The Cinema Visionary: Ajay Bijli’s Journey From Transport To Entertainment Empire
In the annals of Indian business history, few transformational journeys rival that of Ajay Bijli, the visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized the Indian cinema-going experience.
His story begins not in the glittering world of entertainment, but in the practical realm of transportation, where at age 22, he joined his father’s Amritsar Transport Company.
Life, however, had different plans for the young entrepreneur. The year 1992 brought profound personal loss with his father’s passing, followed by a devastating fire that destroyed his warehouse business. In what would later prove to be a defining moment of his character, Ajay Bijli, following his mother’s counsel, made the honorable decision to reimburse all clients whose goods were lost in the fire. This early demonstration of business ethics would later become a cornerstone of his management philosophy.
Standing at a crucial crossroads, Ajay Bijli faced a choice between continuing the family’s transportation business or taking charge of their modest cinema hall, Priya, in Delhi’s Vasant Vihar. His passion for cinema guided his decision, though few could have predicted how this choice would reshape India’s entertainment landscape.
Understanding that success in the cinema business required more than just screening films, Ajay Bijli approached Priya’s renovation with meticulous attention to detail. The installation of Dolby Sound Systems, the strategic use of pink to warm the grey interiors, the emphasis on cleanliness, and the professional uniformed staff all reflected his commitment to elevating the movie-going experience. Despite initial challenges in securing popular releases, Bijli’s focus on customer experience proved transformative, leading to a tenfold growth in business.
This success attracted unprecedented partnerships with prominent brands like McDonald’s, Archie’s, and Nirula’s – marking the first such collaborations in Indian cinema history. Recognizing the need for expansion but constrained by capital limitations, Ajay Bijli demonstrated his business acumen by forging a 60:40 joint venture with Australian distributor Village Roadshows, giving birth to Priya Village Roadshows (PVR) in 1995.
The watershed moment came in 1997 when PVR introduced India’s first multiplex cinema in Saket, Delhi. The innovative concept of four screens under one roof offering 24 daily shows revolutionized the Indian cinema experience. This success catalyzed further expansion, with PVR adding two more screens in Delhi.
By 2000, PVR‘s operations had grown to 12 screens, with projects worth over 100 crores spanning 50 screens in development. However, the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to Village Roadshows’ withdrawal from the joint venture, presenting Ajay Bijli with another significant challenge. Demonstrating remarkable resilience and negotiation skills, he secured 80 crores in funding from ICICI Ventures in 2003, enabling PVR’s expansion into major metropolitan cities.
The company’s 2006 IPO raised an impressive 250 crores, reflecting market confidence in Ajay Bijli’s vision. PVR’s subsequent acquisition of Cinemax for 530 crores in 2012 and the strategic merger with INOX further consolidated its position as India’s premier multiplex chain.
Today, PVR stands as a testament to Bijli’s entrepreneurial prowess, operating 1,650 screens across more than 70 cities, with a market valuation exceeding 17,000 crores. Ajay Bijli family’s personal wealth of over 1,900 crores from this venture represents not just financial success but the value created for countless stakeholders in the Indian entertainment industry.
Ajay Bijli’s journey from managing a single-screen theater to building India’s largest multiplex chain embodies the transformative power of vision, resilience, and customer-centric innovation. His well-deserved title as “The Cinema Man of India” reflects not just his business achievements but his role in revolutionizing how Indians experience cinema. By consistently prioritizing customer experience, embracing technological advancement, and maintaining high standards of business ethics, Bijli has created more than just a successful business – he has helped shape modern Indian entertainment culture.
His story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, demonstrating how setbacks can become stepping stones to success when met with determination, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality. As PVR continues to grow and evolve, Ajay Bijli’s legacy stands as a shining example of how personal passion, combined with business acumen, can create lasting value for society while building a formidable business empire.
