Shivani is an entrepreneur, TV host, marketer and social media influencer who covers a wide range of fashion, Bollywood and lifestyle related topics. From interviewing 250+ celebrities to featuring in commercials and billboard ad campaigns to driving influencer marketing strategy for brands, she has created a unique niche for herself. Documenting the behind the scenes of her life to empower diaspora, she strives to inspire others to achieve what she has achieved, ultimately increasing South Asian representation in mainstream media.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
It’s impossible to capture my journey in 5 sentences, but that’s what social media is there for! I’m a second generation Indian-American that grew up obsessed with entertainment, but never thought it was possible for me to enter and navigate this space! Through internships, work opportunities, taking countless risks and even moving to Mumbai for 2 years, I have paved a path as a TV host, model, entrepreneur, marketer and influencer. It’s been a road with many highs and many lows but a journey immensely fulfilling.
2. What are some of your favorite projects you have been a part of?
Interviewing Shah Rukh Khan, featuring in a commercial with Alia Bhatt, seeing myself on a billboard, acting in sketches with famous YouTubers, dancing alongside Shyam, creating content ranging from Indian fashion to social justice, the list is endless!
3. Who is your favorite creator and why?
Oooh how to choose just one! But I love Deepica Mutyala. Beyond fashion and makeup and skincare, she’s built a community driven business that gives hundreds of thousands of women the confidence to embrace their differences!
4. Tell us more about your Bollywood proposal in Paris?
It was truly out of a fairy-tale and the less I say is more! Shyam put his heart and soul into creating such a surreal memory and it’s a reflection of the kind of human being he is. Someone who will always go the extra mile!
5. What impact do you want to make in your industry?
I want to create thousands of jobs, I want second and third generation diaspora children to feel the confidence to pursue unconventional career paths, I want to provide more mentorship of how to navigate the entertainment industry and I want to encourage risk-taking and authenticity across the board!
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
Don’t make excuses. It’s too easy to play the blame game in creative career paths for the number of curve balls we are thrown, but it’s on us to consistently show up and walk the walk. There are going to be hundreds of lows in your journey and it’s how you handle those moments that will reflect how badly you want to achieve your goals!
Shivani Bafna
Interviewed By
Hari Chandanaa Kistipati
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