"Nobody is indispensable, as people change and relationships evolve"
Tarina Patel Tweet
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Tarina Patel, the esteemed CEO of Yellow Effect Productions. In this captivating conversation, we delve into Tarina’s extraordinary journey, from her humble beginnings to becoming a renowned figure in the world of filmmaking.
Born and raised in South Africa, Tarina’s upbringing in a family that valued education and cultural integrity laid the foundation for her remarkable career. Having started as a model, Tarina discovered her passion for storytelling and embarked on a path that led her to establish Tarina Patel Productions in 2015.
With notable films like “Mandela’s Gun” and “Collision” under her belt, Tarina’s prowess as a producer shines through her ability to curate compelling narratives that resonate with global audiences.
Now, as the CEO of Yellow Effect Productions, Tarina has embarked on a new chapter in her filmmaking endeavors, aiming to bring forth captivating stories through her production company.
In this exclusive interview, Tarina shares insights into her personal growth, highlights her recent achievements, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey and future goals of Tarina Patel, a visionary leader in the film industry.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FEATURED?
All interviews are 100% FREE OF CHARGE
Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Tarina Patel: NAI grew up in South Africa in a distinguished family that valued education. My father, a respected physician, and my mother, from a prominent background, instilled cultural values and integrity in us. They ensured our excellent education in top private schools, blending our Indian heritage with the Western world.
At sixteen, I decided to study medicine in India, inspired by my father who had also studied there. Unexpectedly, I was approached by a couple who saw potential in my unique bone structure and offered me a photo shoot opportunity.
Initially skeptical, a friend encouraged me to explore it further. The glamorous experience and the stunning results shattered my self-doubt, opening my eyes to new possibilities. This marked a turning point, giving me confidence and revealing a world of opportunities.
In 2015, I began my journey with Tarina Patel Productions. Over the years, I have produced notable films such as “Mandela’s Gun” and “Collision.” For these projects, I chose to use my personal name as the producer, as I believe my name carries more recognition and influence than the production company itself.
Recently, I have embarked on a new venture with my team called Yellow Effect. Under this production company, we have just completed shooting a reality documentary. Moving forward, our upcoming films will fall under the banner of Yellow Effect. This represents a fresh chapter in our filmmaking endeavors.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Tarina Patel: With my industry experience, I’ve realized that transitioning into a producer role is the natural progression for me. I’ve built extensive networks and have a knack for discovering compelling stories with global appeal.
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the landscape, making it possible to create and share resonant stories rooted in one’s nation and culture on OTT platforms.
Understanding the business side of OTT platforms, I’ve built effective structures within my production company, including proficient teams, investor networks, and government support.
This framework allows me to produce stories set in South Africa without starting from scratch each time. The successful execution of projects like “My Reality DOCU,” “Collision,” and a soccer trilogy are certainly one of my greatest achievements.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Tarina Patel: The advice I wish I had received when starting my business journey is that personal and business growth are intertwined. It’s crucial to understand that nobody is indispensable, as people change and relationships evolve.
By maintaining this understanding, you can invest in various aspects of the business and rely on a network of capable individuals to fill necessary roles. Remaining flexible, open to learning, and embracing the wisdom of others is important. More minds contribute to greater wisdom, growth, and business impact.
In the next quarter, I intend to focus on improving my time management skills. This will help me stay organized, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Effective time management will enhance overall productivity and contribute to the success of my business.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Tarina Patel: I’ve been an avid reader since childhood, often visiting the library with my parents to choose books. One of my favorite authors is Dostoevsky, particularly his book Brothers Karamazov.
I developed a deep appreciation for Russian art, including ballet, opera, and authors like Tolstoy, Pushkin, and Gogol. However, when I discovered Indian authors, I fell in love with their vivid descriptions of cities, people, smells, and tastes, which immersed me in a rich literary world.
Some of my favorite Indian authors are Jhumpa Lahiri, Vikram Seth, Amitav Ghosh, Rabindranath Tagore, and Salman Rushdie. Lately, the book I often gift is Autobiography of a Yogi, which encourages conscious living, introspection, and understanding our role in the world. It’s a transformative journey and a remarkable read.
These books have had a profound impact on me, teaching me valuable life lessons. They prompt deep thinking, urging us to strive for more, question the ordinary, and contemplate various aspects of life.
As we grow from youngsters to adults, caught up in the busyness of life, we often neglect to question fundamental philosophical concepts like doubt, faith, free will, consciousness, and responsibility.
These books encourage us to examine these matters and view the world with fresh perspectives, ultimately empowering us to be different and make a difference in the world.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Tarina Patel: I’ve been writing a transgenerational book based on a journey my father and I embarked on. He was a doctor who became a patient in need of a lung transplant. We traveled to India, where he received incredible care and had the opportunity to fight for a second chance at life.
The book expresses my gratitude to the doctors, the country, and the city we were in during that time. As my father’s primary caregiver, our bond and strength amazed everyone around us. It made me question where my determination and courage came from, and I realized it’s rooted in the journeys of my ancestors.
The book explores the story of my great-grandfather’s voyage to South Africa and my grandmother’s experiences as a young bride. It delves into how these experiences shaped who I am today.
Published by Penguin, the book includes a foreword by Ratan Tata and endorsements from figures like Desmond Tutu. I’m eagerly awaiting its release in a few months after the editing process.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Tarina Patel: One underestimated aspect of running a company is the importance of valuing and supporting each team member. Their emotional and psychological needs often go overlooked.
By recognizing and addressing these needs, leaders can foster a motivated and productive workforce, ultimately contributing to the company’s success. In running a company, I’ve learned never to underestimate any aspect of my team. Each member’s contribution and impact are essential for success.
I recognize my own strengths and the need to outsource tasks I’m not skilled at. I carefully select team members based on their abilities, knowing that without them, projects wouldn’t be successful.
I’m constantly aware of each person’s contribution and understand that people require emotional and psychological support. As the captain of the ship, it’s my responsibility to ensure everyone feels valued and appreciated.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Tarina Patel: If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to effortlessly raise funding from the best investors worldwide. Securing funds is always a stressful and crucial aspect of my work, as it is needed at every step of the production process.
From paying writers for a great script to financing development, production, post-production, marketing, and PR, a substantial budget is necessary. Gaining the trust and faith of investors to believe in my projects is a challenging task.
With this superpower, I could ensure the necessary funding to create high-quality and entertaining content for the world to enjoy.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Tarina Patel for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.