Roshan Abbas on live events, AI and the creator economy is a sharp conversation on how India’s media business, entertainment industry and creative economy are changing as artificial intelligence, digital creators and live experiences reshape what audiences value.

In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Roshan Abbas about India’s live events industry, the future of AI in media, and the changing creator economy. From radio and theatre to television, events, films, digital platforms and Commune, Roshan reflects on a career built around storytelling, audience connection and creative entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores why live events in India are growing again, why collective experiences still matter, and why creators must balance short form content, long form storytelling and audience trust. Roshan also speaks about AI generated content, artificial intelligence in the creative industry, digital creators, influencer marketing, content curation, creator burnout and the ethical questions around using AI as a creative tool.

He also shares lessons from investing in creative startups, building networks, spotting opportunities in media and entertainment, and why the future may belong not just to creators, but to curators with taste, judgement and human insight.

For professionals interested in business, media, marketing, consulting, technology, entertainment and India’s creative economy, this is a conversation about why creativity still needs people, why live experiences are becoming more precious, and why human intelligence may matter even more in the age of AI.

Subscribe to The Core for sharp conversations on business, media, economy, technology and culture.

#RoshanAbbas #CreatorEconomy #ArtificialIntelligence #LiveEvents #MediaBusiness #TheMediaRoom #TheCore

Chapters

00:00 – Roshan Abbas and the journey of Indradhanush

07:40 – Updating nostalgia for new audiences

11:13 – The art of connecting with people and building platforms

12:54 – Investing in creators, startups and ideas

17:22 – India’s live events boom and the arena economy opportunity

19:45 – Why creators should invest in people, not just businesses

25:34 – The paradox of plenty: creation, curation and creator burnout

30:50 – Why we are entering the era of curation

33:25 – Roshan Abbas on AI, authenticity and ‘art intelligence’

39:05 – Staying relevant, mentoring creators and finding joy

41:48 – Upcoming projects, films and the future of storytelling

44:13 – Why collective experiences are making a comeback

Ajay Bijli on India’s cinema boom and PVR INOX growth takes us inside the turnaround of India’s largest multiplex chain, as PVR INOX bets on movie theatres, small-town India, affordable cinema, and the future of the big screen experience.

In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX, about how the company moved from losses to profit, why 150 million people walked into its cinemas, and what the numbers reveal about India’s changing entertainment economy.

Ajay Bijli explains why Indian audiences are returning to theatres, how better content variety and blockbuster films are driving box office growth, and why PVR INOX is now focusing on asset light cinemas, franchise models, low cost screens, Smart cinemas, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, lower ticket prices, and better return on capital.

The conversation also explores the bigger business story behind India’s film exhibition industry. Does India really have a screen shortage? Can smaller cities become the next growth engine for multiplexes? Are movie theatres still relevant in the age of OTT platforms and streaming? And what does PVR INOX’s turnaround tell us about consumer spending, urbanisation, real estate, entertainment, and India’s next phase of growth?

Watch the full conversation to understand how PVR INOX is building for the next decade of India’s cinema boom and why the big screen may still have its biggest growth story ahead.

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:34) - The Real Reason PVR Rebounded

(05:05) - The Franchise Model Changing Cinema Economics

(07:14) - Inside PVR's New Smart Cinema Strategy

(09:24) - The Formula for Picking New Markets

(12:08) - Does India Really Need More Screens?

(14:35) - Why PVR Is Betting on India Over Overseas Markets

(16:50) - The Truth About Movie Ticket Prices

(17:50) - Why Great Content Beats Cheap Tickets

(18:23) - Are Theatres Really Making a Comeback?

(20:17) - The Debate Around India's Box Office Data

(20:57) - What's Actually Driving Box Office Growth?

(22:18) - PVR's Biggest Growth Engine for the Future

(23:07) - Closing Thoughts

#PVRINOX #AjayBijli #IndiaCinema #BusinessNews #TheCore

Sameer Nair’s journey from KBC to Scam 1992 is the story of how Indian entertainment, Indian TV and India’s OTT streaming business changed forever.In this #Rewind episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar revisits a powerful conversation with the media leader who helped shape Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Star India, Applause Entertainment and some of India’s most watched streaming shows.From bringing Amitabh Bachchan to Indian television through KBC to backing shows like Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, Scam 2003, Black Warrant and Gandhi, Sameer Nair explains what it takes to build content that reaches millions. He talks about the business of Indian media, the future of OTT platforms, streaming economics, India’s entertainment market, theatre business, pricing, audience behaviour and why India has a real opportunity to become a global content power.This conversation goes beyond television and OTT. It explores how storytelling, technology, AI, intellectual property, ad supported streaming, micro dramas and platform consolidation are changing the media and entertainment industry in India.For business leaders, media professionals, consultants, investors, founders and anyone tracking India’s digital economy, this episode offers a rare inside view of how entertainment businesses scale.Can India build a 100 billion dollar media and entertainment industry? Can streaming become the next KBC moment for the country? And what does it take to create stories that travel from India to the world?Watch this #Rewind episode of The Media Room on The Core for a sharp, insightful and deeply human conversation with Sameer Nair on Indian entertainment, OTT, streaming, AI and the future of storytelling.

