1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

It's one thing to have a vision and quite another to execute it!
It's far more challenging when you are creating an ecosystem that blends various sub-sectors.
Creating and unifying the diversified sectors, and getting validation and traction across sectors is a herculean task!

2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have always been passionate about art from a very young age. I was lucky to get great exposure to the arts very early in life which shaped much of my personality and my life itself! I was distinctly aware of the potential art has in this world and that led to the creation of a media organization through which I could explore its potential and also enable other artists / aspiring artists to leverage the platform!
What is a large enterprise without a larger vision?
What creates a large enterprise is the potential impact the enterprise has on the world and the potential value it brings to the people! No one can create a large enterprise all by themselves! So many people are involved in it! Any founder who says that he or she created a large enterprise all by themselves is either fooling themselves or the world!

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

As an avid Chess player, I can tell you that to win a chess game you need to make both tactical and strategic moves!
My working hours are focused and divided on both my immediate tasks and progressing towards the accomplishment of the larger goals.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

Never stop believing in yourself, in your abilities, in your vision even amidst setbacks!

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

As an author myself, this is really tough to pick just one!
I would like to mention two - The Manifesto of the Communist Party and the Upanishads!
I know it's a strange mix and quite ironic too!

I was about 18 when I first read the Manifesto of the Communist Party! It opened my eyes towards the world as nothing else could! Ever since I have read it, I don't think I have ever come across a work that explains our current world and the state it's in, in more lucid terms! It had a profound impact on me and on the path that I chose to lead my life!

I had never read the Upanishads until much later in life. I went into it as I just wanted to explore what's it about and I was expecting to read religion... and what I encountered completely swept me off my feet!
It is one of those works which when you read, you aren't the same anymore! It triggers a shift in your consciousness!
The Upanishads take you deep into the core of your being and make you realize you are one with the cosmos and the whole of existence! This realization of cosmic unity and oneness with all beings is what drives me in my endeavors!

6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

Entrepreneurship isn't just about unleashing the magic within you, but also, unleashing the magic within others - and that's when the miracles happen!
As a leader, you need to recognize the potential of your team members and collaborators and believe in their abilities, even if they themselves do not!

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

Not one but several! And it's the same story!
As a teacher (who teaches Photography, Filmmaking, and Art), I always come across youngsters and people from all walks of life who are passionate but insecure - because they do not know how to channelize their passions and they feel incomplete!
And when they learn the skills and the nuances to express themselves through art skillfully, the confidence it builds and brings in them is truly remarkable!