Insights and inspiration from icons at Goafest 2022
After a roaring start to day 1, day 2 of Goafest 2022 was packed with insightful sessions and seminars. From the Knowledge Seminars by MX Player and Disney Star to the Leadership Summit by Times Network, we witnessed eminent experts across industries sharing their insights on topics that truly hold value in the current scenario. Here are some highlights of the sessions that would undoubtedly leave you inspired.
The day kickstarted with a power-packed session with PV Sindhu, India’’s No.1 Badminton Player & Two-Time Olympic Medal Winner, in conversation with Sameer Kochchar, TV Presenter, Actor, and Anchor. PV Sindhu discussed the factors that steered her in the direction of badminton and led to her success as the best player in the country. While she credited her parents for inculcating in her the virtues of dedication and commitment and for shaping her as a player; she also highlighted the importance of setting realistic short-term goals. If there’s one thing we all should take away from this session, it should be how consistent PV Sindhu has been in her performance to date and how she aims to ensure that it remains the same.
The conversation then steered towards the topic of brand endorsements and what she keeps in mind while deciding on her brand associations. In her opinion, what a brand stands for, its values, and its mission- are some key factors that one needs to understand before associating with it.
Her value-driven approach towards her profession and life, in general, is indeed commendable!
The second session on ‘OTT Superpower – Freedom and Nuances of Creativity’, witnessed an insightful conversation between artists Vikrant Massey and Ali Fazal, and Gautam Talwar, Chief Content Officer, MX Player. The session was moderated by Atika Farooqui, Anchor, and Creative Director. Ali Fazal talked about how it has allowed him to connect with his fans and audiences in an entirely different manner. He discussed how OTT gives makers the opportunity to tell original stories and to the audiences, it gives the opportunity to watch what they want and opt for newer things.
In line with the same thought, Gautam shared insights into how consumer behavior has changed drastically and how authenticity matters more to the new-age audience. He believes that OTT has democratized storytelling and consumption and this kind of storytelling has never been available before.
Furthermore, Vikrant Massey emphasized on how OTT and cinemas are extensions of real life, and this space has changed the way we appreciate actors. In his opinion, while OTT gives creators the opportunity to explore their skills, it is still at a nascent stage and has a huge scope for growth.
The overall consensus was that OTT has completely changed the game and how it has disrupted the formula-based structure of theatrical releases, paving the way for further growth.
The second half of the day was equally exciting, as we got to be a part of the session that perhaps all the attendees at Goafest were waiting for! We witnessed the legendary cricketer, Kapil Dev engaging in a fascinating conversation with Charu Sharma, Sports Broadcaster & Entrepreneur.
The conversation began by addressing the overall theme of this year’s Goafest i.e. ‘‘The SuperPower Within’. Given the power of his presence and words, the topic was indeed perfect for Kapil Dev. He emphasized that in every scenario, there should be no shortage of effort, and his will to work harder and put in more effort to conquer challenges, left us all inspired. His examples touched the hearts of everyone in the room as he lead the statement with anecdotes from his childhood. And to the audience’s delight, he took the conversation forward by sharing some anecdotes of the Indian cricket team’s big win in 1983. His leadership skills have inspired millions of people across the world and rightly so! He emphasized the criticality of self-belief and discussed his style of leadership and how it affects his game.
Through this conversation, it was clear that being a leader and a team player, comes naturally to him as he talked about his love for the sport. Sheer passion, consistency, and proper planning are what he believes are the key to achieving success. His last piece of advice to the audience was to stick to one goal consistently and to work hard on it in order to ensure its fulfillment.
Next up, we had another inspiring session with SS Rajamouli- the Recipient of Padma Shri Award and maverick Indian filmmaker; and Anupam Kher- Award-Winning International actor, author & motivational speaker. The session was centered around the topic- ‘Bringing Alive – Colossal Creative Vision’ and encompassed conversations around ideation, creativity, and challenges.
Anupam Kher began the conversation with a pertinent question to SS Rajamouli, concerning his ideation process. SS Rajamouli explained how it’s always an ongoing process with no shortcuts and how he keeps thinking about it all the time.
He discussed what all is a part of the process when one needs to get an idea to the screen, and the challenges associated with it. He also emphasized that if a failure occurs due to the challenges, one needs to learn from it. Studying the failure and the factors behind it is the only way to correct the mistakes and move forward toward success. He also discussed the important role played by his family during his journey, especially that of his sister-in-law.
In tune with the same thought, Anupam Kher shared an anecdote about how his father taught him to look at failure as an event, and not as something that defines him- a statement that resonated with many.
The discussion also revolved around their beginnings in the industry and how retaining humility and happiness during adversities contributed to their well-being and made them stronger. The multiple anecdotes of defining moments from their journeys served as motivation and inspiration for all the attendees.
Agency Reporter published Goafest 2022 newsletter on all 3 days. Download to read here: