Remember the popular TV series Banegi Apni Baat? Well, Masumeh Makhija is no new face to both the small and big screens. She has been acting in many shows and films since she was barely 11. Besides acting in successful films like Maqbool and Chupke Se, she has been one of the first Indians to cross over to European cinema, starring in Tor Zum Himmel.
“It was only after Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (2011), I decided to take a break from Bollywood,” she recalls. In between, she left the country to explore her skills in a German and an Italian film. She was last seen in the critically acclaimed 3 Storeys, and now her next film Bhagwan Bharose is on the cards. Like the wide spectrum of characters she has portrayed, Masumeh believes that diversification is the best approach when it comes to managing her finances. “One should invest money wisely by exploring all the options available,” she says. It is important to strike a balance between savings and investments, and remain fluid to new opportunities.
“I look at the economic climate and understand the trends before choosing the appropriate direction to invest in – whether equity, mutual funds, debt, gold, or property. I prefer to build up a long-term portfolio.” Lately, she has been more focused on her production company – The Creative Tribe – that she started with her business partner a few years ago. Masumeh aspires to create innovative cutting-edge content. They have created several popular campaigns that speak of a young, vibrant voice. “Over the past few years, we have collaborated with many agencies, including Mirum and Liquid Asia, and designed campaigns for brands like AGL Tiles, PGIM and Reliance Digital. We have also worked with platforms like Disney Hotstar+ for creating Advertiser-Funded Programming (AFPs) and branded content,” she says.
Masumeh is not a mere actor but a true-blue entrepreneur and is proud of her work. “The business of cinema is something I have grown up with. My family’s company – PLA Entertainment – has been around since 1946 and has produced great movies like Chashme Badoor, Khatta Meetha, and Jalwa. Classic films like those have been an inspiration not just to me but for an entire generation of film watchers.”
Amid such a busy schedule what is it like to manage money along with a demanding career? Masumeh feels that financial independence is very difficult without proper financial planning. “My financial philosophy is the same as my approach towards life. While it is important to learn from experts’ advice, it is equally important to do your due diligence before you take any financial decision. There is no substitute for research. The more information an investor has, the more qualified her decisions turn out to be.”
Masumeh is passionate about organic foods. The firm believer in holistic living says, “If there is no health there is no wealth.” Fitness has been an integral part of her everyday life. “I love yoga because it centres my mind, body, and soul. Eating right is equally important. My current passion is organic farming. It gives me great joy to harvest the vegetables from my farm and cook a wonderful meal for my family and friends.” A businesswoman at heart, she is always on the lookout for interesting investment opportunities, be it in film content or organics. “The last investment I made was in a start-up called ‘Ecodevi’. It’s a food brand that makes non-Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), fair trade products targeted at consumers who are eager to embrace a nature-friendly lifestyle,” she says.