Ten Straight Questions for Real Achievers in society: Vishal Salhotra

Name- Vishal Salhotra

Designation- M.D, V2 Motion Pictures (P) Ltd & TBI Online (P) Ltd

Describe your journey as a media professional?

My journey has been a roller coaster ride. I have experienced a fair share of ups and downs in my career. 15 years ago when I first got introduced to this industry, my feelings were nothing, but that of sheer excitement and euphoria. I thought it will transform me from someone average to the most recognizable face in the country. How naive I was? Not very late when I realized MEDIA is not for the one in it…it is for those who follow it. Thus I chose to become the follower. This opened up window to the real world as it exists, and not being told. It provided me an insight to many key aspects of life and I explored the real sense of Media Person. I have worked with most of the fine houses in Television Media, yet to decide who is best among the rest. My career journey started form ESPN in the year 2000 as Video Editor. Thereafter I have worked with various media houses like Jain TV (India’s first private news channel), Total TV (Delhi & NCR’s first dedicated TV Channel), Janmat TV now called Live India, Star News now called ABP News, and later with NDTV Good Times where I was positioned as Senior Promotion Designer & Strategist. NDTV Good Times for sure has been a milestone in my career. I graduated from this organization to become one of them…I mean on the other side of the table. I am now on a new journey with an upgraded ticket. Today I own two media houses “V2 Motion Pictures (P) Ltd” a production company for Films and TV programs and “TBI Online (P) Ltd” an Online Media platform for Health & Lifestyle. I hope this journey never ends because this journey is fun!!!

Describe some of your accomplishments?

I believe any job finished error free, on time, achieving desired result is accomplished. If you concur then I have many accomplishments. One such accomplishment would be winning Promax BDA in 2013 for my company. It made me and the entire organization proud of my skills and has brought me many privileges. The other accomplishment that I could remember is very personal. In my difficult days when my spending was more than my earning, I was asked by my father to perform one of his duties on his behalf. It did not just require money but also a sizable amount of time which I did not have at all during those days. I worked in and out for 87 hours at a stretch for two different offices. In between, I sometime enjoyed my 5min power naps to get going. But eventually, I managed to earn some bucks and time to perform my duties on time and that too error free. My job was accomplished.

What are your parameters of success?

Success is a pursuit and not a destination. There are no such parameters that can measure success. I think it is very subjective to an individual. I believe I will never be a successful man because I will never reach my destination. I am on a never ending journey. What is your special message for the Youth Brigade? Let your heart be the compass and your mind be the map.

What are your parameters of happiness?

Again I do not have any parameters of happiness either. For me it is a
state that I attain very frequently. I love my life the way it is and
very happy in my own respect.

What role does Media play in the development of the nation? Yes Media
has a very important role in nation building exercise. Media is like a
gateway to any nation. Insiders can only know few about their own
country rest info come from Media only. Conventionally Print and TV,
but now Online Media has a very important role to play in the
development of a nation. In my opinion, Media holds the biggest power
to question to any government or individual for any act that is
against nation. This keeps many anti social acts under leash. People
trust media for bringing out the truth from the deepest core. It is a
power beyond powerful, it should be used responsibly.

What are the basic teachings that you give to your children?

I have a 5 year old daughter. The basics that I teach my daughter are to be sensible and responsible in her act. I know many would say she may be too young for this, but then these are her foundation years. If she learns now and start believing in it, she may not unlearn this for the rest of her life.

What lessons did you learn from your parents?

My parents are the coolest parents one can have. They are very happy people like me and I wish they remain happy forever. The one thing that I have learnt from them is to face this big world without any fear. They have made me learn to experience and analyze and never repeat the same mistake twice.

Your favorite books and authors?

Well I do not read much. I may have read only handful of books in my entire life so far other than academic books. If you insist me to remember, one book that I read during a train journey could fall in my favorite book category. It was titled “line beyond eyes” a life confession of a prostitute. Well frankly I do not remember the author nor do I remember if I still have it.

Your favorite sports and sports persons?

I am a true Indian and love Cricket. I am a die hard fan of Sir Sachin  Tendulkar and Captain Cool MS Dhoni. Both of them are also my  inspiration in more than one way.