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Tag: Hiren Gada

  • Shemaroo posts Rs 45.8 crore Q1 loss as revenue and margins dip sharply

    Shemaroo posts Rs 45.8 crore Q1 loss as revenue and margins dip sharply

    MUMBAI: Drama, but no dividends Shemaroo’s first quarter script writes itself into the red. The veteran media and entertainment company reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 45.8 crore for Q1 FY25, ballooning from Rs 17.2 crore in the same quarter last year. Even standalone losses were sharper, at Rs 46.9 crore versus Rs 17.5 crore year-on-year. Despite total income standing at Rs 143.2 crore, a steep rise in expenses especially operational and employee-related pushed the firm into deeper losses.

    Revenue from operations dropped 9.6 per cent year-on-year to Rs 139.5 crore (from Rs 154.4 crore), and sank over 31.7 per cent from Rs 204.3 crore in the previous quarter (Q4 FY24). Employee costs rose marginally to Rs 31.2 crore, while operational costs climbed significantly to Rs 152.3 crore, overtaking revenue altogether.

    Shemaroo’s loss before tax stood at Rs 60.9 crore for the quarter, compared to Rs 22.8 crore in Q1 FY24. The company’s total comprehensive loss now stands at Rs 45.8 crore for Q1 FY25, compared to Rs 17.2 crore a year earlier and Rs 5.1 crore last quarter.

    The board, however, remained busy beyond the balance sheet. It approved the reappointment of three top Shemaroo executives Raman Maroo as managing director, Atul Maroo as Joint MD, and Hiren Gada as CEO for another three-year term beginning January 2026. Additionally, Namrata Shinde was appointed compliance officer, effective immediately.

    But the real plot twist comes from the GST front. The company is entangled in a legal showdown after the GST department demanded recovery of inadmissible input tax credit (ITC) of Rs 70.3 crore, interest, and penalties totalling a staggering Rs 133.6 crore each on the Joint MD, CEO, and CFO. Shemaroo has challenged the order in the Bombay High Court and secured an interim stay on proceedings.

    In another strategic move, the company plans to transfer the broadcasting license of Mango TV to Mango Mass Media Pvt Ltd for at least Rs 25 lakh, subject to MIB approval.

    From VHS tapes to digital platforms, Shemaroo has seen the industry’s highs and lows. But if Q1 FY25 is any indicator, the road ahead might call for some tight editing and serious plot development both financial and regulatory.

  • Five and thriving Shemaroo TV celebrates a half-decade of drama

    Five and thriving Shemaroo TV celebrates a half-decade of drama

    MUMBAI: It’s been five years since Shemaroo TV first switched on and it’s safe to say, they’ve kept the remote firmly in their audience’s hands. The Free-To-Air (FTA) channel has hit a milestone moment, celebrating half a decade of serving up a heady mix of myth, mayhem and middle-India masala to viewers across Bharat.

    In a television landscape where loyalty is rare and tastes are ever-shifting, Shemaroo TV has carved out a space of its own drawing in an annual audience of 296 million with a content cocktail that includes devotional sagas, crime capers and classic family drama. Whether you’re in for a morning dose of spiritual calm or a prime-time showdown, the channel has something for every generation under the roof.

    What sets Shemaroo apart is its smart straddle between rooted values and modern sensibilities. Its programming taps into nostalgia while staying fresh enough for a younger, evolving viewership. And its impact goes beyond metros, it has become a staple in rural and semi-urban homes, where FTA still rules the roost.

    Commenting on the milestone Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd, CEO Hiren Gada says, “Shemaroo TV’s journey over the last five years has been nothing short of inspiring. We set out with the belief that audiences in India’s heartland seek content that resonates deeply with their culture, values, and aspirations. The remarkable growth in viewership and engagement validates that vision. We remain committed to curating content that entertains and brings families together.”

    Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd COO for Broadcast Business Sandeep Gupta adds, “Shemaroo TV has built a unique identity by staying true to its roots while constantly innovating. This success is not just about numbers; it’s about the millions of connections we’ve built across Bharat. Our thoughtfully curated content line up ensures every Indian home finds a story that becomes a part of their live from early morning spiritual seekers to prime-time drama enthusiasts. We are excited for the journey ahead and ready to scale even greater heights with the love and trust of our audience.”

