Your new televisions series, Indique, explores "Untold Stories of Contemporary India" and has aired on over 120 PBS affiliates in the US and is currently airing across India on Zee Café.  The show seems to postulate that for many, India is seen in an antiquated light.  What do you think the words "traveling through India" conjure for the average person outside India today -- and how do you think that differs versus the view within India?

From the time we created our pilot episode over two years ago, until today, the perception of India by the general public in the US has changed dramatically - and interest in the region has increased as well.  This is due largely to the economic uptick that places India on the front page of the publications such as the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal almost daily.  Though I believe that many stereotypical images of India remain, many new images have become ubiquitous in US media including call centers and technology campuses.  Having said that, there is still a long way to go in terms of providing the average television viewer with a balanced picture of India.

My impression is that most viewers prefer to see something "different" than what they are accustomed to seeing in the US, which is natural.  At the same time there seems to be a real desire to seek out the "exotica" – which often precludes the desire to seek out a larger picture of today's India.

Within India, particularly for the younger generation, there is a growing confidence and a sense that many opportunities including travel, are more accessible than ever.  This is secondary to both an attitudinal and economic shift.  Many Indians are aware of the subcontinents' tremendous diversity in terms of landscape, language, culture and activities.  Very often, Indians in metros will escape to quieter parts of India for relaxation – from the islands of Lakshadweep, off of the southwest coast of India, to the beaches of Goa, to Ayurvedic spas in Kerala.  Another option for many Indians are mountain hill stations – scenic, higher altitude towns that provide some relief from summer heat – or simply returning "home" to a small town or village.

A number of your episodes key in on the Bollywood film industry as a face of contemporary India.  What makes Bollywood so central to modern India and how would you recommend that one get a true "Bollywood experience" as a tourist?

As Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found author Suketu Mehta tells us in one of our segments, "You can't understand modern India without understanding Bollywood."  In the Indique series, we have tried to capture some elements of Bollywood that are less often explored.  In one vignette we follow a renowned playback singer as she records a song lip-synched by the actor in the film.  In another, we take a look at Bollywood actor Rahul Bose in his role as a member of the Indian National Rugby Team.  In still another, we go behind the scenes at a Hollywood/Bollywood co-production – a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common in multiple iterations (finance/production/animation/graphics).

Bollywood is an industry that is, in a sense, a reflection of the country itself.  It's tremendously diverse - there are people of all religions and from all walks of life working in the industry.  It's becoming increasingly organized or "corporatized."  It can be grand, powerful and emotional.  Film and film songs are a common thread for nearly all Indians – more than in any other country I have visited.

Since Film City, where many Bollywood movies are filmed, is off limits to the public, tours are not available.  Occasionally, however, tourists (Westerners in particular) are asked to be extras in a film.   Still, there are several fun ways to "access" Bollywood.  One way is to frequent the haunts of Bollywood actors – places such as the BBC (Bombay Baking Company) or Enigma at the JW Marriott in Mumbai, or Olive in Bandra so you can literally bump into your favorite star. Other ways to play out the hero/heroine role you always wanted would be to enroll in one of the city's Bollywood dance classes.  If you're in the city for more than a while, check out award-winning actor Anupam Kher's acting school in Juhu.  I would also recommend that travelers explore regional film centers in India such as Andhra Pradesh's Ramoji Film City just outside of Hyderabad.  Here, tours are offered to the public in the vein of Universal Studios.

What in your series do you think viewers will find most surprising when it comes to modern India's tourist attractions?

The areas in the series that have surprised viewers most were those that featured less populous, less urban areas.  We visited India's leading vineyard called Sula, where founder Rajeev Samant took us on a tour of his winery that looks remarkably similar to those in Napa Valley.  The vineyard, situated in beautiful Nashik, Maharashtra offers tastings, tours, and even accommodations throughout most of the year.  This and other lush, green areas tend to surprise most viewers.  Kerala, for example, is a state that lines the southwest border of India and is known for its intricate backwater canal system and beautiful houseboats.  It's also known as the home of the ancient healing science of Ayurveda.  Today, many spas cater to tourists seeking Ayurvedic therapies.  Ecotourism has also become very popular here.  With influences of Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic cultures, Kerala is a truly diverse and beautiful state – and is certainly a favorite destination of mine.  Within the urban centers, we visited a very upscale restaurant/lounge called Indigo in Bombay that looks like it could be in Soho (NYC), another surprise for many viewers.

There is a tendency when touring a country to see its marquee attractions and most popular sights such as, in India's case, the Taj Mahal.  But often a country's essence is found in more out-of-the-way places or activities that don't even register in tourism guidebooks.  What would you recommend that someone see or do in order to discover something illuminating about India but which is not part of the usual tourist agenda?

Sometimes, the most beautiful and meaningful experiences can be found in the same place where major tourist attractions exist.  For example, Mumbai has places of worships reflective of many faiths across the city.  Some are small tree temples, and shrines - others are grand such as the Banganaga tank. A walk down Bombay's famous Juhu beach may lead you to an ear wax remover who uses a long, looped wire to clean out your ears; it's very reasonably priced, but I would recommend it for viewing purposes only.  Three of my favorite ways to discover the "hidden stories" of India are to connect with someone who lives in the community you are visiting and see the city/town as they see it day to day.   Another way to make "off the beaten path" discoveries is to travel alone, as I often do.  There's no better way to assure that you will reach out to the people around you, and see things you may have otherwise missed had you been chatting with your friend from back home.  Finally, if you stay put in any one place for some time - there are innumerable volunteer opportunities in India which will bring a deeper meaning to any travel experience.  On the whole, people in India are generous and welcoming to those who are respectful and express curiosity.