Celebrities Amplified Self-Care Standards at the GlobalSpa Awards 2023

September 25, 2023

Mumbai: The GlobalSpa Awards, the most exhilarating event in the wellness calendar, took place on 13th September 2023 at St. Regis Mumbai. The event brought together key leaders from the spa, wellness, and hospitality industry. The evening also welcomed renowned celebrities from Bollywood, sports, fashion, and music, adding a touch of glamour and popularity. Now in its fifth edition, the primary goal of the GlobalSpa Awards is to champion exceptional standards and foster a deeper connection between spa aficionados and top-tier wellness establishments.

Parineeta Sethi, Chief Editor, GlobalSpa India & Middle East, expressed, “At the GlobalSpa Awards, we are dedicated to honouring and celebrating those who tirelessly work to uplift the standards of well-being, and these awards are a testament to their commitment and innovation.”

Hosted by Kubbra Sait, this year’s extravagant gathering witnessed prominent celebrities such as Rekha, Sobhita Dhulipala, Raashii Khanna, Manushi Chhillar, Vaani Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurrana, Radhika Madan, Saiyami Kher, Angad Bedi, Manish Malhotra, Babil Khan, Maniesh Paul, Randeep Hooda, Sania Mirza, and many others. Their presence on the red carpet added an exceptional sparkle to the event.

These luminaries not only added glitz and glamour, but they also played roles as presenters and recipients of awards across various categories, encompassing the best destination spa, best salon, best vegan beauty brand, best hotel spa, and more. This year’s event raised the bar with expanded choices, innovative technology, sustainability initiatives, and a commitment to inclusivity, highlighting the importance of self-care while featuring renowned celebrities.

The partnering brands shared their experience of a successful collaboration with the GlobalSpa Awards 2023.

Congratulating the team on the memorable event, Christine Mukherjee, Country Head, Austria National Tourism Office, said, “I have heard nothing but praise from all who attended the award function. The presenter was well prepared and the function was well attended by many superstars from various industries. The team did a superb job on the social media coverage of the GlobalSpa Award.”

Arlisya Murninda, Marketing & Communications Manager, ELE|NA, said, “I had the distinct honour of representing ELE|NA as Wellness Partner at the prestigious GlobalSpa Awards. It was a vibrant celebration, from its impeccable organisation to its star-studded guest list. It served as a beacon of excellence in the pursuit of conscious living and sustainable wellness, leaving a lasting impression on all fortunate enough to participate in this extraordinary event.”

“As the Knowledge Partner for this year’s awards, our role was to develop a process that was fair, subjective, transparent, and inclusive. We received an overwhelming response from all the participants,” says Monish Chatrath, Managing Partner, MGC Global.

GlobalSpa Awards 2023: The Complete List of Winners

GlobalSpa Eternal Icon: Rekha
GlobalSpa Fitness Icon: Vaani Kapoor
GlobalSpa Sports Trailblazer: Sania Mirza
GlobalSpa Versatile Performer of the Year: Sobhita Dhulipala
GlobalSpa Impactful Performer of the Year: Aparshakti Khurana
GlobalSpa Fitness Ground-breaker: Randeep Hooda
GlobalSpa On-Screen Sport Inspiration: Saiyami Kher
GlobalSpa Multi-Faceted Fitness Icon: Angad Bedi
Global Couture Visionary of the Year: Manish Malhotra
GlobalSpa Rising Star of the Year (Female): Radhika Madan
GlobalSpa Rising Star of the Year (Male): Babil Khan
GlobalSpa Stellar Performer of the Year: Raashii Khanna
GlobalSpa Woman of Substance: Manushi Chhillar
GlobalSpa Ace Performer of the Year: Maniesh Paul
Best Resort Spa : Ananta Spa & Resort Pushkar and Alila Diwa Goa
Spa Manager of the Year: Lalnun Mawii – Pullman New Delhi Aerocity and Nilesh R. Kantak – The Leela Mumbai
Best Destination Spa: Raffles Udaipur and Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi
Most Luxurious Spa Hotel: Andaz Spa, Andaz Delhi and CHI, The Spa – Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru.
Most Luxurious Spa Retreat: Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters and Beyond, Kumarakom
Most Luxurious Spa Resort: Santata Spa, Grand Hyatt Kochi, Bolgatty and The Spa, The Leela Palace Jaipur
Best Hotel Spa:

