When Ashish Hemrajani first caught wind of an idea, it was during a serene vacation—a moment of leisure that would transform how millions of Indians enjoyed their favorite films, concerts, and events. Sitting back and listening to a radio advertisement for rugby tickets, Ashish had an epiphany. In a country where fans endured long queues and limited access to booking systems, he saw a glaring opportunity. Why not create a platform that lets people skip the hassle and book their entertainment online? This single insight would lay the foundation for BookMyShow, the groundbreaking ticketing platform that today commands an impressive valuation of over 8,000 crores.
From the Beginning: A Leap of Faith by Ashish Hemrajani
At just 24, Ashish left a high-paying corporate job to venture into uncharted territory. With a bold spirit, he established BigTree Entertainment, the precursor to what would eventually become BookMyShow. In those early days, the operation was charmingly simple—Ashish and his small team purchased movie tickets in bulk, then hand-delivered them to customers via motorbike. What started as a scrappy endeavor quickly turned heads, leading to the establishment of 12 call centers to handle an ever-growing demand.
Challenges: The Dot-Com Crash and a Near-Total Shutdown
Success, however, was not a straight road. Early in the journey, BigTree Entertainment attracted substantial funding. JP Morgan Chase, convinced by Ashish’s vision, poured in Rs. 2.5 crore after receiving nothing more than a one-page fax. This level of trust and confidence was rare. But the market was still evolving—India’s internet infrastructure was nascent, credit card penetration was minimal, and cinemas lacked the digital tools to enable online ticketing.
In 2002, the dot-com bubble burst in the U.S., sending shockwaves throughout the global tech industry. JP Morgan Chase withdrew its investment, leaving Ashish with no choice but to downsize dramatically. His workforce of 150 was reduced to just six. The company was nearly wiped out. Yet, Ashish refused to abandon his dream. Instead, he used the downtime to refine his strategy, patiently waiting for the right moment to reenter the market.
Rebuilding: A New Beginning
By 2004, the landscape had started to change. Internet penetration was on the rise, credit card adoption was gaining traction, and the number of multiplexes in India was increasing. Sensing the winds shifting, Ashish pivoted. Instead of relying solely on consumers to adopt online ticketing, he began selling ticketing software directly to cinemas. This move proved critical, as it set the stage for smoother integration and wider consumer adoption down the line.
In 2007, Ashish officially rebranded BigTree Entertainment to BookMyShow. With a fresh name and a revitalized approach, the company was poised to capitalize on the burgeoning digital wave. That same year, Network 18 invested Rs. 14.5 crore, giving Ashish the resources he needed to rebuild and expand.
Scaling Up: A Ticket to Success
The ensuing years marked a steady ascent. By 2011, BookMyShow had posted revenues of Rs. 16.09 crore. Ashish and his team operated with a frugal mindset, ensuring every rupee was spent wisely. They kept office air conditioners at 24 degrees, turned off alternate light bulbs, and implemented cost-plus hiring—all to maintain financial discipline while scaling rapidly.
This careful management paid off. By 2012, the platform was selling one lakh tickets a day, and by 2013, it had more than 1,500 screens on board. High-profile partnerships, including those with PVR and major sports brands like IPL and Formula 1, further solidified BookMyShow’s dominance. The company had evolved from a humble ticketing service into a comprehensive entertainment platform, covering movies, concerts, exhibitions, and live events.
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The COVID Pivot: Thriving Through Adversity
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, BookMyShow’s core business—live entertainment—faced an unprecedented halt. Yet once again, Ashish demonstrated his resilience and adaptability. He rapidly launched an in-house OTT platform for online streaming, completing it for just Rs. 8 crore—a fraction of what others spent. This move not only allowed the company to weather the storm but also positioned it for growth once live events returned. By the end of the pandemic’s worst phases, BookMyShow’s revenue had risen by 52% to Rs. 619 crore, and the platform had captured a commanding 85% market share.
Today: A Legacy Cemented
As of today, BookMyShow operates in over 650 cities and serves more than 30 million customers across five countries. With a monthly ticket volume of 15 million spanning 4,500 screens, it’s safe to say that Ashish Hemrajani’s vision has become a household name.
What sets Ashish apart isn’t just his business acumen but also his ability to embrace setbacks and learn from them. His journey—from the early struggles of BigTree Entertainment, through the turbulence of the dot-com crash, to the massive success of BookMyShow—is nothing short of inspiring. In a landscape dominated by giants, Ashish has proven that resilience, creativity, and a customer-first approach can turn even the simplest of ideas into an industry-shaping force.
Today, Ashish Hemrajani’s BookMyShow stands tall as an 8,000-crore behemoth, a platform that has not only transformed the way Indians consume entertainment but also redefined what’s possible in the world of digital ticketing.
