TINA MUNIM

Tina Munim

Born

Tina Munim

11 February 1957 (age 54)

Mumbai, India

Occupation Actress

Years active 1978–1991

Spouse Anil Ambani

Tina Munim (born 11 February 1957) is an Indian film actress who had a successful Bollywood career during the late seventies and early eighties. She is married to Anil Ambani. She is involved in a number of philanthropic and charity activities and is currently running an NGO and a hospital.

EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND

Munim was born in Mumbai in a Gujarati-speaking family. She belongs to the Svetambara sect of Jainism. Her forefathers were royal merchants in the service of the Burmese kings under British rule.

CAREER

Munim was discovered by Dev Anand after she represented India at the International Teen Princess contest in Aruba, and won the Miss Photogenic and Miss Bikini awards. Tina aspired to become a Paris-trained couturier and was poised to travel there for her studies in design when approached with a cinematic offer.[citation needed]

In 1978, Dev Anand cast her in his film Des Pardes, which launched her film career. He would repeatedly cast her in several other films with him in the lead role, such as Lootmaar and Man Pasand.

Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt in his film debut Rocky. Tina was chosen as Sanjay's heroine.

Tina Munim fell in love with Rajesh Khanna, when they were paired together in Fiffty Fiffty, Souten, Bewafai, Suraag, Insaaf Main Karoonga and Adhikar and films where she was not heroine of Rajesh like Rajput, Akhir Kyun and Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai. Khanna formed popular on-screen and off screen pair with Tina in the eighties but the relation ended when Tina decided to go to California to graduate. In 1985 Rajesh Khanna turned into a film producer and cast Tina Munim as his female lead in the film Alag Alag. In 1992, Ram Awatar Agnihotri wrote that it was in the films Alag Alag and Adhikar, both opposite Rajesh Khanna that Tina Munim showed the "first sparks" of the dedicated actress she would become. Tina regards her performance in the film Adhikar as the best performance of her career.

Apart from Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna, she also made a popular screen team with actor Rishi Kapoor, since they were paired romantically in six films, of which two were hits Subhash Ghai's Karz and Katilon Ke Kaatil. Director Basu Chatterjee repeatedly cast her in his films, such as Baaton Baaton Mein and Man Pasand.

Tina's nephew Karan Shah tried to follow in her footsteps by starring in the teen love story Jawani (1984) opposite Neelam, but Karan's film career fizzled.

In the year 1987, Munim made the conscious decision to put her Bollywood career on a hiatus. She moved to California and attended college.

PERSONAL LIFE

Tina Munim had an affair with Rajesh Khanna from 1981-87 but the relation broke off in 1987. Later Munim married Anil Ambani, brother of Mukesh Ambani, now one of the richest men in the world. She has two sons, Anmol and Anshul. Today she is involved in a number of charity, arts, and talent endeavours and hasn't appeared in any film since 1991.[

Tina Munim is involved in charity events as follows:

Harmony Foundation - For Senior citizens.

Harmony Art Foundation - For Promoion of Art.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute - Mumbai

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Nursing College (KDA-NC) - Mumbai.

HARMONY ART SHOW, KOKILABEN DHIRUBHAI AMBANI HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE KEEP TINA AMBANI BUSY

Tina Ambani never talks to the media except when she promotes her annual art show—she even buys the pieces of upcoming artists to encourage them. In an interview with Labonita Ghosh , she opens up about her family, the hospital, the elderly and her magazine.

Once every year, just before her Harmony Art Foundation show, Tina Ambani lets the media into her space. But the reports that appear later are less than flattering. Last year, a daily spoke to her at length about her foundation for the elderly, and went back to write that Tina gets upset about ageing.

"I want to speak about the art show and my work, but the press seems more interested in my clothes and jewellery," she says, a poker chip-sized rock on her finger glinting, with absolutely no irony.

"I'm a very shy person. Please don't make this interview about me," she says about 20 minutes into a freewheeling chat. She repeats it at least eight times over the course of the hour, not coquettishly or angrily, but obsessively.

