Bolly means buisness

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These young actors are counted among Bollywood's "Beautiful People". But they've proved that they've got sound business brains as well. Diversifying their business interests outside of Bollywood was once the prerogative of failed actors, those well past their prime and later, for those who were at the top of their game and had the money to invest in their own production houses. However, several of the younger lot of B-town's denizens have now taken to looking outside of the film world for financial opportunities.

For this young lot, their business ventures aren't necessarily a Plan B, or something to continue with once they've "retired". They're simply another way to express their personalities " and add to their investment portfolios.

A creative entrepreneur

John Abraham is perhaps the poster child for this business-savvy breed. His attempts to establish himself as a producer " with 'Vicky Donor' and 'Madras Caf' " have met with the kind of critical acclaim that perhaps even the films he's starred in have not.

But films aren't the only thing the actor " who studied Economics and has an MBA degree " is investing in. John has chanelled his passion for fitness and motorsports into business opportunities as well. "Starting my production house meant that I had a chance to make the films I believed in. As for my association with fitness ventures and gyms, being a health freak " it's a given," he says.

A state-of-the-art gym, to be designed by his brother Allan, and a tie-up with a champion British boxer are among his plans for his company, JA Fitness. In August, reports hinted that John had expressed interest in becoming a franchisee in an IPL-style football league.

An extension of herself

For a while now, reports have been circulating about Sonam Kapoor's planned clothing line with her stylist sister Rhea. The buzz is based on Sonam's reputation as a fashion diva, an image that has been carefully cultivated by Rhea. What's being said about the Kapoor sisters' planned venture is that it will feature wearable clothing for the young woman of today " affordable yet completely in keeping with international trends. While that line is still to be launched, late last year Sonam managed a coup of sorts when fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo roped her in to design a very special pair of shoes (part of the luxury giant's "Shoes for a Star" range). Sonam was presented with a custom-made pair.

"My image as a fashionista has certainly paved the way for me to establish my line of clothes and accessories," Sonam admits. "But I haven't (had to go out of my way or cultivate myself) to create that identity. I do believe it is an inherent quality."

Industry sources report that her plans will see fruition by end of 2013. When they do, the Kapoor sisters are sure to see no small measure of success. A fashion magazine had reported that the Lady Dior bag Sonam flaunted in Aisha was sold out from showrooms within weeks of the film's release, and a Rohit Bal lehenga she donned at a recent bridal show was quickly snapped up by buyers. Clearly, translating some of her power as a style icon into fuelling her own venture is only the sensible next step.

Chic venture

Deepika Padukone is currently the reigning Bollywood bee " sitting pretty on the success of 'Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani' and 'Chennai Express', with the much anticipated Ram-Leela coming up next. But the actress has been flexing her creative and business muscles. She recently collaborated with apparel brand Van Heusen to create a limited edition line of chic clothing. Apart from contributing her creative inputs on what the line should look like, Deepika also shot for its promotional campaign.

The actress says that she needed, and had lots of help, with this non-filmi foray. "I'm someone who has a lot of ideas, but I'm not very good at executing them. I'm very open to seeing new things and sharing my ideas, but I do need people to help me put it all together," Deepika says.

Of the line she co-created, she says, "It's a little bit of what I already have and what I'd like to see myself wearing. It's about wearing your own personality and that's something I've always believed in. It's important not to forget who you are."

A head for business

Even without the famous family she has married into, Malaika Arora is a force to reckon with. The model-TV personality-performer-film producer ranked 68th in the list of 100 powerful Indian celebrities released by a leading business magazine this year. Her new clothing line, which is available online (TheClosetLabel.com) is yet another feather the diva's added to her fascinator.

Considered among the best-dressed women in the glamour industry, Malaika's foray into fashion wasn't that much of a surprise. "I've never believed in restricting myself. When people typecast me as a model, I did item numbers, cameos in films and then I even produced films. Starting my own clothing line has been a passion and a dream," Malaika says.

Launching a fitness DVD and opening a restaurant are other business ventures Malaika might someday dabble in, but none of it, she assures us, can be construed as her Plan B. "I'd rather fulfill my dreams and ambitions now when I'm successful," she asserts. "The idea of starting my label wasn't that I'd have a Plan B to fall back on. It was about taking something that came naturally to me " which is styling and fashion " to the next level."

With a little help from friends

Another actor who has translated his previous experiences into a business opportunity is Arjun Rampal. He set up a lounge in the capital in 2009, and the venue played host to international celebrities like Lady Gaga, in addition to serving as the site for several IPL after-parties as well as the post-Formula One bash. Arjun says his being in the hospitality industry is thanks to his friends. "I have a huge set of friends, people I've known right from my modelling days. They were the ones who encouraged me to get into this business. My lounge in Delhi is a result of many brains'," he said.

The actor says while he possesses a certain amount of business acumen, his wife's role in these ventures is not to be underestimated. "It's the meticulous planning that Mehr puts in that has helped me set all this up," Arjun says, adding, "For an actor to also be an entrepreneur " it's like the cherry on top of the cake. I like juggling between these roles." " Inputs by Natasha Coutinho