    As Shemaroo TV enters year six, its playbook remains the same: tradition, emotion and wide appeal all packaged with consistency and heart. In an age of streaming binges and short attention spans, it turns out there’s still something timeless about stories that feel like home.

  • Shemaroo Entertainment promotes Diversity with the Confluence initiative

    Shemaroo Entertainment promotes Diversity with the Confluence initiative

    Mumbai: This International Women’s Day marks an important moment for Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. as it celebrates the impact of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative, “Confluence – Where Diversity Becomes Strength,” launched this year in January. Committed to promoting DEI, Shemaroo has achieved a significant milestone with women now constituting 25 per cent of its workforce, reflecting a strong emphasis on gender diversity and increased representation of women across various levels.

    To catalyze this transformative journey, Shemaroo has implemented a suite of initiatives – from flexible working hour policies to the creation of a nurturing mother’s room for new mothers, and the facilitation of sensitization workshops, Shemaroo ensures every employee feels valued and supported.

    Central to this ethos are internal communities like “Femme Power” and “Sisters In Shemaroo (SIS),” providing a haven where women can exchange insights, receive mentorship, and revel in shared triumphs, nurturing a culture of mutual respect and inclusivity.

    Speaking about ‘Confluence’ and its significance to the organisation, Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd CEO of Hiren Gada said, “At Shemaroo, inclusivity is not just a principle; it’s ingrained in our ethos. From our very inception, we’ve held the firm belief that diversity strengthens us, and women have been an integral part of our journey. We’ve always honoured and recognized their power, understanding that their contributions are essential to our success. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.”

    Elaborating upon the initiatives Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd COO Arghya Chakravarty. said, “With the launch of our ‘Confluence’ initiative, we embrace the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion to drive meaningful change. Our commitment is not just about celebrating women today; it’s about fostering a culture where everyone, regardless of gender or background, feels equally empowered to contribute to our collective success.”

    Human Resources head Shiza Ansari added, “Our ‘Confluence’ initiative has been vital in promoting inclusion at Shemaroo. It has sparked conversations about diversity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to share their stories and perspectives. By embracing diversity, we’re making sure that every voice matters and every person is included. We are looking forward to a future where equity and inclusion are even stronger.”

    Aligning seamlessly with the International Women’s Day 2024 theme – “Inspire Inclusion,” Shemaroo transcends gender boundaries, extending its DEI initiatives to embrace all diverse groups. By promoting dialogues on the challenges men encounter in the workplace, Shemaroo champions a holistic approach to inclusion, ensuring every voice resonates in the corporate landscape.

    As an important step towards progress in DEI, Shemaroo’s “Confluence” initiative emphasises the significance of inclusive practices. By embracing diversity and augmenting equity and inclusion, Shemaroo is committed to continually enhancing its workplace, ensuring every voice is heard, and every individual is equally empowered to succeed.

  • ECOA appoints Shemaroo’s CEO Hiren Gada as its new president

    ECOA appoints Shemaroo’s CEO Hiren Gada as its new president

    Mumbai: According to a recent announcement made at the 58th annual general meeting of the Entertainment Content Owners Association of India (ECOA), Shemaroo Entertainment’s chief executive officer Hiren Gada has been named as their new president.

    In further development, RK Duggal, Ashok Jain, and Narendra Hirawat were onboarded as the association’s next vice president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively.

    Speaking on the announcement, Gada said, “It’s an honour to be elected as the president of this prestigious association that has been safeguarding the interests of the entertainment content owners of India. I am grateful to all my colleagues and members of the ECOA for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am excited to collaborate with industry leaders to future-proof content ownership and distribution with the emergence of technology and web 3.0.”

    ECOA is a comprehensive apex body dedicated to the causes, growth, promotion, protection, and welfare of all entertainment content owners in India across all genres, languages, and formats.

    On 15 October 1963, Lim Billimoria and a few other Indian film exporters formed the Indian Film Exporters Association to promote and facilitate the export of Indian films abroad.

    The association represents, protects, and promotes the overall well-being of all Indian entertainment content owners. It is a non-government and non-profit organisation that plays an important role in securing the holder’s various legitimate content rights.

  • Shemaroo elevates Subhash Somani as business head of Hindi GEC cluster

    Shemaroo elevates Subhash Somani as business head of Hindi GEC cluster

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment has elevated Subhash Somani as the business head of Shemaroo’s Hindi GEC cluster, which includes Shemaroo TV and the recently launched Shemaroo Umang.

