In this episode of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Tusharr Kumar, CEO and Director of Only Much Louder (OML), one of India’s most influential media and entertainment companies. Once known as an indie music promoter, OML has shapeshifted into a multi-pronged business spanning talent management, branded content agencies, and long-form content production. Today, it manages more than 100 creators across comedy, beauty, food, and travel; runs three agencies including the creative shop MO and influencer network Hypothesis; and has produced over 60 shows for Amazon Prime and Netflix.Kumar talks about why comedy remains central to OML’s DNA and how comedians helped shape both India’s YouTube ecosystem and its OTT boom. He explains how artist management functions as “soft power” for the company, why OML deliberately keeps its roster selective, and how controversies and cancel culture are part of managing creative risk. They also discuss OML’s global campaigns in markets from Poland to the Congo, its growing bets on sports content beyond cricket, and the economics of long-form storytelling in an era dominated by platforms and algorithms. Tune in for insights into how OML stays close to culture, scales its businesses, and keeps reinventing itself in the fast-changing media landscape.(00:00) Introduction(01:45) OML’s journey from indie music to managing 100+ creators(05:12) Why OML keeps comedy at the heart of its business(09:34) Managing artists in the age of controversy and cancel culture(13:28) OML’s global footprint: campaigns in Poland, Lebanon, and Congo(17:46) The rise of sports content beyond cricket(21:40) How pop culture fuels new interest in sports like rugby and chess(24:51) What drives OML’s growth across agencies, talent, and long-form content(28:10) How OML creates and monetises stand-up specials and fiction shows(32:20) Talent management as OML’s “soft power”For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In this episode of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Manoj Dobhal, Group CEO of Dish TV India, about how the country’s oldest DTH brand is reinventing itself for the digital age. From the launch of a smart TV with built-in DTH and OTT, to the rapid growth of its Watcho and FLIQS platforms, Dobhal explains why Dish TV is leaning on its distribution strength rather than chasing expensive content bets. He takes us inside the company’s pivot into shopping and device ecosystems, its strategy to take Indian content global, and how it plans to stabilise revenues after years of decline in the core pay TV business.They also discuss the wave of consolidation in Indian media, the lessons from global markets like Sky UK, and why Dish TV believes coexistence—not disruption—will define the future of television in India.Tune in for insights on what it takes to transform a legacy broadcaster into a multi-platform, device-driven media company in an era of fragmentation and streaming wars.(00:00) Introduction(04:15) The State of India’s DTH and Pay TV Market(07:22) How Dish TV Is Pivoting Beyond Linear Television(11:10) Building Watcho: Strategy for OTT Aggregation(15:36) Why Distribution, Not Content, Is Dish TV’s Strength(19:48) Taking Lessons from Global Media Consolidation(23:55) Watcho’s Revenue Model and Growth Path(26:29) How Dish TV Plans to Stabilise Revenues(30:04) Consolidation and Coexistence in the Indian Market(33:55) Global Benchmarks: What India’s DTH Players Can Learn(37:58) Why Dish TV Is Entering the Smart TV Business(40:11) The Next 18 Months: Dish TV’s Transformation Plan(43:26) No Mergers or Acquisitions on the HorizonFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In this episode of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Danish Khan, Business Head for Digital Business StudioNEXT & Network Channels Licensing, about how SonyLIV has built a distinctive, profitable niche in India’s crowded OTT landscape. From the breakout success of Scam 1992 to acclaimed series like Rocket Boys and Maharani, Khan explains why SonyLIV has chosen a research-driven, subscription-first approach instead of chasing scale through cash burn. He takes us inside the greenlighting process, the platform’s sweet spot of contemporary history, and the deliberate choice to avoid repeating either its own successes or those of rivals. They also discuss SonyLIV’s cautious international rollout, the rise of user-generated content, the power of devices and aggregators in reshaping distribution, and why creator-led B2C brands are set to define the next phase of the industry. Tune in for insights on what it takes to stay true to positioning—and build a sustainable streaming business—in the age of relentless competition.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Aamir Khan takes a bold step in defying OTT platforms for his film Sitare Zameen Par, sharing his vision for the future of cinema. In this insightful conversation, Aamir talks about the changing landscape of film distribution, why he’s championing the pay-per-view model, and how digital shifts like UPI and internet penetration are reshaping the industry. He opens up about his personal journey, the risks of bypassing OTT deals, and the evolving role of traditional theatres in a post-pandemic world. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on how cinema can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing digital world.