House Full

The brain behind Pepsi’s creative side,author of ‘The Zoya Factor’ and mother of three,Anuja Chauhan is on to a new book and a new role

A few minutes into the conversation with the lady and the word ‘multi-tasking’ keeps pushing itself forward in the mind. There’s so much to Anuja Chauhan and she’s already sharing her next big list of to-dos with us! “Yes,I do have my hands full,” remarked the brain behind Pepsi’s creative side in India. As executive creative director and vice president of J. Walter Thompson (JWT),Chauhan has been rustling up popular taglines and ad campaigns for the company. She’s also the author of the successful book,‘The Zoya Factor’ that is now being made into a Bollywood film. And when she’s not at work or penning down her thoughts,Chauhan has her three children and her family,which includes hubby and TV producer Niret Alva and mom-in-law and also Congress leader Margaret Alva,keeping her on her toes. Her latest assignment as one of the judges for Pepsi’s ‘dillogical campaign’ brings her to Chandigarh. Not surprisingly,she’s also created the new ad jingle that features their Lays’ brand ambassador Saif Ali Khan and lots of body art! “This campaign is really exciting as it enables everyone to put up their choice of flavour. I really thought about mine – honey and mustard,” smiled the lady dressed offbeat in a block-printed skirt paired with a sequinned long kurta! For those of you who don’t know,Chauhan has worked on all the last three World Cup campaigns for Pepsi. “It was a lot of cricket and I guess all that led to the book,” shares Chauhan who loved the fact that vis-a-vis scripting for a 60-second advertisement,she could write at length for ‘The Zoya Factor’. “I loved not being restricted to time or length. Also there were no budget restraints or shooting dates to plan…it was all my call,” reminisces Chauhan who is already on to her next tome. “Since I loved the experience of writing the first time,I am now at it again,” mentions the writer. Her next book is a “romance set in a political backdrop”. And Chauhan says there’s no “real life” inspiration for this one. “It’s all fiction. You’ll hear about it soon,” she signs off saying.!