From Bigg Boss to The Night Manager, how does Banijay Asia build some of India’s biggest entertainment franchises? In this episode of The Media Room from The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Deepak Dhar, Co-founder and CEO of Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, about the business of entertainment, the economics of content production and the strategy behind building successful television and streaming franchises. The conversation explores the extraordinary scale of Bigg Boss, its expansion across seven Indian languages and its ability to reach an estimated 500–600 million viewers cumulatively. Dhar explains why Bigg Boss has become one of India’s biggest entertainment properties and why he considers cricket and the IPL its closest competitors for audience attention. He also discusses how reality television creates daily engagement across television, OTT platforms and social media. How does a production company move from Bigg Boss to premium scripted shows like The Night Manager? Dhar discusses Banijay Asia’s expansion from unscripted entertainment into premium OTT content, including The Night Manager, Trial and Raak. He explains the fundamental differences between scripted and unscripted content, from creative development and production timelines to budgets, profitability and return on investment. The conversation also examines the business of intellectual property (IP) in India’s media and entertainment industry. How important are global formats, established franchises and original stories in a market where content budgets remain under pressure? Dhar shares how international formats are adapted for Indian audiences, explaining how Big Brother became Bigg Boss, Fear Factor became Khatron Ke Khiladi and how The Night Manager was reworked to reflect Indian cultural sensibilities. As streaming platforms and television networks rethink their content strategies, the discussion turns to the growing opportunity in unscripted entertainment, the future of MasterChef and the potential of Indian content to travel to international markets. Dhar also shares his perspective on microdramas, vertical entertainment, AI-era content opportunities, films, theatrical releases and Banijay’s expansion across Southeast Asia. Where is Banijay Asia headed next? Dhar outlines his ambition to transform the company from a content production studio into a broader entertainment hub spanning television, streaming, mobile platforms, films and live entertainment. For business leaders, investors, consultants, marketers, media professionals and anyone tracking India’s media and entertainment industry, this episode offers an inside look at the business of television, OTT platforms, reality shows, content economics and the future of entertainment in India. Watch the full conversation on The Media Room. Can Indian entertainment franchises become global successes, just as Korean and European content have? Share your views and subscribe to The Core for more conversations on business, media, technology and the forces shaping India’s economy. Chapters (00:00) - Deepak Dhar on Building Banijay Asia (04:57) - Why Unscripted Entertainment Is Growing (08:26) - Bigg Boss: 500–600 Million Viewers (10:52) - Fear Factor, MasterChef and the Power of Formats (15:36) - The Economics of Scripted vs. Unscripted Content (17:41) - Are Content Budgets Under Pressure? (19:40) - Who Owns the IP? Banijay’s Global Advantage (21:48) - Can Indian Shows Become Global Hits? (23:22) - How Bigg Boss and Khatron Ke Khiladi Were Localised (29:10) - How The Night Manager Was Adapted for India (30:19) - Microdramas, Micro-Entertainment and What Comes Next (31:40) - Banijay’s Next Bet: Films, Southeast Asia and Live Events (34:10) - Deepak Dhar’s Vision for Banijay’s Future