North: Ruhab Spa, Fairmont Jaipur and R The Spa, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi
South: The Ritz Carlton Spa, The Ritz Carlton, Bangalore and Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa, ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad.
West: J Wellness Circle, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and AWAY Spa, W Goa
East: MAYFAIR Spa Resort & Casino, Gangtok

Best Spa Product- Anti Ageing (Global): Hyalu- Procollagene, THALGO
Best Spa Product (Global): Dermalogica – Power Bright Dark Spot Serum
Most Luxurious Spa Treatment: Vino Therapy, Conrad Bengaluru and Hot Stone Combination Therapy, Grand Hyatt Mumbai
Most Luxurious Spa New (Day): SORIN Spa, IOSIS Spa & Wellness pvt ltd
Most Luxurious Spa (Day): CINQTUAIR, The Claridges Delhi and Aura Spa, The Park Indore
Best Spa for Beauty Treatments: CHI, The Spa- Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi
Most Environmentally Inclined Spa: The Earth Spa, Grape County Eco Resort & Spa
Best Wellness Cuisine: Six Senses Vana, Uttarakhand and Viveda Wellness Resort
Best Ayurvedic Wellness Spa: Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Kerala and Rejuve, The Spa, The LaLit Bekal
Best Holistic Wellness Retreat: Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas and AMAL Tamara, Mannanchery, Kerala
Best Day Spa: Sawadhee Traditional Thai Spa, Delhi
Best Spa Interiors (Day): The Spa, The Leela Palace, New Delhi
Spa Therapist of the Year: Lalrodingi Chhakchhuak, Conrad Pune
Best New Resort Spa: Ksema by Mulberry Shades, Bengaluru and Heavenly Spa by Westin, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas
Best New Hotel Spa: Spa by JW, JW Marriott Goa
Best Spa Interiors Hotel: Rejuve The Spa, The LaLit Chandigarh
Best Spalon Chain: Jean-Claude Biguine and IOSIS Wellness
Best Spalon (Standalone): LEVO Spalon, Gurgaon
Best Spalon Hotel: JW Hair Studio, JW Marriott Bengaluru
Best Spa Product – Anti Ageing Line (India): Anti-Ageing Serum, Biosol
Best Spa Product- Natural Line: Shankara Kumkumadi Oil
Best Product for Hair Nourishment: Shankara Nourishing Hair & Scalp Oil
Best Indian Spa Product: Tishya by The Leela
Favourite Spa Hotel – Global: JW Marriott Mauritius Resort
Favourite Spa Resort – India: Shine Spa – Sheraton Grand Resort & Spa, Chennai
Favourite Spa Resort – Global: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Favourite Spa Brand – India: JIVA Spa by Taj
Favourite Spa Brand – Global: ELE|NA The Spa
Favourite Wellness Destination – Oceania: Fiji
Favourite Wellness Destination – America: California
Urban Wellness Destination: Singapore
Favourite Wellness Destination – Asia: Thailand
Favourite Wellness Destination – Africa: South Africa
Favourite Wellness Destination – Upcoming: Jamaica
Favourite Wellness Destination – Europe: Austria
Favourite Wellness Destination – Middle East: AlUla, Suadi Arabia
Favourite Eco Spa – Global: Soneva Soul
Favourite Honeymoon Spa of the Year – Global: Jumeirah Bali
Favourite Salon: LOOKS Prive
Favourite Spa – India

South: Antahpura Spa, Park Hyatt Chennai
North: Quan Spa, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity
West: Iridium Spa, The St. Regis Mumbai

Favourite Honeymoon Spa of the Year – India: Raffles Udaipur
Favourite Sustainable Destination: Bhutan
Favourite Organic Brand: Juicy Chemistry
Conscious Estate Brand: Lodha
Vegan Beauty Brand: Kimirica
Ayurvedic Wellness Retreat – India: NAAD Wellness
Medical Wellness Retreat – Global: Chiva Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand
Homegrown Beauty Brand: MyGlamm
Best Wellness Club: DISCOVER Collection Club New Delhi

Lifestyle

Manisha Ranawat’s Birthday Revelations: A Filmmaker’s Dream Come True

September 4, 2023

As the calendar flips to September, it’s not just another day for the vibrant filmmaker, Manisha Ranawat. The industry’s youngest and most colourful talent is all set to celebrate her 29th birthday on September 4, and you can bet it’s not going to be an ordinary affair. Birthdays are when dreams come alive, and Manisha Ranawat has a bucket list filled with dreams that are set to dazzle the world.

