Tag: Ashish Hemrajani

Startup Mahakumbh panel unravels growth of Indian gaming

New Delhi: India’s gaming industry has hit the jackpot while the rest of the world seems to be playing on easy mode. At this week’s Startup Mahakumbh, the crème de la crème of India’s digital entertainment world gathered to spill the beans on what’s turning the country into a gaming colossus.

The star-studded panel—featuring Bookmyshow fonder & CEO Ashish Hemrajani, Games24/7, founder & CEO Bhavin Pandya, Dream11 cofounder & CEO Harsh Jain and Bitkraft partner Anuj Tandon—didn’t mince words about the sector’s explosive trajectory. The discussion, masterfully refereed by JetSynthesys founder & CEO Rajan Navani, revealed that while global gaming revenues have hit pause, India’s gaming scene is charging ahead at a blistering 20 per cent annual clip.

“The gaming and digital entertainment industry in India is at an inflection point,” declared Navani. “With the right mix of innovation, investment, and responsible regulation, India can become a global powerhouse.” No small talk there.

The once-questioned spending power of Indian gamers has been dramatically upended by UPI and one-click payment solutions. In-app purchases alone are projected to rake in a whopping $4.3 billion within four years—enough to make even the most hardened venture capitalist’s mouth water.

The gold rush hasn’t gone unnoticed across borders. Executives from gaming giants Sega and Tencent were spotted prowling the event, eyeing up the burgeoning market with barely disguised avarice.

A separate session on investment strategies laid bare the brutal realities facing founders. Investors confessed to maintaining watchlists of 200-300 promising entrepreneurs, tracking them well before products even see the light of day. Common pitfalls for startups include the seductive but dangerous trap of over-raising at sky-high valuations and the cardinal sin of delaying monetisation.

“Early revenue generation isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential,” one panelist quipped, cutting through the typical startup waffle like a hot knife through butter.

Government initiatives like Startup India are hailed as crucial catalysts, while investors stressed that the days of chasing unicorn status at all costs are well and truly over. The new mantra? Sustainable business models that actually turn a profit—revolutionary concept, that.

The second edition of Startup Mahakumbh follows last year’s blinding success, which saw over 48,581 visitors and 1,306 exhibitors descend upon the event like bees to honey.

As India’s gaming ecosystem continues its meteoric rise, one thing is crystal clear: in the digital playground of entertainment, India is no longer merely a player—it’s becoming the house. And as any gambler worth their salt knows, the house always wins.

April 3, 2025
Red Lorry Film Festival announces esteemed jury for 2025 Competition Segment

MUMBAI: The spotlight is set, the reels are ready, and the magic of cinema is about to unfold once again.

The Red Lorry Film Festival, India’s premier international celebration of storytelling, makes a grand return in 2025, promising a cinematic extravaganza like no other.

With its second edition slated for 21–23 March 2025, the festival unveils a stellar jury panel for its Competition Segment, poised to evaluate the finest films of 2024. Adding to its allure, the festival ventures beyond Mumbai this year, introducing Red Lorry Film Festival: Parallel Verse in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, weaving together a dual-city saga of cinematic brilliance.

This year’s festival promises an immersive celebration of global cinema, featuring over 120 films spanning diverse languages, genres, and cultures. The newly introduced Competition Segment highlights exceptional talent across two categories:

1 The Front Runners (Best Film): Recognising outstanding storytelling and technical excellence.

2 Fresh Frames (Best Debut Film): Celebrating bold narratives from first-time filmmakers.

Submissions for both categories remain open until 14 January 2025, offering filmmakers a chance to showcase their creativity on a global stage.

The 2025 jury panel brings together an eclectic mix of luminaries celebrated for their contributions to storytelling and artistic innovation:

1 Acclaimed filmmaker behind Udaan and Lootera, Vikramaditya Motwane expressed his excitement: “Cinema is a universal language and I am truly excited to celebrate its transformative power at Red Lorry Film Festival 2025. Festivals like these provide a platform for innovative voices and stories that push the limits of creativity and it’s an honour to be part of a space that celebrates and nurtures such bold, transformative storytelling.”