    In his new position, Subhash will be in charge of the Hindi GEC group of channels in his new position and will report to Shemaroo’s broadcast business COO, Sandeep Gupta.

    Prior to the new role, Subhash was leading the DTH VAS business for Shemaroo, where he was responsible for driving strategic partnerships and launching new services.

    He was in charge of Shemaroo TV’s operations and was instrumental in extending its reach.

    With this promotion, Subhash will assign his responsibilities to Sahil Bhambri, who will take charge of Shemaroo’s DTH VAS business.

    Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada said, “We are extremely delighted to elevate Subhash Somani to his new role. He has contributed immensely to expanding our DTH VAS business for Shemaroo and has been one of the key driving forces for steering the channel’s growth. We are confident that Subhash’s prowess in identifying new opportunities and thorough market knowledge will enable us to further grow our Hindi GEC cluster. His elevation is aptly timed as we are strengthening the broadcast business and are getting ready to launch a slate of original content.”

    Shemaroo TV & Shemaroo Umang business head Subhash Somani said, “It has been an enriching experience to lead the DTH VAS business of Shemaroo, and I am grateful and thrilled to take up additional responsibilities. As Shemaroo aims to beef up its broadcast business with its Hindi GEC offerings, I look forward to starting this exciting journey.”

    “Subhash has been a critical team player and has played a vital role in expanding and strengthening our content offering & increasing the viewer base of Shemaroo TV. With this promotion, Subhash will now take over more responsibilities and help us achieve the growth plans for our Hindi GEC cluster. He is an extremely enthusiastic person who loves to take up new challenges head-on. We wish him all the best, and I am confident that Subhash’s dynamism and determination will help us scale newer heights,” added Shemaroo Entertainment broadcast business COO Sandeep Gupta.

  • Varsha Ojha joins Shemaroo Entertainment as marketing head

    Varsha Ojha joins Shemaroo Entertainment as marketing head

    Mumbai: Varsha Ojha has been appointed as the head of marketing and communications at Shemaroo Entertainment.

    Varsha will take the lead in end-to-end marketing initiatives as part of her new position at the company. She will be in charge of brand strategy, digital marketing, and communication across all media channels.

    Varsha comes on board with almost two decades of rich experience across the entire gamut of the media industry. Previously, she was the head of marketing and digital at Radio City and Mid-Day. She has launched several industry-first initiatives and been the recipient of numerous awards for her campaigns. Varsha will be taking up the marketing responsibilities from Rahul Mishra as he has taken up a new role in Shemaroo heading the web3.0 initiatives of the organisation.

    Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada commented, “We are delighted to have Varsha onboard and welcome her to the Shemaroo family. Varsha comes with the same passion for entertainment as we all do at Shemaroo. Her proven expertise and high–performance track record, combined with her belief in the power of creativity will play a key role to take our brand a notch higher.”

    Varsha Ojha said, “Entertainment has been very close to my heart and being part of Shemaroo is going to be an exciting new phase for me. I admire brands that constantly innovate and evolve with time and it’s an honour to work with Shemaroo which has been entertaining India for the past six decades. I am thrilled to take this role and look forward to working with the dynamic team to steer the brand’s growth aligned with its overall ambitions.”

    Varsha has worked across media platforms ranging from print, TV, digital, and radio which includes Sony, Disney, Zoom, Hindustan Times amongst others.

  • Rahul Mishra promoted as head of Shemaroo’s Web 3.0 initiatives

    Rahul Mishra promoted as head of Shemaroo’s Web 3.0 initiatives

    Mumbai: Rahul Mishra, formerly the head of marketing of Shemaroo Entertainment, has been promoted to head the company’s Web 3.0 initiatives. In the third wave of the internet, which is more transparent and employs technologies like blockchain, AI, and IOT to offer a more engaging user experience for the business, he will be working on identifying & building various opportunities.

    Rahul joined Shemaroo in 2018 and has been instrumental in carving an identity for its various consumer facing businesses. He played a pivotal role in the transformation of Shemaroo from a B2B to a B2C new-age digital company, and its new imagery roll out with the company’s foray into OTT and broadcast.

