Imtiaz Ali on Cinema’s Comeback and Bollywood’s Future, in this episode of The Media Room by The Core, is a conversation about why audiences are returning to theatres, why storytelling still wins, and what Bollywood’s next chapter could look like.Speaking with Vanita Kohli-Khandekar, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali reflects on the unexpected success of Main Wapas Aunga, the film’s box office turnaround, and how audiences took charge of its publicity when traditional film marketing fell short.From Jab We Met, Rockstar and Tamasha to Amar Singh Chamkila and Main Wapas Aunga, Imtiaz Ali has built a filmography around love, longing, memory, music and emotional storytelling. In this conversation, he explains why cinema is not dying, why audiences still want the big screen experience, and why long-form storytelling may matter even more in an age of short-form content.The discussion also explores Bollywood’s future, India’s untapped global soft power, the business of film marketing, the emotional role of cinema halls, and why Indian cinema should not lose its originality while trying to reach global audiences.Watch this episode for a deep, thoughtful and timely conversation on cinema, culture, business, audience behaviour, Bollywood, film marketing and the future of Indian storytelling.#ImtiazAli #Bollywood #IndianCinema #TheMediaRoom #FilmMarketing #TheCore

Roshan Abbas on live events, AI and the creator economy is a sharp conversation on how India’s media business, entertainment industry and creative economy are changing as artificial intelligence, digital creators and live experiences reshape what audiences value.

In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Roshan Abbas about India’s live events industry, the future of AI in media, and the changing creator economy. From radio and theatre to television, events, films, digital platforms and Commune, Roshan reflects on a career built around storytelling, audience connection and creative entrepreneurship.

The conversation explores why live events in India are growing again, why collective experiences still matter, and why creators must balance short form content, long form storytelling and audience trust. Roshan also speaks about AI generated content, artificial intelligence in the creative industry, digital creators, influencer marketing, content curation, creator burnout and the ethical questions around using AI as a creative tool.

He also shares lessons from investing in creative startups, building networks, spotting opportunities in media and entertainment, and why the future may belong not just to creators, but to curators with taste, judgement and human insight.

For professionals interested in business, media, marketing, consulting, technology, entertainment and India’s creative economy, this is a conversation about why creativity still needs people, why live experiences are becoming more precious, and why human intelligence may matter even more in the age of AI.

Subscribe to The Core for sharp conversations on business, media, economy, technology and culture.

#RoshanAbbas #CreatorEconomy #ArtificialIntelligence #LiveEvents #MediaBusiness #TheMediaRoom #TheCore

Chapters

00:00 – Roshan Abbas and the journey of Indradhanush

07:40 – Updating nostalgia for new audiences

11:13 – The art of connecting with people and building platforms

12:54 – Investing in creators, startups and ideas

17:22 – India’s live events boom and the arena economy opportunity

19:45 – Why creators should invest in people, not just businesses

25:34 – The paradox of plenty: creation, curation and creator burnout

30:50 – Why we are entering the era of curation

33:25 – Roshan Abbas on AI, authenticity and ‘art intelligence’

39:05 – Staying relevant, mentoring creators and finding joy

41:48 – Upcoming projects, films and the future of storytelling

44:13 – Why collective experiences are making a comeback

Ajay Bijli on India’s cinema boom and PVR INOX growth takes us inside the turnaround of India’s largest multiplex chain, as PVR INOX bets on movie theatres, small-town India, affordable cinema, and the future of the big screen experience.

In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX, about how the company moved from losses to profit, why 150 million people walked into its cinemas, and what the numbers reveal about India’s changing entertainment economy.

Ajay Bijli explains why Indian audiences are returning to theatres, how better content variety and blockbuster films are driving box office growth, and why PVR INOX is now focusing on asset light cinemas, franchise models, low cost screens, Smart cinemas, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, lower ticket prices, and better return on capital.

The conversation also explores the bigger business story behind India’s film exhibition industry. Does India really have a screen shortage? Can smaller cities become the next growth engine for multiplexes? Are movie theatres still relevant in the age of OTT platforms and streaming? And what does PVR INOX’s turnaround tell us about consumer spending, urbanisation, real estate, entertainment, and India’s next phase of growth?

Watch the full conversation to understand how PVR INOX is building for the next decade of India’s cinema boom and why the big screen may still have its biggest growth story ahead.

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:34) - The Real Reason PVR Rebounded

(05:05) - The Franchise Model Changing Cinema Economics

(07:14) - Inside PVR's New Smart Cinema Strategy

(09:24) - The Formula for Picking New Markets

(12:08) - Does India Really Need More Screens?

(14:35) - Why PVR Is Betting on India Over Overseas Markets

(16:50) - The Truth About Movie Ticket Prices

(17:50) - Why Great Content Beats Cheap Tickets

(18:23) - Are Theatres Really Making a Comeback?

(20:17) - The Debate Around India's Box Office Data

(20:57) - What's Actually Driving Box Office Growth?

(22:18) - PVR's Biggest Growth Engine for the Future

(23:07) - Closing Thoughts

#PVRINOX #AjayBijli #IndiaCinema #BusinessNews #TheCore