2 Writer-director of Berlin and Jubilee, Atul Sabharwal highlighted, “Cinema is a mirror to society, capturing its complexities, dreams and unspoken truths. Red Lorry Film Festival stands as a beacon of innovation in cinema, celebrating bold storytelling and emerging talent that challenges perspectives and sparks meaningful conversations. I look forward to celebrating and amplifying voices that are redefining storytelling on the global stage and to witnessing the impact of stories that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.”

3 Journalist and author, Kaveree Bamzai added, “This festival is a celebration of stories that connect us all, transcending boundaries and bringing us closer through shared experiences and emotions. In a world that is increasingly complex, I am thrilled to explore narratives that not only reflect its multifaceted beauty but also challenge us to think deeper, empathise more and celebrate the richness of human expression. Festivals like these remind us of the power of storytelling – to inform, inspire and transform – and I am honoured to be a part of this vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives.”

4 PVR-Inox Cinemas executive director, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli shared, “At PVR Inox, we have always strived to push the boundaries of storytelling and offer audiences an unparalleled cinematic experience. Red Lorry Film Festival perfectly aligns with our vision by celebrating creativity, diverse narratives and the transformative power of films. I am delighted to be part of a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also nurtures innovation and inclusivity in cinema.”

5 Kathak dancer and actor, Prachee Shah Paandya said, “Cinema, much like dance, is a powerful expression of life – both are art forms that transcend words, evoke deep emotions and bring stories to life in a way that resonates universally. I am truly honoured to be part of a festival that fosters and celebrates emerging voices in filmmaking, providing a platform for fresh talent to shine and contribute to the ever-evolving narrative of cinema. As someone who has had the privilege of representing India’s cultural heritage globally through dance and storytelling, I deeply value initiatives like this that champion creativity, diversity and the limitless possibilities of artistic expression.”

6 Award-winning filmmaker of Bareilly Ki Barfi and Panga, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari remarked, “Storytelling is the soul of human connection and cinema is one of its most powerful medium. I am honoured to be part of the Red Lorry Film Festival that celebrates the art of movie making and provides a platform for new and emerging voices to share their unique narratives. As a filmmaker, I believe in the power of stories to inspire, evoke change and bring us closer to our roots. Film Festivals like these not only encourage unique voices but also nurture and give an equal platform to the next generation of storytellers, ensuring that the magic of cinema continues to thrive and evolve from India to the world.”

7 BookMyShow founder & CEO, Ashish Hemrajani joined as an honorary juror, stating, “At BookMyShow, we love storytellers, recognising the ability to inspire, connect and question the status quo. Red Lorry Film Festival perfectly embodies this ethos – serving as a platform that celebrates cinematic excellence and also lends a voice to what’s pushing the boundaries of creativity. As an Honorary Juror, I am humbled and excited to witness first-hand the exceptional talent that emerges via this discovery. This festival is a testament to the potential of cinema to ignite imagination and hopefully leave a lasting impact on the world.”

Led by BookMyShow COO – cinemas, Ashish Saksena, the festival is more than a cinematic showcase; it is a platform for fostering creative talent and celebrating storytelling’s transformative impact. Saksena shared, “We are thrilled to have such an exceptional panel of jurors, each bringing a unique perspective and deep understanding of storytelling. Their expertise and passion for cinema will undoubtedly enrich the festival and set the stage for discovering groundbreaking talent. The Red Lorry Film Festival is not just a celebration of films; it’s a platform that champions diverse voices, nurtures creativity and showcases the transformative power of storytelling. Audiences can look forward to an extraordinary experience that pushes the boundaries of cinematic innovation and inspires meaningful conversations.”

Cinephiles can secure their festival passes exclusively on BookMyShow, starting at Rs 750. With a lineup that includes cultural performances, food zones, and tech showcases, the event promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.

