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

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

  1. GlobalSpa Eternal Icon: Rekha
  2. GlobalSpa Fitness Icon: Vaani Kapoor
  3. GlobalSpa Sports Trailblazer: Sania Mirza
  4. GlobalSpa Versatile Performer of the Year: Sobhita Dhulipala
  5. GlobalSpa Impactful Performer of the Year: Aparshakti Khurana
  6. GlobalSpa Fitness Ground-breaker: Randeep Hooda
  7. GlobalSpa On-Screen Sport Inspiration: Saiyami Kher
  8. GlobalSpa Multi-Faceted Fitness Icon: Angad Bedi
  9. Global Couture Visionary of the Year: Manish Malhotra
  10. GlobalSpa Rising Star of the Year (Female): Radhika Madan
  11. GlobalSpa Rising Star of the Year (Male): Babil Khan
  12. GlobalSpa Stellar Performer of the Year: Raashii Khanna
  13. GlobalSpa Woman of Substance: Manushi Chhillar
  14. GlobalSpa Ace Performer of the Year: Maniesh Paul
  15. Best Resort Spa       : Ananta Spa & Resort Pushkar and Alila Diwa Goa
  16. Spa Manager of the Year: Lalnun Mawii – Pullman New Delhi Aerocity and Nilesh R. Kantak – The Leela Mumbai
  17. Best Destination Spa: Raffles Udaipur and Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi
  18. Most Luxurious Spa Hotel: Andaz Spa, Andaz Delhi and CHI, The Spa – Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru.
  19. Most Luxurious Spa Retreat: Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters and Beyond, Kumarakom
  20. Most Luxurious Spa Resort: Santata Spa, Grand Hyatt Kochi, Bolgatty and The Spa, The Leela Palace Jaipur
  21. 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
  1. Best Spa Product- Anti Ageing (Global): Hyalu- Procollagene, THALGO
  2. Best Spa Product (Global): Dermalogica – Power Bright Dark Spot Serum
  3. Most Luxurious Spa Treatment: Vino Therapy, Conrad Bengaluru and Hot Stone Combination Therapy, Grand Hyatt Mumbai
  4. Most Luxurious Spa New (Day): SORIN Spa, IOSIS Spa & Wellness pvt ltd
  5. Most Luxurious Spa (Day): CINQTUAIR, The Claridges Delhi and Aura Spa, The Park Indore
  6. Best Spa for Beauty Treatments: CHI, The Spa- Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi
  7. Most Environmentally Inclined Spa: The Earth Spa, Grape County Eco Resort & Spa
  8. Best Wellness Cuisine: Six Senses Vana, Uttarakhand and Viveda Wellness Resort
  9. Best Ayurvedic Wellness Spa: Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Kerala and Rejuve, The Spa, The LaLit Bekal
  10. Best Holistic Wellness Retreat: Ananda Spa, Ananda in the Himalayas and AMAL Tamara, Mannanchery, Kerala
  11. Best Day Spa: Sawadhee Traditional Thai Spa, Delhi
  12. Best Spa Interiors (Day): The Spa, The Leela Palace, New Delhi
  13. Spa Therapist of the Year: Lalrodingi Chhakchhuak, Conrad Pune
  14. Best New Resort Spa: Ksema by Mulberry Shades, Bengaluru and Heavenly Spa by Westin, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas
  15. Best New Hotel Spa: Spa by JW, JW Marriott Goa
  16. Best Spa Interiors Hotel: Rejuve The Spa, The LaLit Chandigarh
  17. Best Spalon Chain: Jean-Claude Biguine and IOSIS Wellness
  18. Best Spalon (Standalone): LEVO Spalon, Gurgaon
  19. Best Spalon Hotel: JW Hair Studio, JW Marriott Bengaluru
  20. Best Spa Product – Anti Ageing Line (India): Anti-Ageing Serum, Biosol
  21. Best Spa Product- Natural Line: Shankara Kumkumadi Oil
  22. Best Product for Hair Nourishment: Shankara Nourishing Hair & Scalp Oil
  23. Best Indian Spa Product: Tishya by The Leela 
  24. Favourite Spa Hotel – Global: JW Marriott Mauritius Resort
  25. Favourite Spa Resort – India: Shine Spa –  Sheraton Grand Resort & Spa, Chennai
  26. Favourite Spa Resort – Global: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
  27. Favourite Spa Brand – India: JIVA Spa by Taj
  28. Favourite Spa Brand – Global: ELE|NA The Spa
  29. Favourite Wellness Destination – Oceania: Fiji
  30. Favourite Wellness Destination – America: California
  31. Urban Wellness Destination: Singapore
  32. Favourite Wellness Destination – Asia: Thailand
  33. Favourite Wellness Destination – Africa: South Africa
  34. Favourite Wellness Destination – Upcoming: Jamaica
  35. Favourite Wellness Destination – Europe: Austria
  36. Favourite Wellness Destination – Middle East: AlUla, Suadi Arabia
  37. Favourite Eco Spa – Global: Soneva Soul
  38. Favourite Honeymoon Spa of the Year – Global: Jumeirah Bali
  39. Favourite Salon: LOOKS Prive
  40. Favourite Spa – India
  • South: Antahpura Spa, Park Hyatt Chennai
  • North: Quan Spa, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity
  • West: Iridium Spa, The St. Regis Mumbai
  1. Favourite Honeymoon Spa of the Year – India: Raffles Udaipur
  2. Favourite Sustainable Destination: Bhutan
  3. Favourite Organic Brand: Juicy Chemistry
  4. Conscious Estate Brand: Lodha
  5. Vegan Beauty Brand: Kimirica
  6. Ayurvedic Wellness Retreat – India: NAAD Wellness
  7. Medical Wellness Retreat – Global: Chiva Som International Health Resort, Hua Hin, Thailand
  8. Homegrown Beauty Brand: MyGlamm
  9. Best Wellness Club: DISCOVER Collection Club New Delhi