Truth is, there is more to the lesser-seen of the First Bahus than the trappings of being married to an Ambani. Her work-life is split between the annual Harmony art show (which opened last week), the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Research Institute (where she is chairperson), a foundation for the elderly and a magazine.

Around this time every year, Ambani hosts the Harmony art show to promote the works of young, up-and-coming artists. Since 1996, about 1,600 of them have found a platform with this event. "They are all so talented, I really want them to be able to sell their works," she says.

"And sometimes if a piece doesn't sell, and I can afford to buy it, I just do." Over the years, some 500 such works have found their way into Ambani's home and the Reliance Centre in south Mumbai, earning her the tag of art collector. "But I'm only a collector by default," says Ambani.

"I know nothing about art." As a former textiles designer (she used to help out at Reliance's textiles division "before the demerger"), Ambani says she has an affinity for all things creative, and used to buy artworks with her own money even during her Bollywood days.

The thing that keeps Tina the busiest, however, is the hospital. Three times a week, she heads out from her south Mumbai home to Andheri, where the hospital is located, to meet with doctors, patients and administrative staff. "The hospital is a part of the (Reliance ADA) group's CSR activity," says Tina.

"It's patient-centric, and we are as competitive, if not more, than the best healthcare institutions in the city."

Patients say it is surprisingly reasonable. So how does Tina keep costs low? "We work out all kinds of packages for patients," she says. "If we're conducting a hundred paediatric heart surgeries, we should be able to do 30 for free, if necessary."

The problem with Tina's personal involvement is that everyone badgers her for discounts. "I often have patients ask me, 'You're an Ambani. What do you need the money for?'"she says. "Even though the hospital is not for profit, it has to generate revenue to survive."

That's something Tina says she's learnt from her husband, Anil, and her father-in-law, Dhirubhai - that for any institution (or even a charity) to run smoothly, it must be financially self-sufficient.

"I've also learnt from them that if you can't run a business yourself, hire the best professional," says Tina, who has a CEO manage the hospital, an editor for Harmony magazine and a curator for the art show.

"Tina is extremely hands-on," says Dr Ram Narain, COO of the Kokilaben Hospital.

"Even though she doesn't understand the clinical side of things, she insists on getting all the information in a demystified way. She also gives us a lot of latitude, saying 'you are the technical people, do your thing'." Art critic Gayatri Sinha, who curated this year's show, agrees.

"Tina allowed me the freedom to choose the artists, place them how I want and arrive at my own conclusions. She was free and easy to work with; interested but completely uninterfering. But there was strong encouragement that we should look at young artists."

When she's not busy with art and the hospital, Tina manages her organisation for the elderly, the Harmony for Silvers Foundation, and the eponymous monthly.

On some days, she can be found at the recently opened interactive centre where about

500 members, all seniors, attend exercise classes, workshops and discussions on

various topics. So why did she choose advocacy for the elderly?

"Most people go for children, the underprivileged or other marginalised groups," she says.

"Nobody thinks of seniors." There is also a more personal reason: Tina does it, in part, to honour her mother, Meenakshi, who raised the nine Munim kids (Tina is the youngest of eight sisters and a brother) all by herself after her husband died.

"When my mother passed away, she was all alone at home, even though my sisters and I were very much in Mumbai," she says, in a moment of private grief. "It made me realise that we need to be sensitive and supportive of a generation that has given us our future."

Tina's husband is a sounding board for her major ventures. He is supportive, and only offers help when she is stuck. At the art show inauguration, 'ADA' (as he is referred to by staff) is by his wife's side, welcoming visitors and hovering about, making sure everything's on schedule.

She started out as a popular film actor, eventually giving up a successful career to marry Anil Ambani, one of the heirs to the Reliance empire. Today she is among the first ladies of business in India—a role she does complete justice to. From taking careof certain aspects of the business to being involved in philanthropic work and promoting the arts, Tina is a complete woman in so many ways.

The Leading Lady Before Tina became the leading lady of Anil Ambani’s life, she was Tina Munim, the actor. After being discovered by Dev Anand, at an international beauty pageant for teens, she got an offer to get into showbiz. Putting aside her ideas of travelling and studying fashion, she made her film debut in 1978. Her career took off over the next few years, with her roles in hits like Karz(1980) and Rocky (1981). After repeatedly starring opposite successful stars like Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor, and about 35 films later, she gave up her career in acting, pursued further studies in the US and later married Anil Ambani. Her life turned around completely with that, and today, she is the first lady of Reliance ADAG (Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group).“Change is the only constant for us all and it is vital that we embrace it. Change, in itself,

becomes less difficult if we stop shying away from the unknown and allow ourselves to grow,” she explains, about the changes her life has seen. “For me, that process of growth has led me to essay a variety of roles—from daughter, sister and actor to wife, mother and daughter-in-law—that have provided me a force field of strength and inspiration. Today, I believe I understand myself like I never have: my strengths, abilities, vulnerabilities and responsibilities. I am comfortable in my skin and resolute in my beliefs.”

Art on Her Side Having been organising the Harmony Art Show for the last 16 years, Tina has played a keen role in the art world. “The Harmony Art Show has built relationships with artists and nurtured them, so they are free to do what they do best: create outstanding art,” she says enthusiastically. “And then we have given them a platform to shine alongside established artists. In fact, Harmony Art’s curatorial vision has recognised the potential of some of the most promising Indian artists to have emerged in the past decade, and enabled them to connect with their audience.” While that is the present, Tina’s interest in art can be traced back to her days as an actress. “For me, art has always been about emotion and empathy, the power or ability that a certain work has in terms of striking an immediate chord, establishing an instant connection and moving me deep within. Being a performing artist at a young age, I felt an instinctive affinity to creativity in any form. And when I was struggling to make my own mark as an artist, I began to understand the creative process, the journey of translating your innermost energies into something timeless that stakes its claim on the imagination of people. My passion for art, and its endless possibilities, began to take root instinctively, as did my empathy with young artists. This was the genesis of the Harmony Show.”Besides the personal aspect of the initiative, she saw art as an area that people needed to be exposed to. “Today, everyone speaks about the potential of Indian art. We recognised this potential a long time ago and realised that there was a need to evoke greater public interest in art,” she elaborates. “We wanted to create an enabling environment for the artist and art lover to findeach other. That was the aim of the Harmony Art Show: to make the appreciation and acquisition of art a more simplified, linear and accessible process. Our shows are truly democratic and offer a wide spectrum of art to cater to the need of every buyer. They are also diverse, seeking to highlight traditional art forms, such as the miniature, as well as offer mixed media works, installations, photography and experimental art, in keeping with international trends.”And today, the Harmony Art Show has come of age in a lot of ways. “This audience has broadened indescribably. Indeed, we committed the whole of last year to create and install artwork for the Delhi Airport Metro Express project.” She says, proudly, “This milestone took our engagement with art to a whole new level: public infrastructure.” This year, the theme for the Harmony Art Show was ‘Fabular Bodies: New Narratives in the Art of the Miniature’, wherein, Tina and her team took a step forward to celebrate miniature art as inspiration for contemporary creative inquiry. “Using diverse forms like drawing, painting, sculpture and even comics/computer-generated storyboards, our artists adapted a tradition close to their hearts and modernised it according to their own unique perceptions, to make their own powerful statements about the world we live in,”

she explains. “Subjects covered ranged from identity, alienation and loss to dislocation, poverty, the politics of gender and religion, and the relentless march of modernisation.”