Key highlights of Red Lorry Film Festival 2025

1 Competition Segment: Celebrating exceptional films in two categories.
2 Music Concert: Featuring a top artist on Valentine’s Day.
3 Global Cinema: Over 120 titles across languages and genres.
4 Immersive Experiences: Cultural performances, travel competitions, and more

For filmmakers and cinema lovers, true triumph lies not just in box-office millions but in the art of storytelling being seen, celebrated, and revered. This festival is your stage to shine, your story’s moment to connect with a global audience, and your chance to be part of a legacy of cinematic brilliance.

Don’t let this opportunity pass – submit your films, secure your tickets, and step into the spotlight of recognition.

The world is ready to applaud your story; all it takes is your first act.

https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/red-lorry-film-festival/ET00418784

January 6, 2025
BMS reveals how India consumed entertainment in 2018

MUMBAI: BookMyShow has revealed how India consumed out-of-home entertainment from its platform in 2018 in a latest report.

BookMyShow CEO and founder Ashish Hemrajani said, “As the year comes to a close, thank you to all our users for choosing BookMyShow. #BestOf2018 is a true reflection of the amazing year that 2018 has been! India’s entertainment landscape is going through a radical change and BookMyShow is playing its part in this transformation, by providing an unparalleled experience. 2018 has witnessed great demand for both movies and live events.”

As per the reveals, Hindi movies followed by Telugu and English were the most watched via the platform. Out of 1780 films, across languages, that BookMyShow hosted this year, Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar starrer 2.0 became the highest grossing film on the platform, selling 16 tickets per second, followed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmaavat. It was also the highest grossing Hindi film.

Bengaluru became the leading city in terms of total number of movie tickets bought. Sunday afternoon was the most preferred show time and drama was the most popular genre followed by action, thriller and romantic comedy.

The report also mentions, “In 2018, regional cinema saw a remarkable increase, contributing 45 per cent to the total number of tickets sold on BookMyShow. Tamil and Telugu films together formed 73 per cent of the total number of tickets sold for regional films fuelled by the release of movies like 2.0, Sarkar and Geetha Govindam and Rangasthalam, amongst others.”

Apart from the movies, the people also opted for a lot of live entertainment. The live-entertainment listings registered a growth of about 20 per cent this year as compared to 2017. “This year, the India debut of Disney’s Aladdin and Cirque du Soleil’s latest spectacle BAZZAR marked a new high in the entertainment experience of BookMyShow’s users,” reads the report.

City-wise, Mumbai opted for plays while Delhi went out for food and historical monuments. Bangalore and Hyderabad attended the maximum number of stand-up gigs.

“In 2018, users preferred BookMyShow to book their spots at the Indian Premiere League leading to packed stadiums along with Pro Kabbadi League that experienced high demand in cities like Pune, Patna, and Ahmedabad,” the report claims.

January 1, 2019
Albert Almeida appointed COO of BookMyShow non-movies

Mumbai: Albert Almeida has been appointed as COO non-movies of BookMyShow (BMS). The new role has been carved out at a time when BMS is taking the lead in building and nurturing an ecosystem for theatre, sports, music concerts and other live experiences and events thereby giving its existing loyal movie going customer base and newer audiences a lot more entertainment choices.

In his new role, Almeida will report to Ashish Hemrajani, founder and CEO of BMS and will lead the next phase of growth and expansion for the company. Albert will drive efficiency and agility within BMS to ensure there’s a sharp focus on each of the non-movie verticals. He will also work with existing and new partners to give consumers access to some of the biggest and most unique entertainment experiences and will be responsible in identifying untapped growth opportunities in the market.

Hemrajani says, “We are excited to have Albert on board and welcome him to BookMyShow. I first worked with him from 1997-1999 and we have stayed friends. Now, as we set out to create, develop and bring to India entertainment experiences which are on par with the best in the world, I am very fortunate to have a talented and experienced colleague to work with alongside. We look forward to setting new standards in this space and are absolutely confident that Albert has the ability to lead this journey.”

