Amrit Dhaliwal - International Success with Indian Heritage

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Interviewed by Jeff Hamond

Amrit Dhaliwal of Indian Heritage is ready to bring her successful North American modeling and budding acting career to Dubai so I have been given the honour of introducing her through this interview.

Jeff: You have done something most people dream about doing but very few have the guts to do; you walked away from the Professional Corporate World where you were very successful in Marketing to enter simultaneously the world of fitness and entertainment. What is so important that would cause you to do this?

Amrit: Actually Jeff, from my point of view, I have not walked away from anything. I have a great sense of security in the direction of my life and know that the Boardroom will always welcome me back. Over the years, I have built solid relationships in various industries all over North America and the next job is just a phone call away. If the truth be known, the transferable skills I have acquired have helped me succeed in all my current and upcoming ventures.

A strong business acumen and discipline is not only in my blood but a key tool to my success. In the past, I have increased bottom line figures for corporations, now I am building the market value of Amrit Dhaliwal Worldwide Enterprises. My work ethic is identical if not more intense as I embark upon the possibilities on the International stage. I am very blessed to have options.

I view life as a battlefield and it’s all about your positioning (pivotal concept in basic Marketing). In any situation, you need to know your team, opponents, obstacles, and never take you eye off the ‘Win’. If I may borrow a slogan from the Army, “Be all that you can be”. My life has no boundaries, it’s a journey to experience, learn and a search for self. Jeff: The label Canada’s Best Kept Secret was given to you; how did you get that tag and how does it feel to be a secret no more?

Amrit: That promotional tool was a great idea, and orchestrated by my dearest friend Derrick Ling; a former talent agent for Christen & Associates Model & Talent Agency, an established Actor and one of Hollywood's Top Celebrity Bodyguards in the biz working with everyone from Justin Timberlake, LL Cool J to Morgan Freeman.

When I met Derrick, I was at the height of my professional career and simultaneously making noise in the fitness and modeling industry. After a lengthy conversation on my professional achievements and a glance at my portfolio, Derrick realized that I was the most undiscovered secret in Canada...and in 2005 Canada's Best Kept Secret was born… Derrick Ling graciously quoted my work as, “Amrit Dhaliwal’s artistic pictures are infused with such enrapturing, exquisite elegance and comely class that accentuate the glorious grace of fine femininity to uphold the dignity giving her the title of the hottest Diva in the Fitness, Entertainment, Music, and Modeling industry.”

Since then I have had many titles such as ‘The Canadian Corporate Chic’, ‘Punjabi Femme Fatale’, ‘India’s First Fitness Bikini Model’, ‘Canada’s Best Import’…These titles all capture an essence of my multi-faceted personality. But like you say the secret is getting out, and the world is taking notice. I am currently in the midst of agent negotiations in Hawaii, LA and India. I have a deep faith, that not only am I living my dharma but the Universe will bring forth the right people for me to align with. I am open to the abundance that is mine and everyone’s birthright.

Jeff: As a model you have done many exciting projects in many locations; tell us about a few of them.

Amrit: Well Jeff, from my fitness accomplishments to modeling assignments, I have had the chance to work in many locations. I have worked in Canada, USA, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, UK and this year will add India, Dubai and Japan to the roster. On all my projects, I have been blessed to work with amazing photographers/make-up/hair and wardrobe stylists. I thank each and every person that has been a part of the creative journey in one way or another.

Jeff: Any plans for acting?

Amrit: In my heart I am an actor. Acting is a natural evolution from modeling. With modeling and acting, I view it as an art form of communication. The ability to brainstorm a concept or an artistic idea and bring it to life through an image is very powerful. The way people interpret or perceive an image is also very fascinating to me.

I have accomplished a lot professionally, physically and artistically in modeling. Now it is time to raise the bar and bring it all to the next level. My passion lies in the creativity of creating and becoming a new person with a message to convey. As a model, I try to stir an emotion or provoke a thought from the audience. With acting on screen, I will combine both verbal and non verbal communication to hold onto the audiences’ attention.

On the International level, I have been approached by Bollywood for quite some time. I know that there are many great actors in India; however, I am also a woman living in North America with strong Indian roots. It is time to converge all my hard work over the last decade onto the big screen and consequently, will make this shift in December 2008. It is important for me to share the beauty of both the Eastern and Western worlds respectively. I have done this as a model and now will do it as an actress. It is our time to shine in the world and I would like North Americans to see the wealth of talent Indians have.

