In this episode of Industry Spotlight by Creative First, Argya Chakravarty, Chief Operating Officer of Shemaroo Entertainment Limited, joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy at the Motion Picture Association, to discuss his multifaceted career journey across Tata Steel, PepsiCo, Times of India, Star TV, and now Shemaroo. He traced the evolution of his leadership style, from learning foundational processes and team management in FMCG to navigating cross-functional multinational organizations, scaling emerging businesses, and leading transformational projects in media and entertainment. Each phase, he noted, offered distinct lessons, culminating in his current role at Shemaroo, where he is focused on organizational transformation and building enduring systems and legacy.

Arghya shared how Shemaroo, a 63-year-old company, has consistently stayed ahead of changing consumer habits, from its beginnings as a book library to pioneering video-on-demand through VHS and DVDs, and later embracing YouTube, television, and OTT platforms. He emphasized the company’s commitment to being close to the consumer while remaining truthful to its legacy, a principle that has enabled Shemaroo to stay relevant across generations.

Highlighting the sector’s growth, he attributed the media and entertainment boom to rising disposable incomes, changing consumption patterns, and exposure to global content, noting that these trends have created new opportunities for regional and national content alike. Looking globally, Argya described Shemaroo’s strategic focus on exporting content to markets such as Indonesia, the Middle East, and Russia, emphasizing consumer-driven decisions in programming genres, from traditional Bollywood films to kitchen dramas. He also reflected on the role of technology and AI, both in content creation and operational efficiency, and their transformative potential across the industry. Concluding, he articulated a vision for Shemaroo to become one of India’s leading IP and content creation powerhouses, while positioning Indian entertainment as a global leader. Under his leadership, Shemaroo is set to continue shaping the future of storytelling, skill development, and international reach for the country’s creative ecosystem.

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