Hindi
“The offer came as a delightful surprise, tinged with a hint of disbelief”: Laapata Ladies’ screenwriter Sneha Desai
Mumbai: As the latest Kiran Rao-directed movie “Laapata Ladies” continues to make waves since its release on 1 March 2024, let us applaud the lady behind the screenplay, Sneha Desai.
A prominent figure in film, television, and theatre, Desai has crafted compelling narratives not only for the silver screen but also for hit shows like ‘Pushpa Impossible’ and ‘Wagle Ki Duniya’. With over 1200 shows to her credit on stage, Desai is not just a prolific writer but also an actor, gracing both stage and screen with her talent, enriching the world of entertainment with her diverse skills and contributions.
Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Sneha Desai discussed her journey in the entertainment industry, about portraying strong female characters, on being multifaceted and more…
Edited Excerpts:
On your journey into entertainment, and could you share some memorable moments along the way
Transitioning from the world of stage performances to the dynamic realm of screen productions felt like a natural progression. The sheer love and admiration poured in by audiences have been the driving force behind my pursuit in this industry. Not to mention, the humbling experience of receiving critical acclaim and prestigious awards has only fuelled my passion further. Over time, I found myself delving into the art of writing almost instinctively, realising that audiences don’t just watch but truly absorb and resonate with the content. It’s these moments of connection and resonance that continually inspire me to push boundaries and delve deeper into the world of storytelling.
On writing for “Laapataa Ladies,” and your reaction to Aamir Khan’s offer during lockdown
My journey with “Laapataa Ladies” began unexpectedly during the unprecedented times of the COVID lockdown. It all started with a casual narration session for a different project, but fate had other plans. Months later, I received a call from none other than Aamir Khan himself, presenting me with the opportunity to bring life to a story they had in mind. The offer came as a delightful surprise, tinged with a hint of disbelief. Who wouldn’t be awe-struck when approached by a personality of Mr Khan’s calibre? However, amidst the surrealism, there was an underlying sense of responsibility and pressure to deliver nothing short of excellence.
On your preference in writing for a specific genre
With my journey still in its early stages, I’ve consciously avoided confining myself to a particular genre. Instead, I’m eager to explore through the diverse landscape of storytelling, embracing various styles and narratives along the way. After all, the beauty of storytelling lies not in the limitations of genres but in the boundless possibilities of expression and creativity.
Your works feature strong female characters; what drives crafting such empowered perspectives
Crafting strong and empowered female characters has always been an organic process for me, rooted in my firm belief in individual rights and freedom. Whether male or female, I strive to infuse my characters with depth, agency, and relatable flaws, allowing them to evolve and resonate with audiences on a profound level. It’s this commitment to authenticity and complexity that breathes life into my characters, making them not just figures on a screen but embodiments of resilience and empowerment.
On the challenges that you have faced in the industry and how did you overcome them
Navigating through the legalities, contracts, and rights can often be a daunting task, especially for someone relatively new to the industry. However, with the guidance of experienced mentors and the support of a professional network, I’ve learned to tackle these challenges head-on while keeping my focus firmly grounded in my passion for storytelling. Additionally, in an era where audience attention spans are fleeting and competition is fierce, capturing and retaining viewers’ interest presents its own set of hurdles. Nevertheless, by staying true to my creative vision and adapting to changing landscapes, I’ve managed to navigate through these challenges with resilience and determination.
On the industry evolution in terms of women’s representation, and the changes you hope to see
While the entertainment industry has made significant strides towards inclusivity and gender representation, there’s still ample room for growth and improvement, particularly concerning women’s roles and opportunities. Beyond just representation on screen, I believe in creating a conducive environment that prioritises the safety, security, and well-being of women behind the scenes as well. This entails measures such as flexible working hours, pay parity, and job security, ensuring that women have the support and resources they need to thrive in their respective roles. Ultimately, by fostering a culture of empowerment and equality, we can pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry for future generations.
On challenging yourself creatively as a writer wearing multiple hats
Juggling various roles within the creative sphere, from writing scripts to penning lyrics and stepping into the shoes of diverse characters on screen, presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for growth. Each project serves as a canvas for exploration and self-discovery, allowing me to push beyond my comfort zone and tap into different facets of my creativity. Whether it’s experimenting with new storytelling techniques or delving into uncharted territories of expression, I constantly challenge myself to evolve and innovate, keeping the spark of creativity alive and thriving.
On the upcoming projects or aspirations that you have for the future
Exciting ventures lie on the horizon, with YRF’s ‘Maharaj’ set to grace screens on Netflix as my next release. Additionally, a long-awaited Gujarati play is in the pipeline, alongside discussions for intriguing film projects that hold promise. With optimism and enthusiasm, I eagerly await the next chapter of my creative journey, embracing the unknown with open arms and a heart full of aspirations.