I have taken acting classes with the famous and well know Joan Stevens and Arthur Bronfin from New York. As well as, Frank Caruso, who has directed many plays and feature films in Toronto, Canada. In India, my acting coaches, choreographers and Hindi instructors have all been set up by my business manager.

Jeff: The look needed to compete in fitness is hard and lean where as fitness modeling is softer with emphases on s-curves; what are the differences in your diet and exercises for them?

Amrit: Well Jeff, I try to eat clean and train regularly year round. When I compete for a fitness show, of course there is a science behind my caloric intake and a very strict depletion phase to get ready to step on stage.

When I get ready for a photo shoot, I generally manipulate my sodium and water intake. Recently, I have been doing two week nutritional cleanses such as the Isagenix 9-day program. This works like magic! You can also call this as one of Amrit’s Secrets Unleashed

Jeff: With having Indian Heritage; how has that influenced your decisions as a model and actress in North America?

Amrit: You cannot escape your heritage as it infuses your sense of identity fundamentally. Even though, I relate completely to the Western culture and beliefs, I also believe there is an abundance of beauty in the East- Indian culture. The culture is deeply rooted in layers of fashion, music, art history and spiritualism. In order to represent myself honestly as a model, I incorporate elements of East-Indian fashion fused with my own North American style, hence, am able to bring a lot more depth and complexity to an image. This is what makes my work unique. In modeling there are no rules as it is an expression of one self.

As an Actress, I believe that I can maneuver a lot easier between Bollywood and Hollywood. As an Indian living in North America, I have the advantage to understand both cultures and conduct my work accordingly. I envision myself as taking roles that portray a strong willed woman who has a message to share. I would like to bridge the gap between the East and West. You see the East has many misconceptions that those born and raised in North America have lost touch with their Indian roots. I beg to differ, as it is not about where one is born or the environment. At the end of the day the human race is always trying to find a place of identification and belonging. Sooner or later we all come back home.

Jeff: What effect does heritage have internationally?

Amrit: Perhaps on the International stage, I will have much more of an advantage because of my unique heritage. I can legitimately have my foot in two very different realities, as a woman of Eastern descent, who has fulfilled her Western promise. I take comfort in both identities. My travels and experiences have allowed me to appreciate and respect the ‘unique’ within all of us. I believe that an open mind and an open heart unlocks all sorts of possibilities.

Jeff: What advice do you have for young models and actresses of Indian Heritage?

Amrit: Probably the same advice I would have for all models and actresses no matter what their heritage. Believe in yourself! The only limitations and excuses that exist are the ones you impose upon yourself. Know what your ultimate goal is and take proactive steps everyday to make that goal a reality. Do not be a dreamer but a doer! To this day, I still wake out of bed and say, “How bad do you want IT”. Realize that there is always someone out there training harder, working smarter, moving faster… so dig deep and make it happen. A pre-requisite for success stems from your discipline to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the long term.

Jeff: You have been branded as the Indian Version of Sophia Loren by a brilliant visionary; what effect does branding like this have on a model or actresses career?

Amrit: This goes back to the many comments I get on this side of the globe that my looks are so unique, I look like nobody here. When on the Eastern side of the globe, my looks are still so unique that I look like nobody there. If it is a blessing to look completely different from the ordinary person, then I have been uniquely gifted.

I have been told many times that I resemble supermodel, super-actress, super-sexy Sophia Loren. Sophia is the epitome of femininity and sensuality. A true classic, timeless beauty of our time. The association with such a famous icon in the modeling/acting industry definitely has a positive branding appeal. I am truly honored if people identify me with Sophia Loren in some way or another. However, at the same time comparing anyone to another person can be limiting. Sophia Loren has worked hard to carve her name in this industry and I too am carving mine.

The comment, “Indian version of Sophia Loren” harkens to the idea that, with some hope, I will be welcomed every where, L.A. Hawaii, India are all calling. I am receiving positive feedback from Dubai, and the U.K.; so perhaps, I will travel to those countries in the New Year. Who knows, perhaps Europe will be next. I love Paris, and enjoy my trips there. I am sure, that I will love Rome, Milan, and Florence just as much.

Jeff: You are known as Miss Fitness India; what led to your being given that title?