    On the elevation, Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada commented, “We are delighted to elevate Rahul Mishra to his new role. His long and steady contribution has helped the company scale great heights. Rahul’s promotion is aptly timed as we plan to accelerate our brand’s growth using Web 3.0 technologies.”

    Newly appointed Shemaroo Entertainment’s Web 3.0 initiatives head Rahul Mishra added, “I am grateful and thrilled to take up this new role. It’s an honour to be a part of the brand that has been entertaining India for 60 years and to work with the best minds in the industry. The future is exciting and bright with the arrival of newer technologies, and I look forward to navigating Shemaroo’s journey into the next stage of the evolution of the internet.”

  • Shemaroo to achieve break even on the two channels, will focus on new content creation: Hiren Gada

    Shemaroo to achieve break even on the two channels, will focus on new content creation: Hiren Gada

    MUMBAI: In 2020, Shemaroo Entertainment entered into the broadcast space. It has launched two channels in the free-to-air (FTA) space- a Marathi movie channel Shemaroo MarathiBana and a Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Shemaroo TV. The company is hopeful that with the COVID situation normalising and the advertisers returning back to invest in ads, the two channels will achieve break even point (BEP) in growth this fiscal. It launched its third Shemaroo Umang in 2022, which is focused on women.

    On growth of two channels

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com recently, Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada said that their aim is to achieve ‘break even’ for the two channels. “We are hoping that in the middle of this financial year, we should achieve break even on the two channels. We are looking forward to the industry’s bounce back in a big way. The expectation is that TV advertising will get back to pre-Covid levels and FTA will also get back. Of course, there is the economic challenge going on in terms of inflation & interest rates going up. Raw material inflation is a challenge that some clients are grappling with. Tech startups funding is slowing down. We hope that in the second half of the fiscal year, the ad spends will go back to normal.”

    He added that a total of Rs 50 crore is being invested this fiscal into the newer businesses  and segments that are growing. For example, broadcast, digital and the devices segment are expected to witness potential growth.

    He noted that Shemaroo Umang has performed satisfactorily in terms of ratings. “On the channels, we should be able to launch a few shows of our own. The female audience is at the centre of content. So we have different genres like dramas. Soaps is an important part of it but even within a soap you can have family or female oriented shows. Shemaroo MarathiBana has been doing better in the last few weeks. We changed a lot of programming and found good responses. A combination of films, shows and devotional content has worked well,” he added.

    Family-oriented shows on focus

    “On Shemaroo TV the ratings had dipped but the team worked very hard to do a deeper dive on what the consumer is liking, and seeing. There is a devotional space as well as a kids space. There is a crime slot. Primetime is for the family. So there are mythological shows, historical, and costume dramas. The aim is to be family friendly. It is the overall family-oriented offering that has worked for Shemaroo TV. A lot of work is happening on all the three channels. Our ultimate ambition is to be a network. We want to establish ourselves deeply into the consumer’s mind.”

    He noted that ‘Crime World’ was the first original for Shemaroo TV. The shooting of Jurm Aur Jazbaat was affected due to COVID. “Waah Bhai Waah is our next show and will be hosted by Shailesh Lodha.” In terms of learning from operating TV channels, he said the consumer is the king. “The consumer decides what works and what does not. He/she should be at the centre of everything that you do or think. You have to be a strong default option for the consumer.The COVID period taught us that we have to be totally nimble and flexible. When ad spends shrunk, we had to ensure that we could still sustain with the costs.”

    In the context of having additional TV channels, Gada said that launches will be looked at but it will be spaced out. The pace of launch will be gradual. “There are quite a few whitespaces in FTA. We have identified four to five whitespaces (it refers to spectrum allocated for broadcasting services but which remains unutilised) in FTA. Multiple opportunities exist. Right now, we want to stabilise the three channels.” 

    When asked about the possibility of starting a movie channel, he noted that the space is crowded. “Being a Bollywood content house film is a natural progression for us. Currently, the film space is already quite crowded. We look at two things. The first is whether there is a scalable opportunity or not. The second is do we have a right to win. This is what decides whether or not we enter this space. In terms of a film channel, yes, we have the right to win but we have to see if it is scalable or not.”