One of India’s most dynamic filmmakers, Manisha, envisions a celebration like no other. She is determined to bring iconic Sushmita Sen – in a way that’s bound to rewrite the rules of cinema. It’s not just a collaboration; it’s a creative collision that promises to be a historic journey, showcasing the best of two remarkable individuals.

At the very top of Manisha’s bucket list is the dream of taking Sushmita Sen on board for a film that will not just resonate but also triumph. Winning a national award for this collaboration is the pinnacle of her ambitions. It’s a dream so profound that it’s destined to touch the hearts of audiences nationwide and secure a well-deserved National Award.

Manisha Ranawat is a force to be reckoned with, and her journey to this point is nothing short of inspiring. After completing her filmmaking education in Pune in 2015, she embarked on her path by interning with Four Line Productions, contributing to the immensely popular show ‘Qubool Hai’. It wasn’t long before she made her directorial debut as an assistant director, setting the stage for her ascent in the film world.

But Manisha didn’t stop there. She took a giant leap by launching her own production company, MD International, early in her career. Her conviction and belief in her craft paid off handsomely as her production house churned out one path-breaking content piece after another, leaving an indelible mark in the industry.

Now, Manisha Ranawat is gearing up for the grand release of her feature film ‘Jahaan’. This isn’t just another love story; it’s a love story with a twist, promising a cinematic experience like no other. The film’s narrative, coupled with groundbreaking technological innovations, guarantees that viewers will be treated to something truly extraordinary. And the music? Expect nothing less than greatness. In a cinematic first, a single song has been choreographed by not one, not two, but five choreographers. ‘Jahaan’ is poised to captivate and surprise its audience in equal measure.

But Manisha isn’t just about filmmaking; she’s also about making a difference. She’s a trustee of the First Humanity Foundation, an organization dedicated to philanthropic activities for the underprivileged. From building schools to constructing hospitals, this organization has been a beacon of hope for those who struggle to meet their basic needs. And as a filmmaker, Manisha is committed to telling stories that have a positive impact on society.

Manisha Ranawat’s birthday is not just a celebration; it’s a glimpse into the dreams and aspirations of a young filmmaker who is poised to make history. With her bucket list in hand and her passion as her compass, Manisha is blazing a trail that will leave an indelible mark on the world of Indian cinema. Happy birthday, Manisha – here’s to turning dreams into reality!

Entertainment

Karan Johar’s Thriller Film “Kill” Set to Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival

August 4, 2023

India’s acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar is set to make his mark on the international stage once again with his latest production, “Kill,” which is scheduled to premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival, renowned for showcasing exceptional films from around the globe, will serve as a platform for Johar’s gripping thriller that has already generated significant anticipation among audiences and critics alike.

“Kill” brings together an ensemble of stellar talent, with the esteemed Bollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan, taking the lead role. This collaboration between Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan marks their first partnership in over five years, further heightening the excitement surrounding the project. The duo has delivered multiple blockbuster hits in the past, making this reunion one of the most anticipated events in the Indian film industry.

The film’s plot remains shrouded in mystery, but industry insiders reveal that it will delve into intense and thought-provoking themes. Set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis, “Kill” promises to keep the audience at the edge of their seats with its gripping narrative, unpredictable twists, and nuanced character portrayals.

Johar’s production house, Dharma Productions, is renowned for its exceptional storytelling and high-production values, ensuring that “Kill” will offer a visual treat for cinephiles. The film boasts a stellar creative team, including award-winning cinematographer Ravi Varman and acclaimed music composer Pritam, who have collaborated to craft a captivating cinematic experience.

With its world premiere at TIFF, “Kill” is expected to draw substantial attention from global audiences and film enthusiasts. This marks another milestone for Indian cinema’s growing influence on the international stage, as filmmakers like Karan Johar continue to showcase the depth and diversity of Indian storytelling to a broader audience.

