Management lessons from the 'Bollywood' movie - 'Aaja Nachle' - (Come Dance)

I was reminiscing about a nice movie I had seen a couple of years back and surprisingly my mind started to make connections between this movie and how to run a successful business. The movie was a Madhuri Dixit starrer “Aaja Nachle” (Literally – Come and Dance). It’s always good to share a good thing, so here I have discussed these lessons for you to read and draw inspiration. So read on to learn the Management lessons from a Bollywood Movie.

1.    Pick up Skills, they never let you down: In the movie a young Madhuri learns to dance gracefully and beautifully and this helps her in later life, when as a single mother in a distant country she is in need of money. She translates her dancing skills into a successful dancing troupe and aerobics training institute.

2.    Every challenge should be treated as an opportunity: Instead of being overwhelmed by the challenges thrown at her, the protagonist takes it as an opportunity. The town which has no interest in Dance and Drama is seen by her as a town full of an appreciative audience but it does not stop at that; she actually manages to even source talent from the same townspeople. This would not have happened had she not treated the challenges as opportunities and nothing else.

3.    Hiring inexperienced staff is a good thing: Madhuri recruits actors and actresses from the town. These are people who have never acted or danced in their entire life. But the passion and energy brought by these inexperienced staff will do wonders for your business. Especially when you are starting up and can’t afford to pay big bucks, fresh candidates are affordable but choose wisely. Be sure the passion is there, even if the talent cannot be seen. After many rejections Madhuri finally places her trust in Konkana although she seems to be a terrible actor. Because of her passion and the right motivation Konkana transforms from a TomBoy to a completely graceful perfect image of “Laila” (That’s Juliet for the Shakespearean readers)

4.    Let your confidence show: You have complete confidence in your idea, your project or whatever it is that you want to achieve. It’s not enough to have this confidence; you have to let your team see that confidence. When they see your confidence, they not only feel it; they share it. They develop confidence in the project and that makes them give more than their 100% efforts to the venture. Also, let the world see your confidence, especially your detractors. Your confidence will unnerve them and they will take steps which may reduce their supporters. Like in the movie, Madhuri’s confidence makes her detractor (the local businessman) take some actions by which he ultimately loses the support of even his own wife.

5.    And the biggest lesson is Madhuri Dixit, the actress herself: Once at the top of the Box Office list, Madhuri left the entertainment industry to get married and become a wonderful wife and mother. She did not multi-task, no juggling of fame and family for this great lady. And when things were settled at home, kids had grown, this was the movie she chose for her Grand Come-back Launch. And the years away from the industry were wiped away in an instant. The poise, the grace, the faultless acting and dancing, the beautifully sculpted self, all there. Translating this to the lesson: Even if you have to take a sabbatical; don’t lose focus of your ultimate goals. Remain connected with these goals and make sure you don’t get rusty. You never know when the opportunity to re-launch will present itself.

So next time you are watching the latest blockbuster, don’t let anyone tell you “you’re wasting time”, just tell them you are sitting for a management class.

And please do leave your comments on this article.... I write with the intention of starting a Conversation, and it is really not considered healthy to keep talking all alone.... So DEAR READER, get involved, talk to me, it will be fun...

Author: Shabbir Bandukwala - All copyrights reserved

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NOTE: This blog was earlier published on www.GoMadideas.com about a year back.