    On FTA and its audience

    In terms of the potential of FTA, he said that there is a large audience that consumes free TV. “There is a large TV dark population even now,” he explains. “We expect mapping the reasons that it could be electricity, not enough penetration of TV hardware, income levels, etc. FTA is a good entry level for people getting into the TV consuming population for the first time. New media exposure is happening and this is attractive to many advertising categories. Not all but many. There is no other way to reach those audiences. The media journey for those audiences should be Free TV to pay TV and then onto digital.”

    Growth in digital business and OTT 

    In terms of the digital side of the business, he noted that over 50 per cent of revenue comes from Youtube content that the company puts on the platform and content will be added. “Youtube of course is growing significantly with the overall growth in digital media. We are putting up a lot of fresh content. Our ambition is to grow faster than the platform or the industry.”

    As far as our OTT platform ShemarooMe is concerned, “we are one of the large players in the Gujarati side. This is our key consumer proposition. We offer movies, web series and plays. At some point of time, once our Gujarati content moves to the next level, then we will focus on the segment that we want to work with. We are keenly evaluating a couple of segments. We are confident that within this fiscal we should be able to go forward with that. India is a large heterogeneous market,” he added. He mentioned the focus of ShemarooMe, which is subscription video on demand (SVOD). “What we have seen is that consumers are willing to pay for premium and exclusive content,” he said and pointed out that Gujaratis across India & abroad especially in the US the audiences consume it avidly.

    Shemaroo needs to develop six of its IPs into different types of content. It could take the form of movies, web series, a sequel and prequel. It will partner with various platforms to be able to take this journey forward. “Quite a few things are moving forward. A lot of conversations are taking place with partners,” he added at lenght.

  • Shemaroo Entertainment launches Hindi GEC ‘Shemaroo Umang’ on DD Free Dish

    Shemaroo Entertainment launches Hindi GEC ‘Shemaroo Umang’ on DD Free Dish

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment has announced the launch of a new free-to-air hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) called ‘Shemaroo Umang’. The channel is available on DD Free Dish, various multi-system operators (MSOs) and will be available on major direct-to-home (DTH) and cable networks, according to the company’s statement.

    With the launch of the channel, Shemaroo Entertainment expands its broadcast portfolio with existing channels Shemaroo TV and Shemaroo MarathiBana. 

    The newly launched channel will bring a women-centric focus catering to their entertainment and aspirational needs, said the statement. 

    It will also offer advertisers and brands a new audience to reach out across the Hindi speaking market.

    “We have experienced immense success with our existing television channel slates and are excited to announce the launch of our new Hindi GEC ‘Shemaroo Umang’,” said Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada. 

    “We are committed to be a leader in the Indian entertainment industry and build our position in the market with the new launch,” he added.

    “The launch of Shemaroo Umang is another breakthrough for us as it strengthens our presence in the broadcast space,” said Shemaroo Entertainment COO – broadcasting business Sandeep Gupta. 

    “We are sure that the audiences will love our curated collection of some of the most admired shows and Shemaroo Umang will also soon emerge as a household name just like Shemaroo TV and Shemaroo MarathiBana,” Gupta added.

    The channel will also be distributed on Shemaroo’s OTT platform ShemarooMe.

  • ShemarooMe partners with Airtel Xstream to expand its reach

    ShemarooMe partners with Airtel Xstream to expand its reach

    Mumbai: OTT platform ShemarooMe has entered into a partnership with Bharti Airtel’s video streaming service Airtel Xstream Premium to strengthen its presence by tapping into the telecom giant’s over 300 million customer base across India.

    With this partnership, users will get access to ShemarooMe’s content library along with 14 other Indian and global OTTs with a single access login on Airtel Xstream Premium app, available on mobile and large screens (TV, tablet and PC) at Rs 149/month and Rs 1499/year, said the statement. 

    “We are delighted to partner with Airtel Xstream and expand our reach across the country,” said Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada. “The partnership with Airtel will not just enable us to reach out to a wider audience but also allow the users of Airtel Xstream to get access to ShemarooMe’s varied content repository. With this association, we have strengthened our longstanding relationship with Airtel and look forward to more such collaborations.”

    ShemarooMe has a network of over 50 partners across platforms such as e-commerce, banking & payment app, telecom, OEMs, media, and ISPs/broadband.

    “Through this partnership, Airtel customers will get access to ShemarooMe’s entire content library in addition to other OTTs, unlocking the exciting world of video entertainment for India’s growing tribe of digitally connected audiences,” remarked Airtel Digital CEO Adarsh Nair.