Ashish Hemrajani - The Progress Catalyst
AI and personalisation in ticketing
Ashish Hemrajani’s entrepreneurial journey demonstrates the power of resilience, vision, and innovation. As the founder of BookMyShow, he has redefined the entertainment landscape in India, creating a platform that blends technology with creativity. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and transform the way audiences engage with entertainment.
Nationality: Indian
Date of Birth: 1975
Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Parents: Om Hemrajani
Spouse: Nilima Hemrajani
Education: Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai University
Employment History: Ashish Hemrajani is the founder and CEO of BookMyShow, India’s largest online entertainment ticketing platform.
He started his career in 1997 at J. Walter Thompson (JWT) and worked with brands like Hindustan Petroleum and Ceat Tyres.
His entrepreneurial journey began in 1999 when he decided to disrupt how Indians accessed entertainment tickets, shifting from manual bookings to a digital-first experience. Today, BookMyShow is a household name, offering ticketing services for movies, events, sports, and live shows across India and beyond.
Ashish Hemrajani, transforming Indian ticketing
Ashish Hemrajani’s vision of making entertainment accessible to everyone has redefined the ticketing industry in India. His idea for BookMyShow took shape during a backpacking trip in South Africa, where he observed advanced booking systems for rugby matches. Inspired to replicate this in India, Ashish launched Bigtree Entertainment, which evolved into BookMyShow in 2007.
By leveraging technology, Ashish introduced innovations like online movie ticketing, digital payments, and contactless ticketing solutions, catering to the changing needs of Indian consumers. Today, BookMyShow serves millions of users, offering seamless access to events, movies, and experiences in multiple languages and regions.
Impact Maker Ashish Hemrajani
Ashish’s contributions extend beyond business success. BookMyShow has provided platforms for emerging artists, supported the growth of live entertainment, and contributed to the formalisation of the events industry. Under his leadership, the platform expanded its offerings to include original content, on-demand streaming, and partnerships with global music festivals.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashish pivoted BookMyShow to introduce BookMyShow Stream, an on-demand platform for digital content, ensuring business continuity and supporting creators in the entertainment industry.
Change Maker Ashish Hemrajani
Ashish Hemrajani’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to perseverance. From navigating the dot-com bust to adapting to market shifts, his ability to innovate has been instrumental in keeping BookMyShow relevant. His emphasis on personalisation through AI, data-driven insights, and a customer-first approach ensures that the platform continues to evolve with consumer demands.
In addition to his business ventures, Ashish is an advocate for fostering creativity and innovation among aspiring entrepreneurs. He actively participates in mentoring sessions, sharing his experiences to inspire the next generation of start-up founders.
Progress Catalyst Ashish Hemrajani
Ashish’s leadership has propelled BookMyShow to global prominence. By creating a platform that combines convenience, variety, and innovation, he has not only transformed how Indians experience entertainment but also set new benchmarks in the global ticketing industry. His commitment to sustainability and inclusivity further highlights his progressive approach to entrepreneurship.
Ashish’s leadership is characterised by resilience, customer-centricity, and a commitment to innovation. Despite facing challenges, including controversies and market disruptions, he has grown BookMyShow into a global company with a valuation of over ₹6,000 crore.
Achievements
Founding BookMyShow in 1999: Ashish transformed the ticketing industry in India, making entertainment more accessible and digitised.
Navigating market challenges: He successfully steered BookMyShow through the dot-com bust of the early 2000s and pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to include digital content offerings.
Expanding globally: Under Ashish’s leadership, BookMyShow expanded its operations to international markets, including Indonesia and the Middle East.
Awards and recognition: Ashish was featured in Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 and received accolades for his entrepreneurial achievements in multiple forums, including NASSCOM and Entrepreneur India.
Driving industry growth: Through partnerships with global brands like Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, BookMyShow brought world-class events to Indian audiences, cementing its position as a market leader.
Innovation during the pandemic: Launching BookMyShow Stream enabled the platform to remain relevant during lockdowns, providing users with curated digital entertainment experiences.
