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Ajay Bijli

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Ajay Bijli
NationalityIndian
EducationDelhi University;

Owner/President Management Program from Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University;

YPO Gold Fellow [1]
OccupationBusinessman (Managing Director of PVR INOX Ltd)

Ajay Bijli is the managing director of PVR INOX Ltd, the combined entity post the merger of India's leading film exhibition players, PVR Ltd and Inox Leisure Ltd. [2][3] PVR INOX Limited is the fifth largest listed multiplex chain globally.[4] Bijli is the founder of PVR Cinemas and was the chairman and managing director of PVR Ltd before the merger with INOX Leisure Ltd.[5]

He is also the managing director of PVR Inox Pictures, the motion picture wing of PVR INOX Ltd since 2013.[6] He is on the board of trustees of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image and is the founding member of FICCI Multiplex Association India (MAI).[7][8] He is also a member of The Film and TV Producers Guild (India), Young Presidents' Organization and is on the advisory board of Shopping Centres Association of India. He is also associated with the Central Board of Film Certification, Government of India.[9]

Early life and education

Ajay was born and raised in Delhi, India.[10] His father Late Krishan Mohan Bijli was employed by the family's road freight business, Amritsar Transport Co., which was initially established by Ajay's grandfather in 1939. The family later moved to Delhi, where Ajay pursued his education at the Modern School. He completed his BCom from Hindu College of University of Delhi.[11] After graduating, he joined his family's transportation business and his father's Priya Theater in Delhi.[12] Bijli's father Krishan Mohan Bijli died in 1992 and in 1994 a big fire broke out in the warehouse of his transportation business. On the advice of his mother, Bijli wrote cheques to all of those whose goods were gutted in the fire.[13] In 1995, a Hollywood producer introduced Bijli to an Australian production house "Village Roadshow" which expanded in India further and led to the start of PVR-Priya Village Roadshow.[14]

Personal life

Ajay is the son of Late Krishan Mohan Bijli and Sandhuro Mohan Bijli. His younger brother Sanjeev Bijli is his business partner in PVR Cinemas.[15] He married his high school sweetheart Selena in 1990, and has three children - two daughters and a son.[16]

Career

Initial years and the beginning of theatre business

During his childhood, Ajay frequently visited his father's office, located near his school. In 1978, when his father took the ownership of Priya Cinema, Ajay found himself getting inclined towards movies. At the age of 22, he joined his family's transportation business, despite lacking enthusiasm for it. Later, Ajay convinced his father to let him run Priya Cinema for six months. He took inspiration from Sterling Cinema in Mumbai, and renovated Priya Cinema, installed a Dolby Sound System, refurbished interiors, and started playing Hollywood movies. He targeted a niche audience and recovered his initial investment within a year. The Government of India then announced the decontrolling of movie ticket prices along with a reduction in entertainment tax, which helped in propelling Priya Cinema's profits.[17][18][19]

Foray into multiplexes

In 1995, Ajay met John Crawford, Asia managing director, Village Roadshow, an Australian media major which was keen to get into India at that time. They entered into a joint venture, which led to the inception of Priya Village Roadshow (PVR). In 1997, PVR set up India's first multiplex cinema at Saket (Delhi) after reconstructing the Anupam Cinema.[20]

Struggle and growth

Ajay continued to expand PVR in other parts of Delhi, and had 12 screens by the year 2000. After his Australian partner left Village Roadshow from Indian market, Bijli decided to expand his business, and negotiated deals worth Rs. 100 crores for nearly 50 screens across Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai by 2001. The expansion deals were impacted by the September 11 attacks in the United States, leaving Ajay fending for his Rs. 100 crores deals on his own. He then secured a funding of Rs. 80 crores from ICICI Ventures in 2003.[21][22]

Breakthrough

In 2012, PVR acquired the Mumbai-based Cinemax and Ajay became its managing director.[23] Ajay also acquired DLF's DT cinemas in the year 2016. In 2017, the American cinema player iPic Entertainment appointed Bijli on a board position, from which he resigned in July, 2018.[24][25][26]

Post pandemic

As the founding member of Multiplex Association of India, Ajay initiated and submitted enhanced safety and precautions plan for cinemas to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India) and various other state governments. Ajay also ensured that business operations at PVR continued with responsibility and care towards its employees, customers and communities at large. PVR’s Covid-19 relief efforts became the brand’s first project ever that had no budget.[27][28] Ajay-led PVR also organised free vaccination camp at PVR Juhu in Mumbai, for film workers and their dependants in partnership with Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital.[29] In 2022, Ajay launched a music video with his band Random Order to pay a tribute to the medical community for their selfless work throughout the pandemic. [30]

Philanthropic work

Ajay is one of the founding members of PVR Nest, a social arm of PVR Ltd, established in 2006. PVR Nest is a registered foundation, in alignment with UN Sustainable Goals and works via Public Private Partnership models, towards transforming urban spaces and facilities to make cities more liveable for women, children and marginalised communities.[31]

Awards and recognition

  • First Indian Film Industry official to be invited to deliver keynote address at CinemaCon 2023 organised by National Association of Theatre Owners.[32]
  • India Today Conclave 2023.[33]
  • International Exhibitor of the Year at CineAsia Awards 2017, Hong Kong.[34]
  • Asia Innovator of the Year at India Business Leader awards by CNBC TV18 in 2016.[35]
  • Business Icon of the Year at International Film Business Awards by Indywood Film Market and ALIIFF.
  • Most Admired Multiplex Professional of the year in CMO Asia's Multiplex Excellence Awards.

