I started out wanting to be an investigative journalist," says Anupama Mandloi, but through a series of coincidences and situations she ended up in the entertainment sector. Not that she is complaining.  Working her way up "slowly and steadily", Anuapama currently heads the content function of India's top TV channel Star Plus.

Before embarking upon her new assignment Anupama headed the programming function at Sony. Interestingly, she began her career as a trainee at Plus Channel that created video magazines like People Plus and Business Plus.

Speaking on the eve of Women's Day, Anupama in an e-mail interview with Prasanna D Zore says the gender question puzzles her. Fearless and independent, she believes: "My work is what it is because of who I am and what I stand for."

About yourself, your school and college days...

I come from an Army background and have always been encouraged to be independent and self-reliant by my parents. I have studied in approximately 13 schools across India and did my college from Lady Shriram in Delhi [Images]. I did my mass communication from Sophia College in Mumbai [Images] which was a liberating and wonderful experience because this was the beginning of my journey into the media and I loved every minute of it.

It was also my first time away from home and so it was an intensely experienced combination of homesickness and complete freedom in a vibrant city like Mumbai. It was also the first time I enjoyed attending classes! My romance with the media began here. 

Your career graph...

I had always wanted to make a difference and achieve something. I started out with an idealistic approach to work and over a period of time became realistic.

TV teaches you that. Idealism still runs strong and someday, I hope, it will be the one thing that will push me to realise a larger dream. I started out wanting to be an investigative journalist and through a series of coincidences, choices and situations I ended up in entertainment. I have spent almost 14 years in broadcasting and enjoy it immensely.

I started with Sony Entertainment Television at the time of its inception and did two stints there. I helped set up SAB TV when it was a part of the Adhikari Brothers venture. I work now with STAR Plus. Broadcasting for me has always been synonymous with programming. It's been a slow and steady growth and it's never been dictated by anything other than the sheer pleasure of creating shows.

I have been fortunate that through my entire career span I have worked with some of the brightest and best professionals in the business. 

Your first job experience...

I began as a trainee at Plus Channel when it was churning out video magazines like Business Plus and People Plus. I started out by cutting news items as research material for correspondents and watching enviously from the fringes. Within a couple of months I was working on some of the lead stories and interviews and writing for a syndication agency called plus Newsbank. It was a dream job.    

Does being a woman add a new perspective when you decide on content for the channel?

This gender question is always a bit puzzling to me. I love who I am but I don't think my output is any different because of my gender. My work is what it is because of who I am and what I stand for.

Your success mantras and lessons learnt in life...

• Patience; lots of it.
• What goes around comes around so respect and try and be fair to all those you work with.
• Don't allow yourself to remain in a situation that breaks your spirit or your self worth, whether in a professional or personal space.
• Life is wonderful. Enjoy it.
• Don't follow the herd.

What needs to be done in India for women's empowerment?

Education and encouraging financial independence. Both of these begin at home. If every family encourages their daughters to learn and earn there will be a notable change across society.

Managing work-life balance

Very difficult especially in this field, but over a period of time one learns to get the balancing act in place.