Hindi
GUEST COLUMN: Why film libraries & IPs are the new engines of growth
Unlocking value through catalogue strength and IP synergy
MUMBAI:In a media landscape defined by fragmentation, platform proliferation, and ever-evolving audience behavior, the economics of filmmaking are undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to box office performance, a film’s true value is now measured across an extended lifecycle that spans digital platforms, syndication networks, and global markets. As content consumption becomes increasingly non-linear and algorithm-driven, film libraries and intellectual properties (IPs) are emerging as strategic assets, capable of delivering sustained, long-term returns. For Mohan Gopinath, head – bollywood business at Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd., this transformation signals a decisive move from hit-driven models to portfolio-led value creation. In this piece, Gopinath explores how legacy content, when intelligently repurposed and distributed, can unlock recurring revenue streams, why the interplay between catalogue and original IP is critical, and how media companies can build resilient, future-ready entertainment businesses.
For all these years, we thought that a film is successful if it performs well in theatres. There are opening weekend numbers, box office milestones, and distribution footprints that gave a good picture of how the movie has done commercially and also tell us about its cultural impact. However, there are multiple platforms today, always-on content ecosystem, which has caused a shift. Today, the theatrical performance is not the culmination of a film’s journey but merely the beginning of a much longer and more dynamic lifecycle.
Film libraries today are emerging as high-value, constantly evolving assets that deliver sustained returns well beyond initial release cycles. This becomes a point of great advantage for legacy content owners with diverse catalogues, to shape long-term business outcomes.
According to FICCI-EY, the media and entertainment industry of India achieved a valuation of Rs 2.78 trillion in 2025 which is expected to reach Rs 3.3 trillion by 2028 through a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7 per cent and digital media will bring in more than Rs 1 trillion to become the biggest sector which generates about 36 per cent of overall market revenues.
This shift is the expansion of distribution endpoints. We know how satellite television was once the primary secondary window but today, it coexists with YouTube, OTT platforms, Connected TV, and FAST channels. Each of these platforms caters to distinct audience demographics and consumption behaviors, helping content owners to obtain more value from the same asset across multiple formats.
For instance, films that had great reruns, now find continuous engagement across digital platforms. On YouTube, classic Hindi cinema continues to attract significant viewership, reaching audiences across generations and geographies with remarkable consistency. At Shemaroo Entertainment, this is reflected in our film library shaped over decades as part of a long association with Indian entertainment. From classics such as Amar Akbar Anthony to much-loved entertainers like Jab We Met, Welcome, Dhamaal, Phir Hera Pheri, Dhol, Golmaal, and Bhagam Bhag, many of these titles continue finding new audiences while retaining their place in popular memory. Their enduring appeal reflects how culturally resonant stories can continue creating value over time. Similarly, FAST channels have created curated, always-on environments where catalogue content can continue to thrive through star-led and genre-based programming.
This multi-platform approach has very well transformed films into long-tail IP assets which are capable of generating recurring revenue across advertising, subscription, and syndication models.
The evolution of audience behavior is equally important. Nowadays, it’s more important to find what’s more relative than what’s recent as viewers are more influenced by mood, memories, and algorithmic suggestions than by release schedules. Even if a movie was released decades ago, it can trend alongside a newly released movie, if surfaced in the right context. Thoughtful packaging, whether through festival-based playlists, actor-driven collections, or genre clusters, allows catalogue content to remain dynamic and continuously discoverable. Shemaroo Entertainment has built extensive film libraries over decades and its focus has mostly been on recontextualizing content for the consumption of newer environments. This process doesn’t just include digitization and restoration, but also re-packaging of films as per platforms.
Syndication itself has evolved into a key growth driver. In perspective, when looking at the domestic market, curated content packages continue to find strong demand across broadcast and digital platforms. Meanwhile, in the international market, especially in markets like Middle East, North America and Southeast Asia, the appetite for Indian content is opening up new monetization avenues. Here, the ability to package and position catalogue content effectively becomes as important as the content itself.
Importantly, the need to re-package catalogue content does not diminish the role of new content. In fact, originals and fresh IP are essential to sustaining the long-term value of a film library because they act as discovery engines that bring audiences into the ecosystem, while catalogue content drives depth, retention, and repeat engagement.
This interplay between the “new” and the “known” is what defines a robust content strategy today. While new films generate spikes in consumption, catalogue titles offer familiarity and comfort. These are factors that are increasingly valuable in an era of content abundance and decision fatigue. This is also shaping our strategy, drawing value from both a deep catalogue assets and a growing focus on original IPs to strengthen long-term audience engagement and build more predictable revenue streams.
There is growing recognition that long-term value in entertainment will be shaped not only by how intelligently existing content continues to live, travel and find relevance, but also by how consistently new stories are created to renew that ecosystem. In that sense, film libraries and original IP are not parallel bets, but reinforcing engines of growth. For media companies, the opportunity lies in making these two forces work together, because that is increasingly where more resilient and predictable businesses are being shaped.
Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect our own.