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 15 of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar talks to Vikram Mehra, Managing Director of Saregama, one of India’s oldest and most iconic music labels, about how the business of music is evolving in the digital age. From reviving nostalgia with the Carvaan to investing in generative AI with IIT Bombay, Mehra outlines how Saregama is balancing tradition and innovation to stay culturally relevant and commercially competitive. He unpacks the shifting economics of music—from free to paid models, the growing importance of short-form video, and the role of labels in ensuring discoverability in an algorithm-dominated world. They also discuss why Gen Z craves authenticity over archetypes, how AI could reshape talent scouting and content creation, the risks of echo chambers, and the urgency for Indian media businesses to embrace risk and serendipity. Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation on what the music industry can teach us about the future of media.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 14 of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar talks to Jyoti Deshpande, President of Media & Content Business at Reliance Industries Ltd (which includes Jio Studios) and an influential figure in India’s media and entertainment sector, about the evolving dynamics of the Indian film business. From building one of the country’s most ambitious studio slates at Jio Studios to navigating the fragmented world of OTT distribution, Deshpande shares how she’s reimagining storytelling at scale. She unpacks the studio’s shift from quantity to quality in 2025, the thinking behind fully financing and owning IP, and why deep creative partnerships are key to long-term success. They also talk about India’s broken moviegoing habit, the crisis of screen scarcity beyond top cities, why regional growth—not just streaming—is vital to the industry's future, what’s blocking its global breakout, the pitfalls of inefficient production systems and the promise of AI in streamlining content creation. Tune in for insights on the future of cinema in India.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 13 of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar talks to John Couling, Senior Vice President at Dolby Laboratories, about the future of cinema, the rise of immersive storytelling, and why India is central to Dolby’s global growth plans. From the opening of the first Dolby Cinema in Pune to the company’s deepening relationships with Indian creators like S.S. Rajamouli, Couling explains how Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are changing both how films are made and how they’re experienced. He also unpacks the renewed appetite for premium moviegoing post-pandemic, the surprising boom in in-car entertainment in markets like China and India, and why mobile devices are emerging as cinematic tools in their own right. The episode explores Dolby’s R&D priorities, its response to comparisons with IMAX, and how storytelling is evolving across platforms—from smartphones to theatre screens. Tune in for insights into Dolby’s India strategy.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 12 of The Media Room, media journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar talks to Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express Group about the future of legacy media in a digital-first world. From competing with influencers for attention to holding ground in an algorithm-driven landscape, Goenka shares what it takes to stay relevant without losing credibility. He opens up about the need for domain expertise in journalism, the promise and pitfalls of first-party data, and why The Indian Express is betting big on regional expansion, video, and a return of the iconic Screen brand. The episode also explores the challenges of media measurement in India, the fading role of serendipity in content discovery, and why Goenka believes that being “with it” doesn’t mean becoming like everyone else. Tune in for insights into digital strategies being adopted by legacy media.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 11 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar is joined by Shubha Pai (Head of Sales & Solutions in India at YouTube), Anand Bhaskaran (Head of Marketing at BigBasket) and Aakash Chopra (Commentator and YouTube Content Creator) to unpack the evolving world of digital advertising. With the IPL in focus, the panel dives into the rise of short-form and connected TV content, how creator-driven storytelling is powering brand campaigns, and why shoppability and actionability are now essential to ad performance. Shubha Pai shares insights on changing viewer behavior across devices, Anand Bhaskaran outlines a four-tiered measurement framework for brand success, and Aakash Chopra reflects on the power of storytelling—on and off the field. Tune in for insights on data, discovery, and how digital video is redefining India's marketing landscape.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 10 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar is joined by Sidharth Jain, Founder and Chief Storyteller at THE STORY INK. They talk about the urgent need to nurture original voices, the pitfalls of data-driven decision-making, and why India needs more patrons and fewer proposals. Jain breaks down the challenges of being a writer in today's film economy, the importance of instinct over analytics, and why real change will only come when creators—not corporates—are in the driver’s seat. Tune in for insights and aspirations in writing, directing, or backing the next great Indian film.