Streaming Meets Advertising Netflix ad tiers OTT bundling and SVOD monetisation are reshaping the global streaming industry and redefining how platforms like Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max grow in a slowing subscription market.

In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, host Vanita Kohli Khandekar speaks with Tony Gunnarsson - Senior Principal Analyst Online Video, Omdia, a global media and technology research firm. The discussion breaks down the future of streaming platforms, advertising led video growth, OTT industry consolidation, and the rise of bundled subscription models across global markets.

The conversation explores how the subscription video on demand SVOD industry is shifting from pure subscriber growth to hybrid monetisation driven by advertising tiers, price optimisation and large scale distribution partnerships. Streaming services are increasingly being packaged into telecom and broadband bundles, reducing churn and reshaping consumer behaviour across developed markets.

Key topics include Netflix advertising strategy, OTT bundling and aggregation, streaming industry slowdown in mature markets, SVOD versus AVOD transition, and the impact of media consolidation including major studio and platform mergers. The discussion also examines how global streaming trends are influencing markets like India, where digital video adoption is evolving at different speeds but following similar structural patterns.

This episode is essential for professionals tracking business news, digital media disruption, global entertainment industry trends, and the future of subscription based platforms in a post growth streaming economy.

#StreamingIndustry #Netflix #OTT #SVOD #MediaTrends #TheMediaRoom #TheCore

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & state of global streaming02:41 – Stabilisation, slowdown & Netflix’s ad shift08:45 – Bundling, aggregation & new pricing models13:50 – Telcos, partnerships & the fight against churn17:59 – Growth trends & the rise of advertising revenue24:05 – New formats: social, micro-content & vertical video29:30 – Mergers, competition & Netflix’s dominance36:37 – Subscription behaviour & the rise of local content

In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Nikkhil Advani, filmmaker and founder of Emmay Entertainment, for a wide-ranging conversation on storytelling, stardom, and the shifting economics of the Indian film industry.

Nikkhil reflects on his journey from films like Kal Ho Naa Ho to building a content studio that has delivered projects such as Rocket Boys, Mumbai Diaries, and Freedom at Midnight. He shares how the company is evolving as it marks 15 years, with a slate of ambitious new projects spanning streaming and theatrical releases.

The conversation dives into the realities of filmmaking today - from the continued dominance of star-led economics in theatrical releases to the challenges of scaling the Hindi film industry globally. Nikkhil explains why India still remains a relatively small player on the global stage, the importance of expanding screen infrastructure, and how subscription behaviour and platform strategies are shaping content decisions.

They also explore the creative process behind modern storytelling - how feedback loops with platforms work, why collaboration is essential, and how research-driven writing is shaping both historical and contemporary narratives. Nikkhil discusses the balance between creative instinct and data, and why understanding audiences has become more complex in a fragmented, content-heavy ecosystem.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Nikkhil’s Journey

04:25 – Upcoming projects & Emmay Entertainment slate

06:36 – Scaling content: 15 projects and OTT focus

16:18 – Feedback loops, platforms & collaboration in OTT

21:57 – Theatrical comeback & audience behaviour

27:58 – Stardom vs acting & working with big stars

30:50 – Casting decisions & the economics of stars

34:40 – Film community, collaboration & industry conversations

38:47 – Size of the industry & global positioning

40:57 – OTT economics & subscription behaviour in India

42:52 – Advice to filmmakers & creative process

46:56 – Business model, funding & future ambitions

#TheMediaRoom #VanitaKohliKhandekar #NikkhilAdvani #Bollywood #IndianCinema #FilmIndustry #OTT #Streaming #ContentIsKing #Stardom #BoxOffice #WordOfMouth #Filmmaking #Storytelling #MediaBusiness #EntertainmentIndustry #Cinema #OTTvsTheatrical #DigitalContent #WebSeries #IndianContent #FilmBusiness #FutureOfCinema #PodcastEpisode

In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Vinit Karnik, Head of Entertainment & Sports at WPP Media, for a deep dive into the economics of India’s fast-growing sports ecosystem.

Vinit unpacks key insights from WPP’s Sporting Nation report, including India’s sports sponsorship economy crossing the ₹2 billion mark and the overwhelming dominance of cricket, which accounts for nearly 80% of the market. He explains how media rights, advertising, and athlete endorsements are driving growth, and why the IPL continues to be one of the most valuable sports properties in the country.

The conversation explores the challenges facing emerging sports like football, kabaddi, and badminton, from governance and infrastructure gaps to the difficulty of building consistent star power. Vinit also breaks down the evolving business of cricket - from rising franchise valuations and media rights economics to the long-term potential of new revenue streams such as non-live content and fan monetisation.