Commenting on his new appointment Almeida said, “I am delighted to join the BookMyShow team and look forward to my new role. BookMyShow, over the years, has established itself as a loved brand with clear market leadership. As a loyal consumer of the service I have seen how BookMyShow has constantly redefined the space it operates in and has set a clear vision and roadmap for the entertainment lifecycle of its customers. We see a huge opportunity in the non-movie entertainment space and are committed to driving the next phase of growth from here. I am excited to be a part of this journey as we diversify into new avenues of entertainment.”

Albert Almeida brings with him over 25 years of experience having worked with eminent broadcast, digital media and adverting giants before joining BookMyShow. In his last assignment as COO- Hungama Digital Media Pvt Ltd, he led Hungama Mobile’s domestic and international businesses. He also worked as executive vice president with Sony Entertainment Television for over half a decade during which he led the SET and MAX brands. Before this, he spent over a decade with J Walter Thompson in various roles, the last being as vice president and regional account director on the Unilever business.

May 28, 2018
One-in-four digitally connected Indian will ensure growth of medium: IAA

MUMBAI: The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter conducted its 12^th Webinar on 19 December 2014 as part of the ‘World Goes Digital’ webinar series.

GroupM South Asia, veteran digital media specialist and managing partner, Tushar Vyas was a guest speaker in this series of the webinar. As part of the GroupM South Asia ExCo, Vyas leads the digital media practice for GroupM South Asia. He is also responsible for investments and corporate business development.

Commenting on the importance of the digital medium, Vyas said “The number of people who have embraced digital as a medium is a testimony to its growth and importance. There are 5 million smartphones being bought every month in India, which has ensured that 25 per cent of the Indian population is digitally connected.”

IAA India Chapter & vice president, development (Asia pacific region) Srinivasan K Swamy commented, “Having experts like Tushar Vyas, ensures that our members and the fraternity in general gets the latest and most authoritative view on the digital media.”

The Free Press Journal director and Webinar Series chairman Abhishek Karnani said “We were delighted to have Tushar Vyas addressing the 12^th in the series of ‘World Goes Digital’ Webinar series hosted by the IAA India Chapter. These sessions go a long way in spreading the awareness of the digital media.”

The International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter has hosted speakers like Citi India CMO Sanjeev Kapoor, Bookmyshow.com founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani, Google India managing director Rajan Anandan, Linkedin India managing director Nishant Rao, Rediff.com founder Ajit Balakrishnan SAP chief story teller Julie Roehm, Hungama Digital Media managing director and CEO Neeraj Roy and mCordis co-founder & managing partner (EMEA) Paul Berney.

Recently, Ram Subramanian and Rajjat Barjatya were also invited as guests on ‘World Goes Digital’ webinar series.

December 23, 2014
Network18, SAIF and Accel invest Rs 150 crore in BookMyshow

MUMBAI: The holding company of one of India’s leading online entertainment ticketing companies BookMyShow, Bigtree Entertainment has received a shot in the arm. The company’s existing investors Network18 and Accel Partners and its new investor SAIF Partners have together invested Rs 150 crore in the company.

With this round of financing, the company is looking at increasing its penetration outside tier I cities, build its infrastructure and expand its offering in order to take customer experience to the next level. Avendus Capital was the sole financial advisor and BMR Legal was the legal advisor for this transaction.

On signing the deal, BookMyShow founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani said, “We are very happy to have SAIF Partners as our latest investors. The common vision of creating scalable and large businesses was aligned to our thought process. Their experience of having helped companies such as MakeMyTrip and Just Dial go public would be of immense value to us as we move forward in our growth plans. We are also very happy to have delivered value to our existing investors and the fact that both Network18 and Accel have further invested in this round, shows their confidence in the company and the ability of the team to continue delivering and innovating.”