Karan Johar expressed his excitement about the film’s premiere, stating, “I am thrilled and honored to have ‘Kill’ selected for TIFF. It is a project that is close to my heart, and I believe it will resonate with audiences worldwide. Working with Shah Rukh Khan once again has been a delight, and we can’t wait for the world to experience the world of ‘Kill’.”

TIFF’s artistic director, Cameron Bailey, praised the selection of “Kill” for the festival, acknowledging Karan Johar’s significant contributions to Indian cinema and his ability to captivate audiences with his unique storytelling style.

As the anticipation grows, “Kill” is poised to leave an indelible mark at TIFF and is expected to have a successful global theatrical release following the festival. As the leading newspaper in India, we eagerly await the reactions from audiences and critics alike and wish Karan Johar and the entire team of “Kill” the best of luck on their international cinematic journey.

Note: Additional Facts

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, attracting a diverse range of filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts each year.
Karan Johar is a prolific filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter known for his work in various successful Bollywood films, including “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” and “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.”
Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as the “King of Bollywood,” is one of India’s most renowned actors, with a massive global fan following. His collaboration with Karan Johar has resulted in iconic films such as “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” and “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.”
Dharma Productions, founded by Karan Johar, is a prominent production house in the Indian film industry, known for producing successful and critically acclaimed films.
The selection of “Kill” at TIFF highlights the growing recognition of Indian cinema on the international stage and showcases the increasing appeal of Indian films to a global audience.

Entertainment

Jeet Rajpurohit: How a Boy From Modasa Made It Big As a Rapper And Actor

December 21, 2022

Modasa is a small town in Gujarat that many might not have heard of. However, the town is now recognized for being the birthplace of Jeet Rajpurohit, a young man who has made a mark with his talent as a rapper and actor on several national platforms. A couple of years back, Jeet realized got drawn to hip-hop music and rap and that led him towards exploring the artist within himself. While many would believe being in a small town would have made certain things inaccessible to an artist like him, Jeet thinks otherwise.

Talking about the same, he says, “Being from a small town like Modasa was my strength and not weakness. I had my family and friends around me who supported me in everything I wanted to. Also, in today’s times, when the internet is available to everybody, nothing is inaccessible. A few years back, a friend of mine showed me a video of a hip hop artist and I was hooked. Introduction to hip hop music changed my life completely. I always thought I had a lot of things to say and express but didn’t know how to. I became a rapper and that was the most liberating thing for me ever.”

Jeet believes every artist has multiple facets and they must try to explore each of them. Apart from being a well-known rapper, Jeet is an accomplished actor as well. He also has a YouTube channel on which he uploads short films, original music and cover versions of several popular tracks. All the music Jeet has created can be heard on all the leading audio streaming platforms as well. Some of the most acclaimed short films in which he has acted are ‘Ustara’, ‘No Parking’ and ‘Chai-Chai’. Jeet has also been a part of several popular advertising campaigns including one with Roadies fame Prince Narula.

“Bollywood is the next destination for me. I want to do films both as a rapper and an actor. I feel an artist should not be bound by any limits or restrictions. My motherland has given me a lot and I want to represent India on an international platform. Divine and Kr$na have been two of my biggest inspirations. Having said that, every artist has their own journey and I have mine too. I guess what makes me different from others in this space is that I have worked equally hard towards honing my skills as a rapper and actor”, says the 25-year-old.

Being from Gujarat, Jeet has a sharp entrepreneurial mind as well. Currently based in Bengaluru, a city which is said to be the hub of start-ups and entrepreneurs, Jeet owns multiple businesses that are driven by his interest in innovation. He also runs a production house which works towards producing content that is rooted and original. ‘Toll Plaza’, a short film which he recently wrapped upshot for, is slated to release on Disney+ Hotstar and MX Player soon.

Entertainment

Dancing a fine line: women in Bollywood

August 5, 2022

The position of female performers in Bollywood films’ big dance numbers is the focus of new research at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Bollywood is a multi-million-dollar industry with huge cultural influence and popularity worldwide. Dr. Kooshna Gupta, Faculty of Arts, examined how the dance item in these movies became big business.

The ‘item dance’, one of the main musical numbers of the film usually performed by a female dancer, has become increasingly important for a film’s success. The role has changed over time, says Kooshna whose research covers films from 1988 to 2015.

