The Business of Film Making | Oscar Winner Guneet Monga | Inside Bollywood’s Economics

Learn the complete film production playbook from India’s Oscar-winning producer who revolutionized content creation. In this episode of Founder’s Office, Sarthak Ahuja sits down with Guneet Monga, the Oscar-winning producer behind The Elephant Whisperers and founder of Sikhya Entertainment. From understanding film financing and distribution models to navigating the economics of both commercial cinema and documentaries, this episode provides an insider’s view into the film production business. Discover the strategies behind building a successful production house, the differences between commercial and documentary filmmaking, and the pathways to international recognition including film festivals and awards. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker or interested in the entertainment industry’s business dynamics, this episode offers unprecedented insights from one of India’s most accomplished producers. _______________________________________ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 1:24 -The Smart Way to Enter Film 03:39 - Film Financing: Risk, Return & Recovery 10:16 - Pre-Selling Films to OTT: How It Works 11:41 - From Script to Screen: How a Film Gets Made 17:26 - Breaking Down a ₹100 Crore Film Budget 20:00 - The Business of Oscar Success: Navigating Festivals, Distribution, and Campaigns 32:52 - Balancing Global and Local Markets 34:24 - Crafting a Sustainable Film Portfolio 36:56 - OTT Pre-Sales vs. Artistic Venture 37:31 -Expanding Indian Storytelling ___________________________________________ About the Host: Sarthak Ahuja is an Investment Banker, Business Educator, and a Bestselling Author with over 2.5 Million followers across social media. He helps businesses in areas of capital structuring and M&A, and is on the advisory board of a number of startups within India and the Middle East. About the Guest: Guneet Monga is an Oscar-winning film producer and founder of Sikhya Entertainment. Her documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film, making her the first Indian woman producer to win an Oscar. With dozens of acclaimed films across commercial cinema and documentaries, she has established herself as one of India’s most influential content creators. Director & Producer: Aditi Randev (  / randev_aditi  ) is a Marketing Consultant with over a decade of experience working in areas of branding and media. She has spent years working with Sony Music as well as Meta, after her formal education in Fashion Communication from NIFT Delhi, and MBA in Marketing from MICA. She is a Director and co-founder of Niamh Ventures Pvt Ltd, where she heads Media and Content (https://www.niamhventures.com). LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this video is for informational and educational purposes only. Views expressed by Sarthak Ahuja, and any other guests are their personal opinions and do not constitute professional advice. © 2024 Niamh Ventures Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. This video and its content, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, logos, and information, are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Niamh Ventures Pvt. Ltd. BUSINESS ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The information provided does not constitute professional business, financial, legal, or tax advice Any business decisions and actions taken based on this information are solely your responsibility Success in business is not guaranteed and depends on various factors including market conditions, execution, and individual circumstances Past performance and experiences shared by guests do not guarantee future results Viewers should conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any business decisions GUEST STATEMENTS: Opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Niamh Ventures Pvt Ltd or Mr. Sarthak Ahuja Information shared is based on personal experiences and may not be applicable to all situations Guest appearances do not constitute endorsement of any specific products, services, or business methods NO LIABILITY: Niamh Ventures Pvt Ltd, Sarthak Ahuja, and all associated parties disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of or in any way connected with the use of the information presented in this video. By watching this video, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this disclaimer.