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

Dancing a fine line: women in Bollywood

Dancing a fine line: women in Bollywood

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.

Magic of Bollywood at Tashkent International Film Festival

Recently concluded Tashkent International Film Festival witnessed participation from 15 countries including India, Italy, Russia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Israel, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Tajikistan, and Turkey, among others. The theme of this edition of the festival was ‘For Peace, Enlightenment, and Progress’. The festival has a great history where once upon a time Raj Kapoor used to be the show-stealer. India presented its culture and cinematography – “Days of Indian Cinema” on September 28-29.

Tashkent International Film Festival “Pearl of the Silk Road“ appointed Sarfaraz Alam as Head of The Indian Delegation. India and Indian stars are very popular in this region especially Mithun Chakraborty and Shahrukh Khan. The organisers had requested Mr. Sarfaraz Alam and his company Kartina Entertainment for bringing stars from Bollywood to create magic and glamour on the red carpet. On 28th September 2021 at the beautiful ‘Panorama’ hall in Tashkent Sarfaraz Alam walked the red carpet with celebrities like Mithun Chakraborty, Randhir Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Boman Irani, Huma Qureshi, Richa Chaddha, Aditi Rao Haidri, Dino Morea, Kunal Kapoor, and many more. With this star-studded Bollywood delegation,  the show became totally Indian. Mithun Chakraborty stole the show and still has the biggest fan following in this region. The Uzbeki fans were thankful to Sarfaraz Alam for bringing Mithun Chakraborty back to the country where he is a living legend.

On 29th September at the same venue Kartina Entertainment organised an Indian event with the participation of all the Indian delegation under the leadership of Sarfaraz where the Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mr. Manish Prabhat was also present. The most emotional part of the event was when Mr. Sarfaraz Alam presented a beautiful bust of Raj Kapoor to the Government of Uzbekistan and the statue was revealed by Mr. Randhir Kapoor and Mr. Mithun Chakraborty along with the minister of Uzbekistan Kino Mr. Firdaus Fridunovitch. Song from “Mera Naam Joker .. Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan “ in the background and the bust revealing was really a tear-shedding moment for the audience. Then the highlight of the event was when the audience started shouting Jimmy Jimmy and Sarfaraz Alam pulled Mithun Chakraborty on the stage to show some of his signature steps.

Sarfaraz Alam said “This festival gives a unique opportunity for the Indian film industry to leave its mark on an international platform. This is an endeavour to deepen the historic connections between India and Uzbekistan and take the close cultural similarities of architecture, dance, music, art, trade, and cinema to new heights.”

Several Indian movies including films like Mumbai Saga directed by Sanjay Gupta and Ludo by Anurag Basu were screened at the Film festival. Overall the Tashkent International film festival was a great show, great hospitality and with lots of gifts and souvenirs our stars came back to India.