In this episode of The Media Room, host Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with film historian, author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir about her lifelong journey documenting, curating and championing Hindi cinema for global audiences. From introducing British viewers to Indian films through her landmark Channel 4 series Movie Mahal to serving on the board of the British Film Institute, Nasreen reflects on how cinema became a cultural bridge for diaspora communities long before the internet connected the world.

They discuss what makes Hindi cinema uniquely enduring, how film songs sustained identity for immigrants abroad, and why classic filmmakers like Bimal Roy and Mehboob Khan continue to shape storytelling today. The episode also explores her work documenting icons such as Shah Rukh Khan, Lata Mangeshkar and Zakir Hussain, her collaborations with artists like Gulzar and A. R. Rahman, and what studying film masters reveals about craft, emotion and longevity.

The conversation further dives into criticism, authorship, preservation, and why cinema remains one of the most powerful cultural connectors across generations and geographies. Nasreen shares insights on what today’s filmmakers can learn from the past, and why understanding film history is essential to shaping its future.

Like, share and comment with your thoughts on Hindi cinema, film history and global audiences, and subscribe to The Media Room for more deep-dive conversations at the intersection of media, culture, business and storytelling.

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In this episode of The Media Room, host Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Vishnu Mohta, Co-founder of Hoichoi and Executive Director at SVF Entertainment, about building one of India’s most successful regional OTT platforms. The conversation traces Hoichoi’s journey as a Bengali-only streaming service and how a deep focus on one language and audience has enabled sustainable, profitable growth.

They discuss why Hoichoi backed a subscription-first model early, how it reached profitability ahead of larger platforms, and what makes the Bengali market unique across India, Bangladesh and the global diaspora. The episode also explores Hoichoi’s scale of original production, genre trends, the role of SVF’s 30-year legacy, and why creating viewing habits matters more than chasing blockbuster hits.

The discussion touches on experiments with TV-plus formats, micro-payments, audio storytelling, micro-dramas and the use of AI in content creation, alongside candid insights on regional OTT economics, IP ownership, monetisation challenges and why disciplined growth beats rapid scale.

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Like, share and comment with your thoughts on the changing economics of Indian cinema, and subscribe to The Media Room for more deep-dive conversations at the intersection of media, business, data and culture.

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In this episode of The Media Room, host Vanita Kohli-Kandekar sits down with Shailesh Kapoor, Founder and CEO of Ormax Media, to decode what the numbers really say about Indian cinema in 2025. Drawing from the Ormax Box Office Report, the conversation unpacks a landmark year that saw the domestic box office cross ₹13,000 crore for the first time ever, alongside a sharp resurgence of Hindi cinema and a healthier, multi-genre mix of successful films.

They discuss why footfalls are falling even as revenues rise, how rising ticket prices and “event films” are reshaping movie-going habits, and what’s behind the stagnation in parts of South Indian cinema. The episode also explores the surprise growth of Gujarati cinema, the growing importance of franchise films, why audience habits have weakened post-pandemic, and how OTT has emerged as a parallel national market even as theatrical cinema remains language-driven.

The conversation further examines whether India truly functions as one national box office, why Hollywood has become the most pan-Indian theatrical player, and what these shifts mean for the future of film production, distribution and audience behaviour in India.

Like, share and comment with your thoughts on the changing economics of Indian cinema, and subscribe to The Media Room for more deep-dive conversations at the intersection of media, business, data and culture.

#TheMediaRoom #VanitaKohliKandekar #ShaileshKapoor #OrmaxMedia #IndianCinema #BoxOffice #FilmBusiness #HindiCinema #RegionalCinema #GujaratiCinema #SouthCinema #OTT #TheatricalCinema #MediaBusiness #EntertainmentIndustry