Amrit: I was given this title last year when I made the cover of ‘India Times’. It was at that time ‘Canada’s Best Kept Secret’ was unlocked to the International market. To date I am the only East Indian woman who has taken my fitness career to a professional level. Through nutrition, exercise, competing on the NA platforms to being published as a fitness model, my country has dubbed me as India’s First Fitness Model.

When I go to India this year, hopefully there will be a big push to re-educate the new enterprising middle class on the ways of North America’s Fitness reality. Certainly, a great, untapped opportunity awaits. The middle class is craving western sophistication, and hunt out all forms of American influences on their own, as evidence by Snoop Dogg’s latest venture. It is a little strange that I am following in Snoop Dogg’s footsteps, but that just goes to show how much the world is in flux. Things happen that no one can predict, and in this case, the distant worlds of Hollywood and Bollywood, instead of being, in direct competition with one another, can, and probably do more often than not, work in tandem.

At the moment my team that will propel this revolutionary milestone is Mr. Rehan Jalali from Beverly Hills. Mr. Jalali is the President of the Supplement Research Foundation (www.tsrf.com). He is a nationally recognized Certified Sports Nutritionist (C.S.N.) who has developed over 100 cutting edge products for the dietary supplement industry. His clients include Oscar winning actors, Emmy award winning TV stars, and Grammy winning musicians. Rehan and our publicity team have already laid the ground work in India over the last year. We are ready to move forward in the very near future.

We will also be accompanied by a few more celebrities from LA, however, this will be announced at a later date so stay tuned…

Jeff: You have an amazing team you are working with and some great plans coming up in India that will make a huge difference in many lives there; please tell us about your team and your plans.

Amrit: I am a very blessed woman and have a phenomenal team behind him. They are all businessmen and truly understand the power of leveraging and branding. I have created a team that is not only International but also people who focus on separate verticals of the Amrit Dhaliwal brand.

Mr. Abdul Hashawani from Toronto, Canada primarily focuses on my projects in India and Dubai. He works with agents, producers, directors and choreographers on my behalf. He is the debonair gentleman who is opening the golden filigree encrusted doors to Bollywood.

Mr. Turban Khan from Mumbai, India is an actor/producer who will be working with me on all my Entertainment projects.

Mr. Rehan Jalali from Los Angeles, California President of the Supplement Research Foundation, as well as a, nationally recognized Certified Sports Nutritionist will be conducting Fitness seminars with me abroad.

Mr. Raj Makhija from New Delhi, India is the CEO of Smart Brands India. Mr. Makhija is the sponsor for the Fitness Revolution that Rehan and I will be working on.

Mr. Jeff Hammond from Columbus, Ohio is the President of Make ‘Em Sweat Media and Promotions. Mr. Hammond is in charge of dissemination of my work in North America with a strong tie-in with my work in the East. Additionally, Mr. Hammond and I have personal fitness projects that we are working on in India/Dubai.

John Cruz from Toronto, Canada is my official Event Photographer and Chief Artistic Editor. He travels to all my events and hopefully, I will have him traveling with me to India.

Mr. Manish Thakur from New York, New York, is the CEO of Hudson Fairfax Group who is my International Business Advisor.

In addition to this wonderful team, I am also in negotiations with modeling/talent agencies in Hawaii and Los Angeles.

The market in India is virtually untapped waiting with baited breath. The unified plan is to provide the Indian market with the latest, safest, most reliable quality nutritional supplements and fitness products from around the world. As an East-Indian woman I am in a unique position to assist in the epidemic of obesity, disease and malnutrition in India. Raised with similar beliefs and understanding of cultural ideologies I can ease the barriers and myths that may be prevalent in peoples minds about the definition of a healthier, active lifestyle (especially the rising urban middle class).Being involved in the health and fitness industry as a model/athlete, educated in a medical and business discipline, I can speak to the country of India (especially women) as one of their own.

Jeff: In parting what are your last thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

Amrit: The Universe operates in abundance and it is our right to live in that abundance. Determine what it is that you desire and pursue it with utmost motivation, discipline and persistence. God Bless and good luck in all that you do!

Writer’s Comment: Amrit is a beautiful, talented woman on her way to making a major splash in the International pool of life in fitness and entertainment. Move over Michael Phelps, Amrit’s passing you. For comments or questions you can reach me at: jeff@makemsweat.com.