Founder Thesis Breaking into Bollywood with Shashank Khaitan (Director, Badrinath ki Dulhania)
How does a Bollywood director think about making blockbusters?
From script to screen to box office success, discover the hidden economics of India's most glamorous industry.
Ever wondered how a Bollywood film actually gets made and who makes money from it? In this revealing episode, acclaimed director Shashank Khaitan pulls back the curtain on the complex business machinery of Hindi cinema. From his journey as a small-town dreamer in Nashik who played tennis at the junior international level to becoming the creative force behind romantic comedies like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Shashank breaks down the entire filmmaking value chain. He shares candid insights on how producers, directors, actors, and studios split revenues, the evolving role of OTT platforms in film financing, and why building a rom-com requires balancing romance with comedy down to precise percentages.
Beyond Bollywood, Shashank reveals his ambitious second act as co-founder of Global Sports Pickleball, where he's applying his storytelling expertise to build India's next major sporting ecosystem. He shared this fascinating journey in a candid conversation with host Akshay Datt, exploring how capital flows through India's entertainment industry, the rise of franchise leagues, and why karma matters more than luck in building sustainable success.
Key Highlights:
👉How Shashank transitioned from junior international tennis to becoming a successful Bollywood director with multiple hit films
👉The complete economics of Bollywood filmmaking, from script acquisition and actor fees to OTT deals worth 25-130 crores and theatrical revenue splits
👉Why producers are the dealmakers and chief marketing officers who manage everything from casting to distribution strategy
👉The secret to rom-com success: balancing romance and comedy while creating characters audiences genuinely care about
👉How Shashank is building Global Sports Pickleball into a 1000-crore business by 2027, leveraging his storytelling skills to create India's next sporting phenomenon
👉Why self-awareness and process-driven thinking trump outcome obsession for long-term entrepreneurial success
Chapters:
00:00 - Shashank Khaitan's Journey from Tennis to Bollywood
08:07 - How Bollywood Films Actually Get Made
21:56 - Breaking Down Bollywood's Revenue Models
42:20 - Producer's Role in Film Business
01:01:03 - Marketing Strategy for Bollywood Releases
01:23:36 - Building Global Sports Pickleball Empire
01:40:56 - Future of Sports Infrastructure in India
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Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the speaker, not necessarily the channel