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 9 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to David Hancock, Chief Analyst, Media and Entertainment at Omdia and a leading expert on the global film and cinema market. They talk about the supply and demand dynamics of the film market, why theatres are still relevant as a revenue stream, how streaming services and theatres can co-exist, the finer details of the trump tariff on film productions and much more. Tune in for insights into the future of the film industry and the changes needed to sustain it. For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 8 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Frammer's co-founder and CEO, Suparna Singh. Frammer is an AI-based video tool that ingests hours of video, and then edits and packages it into bite sized videos and snippets for social media. She also talks to Mandar Natekar, co-founder and CEO of Neural Garage, which offers a visual dub technology that can lip sync voice dubs for other languages. Tune in for insights into the work of some of the most cutting edge media tech startups in India.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 7 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Amagi's co-founder and CEO, Baskar Subramanian. Amagi is a company that deals with cloud-based content management providing the backend to 60% of the top 100 media brands in the world such as NBC, Comcast, Sinclair, WarnerMedia Discovery, Fox, A&E, BBC, and ITV to name a few. In this episode and the next, Tune in for insights into the work of some of the most cutting edge media tech startups in India.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 6 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to Ashish Pherwani, EY India’s Media & Entertainment Leader. With the recent release of the FICCI-EY Media & Industry Report, they discuss some of the changes happening in film, TV, print, animation, music and other segments. Tune in for insights on the current landscape of the Indian media and entertainment business.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 5 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to 2 experts, Harikrishnan Pillai co-founder and chief executive officer of digital marketing agency The Small Big Idea as well as Kalyan Kumar, co-founder and CEO of influencer marketing platform KlugKlug. They discuss the influencer economy, how marketing campaigns utilise influencers, the duopoly of Meta and Google, breaking down parameters and levels within the ecosystem and the effect of recent events on current trends. Tune in for insights on how brands view influencers and how they capitalise on their influence.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 4 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to 2 experts, Yatish Mehrishi, Chief Executive Officer for Entertainment Network India Limited (which owns Mirchi, India’s largest radio brand) as well as Shrikant Shenoy, Associate Vice President at the Interpublic Group to discuss how Radio in India has been boxed in by regulation, the reach and impact radio has today and what are some of the changes the industry is now seeing. Tune in for insights on why the Radio industry is suffering from impotence.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 3 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks to 3 experts, Tony Gunnarsson, Principal Analyst, TV, Video & Advertising at Omdia, Vivek Couto, Managing & Executive Director at Media Partners Asia and Sameer Nair, Managing Director at Applause entertainment on the biggest change sweeping across the world of streaming - its linearisation. As Netflix, Amazon Prime, JioStar and others try to scale up and become profitable, most are doing all the things TV did for reach - massy shows, sports, games, anything that would help them reach more people. What does this new phase mean?For more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In Episode 2 of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar sits down with Girish Agarwal, non-executive director of the Dainik Bhaskar Corp, to discuss the current state of the newspaper industry. They talk about the impact of the pandemic on newspapers, why newspapers are still going strong in India, trends in newspaper readership, competition with digital media and much more. For more of our coverage check out thecore.in Join and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channel Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In our first episode of The Media Room, media expert and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar sits down with Shailesh Kapoor, CEO of Ormax Media, to explore the interplay between data and creativity in the entertainment industry. Kapoor discusses in detail how Ormax Media uses its data models (which transformed post-pandemic) to help in both the pre-production and post-production phases of the content pipeline. He shares insights into Ormax’s research methods, including audience profiling, and how these tools have shaped marketing strategies for films and television. Kapoor also opens up about the challenges of navigating skepticism in the creative community and the importance of accuracy in audience analytics. Tune in for an inside look at how data is reshaping the future of Indian entertainment. For more of our coverage check out thecore.in Join and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channel Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Join Vanita Kohli Khandekar as she takes you through a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings and machinations of the media and entertainment business. She'll speak to experts, film makers, media barons, broadcasters, publishers, platforms, media analysts, and more, to give you insights on the intersection of storytelling, money, technology and communication in this rapidly evolving space. For more of our coverage check out thecore.in Join and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channel Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube