)
Best work moment
When my client or investee company wins big because of some advice I've given
Books on your bedside
A few thousand books within 20 feet of me. I tend to read books like others surf TV channels. I'm currently switching among re-reading the Tales Of The Otori series by Lian Hearn, the re-issued Sudden series by Oliver Strange, Richard Feynman's lectures on Physics, Contagious by Jonah Berger, Neal Stephenson's Diamond Age and Asterix and the Picts
Massage or workout to de-stress
Proud to say I haven't stepped into a gym in more than 20 years. Not much of a massage fan either - dry massages don't work for hairy people! I usually decompress with a book, music and a cup of tea.
Favourite accessory
My phone. I'm a Google fan - currently on the Nexus 5, waiting for the Nexus 6
Your IT tools
I use Any.do and Google a lot on my phone to help get things done. I have a mad bunch of friends from around the world on WhatsApp - so there's never a dull moment 24x7
Favourite spirit
Not much of a drinker. But if I do, in company, it's one small vodka, please. Flavoured, perhaps, with Sprite and ice. And occasionally, the Hefeweizen from Doolally
Favourite TV show
Don't watch much TV - does anybody anymore! Will see TV shows now and then, mostly on Blu-Ray. I am now parallelly watching House, Sherlock, Homeland, Game Of Thrones and Mad Men. But not too much though. Life is too short to sit in front of the TV
Best gift received
My kids - Agni, Chayn and Vann
Best gift given
That you'll have to ask the people in my life. I'd hope to think it's the time I spend with them - but I could be wrong
Newspaper and TV channels and websites you prefer
I get a bunch of papers in the morning - The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, Mint, Midday, and Mumbai Mirror. But I don't always read them, and even when I do, I see the ads more than the news. Rarely, if ever, (I) watch TV news. Get my news from Twitter and aggregation websites like Google News
Where do you like to sit when being driven? Upfront with driver or in the back seat like sahib?
If it's long distance, the driver goes at the back, and I drive. If it's in the city, I go to the back
What do you cook on your day off?
Can't cook for nuts. But can make omelettes, chai, coffee and instant noodles, if held at gunpoint and the threat is serious.
Are you a beach or a mountain person?
Green cliffs by the sea. Got any real estate to sell or rent?
You get your work clothes from
Random T-shirt companies online and assorted adventure companies for the pants
Your shaving mantra
Avoid Gillette shaving creams as much as possible and a new world of options opens up
Favourite cafe
Nothing as such but The Bagel Shop in Bandra is close to where I am, and relatively relaxed and welcoming for when I want to meet someone and I want to get out of home. Though increasingly do many meetings at home.
Your workout regime
The secret to health and happiness is a love life. If you have one, you'll never have to go to the gym
Your ideal holiday
Frequent, cheap and unpretentious
Alpha males you know
I'm told I'm one
Your favourite motto
You have one life. Screw the rules. Have no regrets. (I just made that up!)
MAHESH MURTHY
Marketing expert and venture capitalist