Commenting on the transaction, SAIF Partners MD Deepak Gaur said, “We are delighted to participate in this exciting journey of bringing world class convenience to consumers across entertainment verticals that BookMyShow offers. We are confident that with the current round of capital raise, BookMyShow team will continue to strengthen the relentless focus on innovation, customer service and technology as our country takes rapid strides in internet penetration.”

Accel India partner Prashanth Prakash added, “As an industry leader, BookMyShow continues to set the agenda when it comes to movie and event experiences in India. We look forward to supporting the team in continuing to enhance value for their customers and realising the potential of becoming the default destination for consumers’ entertainment needs.”

Commenting on the transaction, Capital 18 MD Sarbvir Singh said, “BookMyShow has emerged as the country’s leading entertainment ticketing destination. The company continues to attract high pedigree investors and with SAIF Partners joining Accel Partners and Network18, the BookMyShow team will be able to further enhance customer experience and market leadership. We were happy to participate in the transaction and look forward to the next phase of the BookMyShow journey.”

A release from the company states that it gets more than 35 million visits and 500 million page views approximately and has sold more than 10 crore tickets till date. It has also re-launched a mobile app to facilitate ticketing in India and an additional 20 cities have been covered by adding new cinemas. BookMyShow now has a presence in over 200 cities and is trying to further penetrate the single screen cinema segment in each of these markets.

BookMyShow was the exclusive online ticketing partner for the ICC T-20 Championship in Bangladesh. The company is also the exclusive ticketing partner for many IPL teams which include Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals, Hyderabad Sun Risers, Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. It also manages ticketing for IPL central rights along with accreditations. The other sport events for which BookmyShow has been the exclusive online ticketing partner are; Chennai Open Tennis championship, Super Fight League and Yonex Badminton.

June 18, 2014
BookMyShow.com and PVR Cinemas enter into a strategic partnership

NEW DELHI: Bigtree Entertainment, the holding company of the entertainment ticketing portal BookMyShow.com, today announced its association with PVR for a five-year deal as the online ticketing partner for PVR Cinemas across India.

The companies are targeting ticket sales worth Rs 1,000 crore over these five years exclusively on Bookmyshow.com for PVR besides PVR‘s present existing sale of tickets from its Box Office and other channels

BookMyShow.com founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani said, “This association is a great development from the entertainment industry‘s perspective, with two significant players in their specialised domain coming together. We are happy to partner with PVR cinemas, which is continuance in our efforts in making entertainment hassle-free for consumers. The partnership extends to areas outside just pure sales but also to harnessing bookmyshow‘s analytical ability to ensure targeting the right content to right users as well as marketing initiatives around non-movies and alternative content”.

PVR Cinemas Group president and CEO Pramod Arora said, “In our everlasting zest to provide convenience to our esteemed patrons, we have associated and partnered with Bookmyshow.com as our preferred e-ticketing channel partner. We have been in discussions with BMS for quite some time to work out this association, which shall help us touch millions of new additional customers who may now experience the joy of watching films at PVR Cinema near them. This is another initiative to help augment the box office revenues by reaching out to more and more consumers and achieving better penetration in our micro markets. Besides a better reach, our association with BMS shall also help us in CRM initiatives by deploying tools like KYC (know your customer) to help us serve our customers with their preferred choice of seats, concessions and other soft offerings. To sum up, this association is a sure delight not only for us but for our patrons, film distributors and producers alike!”

Bookmyshow will market and sell tickets of PVR Cinemas, over its web, mobile apps and other affiliate channels. The significant consumer shift over the past few years towards online and mobile sales, with a strong CRM backbone allows better segmentation and analysis in marketing relevant content to users. This shift also helps reduce the burden at the box office by reducing costs and making up for the lack of customer data thereby helping in predictive modeling.

July 16, 2013
BookMyShow.com is official ticketing partner for six IPL teams

MUMBAI: Entertainment ticketing portal BookMyShow.com has announced its association with the SunRisers Hyderabad team for IPL 2013, making it the official ticketing partner for six out of nine IPL teams this season.

