Avishek Ghosh: Translating Vision Into Reality
Avishek Ghosh
Founder & Managing Partner
A graduate of Symbiosis International University Avishek established his own media company AVMA Media in 2012 and since then his hard work and leadership have brought lots of laurels and recognition for him as well as his organization.
The following is an excerpt from Avishek’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights.
Take us through your professional background and experience. What inspired you to establish AVMA Media?
Having worked in the media and entertainment space with various companies such as Reliance Big Broadcasting, Star TV Network, Balaji Telefilms & Viacom 18 Media, it was a natural progression to start one’s own venture. The years put in the corporate world gave in-depth learning and understanding of the business. The content space was going through a tumultuous change with digital rights coming into play and it was the correct time to venture into something new. That is how AVMA Media came into existence in the year 2012.
Tell us about the learnings and experiences that you had acquired from Symbiosis International
University and how do you apply them in your current role?
I had been quite active with extra-curricular activities during my university days. While heading the Debating and Dramatics team, there were many laurels that I brought for the University in various state and national level competitions. Having always taken pride in my creative instincts, it was a natural transgression to start something new so that I could contribute to the entertainment sector.
How would you define AVMA Media as an organization and its position in the industry? Tell us about the company’s strengths and what unique propositions it offers to its clients?
At AVMA Media, we started off producing regional content in the Bengali language and after creating a niche in the Bengal market, where we won critical acclaim and recognition for the films produced, we shifted our focus towards Hindi language films. Last year we produced a film with Sonam Kapoor and the next with Kajal Aggarwal, who are some of the finest actresses of our times. This current year we are already working on three different Hindi language films and are developing a slate for some of the leading studios in the country.
While there are many players in the business, what makes us stand out is our clarity in maintaining the balance between art and commerce for all films we produce. Over the years, we have built a strong team that understands the values and integrity we bring in while conducting our business, and they collectively strive to fulfill all creative and commercial commitments to our stakeholders.
What are all major challenges you have faced in your journey so far? How did you overcome them and what did you learn from them?
In the initial phase of setting up AVMA Media, we experienced familiar challenges which any start-up would have. The shift from being a Corporate Executive to an Entrepreneur was exciting but involved unlearning some stereotypes. While there was a clear vision on the kind of films, we were setting out to produce, the whole process of running a company
I had been quite active with extra-curricular activities during my university days. While heading the Debating and Dramatics team, there were many laurels that I brought for the University in various state and national level competitions. Having always taken pride in my creative instincts, it was a natural transgression to start something new so that I could contribute to the entertainment sector.
Success has no shortcuts; it takes hard work, perseverance, belief, and lots of patience to achieve it
How would you define AVMA Media as an organization and its position in the industry? Tell us about the company’s strengths and what unique propositions it offers to its clients?
At AVMA Media, we started off producing regional content in the Bengali language and after creating a niche in the Bengal market, where we won critical acclaim and recognition for the films produced, we shifted our focus towards Hindi language films. Last year we produced a film with Sonam Kapoor and the next with Kajal Aggarwal, who are some of the finest actresses of our times. This current year we are already working on three different Hindi language films and are developing a slate for some of the leading studios in the country.
While there are many players in the business, what makes us stand out is our clarity in maintaining the balance between art and commerce for all films we produce. Over the years, we have built a strong team that understands the values and integrity we bring in while conducting our business, and they collectively strive to fulfill all creative and commercial commitments to our stakeholders.
What are all major challenges you have faced in your journey so far? How did you overcome them and what did you learn from them?
In the initial phase of setting up AVMA Media, we experienced familiar challenges which any start-up would have. The shift from being a Corporate Executive to an Entrepreneur was exciting but involved unlearning some stereotypes. While there was a clear vision on the kind of films, we were setting out to produce, the whole process of running a company
made me a more resolute and responsible person overall. We were able to identify some great stories which appealed to well-known talent as well, and that gave us further confidence to pursue more heart-warming subjects.
How do you manage to maintain a balance between your personal and professional life? What is your constant success mantra and what all goals and strategies are you planning for the betterment of your company?
In the business of content creation, there are no off days or fixed work timings, but I do make it a point to take a holiday with the family after the completion of every film. There is an extreme sense of gratitude I have towards my family and friends who have always supported me through this eventful journey and are the people I like unwinding with.
It is too early to be commenting on a success mantra, but there are no shortcuts for sure. Hard work, perseverance, belief, and a lot of patience are what it is all about.
Currently, we have onboarded some very exciting young talented writers who are creating some very interesting scripts which can be turned into entertaining films. We are looking at scaling-up, now in terms of volume with a more prolific talent mix. The goal is to produce content that is worthy of every monetizing platform patronized by the audience from Theatres to Satellite and OTT. We have some promising partnerships in place with leading content presenting Studios that are aligned with our creative vision and production capabilities.
Avishek Ghosh, Founder & Managing Partner, AVMA Media
Having worked with various media giants such as Reliance Big Broadcasting, Star TV Network, Balaji Telefilms & Viacom 18 Media, Avishek began his entrepreneurial journey with AVMA Media from the year 2012. Avishek, a graduate of Symbiosis University, became an established business leader and answered the calling of starting his own venture. He has worked on over 40 Hindi films to date, some of which include Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 & 2, OMG-Oh My God, Aiyya, Son of Sardaar, Inkaar, Special 26, and others.
•Hobbies:Reading, Travelling, Playing Chess
•Favorite Cuisine: Chinese
•Favorite Book:To Kill a Mockingbird
•Favorite Travel Destination: Maldives & London
How do you manage to maintain a balance between your personal and professional life? What is your constant success mantra and what all goals and strategies are you planning for the betterment of your company?
In the business of content creation, there are no off days or fixed work timings, but I do make it a point to take a holiday with the family after the completion of every film. There is an extreme sense of gratitude I have towards my family and friends who have always supported me through this eventful journey and are the people I like unwinding with.
It is too early to be commenting on a success mantra, but there are no shortcuts for sure. Hard work, perseverance, belief, and a lot of patience are what it is all about.
Currently, we have onboarded some very exciting young talented writers who are creating some very interesting scripts which can be turned into entertaining films. We are looking at scaling-up, now in terms of volume with a more prolific talent mix. The goal is to produce content that is worthy of every monetizing platform patronized by the audience from Theatres to Satellite and OTT. We have some promising partnerships in place with leading content presenting Studios that are aligned with our creative vision and production capabilities.
Avishek Ghosh, Founder & Managing Partner, AVMA Media
Having worked with various media giants such as Reliance Big Broadcasting, Star TV Network, Balaji Telefilms & Viacom 18 Media, Avishek began his entrepreneurial journey with AVMA Media from the year 2012. Avishek, a graduate of Symbiosis University, became an established business leader and answered the calling of starting his own venture. He has worked on over 40 Hindi films to date, some of which include Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 & 2, OMG-Oh My God, Aiyya, Son of Sardaar, Inkaar, Special 26, and others.
•Hobbies:Reading, Travelling, Playing Chess
•Favorite Cuisine: Chinese
•Favorite Book:To Kill a Mockingbird
•Favorite Travel Destination: Maldives & London