How to fill big shoes

Now that Kareena Kapoor is stepping into Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's shoes and is Madhur Bhandarkar's new Heroine, we ask the experts what it takes to step up your game without stepping on anyone's toes

How to fill big shoes

After several days of breathless speculation, it was revealed last week that actress Kareena Kapoor had nodded her consent to be part of Madhur Bhandarkar's 'bold' new film, on condition that certain scenes were toned down (read: rewritten) to suit the 30-year-old actress' public image.

Post reports of being "kept in the dark", accusations of "unprofessional behaviour", and several presumed re-writes Bhandarkar had found his Heroine. Again. Turns out 'second' choice Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is pregnant and Bhandarkar is angry. Can you blame him, though? It's been six years since Page 3; 10 since Chandni Bar.
But we're told there's a lesson here. No, really. And it has to do with filling in someone else's shoes. Big ones. So, how does Bebo or anyone else for that matter do it? Tips from the experts on how to step up your game without stepping on anyone's toes.

Dress the part
Image is key. That's why celebs have stylists. And designers. And PR people. They form part of what we gleefully refer to as the celeb entourage. In Bollywood, assorted mummies and daddies also form part of the band-baaja brigade.

"Clothes, grooming, body language and etiquette are all elements of image, which go into creating a first impression. Clothes, though, are the chief actor," shares Suman Agarwal, director, First Impression Consulting Pvt Ltd.

She adds, "Clothes affect the way you think, then the way you feel, and finally the way you behave. It is based on behaviour that others react and respond to you." The sweats and the baggy T-shirts then, will have to go.

Stay true to yourself
So, how do you stay true to yourself if you don't know who you are? Good question. Unfortunately, we don't have the answer. Not here anyway. What we do know is acting like the person you would like to become, might take you closer to who you must become, Padawan. "The thing is to maintain your individuality," offers image
consultant Rukshana Eisa.

Command, don't demand respect
Makes for a great bumper sticker, don't you think? Just make sure you don't stick it on your car, though. There's enough aggression on the streets as it is. And the lines between 'command' and 'demand' are likely to get blurred by a traffic light. But, we digress!

"When an executive gets promoted to a manager, the company often loses a good executive and gains a bad manager," says Suman. "The transition must be gradual. You cannot start behaving like a boss overnight.

Responsibility is often related to appearance. You have to dress appropriately for the roles and goals you want to achieve," she adds.

Body language counts
While clothing comprises the highest percentage of visual communication, according to Suman, body language is also a part of that.

Sophistication, poise and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations are qualities looked for in a leader. Among the ways these qualities are portrayed is through body language.

Try practicing in front of the mirror before making an important presentation and read books on body language for ways to communicate confidence.

Have the right values
No matter what your public and private aspirations, Rukshana says having solid values will help you stay grounded. "Don't give people reason to speak negatively about you. While it's tough, try to keep your public life away from your private. It is important to maintain a clean chit, so to speak," she says.