With this development, BookMyShow.com will be managing 60 per cent of the ticketing inventory for IPL 2013, making it the largest ticketing provider this season.

BookMyShow.com has been associated with IPL teams for four consecutive years and will be the official ticketing partner for Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, Pune Warriors, Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad this season.

BookMyShow.com founder, CEO Ashish Hemrajani said, “We are happy to be long standing partners for these IPL teams, witnessing a year on year increment of around 18 – 25 per cent in revenues for our organisers each season. Online sales have become an essential element for every IPL team with 85 per cent of IPL sales in high internet penetration markets derived from online sales. Even low internet penetration markets have emerged with 75 per cent of tickets sold online last season, showcasing a 35 per cent growth in online sales since its inception

“Being market leaders‘ in this space, we understand the sensitivity of each market and implement different and effective marketing strategies in accordance to the same. We are associated with 6 IPL teams this season, managing more than 15 lakh tickets for the IPL 2013 teams and we hope to partner with two more teams in IPL 2014.”

In order to extend its reach among customers, BookMyShow.com has tied up with leading brands including Café Coffee Day, BMW, Mercedes Benz and more. Apart from being the official ticketing partner, BookMyShow.com will also manage the on-ground operations for all six teams which would encompass strategy and planning, ticket printing with security features, ground sales, home delivery, inventory management, stock distribution, cash collection, corporate and package sales, online marketing, gate entry validation plus management and reconciliation (post event). BookMyShow.com has also been awarded with accreditation management for four IPL teams – Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors India and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Apart from booking tickets online, customers can also view details such as seating arrangement, venue, offers, players‘ information, ticketing outlets and delivery tracking of tickets. One can also purchase the official teams‘ merchandise on the website. BookMyShow.com also has a customer support that can be reached online, on the phone or through its retail outlets for addressing any ticketing issues.

Tickets for Delhi Daredevil, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently live on BookMyShow.com. Tickets for Pune Warriors India will be live from today 25 March.

March 25, 2013
Big Tree Entertainment expands South India footprint with Ticketgreen.com acquisition

MUMBAI: Big Tree Entertainment, the holding company of ticketing portal BookMyShow.com, has expanded its footprint in South India by snapping up Ticketgreen.com, a leading entertainment ticketing portal of South India and the flagship brand of Ticketgreen Solutions.

The acquisition includes transfer of all key assets to BookMyShow.com along with all the existing cinema partnerships under the Ticketgreen brand.

Ticketgreen.com enjoys a strong partnership with over 100 cinemas in South India and sells over 100,000 tickets per month. With this acquisition, BookMyShow.com aims to strengthen its presence in the South Indian market.

BookMyShow.com currently tickets for over 350 cinemas in more than 150 cities across India and manages more than 1000 events a year as exclusive ticketing partners.

Speaking on the acquisition, BookMyShow.com Founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani said, “Acquiring Ticketgreen.com is a part of our expansion strategy to grow our footprint in the South Indian Market. This region being one of the most tech savvy markets in India, offers a huge potential for e-commerce. The acquisition has strengthened our market presence and provided the requisite local resources and talent pool to expand our presence further into Tier II & Tier III cities in South India.”

Commenting on this development, Ticketgreen Director Vetri Selvan & Nagaraj Ruthirakotty said, “With this development, we hope to reach out to a larger online consumer base. The combined forces of our talent pool, local knowledge, BookMyShow.com’s wide reach and brand equity will help gain greater heights.”

As part of this acquisition, the current employee base of Ticketgreen will be folded into BookMyShow.com and will contribute towards strengthening BookMyShow.com’s portfolio in South India.

BookMyShow.com will also work on renewing the technological focus of the company (Ticketgreen) to improve its brand positioning in the market. Future innovations and enhancements under the brand will be in line with BookMyShow.com.

BookMyShow.com recently raised funds worth Rs 1 billion from Accel Partners.

March 9, 2013