As the boss’ wife, Tina involves herself in the company’s work as much as she can. She considers herself as a creative person, more than a businesswoman. “I believe in ideas, not numbers!” she states. Having studied design, she also offers opinions on interiors in the Group’s projects when required. “I am glad to play a consultative role, collaborating with the working professionals at the Group in any way I can,” she offers. Additionally, Tina is also involved in a lot of activities that benefit many, using the resources available to her to the best of her ability. “I consider myself a member of the Reliance ADAG family, like countless others across India. And I believe we all have a responsibility to the communities that nourish us. Thus, I am happy to do whatever I can as part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives,” she humbly says. “These include the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute in Mumbai, and the Harmony for Silvers Foundation, which seeks to enhance the quality of life of ‘Silvers’—our term for the elderly—in India.”The Harmony for Silvers Foundation’s mission is to create an environment where ‘silvers’ can retain their dignity, self-respect, pride and self-confidence. “We do this through our facets, which include Harmony – Celebrate Age, a monthly magazine; www.harmonyindia.org, the portal; Harmony Interactive Centre for Silver Citizens, in South Mumbai; the Harmony Senior Citizens’Run as part of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon; Harmony Publishing; and the Harmony Silver Awards,” Tina lists. In fact, her average week is incomplete without staying in touch with such initiatives, among her other activities. “For instance, I visit the hospital thrice a week and meet my teams at Harmony Art Foundation and Harmony for Silvers Foundation on a regular basis,” she explains.

The Woman Lesser KnownThere are facets to Tina Ambani’s personality and life that aren’t as well known as her position and the work that she does with art, the hospital and philanthropic work. As a wife, and as a mother to her two sons, Anmol and Anshul, she’s also like any other woman. “In many ways, my day is like that of women all over India,” she shares. “I begin the day with exercise. I cater to theneeds of my children and husband at home, and then I go to work.” She treasures her family more than anything in the world. And while she believes that true luxury is when her time is her own, reading also forms an essential part of her day. “I ensure that I make time for a book everyday; I am a voracious reader,” she reveals.As a public personality, with her every appearance, everyone’s eye is on her. As a former artist and a creative person, elegance comes naturally to her and the way she carries herself. As for her sense of style, Tina explains, “My fashion philosophy can be summed up in a single word: comfort. You must know yourself and be yourself. Follow your instincts rather than aping trends.” She does innovate with the way she dresses. “It’s how I put an outfit together that makes it unusual and different.” However, she also says that there’s nothing really that she absolutely has to have when it comes to clothes

and accessories. “Clothes are just that—clothes!”For a woman who makes helping others such a major part of her life, this doesn’t come as a surprise. And with her involvement in art, her creative inclinations, her past as a performer, her present as a wife and mother, and a future, which, according to her, “makes its own plans for us,” Tina is indeed a multi-faceted and complete woman. “In the years ahead, I hope to continue to do meaningful work and give back to the world what it has given me,” she concludes

TINA AMBANI

Tina Ambani aka Munim was a successful Bollywood actress who is married to Anil Ambani, one of the richest men in the world. She won the Miss Photogenic and Miss Bikini awards at the International Teen Princess contest. She was the heroine of many hits like Des Pardes, Lootmar and Rocky. Tina Ambani took a break from acting and went to California where she attended college.

Tina Ambani is currently involved in a number of philantrophical activities and is also on the board of Reliance Big Entertainment which hosts the annual awards for achievers in various walks of life. She is actively involved in 'Harmony' an initiative of the Dhirubhai Ambani Trust which aims at improving the life of every elderly people in India. The trust also runs a magazine called 'Harmony' and art exhibitions are organised. The Kolkilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is a significant CSR Initiative from Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group managed by chairperson Tina Ambani.

Tina Ambani was in the news recently when she chose a 100m-long yacht that can host at least 20 people besides the crew. She also applied for membership at the 161-year-old, Mumbai-based Royal Bombay Yacht Club. This in response to Mukesh Ambani who had gifted his wife Nita Ambani a luxurious Airbus 319 corporate jet worth nearly Rs250 crore last year. Forbes Magazine named Tina Ambani as one of the 10 most powerful billionaire wives of the year. Tina in an interview reported ly said that the transition from philantrophical work into the corporate was not a cakewalk. Tina Ambani is a high flier in Indian society and is very aware that she has to give back to society. Kudos on the great work that she does through the various trusts of Dhirubhai Ambani.

