DEVIR SINGH BHANDARI: Founder of 3 startups which are all in development, employment and awareness

You’re a product of two things – genes possessing select traits, inherited from your family tree and the company or experiences you glean while growing up, where you pick up nuances exhibited by family members and friends, like language, behaviour and overall character, at home or school or playground or anywhere else you spend time, including media consumption, such as the internet and Television, which enables one to consume audio and video on any topic.

That said, at a point in one’s life, having learnt and understood the ways of the world, from human behaviour to financial systems and market forces, everyone feels the need to give back to society in whatever way they can, to leave an impact, to make a difference or to leave behind their legacy as someone who changed their community for the better. Everyone has a particular way of looking at the world, with the optimists seeing everlasting possibilities and ways to make things constantly better.

What’re the issues that need to take precedence in India today?

In such a diverse country, in terms of both mindsets and culture, which are the few issues that plague the most, if not all the communities of the country? Who’re the individuals who have taken up the mantle of dedicating their lives to the cause of uplifting others, in body and spirit? If you have the will, you’ll find them. We’ve known a few, and one of them took some time out to talk to us.

Give a brief info about your companies/startups?

I run two companies/ startups and a foundation companies. DSB Entertainment and Productions Pvt. Ltd., Snocon Securitas Pvt. Ltd and DSB Foundation.

The film production house focusses on making films which are socially impactful and socially relevant. They aim to educate people about issues which affect the entire community and brings about a change within the societal functioning. These films target the larger audience, it aims to make people understand, why certain issues need to be highlighted. I aim to educate people in way, which becomes understandable even to the people belonging to rural and semi-rural areas. Apart from that my production house works with leading channels, corporates, industry partners, government for their films, television shows, fiction etc. The security company provides skilled man power and allied services.

Whereas, the DSB Foundation works on ground-level issues, women safety, road safety and many such issues being its objective.

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures?

I graduated from  Amity University, Noida and was lucky to get an internship at Yash Raj Films. That proved to be the turning point of my life, when I discovered film making as a career for myself and established my production house in 2015 with the best possible team backing me with really exciting projects. I have always been very outgoing, belonging to a family with almost three generations in the Indian army. My parents have been my biggest support, where my father was away for years serving the nation and my mother took care of me endlessly, to make me who I am today. Being recognised as The ideal ‘Yuva Bharat’, one of the youngest film makers in India and pioneer in road safety at 25

In 2016, I produced and directed my debut documentary ‘Celebrating Life’, a film on cancer awareness for the Delhi Government. “I spent months with the cancer survivors who are the real warriors, fighting every day, understanding and praying that they never let go of their smile”. This film was released in a massive way and was also screened at SAARC Conference. I am also recipient of the ‘Human Achievers Award for Excellence in Film Making’.

“I travelled extensively in and around northeast, rode to the most beautiful towns, as travel makes one united, open, caring and independent, and that’s what I actually needed.” Also acknowledged with

Bharat Leadership Award for Nation Building

Young Entrepreneur of India – ASSOCHAM Excellence Award

My contribution towards road safety has been extensive, where I have focused on drunk driving, pedestrian safety and women safety. Being an avid Harley rider, I have focused on helmet safety as well.

Working towards environment, where my foundation planted over thousands of saplings in Delhi NCR, made people aware why we should appreciate what we have and make India greener.

My idol is our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji whose journey has really moved and inspired me. It just takes one person to bring about a change.

I am also in the committee of Confederation Of Indian Industry ( CII ) Environment and CII Road Safety Task for Delhi.

My focus is on making films with social impact, for which I have also made films on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, waste to manure etc.

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

It is based in New Delhi. I don’t think the location matters that much. I mean, a good start-up can be set up anywhere in India, or even the world, for that matter.

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

When it comes to business, I don’t believe in competitions. We all are at the same platform, working equally hard to create a better future and a world to live in. Also, in terms of social service, I would rather call them my brothers and sisters, because in the end, we live in the same world and to live in it peacefully, we have got to hold each other’s hand and work as a team.

The services and my dedication to my work makes the difference.

How hard is it to have a work life balance as a founder and how do you manage it?

Work to me is, stressful, yet exciting. I try to make each hour that I devote, count. I mean, in times like the workload is too much to bear, it does get a little hard to overcome the pressure. However, in the end, it is something I love doing and am passionate about. I would not quit on it for the world. Besides I have my hobbies to balance my life.

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise.

No, that has not happened yet. I do look forward for support.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

I think it’s time where people really shouldn’t judge, don’t hold a grudge, there is a life beyond what everyone is doing, and everyone has struggled their way up. There are good days, there are bad days too. If you have something against me, clear it up with me, it makes the bond so STRONG.

Whenever I meet someone, I always have this one thing to say, “I know it must have been tough for you, but it just gets better from now, remove the negativities from your life and surround yourself with the best”.

What gets you excited about this company?

I think challenges. The fact that something is difficult to achieve and would not happen through the conventional ways, gets me charged up. That is the time when I get to see what really, I can do or  something which I never thought I could. Besides, challenges make everything seem real. Our life revolves around challenges. The start-up itself did not come to me that easy, so to maintain whatever I have, I would not mind a few difficulties.

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

Every day is a different day for me. My dog wakes me up with faint barks usually by 8 am (the alarm I set for 6 am morning runs but thank you to the snooze button on my iPhone). Then there is some good breakfast, at times I feel like cooking. I reply to the mails, get on work calls and leave for work. Evenings are usually for outdoor activities, once I come back home for good, it is wrapping the night with family dinner, a good show on Netflix, a good documentary, an hour of writing and sleep. Mostly I am travelling out for shoots or have my early morning campaigns so that’s why I said, every day is different for me, I travel out once in two months, exploring India. Must to-do things – eat healthy, eat light at night, wake up early, make a routine.

Alternate evenings are usually boxing and running. Whereas, weekends are for golf and quad biking.

 

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