MAM
Weekend Unwind with LA Empire’s Ankit Lodha
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind – a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, we have LA Empire founder Ankit Lodha, a visionary entrepreneur transforming the rental and vacation home market. Since launching LA Empire in 2022, Ankit has tackled key industry issues like fake listings and price transparency, growing a portfolio of nearly 30 properties across rentals and vacation homes. With flexible mid-term leases and unique experiences, LA Empire is setting new standards in real estate.
Without further ado, here it goes…
Your mantra for life
Nothing changes, if nothing changes. If you want to achieve something you never had, you have to be ready to do something you have never done before.
A book you are currently reading or plan to read
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell, it focusses on how to scale business, fast, while avoiding burnout. Trading money for time—that is, buying back free space in your calendar—will give you more financial success than you ever dreamed possible.
Your fitness mantra
I don’t let my mind hold my body back. Every day I aim to push myself and do something new to challenge myself and grow physically and mentally.
Your comfort food
Italian food is my comfort food, Pizza; Pasta all day, every day!
A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
The future you is depending on the current you to keep the promises you made in yesterday.
Your guilty pleasure
I am passionate about cars and enjoy going for long drive. Right now, my favourites guilty pleasures are my Ferrari, Porsche and Maybach.
The last time you tried something new
Last week, I started doing 30 second cold plunge every day after a long workout session.
A life lesson you learned the hard way
Same inputs = same outputs. You can’t expect your life to change if you keep doing the same things. Same inputs will give you same outputs. Once I realized this, I started changing my inputs and then saw the change in outputs as well
What gets you excited about life?
Helping people by solving their problems through modern real estate solutions. When people move to new cities and country, they can focus on the main objective such as education, job, career and not worry about their housing or set-up issues. Personally gone through the situation, I understand the pain points and now I like to solve their problems through next generation real estate solutions.
What’s on top of your bucket list?
To buy a private jet – it’s like a time machine. It can take us from one global office location meeting to another very quickly and be back to the office on same day
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Believe in yourself. Everyday focus on improving yourself and start embodying the future version of yourself that you want to be. It will help you bridge the gap between current version of yourself and future version of you.
One thing you would most like to change about the world
I would change extreme weather conditions, for example: hurricanes; tsunamis; blizzards; etc. The number of lives saved as well as money would be amazing.
An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Going to gym or doing anything physical such as running, swimming going or even simple physical activities such as going out of walk in nature of garden.
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Practicing Gratitude. I start focusing on the positive aspects of your life can create an instant shift in your perspective. Taking a moment to reflect on the things you’re grateful for – whether it’s a supportive friend, a beautiful sunset, or a small accomplishment. This practice can bring a sense of contentment and happiness.
Your go-to stress buster
Is to be active. Being active won’t make stress disappear, but it can help to reduce some of the intense emotions you’re feeling. It can also help to clear your thoughts. This will help in dealing with your problems more calmly.
There are lots of ways to be more active. Activities with breathing exercises and movement are particularly helpful for stress. One example of this is yoga.
MAM
Debkumar Dasgupta joins Dangal TV as Head of Syndication
Veteran broadcast executive to drive international and national content sales
MUMBAI: Debkumar Dasgupta, a seasoned broadcast media professional with over 30 years in the industry, has taken charge as head of syndication at Dangal TV, overseeing both international and national markets.
Dangal TV, owned by Enterr10 Television Network, is a popular 24-hour Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC). Launched in 2009 originally for Bhojpuri movies, it has since pivoted to Hindi entertainment, with a focus on family dramas, mythology, and crime shows catering to both urban and rural audiences.
Dasgupta brings a formidable track record in content acquisition, syndication sales, and P&L management across ME, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. His career spans top media organisations including IndiaCast Media, Viacom18, MTV Networks, Catvision Products and Tee-Men’s.
Most recently, he was with GoQuest Media as group partnership and strategy head, managing partnerships and monetisation strategies across the region. He also served as vice president – content acquisition and partnership for Asia and Africa, negotiating deals for Turkish dramas and other high-demand content.
Earlier stints include senior vice president and business head roles at IndiaCast Media Distribution, steering ME&A and global syndication sales, and boosting the reach of Viacom18 channels such as Colors, MTV India, Colors Rishtey and News18 India across Asia-Pacific, South Asia, ME, Africa, CIS, CEE and Latin America.
Dasgupta began his media journey as senior director – network development at MTV Networks India, managing channel carriage and affiliate revenues, before moving into content sales and international business with Viacom18. He started in cable TV sales with Catvision Limited, handling nationwide dealer and distributor networks.
Known as a creative change agent, Dasgupta has consistently driven revenue growth, market share expansion, and efficiency improvements, combining deep market insights with hands-on leadership.
With his global expertise and strong cross-functional experience across sales, legal, marketing, programming, logistics and finance, Dangal TV is set to strengthen its content syndication footprint and expand its international reach under his leadership.
Dasgupta’s appointment signals an aggressive push to leverage ethnic content opportunities and emerging markets, ensuring Dangal TV keeps pace in an increasingly competitive broadcast ecosystem.
