Pick any Ekta Kapoor’s saas-bahu-beti saga and you will find the same plot spanning over five time jumps — women are constantly at loggerheads, conspiring against each other. But it’s interesting to note how Ekta works in harmony with her mother Shobha Kapoor, shattering the myth showcased in her own serials. The mother-daughter duo rule the television arena, working together and running a successful business.
Bangalore ain’t behind. We have several families here where women hold the business reins. Fashion designer Dimple Varma is one such case. With her mother Betty Mahindra at the helm of affairs, Dimple, her sister Natasha and sister-in-law Lisa Varma run a garment export house, ‘Inspirational Clothes and U’ (ICU).
With four women under one roof (of all relations like saas-bahu, co-sisters, mother-daughter and sisters), don’t vociferous debates happen? Natasha nods persuasively, “We scream, shout and fight it out. Professional matters go home; even travel with us on holidays. But we know that our business is our breadwinner, so we don’t have ego clashes.” She adds, “Mum’s the word at ICU. My mother’s practicality gets to me but I simply agree because she pays my salary,” laughs Natasha.
Rubbishing all saas-bahu plots, Dimple says, “Discussions and disagreements are bound to happen but family business is the most powerful form of entrepreneurship.”
To which Lisa adds, “In a highly competitive environment such as export of garments, it is important that we focus on delivering quality. That's why having a family business proves successful. As a family you discuss business at home, are more focused on costs and monitor operations carefully. We travel together to source the finest fabric and designs and negotiate meetings together. With such a hectic commitment it's great that as a family we stand by each other to ensure the job is done well!”
Another mother-daughter duo that make a successful team is Manjul Gupta and Swati Gupta of Bodycraft salon. Interestingly, Manjul’s husband Dr Susheel Gupta has joined them too. What started ten years ago as a mini parlour at home has transformed into three plush salons. Manjul says, “It was Swati’s decision to join me when she was in 11th Standard. Honestly, I was not sure whether she would be successful because this profession needs pure talent. But today we work together beautifully. We can trust each other blindly.”
So, are these saas-bahu serials just a sham? Interior designer Neera Gulati agrees. She runs Modcon Interiors with her co-sister Kamini Gulati. Neera says, “What these serials show used to happen years ago. Today women are educated and look beyond their homes. Kamini and I have always done things together. It’s very convenient. When one of us goes for a holiday, the other takes care of the business.”
 Any disagreements? “Of course. But then Kamini is disapproving of my work, not me. This has a positive influence on our children, as they grow up watching the family adjust, compromise and bond. If you can adjust with a colleague, why not with family,” asks Neera.
While disapproval is bound to happen in any work environment, do professional and personal matters get mixed up? To this Manjul says, “When I was working alone, I would never carry baggage home. But when Swati joined me we would bring work to the dining table. After several showdowns, I laid a rule that office work does not reach home.”
Sister duo Divya Raghuram and Raksha Sriram run Active Canvas, a pitstop for various art courses. They started their business journey in January 2007. Are they able to balance their business and married lives?
Divya sniggers, “I think it’s a difficult phase for our families. The main issue is that we are not employed women, who can afford to be detached from their organisations. We are running a business, which is our passion.” Raksha adds, “If a man starts a business, he is not required to justify his behaviour at home. But a woman is made to feel sorry for not devoting time. That’s because a woman is in demand everywhere.”
The sisters confess they have plenty of arguments. But art is a passion they truly cherish and are willing to have cat fights to make their organisation a success.
A peek into the lives of these corporate czarinas just reaffirms that woman-power is the order of the day. Time to rubbish all the saas-bahu soaps?