The Moghul: Ashok Rao
Sexiest Qualities: Lively and Incisive

Ashok Rao is an astute businessman who is energized by life. Although he is worth millions because of his string of successful technology start-ups, Ashok is now retired and has, unconventionally, found his calling in the artistic world of film. Success, however, seems to follow Rao and its no surprise that this man is making a mark in his new industry of choice.

Rao, in 1995, took his Midcom Communications, a technology company, public on NASDAQ, making him one of the first South Asians to do so. Soon thereafter, he found himself investing in various technology start-ups all of which turned to varying degrees of gold. Because of this success; Rao, after repeated attempts at retirement, finally did so in 2003. Not one to sit and do nothing, Rao found himself dabbling in the film industry. At first he was just the ”money man” financing film projects as a backer, but soon, this hands-on man became more involved in the business as a producer.

In 2004, Rao first invested in the film My Bollywood Bride, starring Jason Lewis and Kashmirah Shah. The film, however, came up against an assortment of problems and it was Rao who came to the rescue taking on the role of producer. Being Producer seems to suit Rao as he has just completed the film The Whisperers in which he fulfilled the role of a fully involved producer and financier. It just recently had it’s first screening at the International Film Festival in Houston, winning awards for Best Thriller and Best Editing (overall), while also garnering substantial critical acclaim. Before The Rains is his current big screen project nearing completion and will be screened at several international film festivals in the coming months. It will star Rahul Bose and Nandita Das.

Rao credits his extraordinary accomplishments to his family and declares, ”My parents and wife have all given me advice, counsel and support throughout the years”. He especially speaks fondly of his late father, a career military man and medical doctor. Rao proudly recounts, ”My father served with the British during World War II and won multiple awards for valor and bravery during combat”. It is his father’s honest reputation that Rao cherishes most and models himself after.

So, what is ”Sexy” to Ashok Rao? In his own words, ”Sexy is the inherent ability to interest or excite the opposite sex by appearance, aura, style, charm, smell or spoken word.” Although he is very flattered and honored to be a part of this year’s Sexy Men issue for Bibi, he admits, ”I am quite bewildered at my selection”. His wife Sheila, however is, ”tickled proud” at the tribute.

Undoubtedly, the future holds countless more promising opportunities for this wise and clever entrepreneur. Ashok Rao will carry on masterfully balancing his wonderful film world of east meets west and will undoubtedly garner fame and further fortune in his latest ventures. Rao’s idea of retirement is not exactly conventional, but it is exactly what he wants right now. The only problem he faces is, ”When am I ever going to find time to work on my golf game?”