In 2007, the idea of buying movie tickets online seemed like a distant dream for most Indians. Long queues at cinemas, phone calls to ticket agents, and unreliable availability were just part of the routine. Ashish Hemrajani, however, saw an opportunity to change that. He co-founded BookMyShow, India’s largest online ticketing platform, with a vision to revolutionize the way people bought tickets for movies, events, and more. Today, BookMyShow stands as the leading platform for entertainment bookings, serving millions of users across India and other countries.
From Tech to Ticketing: A Different Path
Ashish Hemrajani’s journey began in the early 90s when he studied at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS). Post-graduation, he ventured into the tech world, initially working at Hewlett-Packard before co-founding Bigtree Entertainment, the parent company of BookMyShow. It was during his time at HP that he discovered his entrepreneurial drive and his passion for creating digital solutions that could simplify everyday life.
While working in the corporate world, Hemrajani saw the growing potential of the internet in transforming industries, and it was during this time that the idea for BookMyShow came to life. The entertainment industry in India was ripe for digital disruption, and Hemrajani realized that movie-goers, in particular, were yearning for a more efficient and hassle-free way to book their tickets.
The Spark That Created BookMyShow
In 2007, after brainstorming with co-founders Parikshit Dar, Rajesh Kamat, and Vishal Bhatia, Ashish Hemrajani decided to create an online platform that would allow users to check movie listings, select showtimes, and book tickets from the comfort of their homes. BookMyShow wasn’t just a solution to buying movie tickets—it was the beginning of transforming India’s entertainment ecosystem.
At first, the concept was difficult to sell. Cinema owners were skeptical about adopting an online ticketing platform, and the Indian internet penetration rate was still low. But Hemrajani was undeterred. He was convinced that digital adoption would take off, and that BookMyShow could provide a more seamless experience for consumers, replacing the tedious process of buying tickets through physical counters and agents.
The team worked hard to create a user-friendly platform and slowly gained traction. BookMyShow’s success wasn’t just about offering convenience—it was about creating a new culture of online ticketing that gave consumers control over their entertainment choices.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding BookMyShow
The early days were filled with struggles. Convincing cinema owners to join the platform was one of the biggest hurdles. As a new player in the market, Hemrajani faced stiff resistance from traditional ticket vendors and cinema chains. However, BookMyShow’s digital model offered greater reach and the convenience of instant bookings, which eventually won over the cinema industry.
By 2011, BookMyShow expanded to offer more than just movie tickets, including concert, theater, and event ticketing. It was this diversification that played a pivotal role in solidifying the company’s position as the go-to platform for entertainment bookings. Over the years, the company continued to grow, adding new features such as personalized recommendations, online payments, and mobile app integrations, making the ticket-buying experience even more accessible.
Insight from Research – The Key to BookMyShow’s Success
At Pioneer, we often explore what makes companies successful beyond their surface achievements. Research compiled by the Mage Marketer team highlights that Ashish Hemrajani’s real breakthrough wasn’t just in digitizing ticket sales—it was in creating an ecosystem that brought together users, cinemas, and event organizers in a seamless, efficient way.
The takeaway for entrepreneurs? Success lies in building an ecosystem, not just a product. Ashish Hemrajani didn’t just create a platform for buying tickets; he created a vibrant marketplace for entertainment. By facilitating easy access to various entertainment options and offering both convenience and choice, BookMyShow became a one-stop shop for millions of users.
Lessons from Ashish Hemrajani
Ashish Hemrajani’s story is a clear example of how vision and persistence can transform an entire industry. From his initial days at HP to launching BookMyShow, Hemrajani’s journey shows that building a business requires more than just an idea—it requires understanding the market, overcoming resistance, and continuously innovating.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Hemrajani’s journey provides a valuable lesson: focus on solving real-world problems with technology. By identifying an inefficiency in the entertainment booking process and using digital solutions to address it, he created not just a business, but an entire culture around online ticketing. Today, BookMyShow stands as a testament to how the right mix of innovation, timing, and market insight can create a business that not only grows but thrives on a global scale.
