The ECG Graph Of My Life | Bhakti Kubavat | TEDxNHLMMC

Early Life and Family Influence

• Bhakti Kubavat, an actor, shares personal stories to provide insights about life, starting with her early influence by media and her first accidental interview during the 2001 earthquake. (11s)
• She was born in Africa and raised in Junagadh, which she refers to as the Indian Africa, where she spent her childhood. Her family affectionately called her a queen, which she humorously relates to being a drama queen. (1m19s)
• Despite limited exposure to cinema and modeling in Junagadh, she aspired to be both a doctor like her father and Miss India. Her mother, who gave up her career to raise her children, taught her resilience and the importance of smiling through challenges. (1m42s)
• Her father, who started a clinic with the vision to cure rather than earn, emphasized meaningful conversations and creative expression, such as writing and recently dubbing a song. (2m47s)

Move to Bhuj and Discovering Talents

• The family moved to Bhuj for better education, where she discovered her talents in dance and acting but initially struggled with public speaking. (3m30s)

Improving Communication Skills

• During her time in Bangalore for graduation, a friend's comment about her accent motivated her to improve her communication skills, leading her to learn the importance of effective communication and exposure to overcome fear. (3m57s)
• Overcoming fear and improving public speaking skills were achieved through extensive exposure and preparation, despite challenges in other areas like medical procedures. (5m4s)

First Commercial Opportunity and Father's Illness

• Hosting a show at IIM Ahmedabad led to the first commercial opportunity as an MC, highlighting the importance of preparation. (5m36s)
• A powerful personal story involved discovering a father's cancer diagnosis, which was a shock due to his healthy lifestyle. (6m12s)
• The family faced financial hardships, selling assets and managing expenses for chemotherapy, while maintaining emotional strength and ensuring the children's education. (7m3s)
• Despite the challenges, the father continued working after chemotherapy to support the family, demonstrating resilience. (8m16s)
• The experience of helplessness was profound, but the family focused on ensuring proper care and maintaining high spirits during the year-long illness. (8m38s)
• Subscribing to magazines like Femina and Cosmopolitan provided some distraction and hope during the difficult times. (9m21s)

Miss India and Skill Development

• After recovering from a personal setback, Bhakti Kubavat appeared on the cover page of Femina magazine and received a wild card entry to Miss India, marking the beginning of her journey from being a Bangalore University topper to a model in Gujarat. (9m48s)
• She emphasized the importance of developing skills such as vocabulary, eye contact, handshakes, and etiquette, which can provide a competitive edge and help one stand out. (10m29s)
• Her grandmother advised that if one cannot speak sense, it is better not to speak nonsense, highlighting the importance of meaningful communication. (11m19s)

Master's Degree and Entry into Film Industry

• While pursuing a master's degree at BK School of Business Management, she faced challenges balancing work and study, which led to losing a job but opened a path to a film opportunity through a Facebook chat. (11m56s)
• Entering the film industry presented struggles, including learning how to act and dealing with the lack of support, emphasizing the need for self-reliance and waiting for the right opportunities. (12m46s)
• She experienced gender-based pay inequality in the film industry, where her fees were determined by her male co-star's lower rates, leading her to realize the importance of having multiple careers. (13m39s)

Challenges and Lessons in the Film Industry

• Bhakti Kubavat concluded that having two simultaneous careers is beneficial, as one career may not be sufficient, especially in regional cinema. (14m3s)
• Emphasizing the importance of perseverance and respect for work, it is noted that challenges are seen as solvable problems, and success often leads to greater ambition and the pursuit of multiple goals or "Finish Lines." (14m28s)
• A significant mistake was made by choosing a film without verifying the director's credibility or the production plans, resulting in a failure. Despite this setback, it did not lead to anxiety or stress, and the focus remained on continuing to work and stay visible in the industry. (15m2s)
• After completing 11 films in the Gujarati language, a transition was made to Hindi films, and there was a shift towards self-reliance in directing and producing content, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram. (15m39s)

Social Media Strategy and Acting Principles

• The strategy on social media involved consistently showcasing talent and reminding the audience of one's presence, similar to how well-known brands advertise to maintain visibility. (16m39s)
• Acting is described as involving action and reaction, with an emphasis on creating a character sketch to understand how a character would behave in various situations. Important aspects of acting include voice modulation and maintaining inner peace. (17m6s)
• To become "screen famous," it is advised to showcase one's best skills creatively and honestly, leveraging the low barrier to entry in the current generation where anyone can become an actor. Networking is highlighted as a crucial element for success. (17m57s)

COVID-19 and Autoimmune Diseases

• Life is compared to an ECG graph with its ups and downs, and the narrative transitions into discussing the era of COVID-19, indicating a period of change and challenge. (18m52s)
• Two significant individuals, a partner and a father, were diagnosed with autoimmune diseases: Neuromyelitis Optica and Myasthenia Gravis, respectively. Neuromyelitis Optica can lead to blindness or paralysis within days. (19m6s)
• The experience of caring for these individuals was overwhelming, leading to a realization that it is acceptable to not always be strong and that rest is necessary when tired. (20m0s)
• The father experienced a deterioration in health, requiring a ventilator for four days, but continued to help others even during hospitalization. This period taught important life lessons. (20m43s)
• A lack of accessible information and data centers for autoimmune diseases was identified, highlighting the need for hospitals to provide information centers for patients and their families. (21m33s)

Reflections on Healthcare, Family, and Success

• Emphasizing zero error efficiency in healthcare requires ensuring that people around are equally efficient. (22m33s)
• The importance of family as a constant in life was stressed, urging not to delay important actions and to value family time. (22m43s)
• Difficult times, such as hospitalizations, serve as a filter to identify true friends and family, and while money cannot buy happiness, it can provide access to quality healthcare. (23m14s)
• Success is not defined by wealth alone but by other measures of achievement and fulfillment. (23m45s)

Building a Sustainable System and Mentorship

• The importance of creating a self-sustaining system that generates income without constant personal involvement is emphasized, along with the value of being innovative in one's dreams to achieve unique and beautiful outcomes. (23m54s)
• Surrounding oneself with the right people and having mentors at different stages of life is crucial, as mentors help guide personal growth and development. The idea that nothing is permanent, including mentors, is highlighted, and the importance of learning from them is stressed. (24m30s)

Personal Growth, Near-Death Experience, and Future Aspirations

• Personal growth is linked to inner development, and sometimes remaining silent can provide answers. Realizing one's own power as a hero, healer, and leader is considered essential. Managing fame with grace requires a strong upbringing and patience. (25m11s)
• Life is compared to an ECG graph, with its ups and downs, and a near-death experience in Dubai is mentioned as a significant event. The speaker reflects on how various challenges and experiences have shaped their current success as an actor. (25m49s)
• The resilience of the speaker's family in overcoming challenges is acknowledged, and the perspective of viewing problems as opportunities is encouraged. The speaker expresses a desire to achieve more in the future and emphasizes the importance of perseverance and facing challenges head-on. (26m51s)