She examined the characters played by female performers, focusing on the type of dance that is not related to the narrative but is more of an erotic display of women – just there for entertainment purposes. In other words, If you removed the song, the film would still make sense.

She found that the traditional item song, from as far back as the 1950s, used to be performed by actresses who were often newcomers rather than established performers. They were never the heroine of the film, but rather the ‘vamp’ who could be seen drinking, smoking and being openly sexual in ways the heroine couldn’t.

“Because it wasn’t seen as acceptable in Indian society for the heroine to dance or be presented in such a provocative way in a public space,” she says.

These actresses could become an instant success, so the item song was seen as a gateway to popularity. There were some movies which would have been a big flop, but the item song saved the film which of course gave these female performers some power.

This started the process of film companies spending serious money on the production of that one song because selling the rights to TV channels represented around 50 percent of their profits.

Leading actresses, known for their other more ‘serious’ work like Priyanka Chopra, starting to perform these songs, which in turn increased the film’s budget, as they had to be paid more.

Add to that the cost of hundreds of people working behind the scenes – as musical directors, composers, choreographers, dancers, set designers, wardrobe, special effects and lighting – and the item song has become very big business.

Kooshna says there’s long been a paradox between the agency of the item dance performer and her power to earn money and fame, and the way she is achieving it; by performing in hyper-sexualised dances that objectify her for a largely male audience and create an unrealistic image of the ‘perfect woman’.

“We’re always going to have this tension between agency and subjectivity, but if you look at actresses in Bollywood, they have gained something; it’s a space, one place, where they are dominating, making a lot of money and becoming famous.”

However, with increasing attention to rape and violence against women in India and the Nirbhaya case in 2012, several feminist movements and humanitarian organisations pushed for a ban on item songs.

As a result, Kooshna says the censor did at one point ban the songs from TV, but you still have YouTube channels playing 24 hours a day.

However, the fact that these performers are now considered professionals, like any other professional, is progress, she believes.

“So, you can be in a serious film or a Bollywood film and cross genres as a female performer in India now. There’s a kind of flexibility to switch roles, from being a heroine to an ‘item girl’. I think that’s a positive thing.”

This is Kooshna’s second PhD. She first combined her interest in linguistics and the Indian socio-cultural context by focusing on code-mixing in Bollywood films (2009-2014). Code-mixing is a linguistic term that refers to the use of more than one language, in this case Hindi and English, in the course of a single conversation or written text.

Entertainment

‘Code Name Abdul’ actor Ashok Chaudhary calls Bollywood a tough game

December 23, 2021

Ashok Chaudhary who plays the role of RAW agent Stalin in ‘Code Name Abdul’ hit theatres recently. This Film and Television Institute of India graduate who has featured in popular Indian soaps, ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ and ‘Kkavyanjali’ discusses how he landed the role in the film. In an industry that’d riddled with allegations of nepotism, Chaudhry says he got it fair and square. “Multiple auditions later, I got the part,” he tells us.

Admitting that it was a tough one, he calls this serendipity. “I had auditioned for a small part but the director called me after a week and asked me to tape a scene from, ‘The Prisoners.’ I locked myself in the basement of my house and taped it. Once I sent it, the director asked me to tape the scenes for the roles of two different RAW agents in the film. I was told that I was in, but the role that I would be playing wasn’t revealed to me. When I met the director at his home he asked me which role I liked the best and I said that I was keen of playing the role of RAW agent Stalin for which I had not auditioned. The director immediately offered the role to me. It is not fair to say that merit has no place. But as a young actor aiming for big stuff here, I know I have to be relentless and persistent to land parts. This is just the beginning.”

The film stars Tanishaa Mukerji in the lead and talking about his experience of working with the actress, Ashok says, “Initially I was nervous about sharing screen space with Tanishaa because she is from an illustrious family. Working with her was fascinating because she has mastered her craft. She would do the same scene ten times and give ten different variations. And she knew which version was working. I haven’t developed that skill as yet. She is a wonderful collaborator on set.”

Other projects in this method actor’s kitty include Payal Kapadia’s untitled film, in which he essays the role of a weather forecaster from the 1970s, British film ‘Ascendancy’ and Hindi film ‘Rom Kom’ in which he will be essaying the role of an actor.