References

  1. ^ https://et-gbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/GBS-Communique__Rev2023.pdf
  2. ^ "PVR, INOX announce merger; Ajay Bijli appointed MD, Sanjeev Kumar Executive Director". livemint.com. Livemint. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  3. ^ "PVR, INOX Announce Merger Of Operations, To Create Largest Multiplex Chain With Over 1,500 Screens In India". news.abplive.com. ABP Live. 27 March 2022.
  4. ^ "PVR-INOX, now fifth largest listed multiplex chain globally, awaits good movies". businessinsider.in. Business Insider. 14 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Meet Ajay Bijli, who rebuilt Rs 14,224 crore empire after devastating fire, father's death; had got Mercedes at wedding". DNA India. Archived from the original on 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  6. ^ "Indian Exhibitor PVR Inox Launches PVR Inox Pictures To Increase Acquisitions Of International Films For India". www.deadline.com.
  7. ^ "Mumbai Academy of Moving Image - Trustees Site". www.mumbaifilmfestival.com.
  8. ^ "Indian Exhibitor PVR Inox Launches PVR Inox Pictures To Increase Acquisitions Of International Films For India". deadline.com.
  9. ^ "Ajay Bijli - Shopping Centres Association of India". www.scai.in.
  10. ^ "The PVR man". india today. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2023-07-16. Retrieved Jul 17, 2023.
  11. ^ "How PVR's Ajay Bijli became the king of multiplexes". firstpost. 11 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-06-12. Retrieved Dec 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Ajay Bijli The original Mister Multiplex". LiveMint. 27 October 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-08-18. Retrieved Oct 27, 2007.
  13. ^ Sinha, Suveen K. (2008-10-28). "LUNCH WITH BS: Ajay Bijli". Business Standard India. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  14. ^ "Ajay Bijli takes centre stage". The Economic Times. 2017-09-22. Archived from the original on 2017-09-28. Retrieved Sep 22, 2017.
  15. ^ "In next three years another 250 movie theaters will bear PVR name, says Ajay Bijli". economictimes.indiatimes.com.
  16. ^ "Editor's Note: Freedom is the best medicine". hindustantimes.com.
  17. ^ V Keshavdev (29 October 2018). "How conscientious my dad was about service had a lasting impression on me". Outlook Business. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  18. ^ Peerzada Abrar (24 August 2012). "How Ajay Bijli, the man behind PVR, managed to crack the movie theater business in India". economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  19. ^ "From Priya Village Roadshow to PVR: How Ajay Bijli built India's largest multiplex chain". CNBC TV18. 21 October 2020.
  20. ^ "How PVR's Ajay Bijli became the king of multiplexes". firstpost.com. 20 December 2014.
  21. ^ "From Priya Village Roadshow to PVR: How Ajay Bijli built India's largest multiplex chain". cnbctv18.com. 21 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Sundowner with Ajay Bijli: The showman who saw it coming". economictimes.indiatimes.com. 6 October 2007.
  23. ^ "Salman of Screens: Ajay Bijli-led PVR buys screen multiplex chain Cinemax for Rs 395 crore". economictimes.indiatimes.com. 30 November 2012.
  24. ^ "Board of Directors and Corporate Governance". Investors.IPIC Theaters. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  25. ^ Gauri Chauhan (13 August 2018). "PVR Cinemas to acquire SPI Cinemas". fortuneindia.com. Fortune India. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  26. ^ "PVR will release Rs 100 crore post regulatory nods, says Ajay Bijli". cnbctv18.com. TV18 Broadcast Limited. 14 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  27. ^ "PVR Announces Results For The Quarter And Year Ended March 31, 2021". businessworld.in. 2 June 2021.
  28. ^ "SPVR's Covid-19 relief efforts is the brand's first project ever that had no budget: Gautam Dutta". economictimes.indiatimes.com. 28 May 2021.
  29. ^ "PVR Expands Vaccination Drive – Jabs For Film Fraternity Benefitting Federation Of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) In Association With Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital". bolly.com. 21 July 2021.
  30. ^ Sharma, Riya (26 April 2022). "Delhi-based band Random Order's music video pays tribute to healthcare heroes of COVID-19 pandemic". Times of India. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  31. ^ "A Radically Transformed Women-Friendly City!". indiacsr.in. 28 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Ajay Bijli at CinemaCon 2023: We are a movie-crazy nation". Times of India. May 15, 2023.
  33. ^ "India Today Conclave: Top executives share Covid experiences and what they learned from it". India Today. March 18, 2023.
  34. ^ "PVR's Chairman And MD bags 'Exhibitor Of the Year' Award". Businessworld. Archived from the original on 2018-11-04. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  35. ^ "Network18 honours leaders at CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards". Livemint. 2016-08-31. Archived from the original on 2016-09-01. Retrieved Sep 1, 2016.
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