1.What prompted you to get the Reliance ADA Group to support the Mumbai Film Festival?

Cinema is an universal truth — the language of dreams. This language is spoken by all of us. Befittingly, Mumbai is called the city of dreams. The cradle of Indian cinema and home to the world's largest film industry, it is a prolific manufacturer of dreams. More significant, it is a place where dreamers — filmmakers, actors, scriptwriters, composers — can turn their own visions of success into technicolour reality.

I know this only too well; my decade-long association with the industry has been both defining and empowering. Just as it is logical for this great city to have an international film festival that celebrates its spirit and rich cinematic heritage, it has been a natural step and an immense source of pride for me to support this festival and give it the stature it deserves.

2.Today, Reliance Big Entertainment, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, is a major player in Indian and international cinema. And our collaboration with the Mumbai Film Festival is a manifestation of our commitment to excellence and our gratitude to a fraternity of which we are proud. How involved are you in the process?

As my professional roots are in this industry, I naturally have a tremendous engagement and involvement with the festival. Of course, this is a professionally run event with a wonderful team, so my involvement doesn't need to extend to the day-to-day work. There is a trust of distinguished film professional managing it. Rather, my role is to work with this team to help the event grow and evolve.

3.What sets this film fest apart from the other fests in the country?

Any cinema-related event in Mumbai is bound to be special. Further, this is the first edition of Reliance Entertainment's association with the Mumbai International Film Festival and we wanted to make the show more representative of India's stature in world cinema than ever before. We have over 200 films from 56 countries that will be screened at three different venues. And there are several sidebar events where filmmakers and cineastes will get an opportunity to interact with each other.

4.What does the festival aim to achieve for the film industry and enthusiasts?

The film industry will have an international platform to showcase its talents, to stand up and be counted in the exciting wave of global cinema. And our filmmakers as well as film enthusiasts will get the opportunity to view new cinematic trends from across the world and broaden their own horizons. Film lovers will get a chance to interact with filmmakers, making the festival a truly interactive experience.

5.What is the biggest challenge in the fest according to you?

I would like the Indian film fraternity to come together and be a part of the Mumbai Film Festival. With our cinema being feted across the world, this is no time for us to be insular. The industry needs to not just participate wholeheartedly in such an event but assume a sense of ownership, a pride in Indian cinema, and come together to showcase it to the world.

6.Do you see the festival as being at par with international festivals across the world?

Of course! It will be an international experience and a landmark event. It will only evolve as we go along.

7.Personally, as an actor and film enthusiast, what are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking forward to the entire experience, the buzz that such an event will generate. As a former actor, it will be intriguing to see the new trends in cinema — the industry has evolved so much, both in terms of technical quality and professionalism. As for the bigger picture, I am eager to see the film fraternity, both Indian and international, and film lovers come together to celebrate their common passion. It's show time!

ANIL AMBANI GROUP LAUNCHES EDUCATION INITIATIVE UNDER CSR DRIVE

Mumbai: Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group firm Reliance Life Insurance on Friday launched a project 'School on Wheels', for providing access to basic education to underprivileged children as part of its corporate social responsibility endeavour. 'School on Wheels', was launched in association with Project Crayon, an NGO focused on Child Rights and Youth Development and was inaugurated by Tina Ambani here on Friday. "Our vision is to provide access to basic education to underprivileged children and open their eyes to their own potential and the world that awaits them," Ambani said. The mobile school would cater to the slums in and around Chembur and Mankhurd in the first phase. The bus, customised to function as a school, is fully equipped with a computer and library, and has dedicated teachers. it would cover a few selected slum areas and would run a three-hour class at each of these centres, the company said in a release. The teaching methodology would be non-formal and largely based on the Avehi Abacus syllabus. Children would also be provided with toys and educational games as incentives to keep them motivated. Various other support services such as first aid, transportation to schools and health camps would also form a part of the programme. 'School on Wheels' is a one-year project, which would be monitored and reviewed quarterly.