Blog Full - Ashok Karania

2 Jan 2014

The World Is Changing – 2014 Thoughts !

1. The business world is getting dynamic with each passing day. Winners are created in a short span of time and old reputations shattered in even shorter span of time. Samsung and Blackberry are good examples.
2. Winners are created in shorter span of time. Also, winner takes it all ! Samsung and Apple control the profits of the entire industry.
3. No Innovation – No Respect.
No World-Class Offerings – No Admission In Business World.

4. Mobile and cloud are now integral to enterprises. There are no fence-sitters now!
5. Big Data Analytics indeed seems to be the next billion dollar opportunity.
6. Wearable Devices are the next big thing. Smart Shoes, Smart Accessories. Hopefully human beings will be more smarter as well !

7. As always, money is still not the prime motivator of people. As always, designation does not determine the leader. It is always the purpose, vision, challenging work and respect that drives people !
8. Digital Detox is gaining currency ! Slow Movement will fasten !

9. AAP is transforming and influencing Indian Political thinking. India’s Jasmine Revolution is beyond the social media now.
10. Youth are driving the change across Sports, Movies and Businesses.

31 Dec 2013

500 Crores – Not An Impossible Task For Bollywood !

In the last 2-3 years, the Indian Film Industry had got a new aspirational goal – 100 Crores. Suddenly 100 crores was the new benchmark of success. With each passing year, the number of films in the 100 crore club grew. And it will continue to grow. The rationale is simple.

India’s population is more than 100 crores. Even if 2% of Indian population watches a movie, it is 2 crore people watching a movie. Multiply it by the average lowest price of Rs 50, and we have 100 crores !

Movies were always popular in India and hit movies made good money. A few important changes have happened in the Indian Film Industry and that has contributed to the 100 crore movies:

1. The revenue leakages are getting reduced due to multiplexes and digital technologies.
2. Multiplexes have increased the number of screens. They have also increased the ticket prices and hence the yield.
3. Strong marketing strategies ensure carpet bombing of the movie. Maximum people watch movie within 2 weeks.
4. Modern management has ensured a good template for the success of a big size movie.

Inspite of the above facts, India has less number of per capita screens. The movie watching audience will continue to swell and we will soon move to new benchmarks. In fact, 200 crore is the new 100 crore with three movies already clocking more than 200 crores in 2013. The day is not far when 500 crore will not be an impossible feat in Bollywood.

Indian Film Industry is bullish in outlook. The only challenge is to ensure high quality content with global best practices. It can then make a bigger dent in the global entertainment order !

30 Dec 2013

Are You Ready For 2014?

The end of the year ! Time to review. Time to redefine.

2013 will soon be history. I am sure we will say “GoodBye” to 2013 by remembering its highs and lows. More importantly, enriching ourselves by the lessons it taught us.

2014 is in front of us. Let us look ahead.

How do we want 2014 to be?

What do we want to be in 2014?

And in 2015? And further ahead. It is important to set those right priorities for ourselves. It is important to set clear goals. Once that is done, there is tremendous clarity of thought. All things fall in place.

The most important things after having clear goals is discipline and commitment. Nobody won a nobel prize for their plans. Nobody got a promotion for their thoughts. Everyone got ahead because of results and actions, which only happen after execution and discipline. Let us act. Let us fight that cynical voice. Stay away from negative thoughts and persons.

Things may not go as per the script. But we still have to face reality. Take adversity by the horns. Accept challenge and prepare a new approach, if things do not right. It is always important to have Plan B.

Always be positive. Always manage time well. Google Maps cannot guide our lives. Nor can anyone else. We are our own architects. It is convenient to find problems outside of us. Difficult people will fall in line eventually.

Finally pursue excellence. It helps you become expert. It helps you to leave your mark. It helps the world to help you !

How does this translate into workplace? Let us have clear goals for ourselves. Let us have clear KRAs. If we have some challenges, be pro-active and clear it. Review self. At a high level, if we see our work or anything that we do as job or task, we have one approach. But if we see our work and other activities as mission, our perspective changes. We get lot of power and energy from within. HR Performance Appraisals, Punctuality, Attendance, Follow-Ups, Reminders, Stress – all go out of our lexicon. Leadership becomes our mantra. Making it happen becomes our mantra.

Time flies. 2013 is gone. 2014 will also be soon gone. Focus on only 3 goals for 2014. These goals can cut across work, family, self. No more. No less.

I hope everyone of us have more achievements and more celebrations in 2014. Dreams do come true.

29 Dec 2013

Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

The End Of The Year – Time To Review. Time To Reflect. Time To Relive.

2013 Was A Mixed Year For Bollywood – India’s Film Industry.

The 100 Crore Club continued to welcome new members and three movies rocked even into 200 Crore club – Dhoom 3, Krrish 3 and Chennai Express.

At Half Year mark, I had commented: “The content and treatment continues to win. The new talent is getting better results and traditional stars are being challenged. Good times for Bollywood continue!”. It still holds true at the end of the year. (See Bollywood 2013 Half Year Mark Review)

Ranbir tasted first failure when he let money to precede our his cinematic choices. Though Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani was no great cinema, it balanced commercial and contemporary cinema. The same treatment was dished out to Himmatwala, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2. Ranbir’s Rocket Singh is yet to be bettered, Barfi not withstanding.

Ranbir got a challenger in form of Ranveer with Ram Leela and Lootera showcasing his talent. Sushant Singh Rajput is the new talent where banks are betting their money on ! Parineeti and Alia Bhatt are the new ladies to watch for ! Nimrat Kaur seems promising !

Deepika was the actor of the year with 4 hits – Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram Leela. Behind the beautiful face and awesome acting is an intelligent mind – who redefined herself. Sonakshi and Shahid Kapoor need reinvention for sure – they can learn from Deepika.

I still feel the best film of the year was Ship Of Theseus. It was seconded by The Lunchbox. Ship Of Theseus showcases the best of Indian Cinema and so does The Lunchbox. A R Rahman still rules in the music department. Though Aashiqui 2 brought new challengers.

Top 5 Films:

1. Ship Of Theseus
2. Lunchbox
3. Kai Po Che
4. Raanjhaana
5. Shahid
6. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
7. Shuddh Desi Romance
8. Special 26
9. Aashiqui 2
10. D-Day

Other Honorable Mentions:
1. Madras Cafe
2. Ram Leela

Top 5 Movies That Did Not Work !:
1. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobara
2. Himmatwala
3. Besharam
4. Zanjeer
5. Phata Poster

Top Grossers Of The Year:
1. Dhoom 3 – 250 Cr +
2. Krrish 3 – 250 Cr
3. Chennai Express – 225 Cr
4. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – 190 Crore
5. Ram Leela – 110 Cr

I am pleased to note that Bhaag Milkha Bhaag crossed 100 Crores – 100 Crores is not an elusive number anymore with even Grand Masti touching the magical figure.