They also discuss the role of advertisers, the importance of grassroots investment, and why sports remains one of the few categories that can guarantee large-scale appointment viewing in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

If you want to understand how India’s sports economy is evolving, where the money is coming from, and what the future of sports monetisation looks like - this episode is essential viewing.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Sporting Nation Report

01:26 – Sports Sponsorship Crosses ₹2 Billion

04:41 – What Makes Up the ₹18,800 Crore Economy

06:13 – Why Emerging Sports Are Declining

10:03 – Infrastructure, Governance & Athlete Development

13:46 – Why Leagues Like PKL & Badminton Struggle

15:53 – The Role of Federations & Star Power

17:35 – India’s Football Potential vs Reality

19:11 – IPL Rights, Losses & Valuation Debate

22:33 – Franchise Valuations & Investment Logic

25:42 – Can IPL Reach Global Valuation Levels?

28:36 – New Revenue Streams in Sports

30:01 – Key Takeaways for Advertisers & Marketers

31:49 – Closing Thoughts

#TheMediaRoom #VanitaKohliKhandekar #VinitKarnik #IPL #IndianPremierLeague #SportsEconomy #SportsBusiness #CricketIndia #SportsMarketing #SportsAdvertising #MediaRights #SportsIndustry #IndianSports #SportsTrends #WPP #SportingNation #KabaddiLeague #FootballIndia #BadmintonIndia #AthleteEndorsements #FanEngagement #OTT #MediaBusiness #AdvertisingIndustry #ContentEconomy #SportsAnalytics #PodcastEpisode

In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Ashish Pherwani, Head of Media & Entertainment at EY, for a deep dive into the latest FICCI-EY report and what it reveals about the state of India’s media and entertainment industry.

Ashish breaks down the key trends shaping the sector, from the industry crossing ₹2.7 trillion to digital media emerging as the first segment to surpass the ₹1 lakh crore mark. He explains how advertising growth, government-led consumption, and the rise of SMEs are driving momentum, while also unpacking the evolving balance between television, digital, and emerging formats.

The conversation also explores shifts in consumer behaviour, the rise of connected TV and short-form content, and the growing importance of live experiences—from cinema to large-scale events. They discuss how monetisation models are evolving across platforms, why innovation in ad formats and content formats is accelerating, and what this means for both legacy and digital-first media companies.

From investments and consolidation trends to India’s potential as a global back-end for media services, Ashish outlines where the next wave of growth could come from—and why content quality remains the industry’s most critical driver in an increasingly crowded, AI-driven landscape.

If you want to understand where India’s media industry is headed, what’s driving growth across segments, and how business models are evolving—this episode is essential viewing.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – India’s Media Industry at ₹2.7 Trillion

03:30 – Digital Media Crosses ₹1 Lakh Crore

06:00 – What’s Driving Ad Growth

08:30 – TV vs Digital: The Big Shift

11:00 – Rise of Connected TV & Short-Form

13:30 – Changing Consumer Behaviour

16:00 – Cinema, Events & Live Experiences

18:30 – Monetisation Challenges

21:00 – Innovation in Content & Advertising

23:30 – Investments & Industry Structure

26:00 – Future Outlook for Media in India

28:30 – Closing Thoughts

#TheMediaRoom #AshishPherwani #MediaIndustry #FICCIEYReport #IndianMedia #DigitalGrowth #AdvertisingIndustry #OTTIndustry #TelevisionIndustry #ConnectedTV #MediaBusiness #ContentEconomy #EntertainmentIndustry #StreamingTrends #MediaTrends #IndiaGrowth #ContentStrategy #MediaInnovation #PodcastEpisode

In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Toshit Panigrahi, CEO - Co-Founder of Tollbit, for a deep dive into how AI is reshaping the economics of digital publishing and content monetisation.Toshit explains how large language models and AI platforms are changing the way content is accessed, distributed and consumed - often without directly compensating the publishers who create it. He breaks down the growing disconnect between content creators and AI-driven platforms, and why this shift is forcing the industry to rethink long-standing models of attribution, traffic and revenue.The conversation explores how Tollbit is building infrastructure to help publishers regain control, enabling them to track, price and monetise their content in an AI-first internet. Toshit also shares insights on licensing frameworks, the evolving relationship between tech platforms and media companies, and why transparency and fair value exchange will be critical in the next phase of the internet.If you want to understand how AI will impact publishers, who really owns content in an algorithm-driven world, and what sustainable monetisation could look like going forward—this episode is essential listening.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:12 - What Tollbit Does03:45 - How AI Is Changing Content Consumption07:20 - The Publisher vs AI Platform Problem11:05 - Who Owns Content in an AI World?15:30 - Monetising Content Beyond Traffic19:10 - How Tollbit Helps Publishers Get Paid23:40 - Licensing, Attribution & Fair Value25:15 - The Future of Digital Publishing26:27 - Closing Thoughts#TheMediaRoom #ToshitPanigrahi #TollBit #AI #ContentMonetisation #digitalpublishing #mediabusiness #AIandMedia #futureofmedia #ContentEconomy #publishingindustry #TechAndMedia #aiplatforms #mediainnovation #digitaleconomy