Tag: Akshaye Widhani

Mumbai: The discussion traced the trajectory of this evolution, examining the impact of technology on content consumption, educational aspects, and the evolving preferences of young audiences. Emphasising the fusion of entertainment and education, the panel delved into the latest trends, such as interactive media, augmented reality, and immersive storytelling, offering valuable insights for creators, educators, and parents alike. The panel aimed to unravel the past, present, and future of kids’ entertainment, navigating the fascinating intersection of play and pixels.

The moderator of the panel was Powerkids Entertainment CEO Manoj Mishra.

“The essence of our content has remained consistent since the beginning. While storytelling and content creation have seen minimal alterations, there was a notable shift when I entered the industry. Initially, we relied heavily on foreign content, merely dubbing it for local audiences. However, over time, we began crafting our narratives that resonated more deeply with our audience, particularly children. The fundamental stories haven’t changed; it’s the platforms that evolve continually, and our adaptability has allowed us to broaden our horizons.” : Viacom18 kids TV network business head Anu Sikka.

“In the future, animation will undeniably continue to hold a prominent position, Drawing insights from diverse channels, including online platforms like Netflix, and learning from the successes of digital endeavors, whether on Netflix or other platforms, we’ve adeptly tailored these achievements to suit the Indian landscape.”: Warner Bros Discovery head, kids network Uttam Pal Singh.

Mumbai: This session brought together seasoned storytellers and content creators to unravel the transformative impact of disruptive technologies on narrative formats. Delving into the shift from traditional blockbusters to the era of binge-watching, the panel explores how storytelling has evolved. Participants witnessed a dynamic discussion on changing audience dynamics, emerging platforms, and the innovative strategies employed by storytellers to captivate and engage audiences in an era marked by a constant evolution in entertainment consumption.

The fireside chat was moderated by Indian critic and journalist Naman Ramachandran.

“We are here to serve our audience with the most diverse & high-quality content. We find ourselves at an intriguing juncture in our streaming journey. Despite being a nascent industry, it is evolving rapidly, with people adopting it at an exceptionally fast rate.”: Netflix India VP – content Monika Shergill.

Answering the question about the secret sauce in the theatrical business, Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani said, “As an organisation, we don’t punish failure. That is the secret sauce at YRF.”

Answering the second part of the question on what YRF looks for when commissioning a film or a series, Widhani said, “It is a creative business. Either you go right or wrong, but it’s about the story. The north star for us is the story. We’ve been telling stories for the last five decades and we hope we’ll keep telling stories much after that. When it comes to what we decide on how we decide to greenlight, it’s pretty much based on what that story is and how it appeals to us.”