Meet the SHEROES - Lakshmi Rebecca

Lakshmi Rebecca is a filmmaker and anchor and  owns Red Bangle, a film production house that’s made over 300 films including Ad Films, Corporate Films, Web Films and Animated Films.

Her debut online talk show, ‘Chai with Lakshmi’ has had over 30,00,000 views. The show features people positively shaping India for the future. She also has a second series on Youtube titled ‘India Ahead’, which is a short documentary series offering progressive Indians a platform to celebrate their efforts.

Lakshmi a self-confessed workaholic, when not at work or working at home, is found in the gym or is watching movies and eating popcorn, playing boardgames over tea, sipping single malt whisky and catching up with friends, riding motorbikes or driving long-distance, having lazy dinner dates and sipping a fine glass of sauvignon blanc. We talk to Lakshmi about her career and life -

Tell us more about yourself.

I was a lanky pimple-prone teenager at school who failed in almost every subject except language and arts. And I somehow managed to bloom in my twenties, when I went on to try modeling and anchoring. I didn't learn how to ride a bicycle until the age of 19, but was one of the first few women long-distance motorbike riders in India by the time I was 24. I've got an MSc in International Marketing from Sheffield Business School, and I got onto the programme without an undergraduate degree - thanks to perseverance. Today, I run India's first award-winning online talk show as well as an amazing little film production house, called Red Bangle. 

What was the inspiration behind getting into film-making?

Discovering the joy of creativity. Discovering at 30 that is what I really loved doing and all the career dots from the past finally lined up. And of course, when it comes to my talk show, it has been the joy of telling the stories of people who are doing some truly wonderful things for India and Indians. 

Marketing, modeling, social research, movies, anchoring, you have done quite a lot. What did you love doing the most and why?

I think, what I love doing the most is what I do now: film making. Here I bring together all those skills: marketing, research and more. (I've never been involved with movies.)

What is your channel Chai With Lakshmi all about?

An online talk show with over 3 million views, Chai with Lakshmi celebrates people and ideas positively shaping India for the future. It carries forth life stories and pursuits of project teams and individuals who are creating sustainable and inclusive change. It goes beyond a talk show and shows proof of work, using documentary-style filming.

Your message to all SHEROES out there. 

Celebrate your dreams. Persevere, and they'll come true in colours more brilliant that you imagined!