Shemaroo Entertainment

Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. is an Indian content creator, aggregator and distributor, specifically in the media and entertainment industry. It was founded by Buddhichand Maroo in 1962 as a book-circulating library under the name Shemaroo. It set up India's first video rental business in 1979.[1][2] The company went national after it began content distribution in 1987, became aggregators and bought rights to movies for home video.[2][3]

Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd.
Company typePublic
BSE538685
NSESHEMAROO
IndustryEntertainment
Founded29 October 1962; 61 years ago (1962-10-29)
FounderBudhichand Maroo
Headquarters,
India
ProductsMovies, music, home video, merchandise
ServicesContent creation, aggregation, and distribution
Video-on-demand (ShemarooMe)
Websiteshemarooent.com

Currently, the brand has a collection of over 3700 movie titles in multiple Indian languages and offers services to customers in over 30 countries including the US, the UK, Singapore, UAE and Australia.[4]

The company's partners for content distribution include Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, iTunes, Reliance Jio, Vodafone, Tata Play, DD Free Dish and DishTV.[4]

History

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Early years

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Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. was founded on 29 October 1962 as a book-circulating library by the Maroo brothers (Buddhichand, Atul and Raman) in collaboration with Gangajibhai Shethias.[4] The name of the company is an acronym for the founders’ surnames. The library was located at Warden Road in South Mumbai. Three branches were opened soon after.[5]

In 1979, they expanded to include video home system (VHS) tapes in their collection by partnering with business families who had their personal collections of movies.[4]

In 1987, the company forayed into content distribution via the VHS format, which was labeled Shemaroo Video Private Ltd. They also bought rights to several movies for home video and were one of the first brands involved in the distribution of video rights in India.[6]

Shemaroo started buying cable and pay television rights in the 1990s. In 1995, the company bought an equity stake in Sony's Indian TV channel while negotiating a deal to buy films of Sony's Columbia Tristar.[4][5]

2000s to present

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Shemaroo ventured into film production with movies like Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye, Omkara, Ishqiya, Dedh Ishqiya and Hunterrr. These were followed by several others in the subsequent years.[1]

The company forayed into digital animated films with Bal Ganesh and Ghatothkach as their initial features and became the only company to release a feature every year thereafter.[7]

In 2012, Shemaroo completed 50 years of operations. In 2018, the company unveiled a new logo and tagline ‘India Khush Hua’.[1]

In January 2020, Shemaroo Group launched its first TV channel named Shemaroo Marathibana. It is a 24-hour FTA Marathi movie channel with the tagline 'Assal Filmi' (translated as 'Made for Entertainment'). Swapnil Joshi is its Brand Ambassador. It airs Marathi movies like Aapla Manus, Thackeray, Bhai Vyakti Ki Valli, Judgement, Cycle, Ani Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar, etc.[8]

In 2020, Shemaroo Group also announced the launch of a new Hindi GEC Shemaroo TV.[9]

In May 2020, a video surfaced where the comedian Surleen Kaur made a remark about Krishna, a Hindu deity, which right-leaning media houses and political parties objected to. Following the controversy, Shemaroo announced their decision to refrain from any further involvement with Surleen Kaur and Balraj Syal because they 'failed to meet their standards of public decency'. Subsequently, ISKCON lodged a complaint against Kaur and Shemaroo with the Mumbai Police for insulting the organisation and Hindus.[10]

In 2019, the company ventured into the pre-loaded audio speaker market and introduced Bluetooth speakers loaded with devotional content. The pricing for all three existing products in store (online & offline) – Bhagavad Gita, Bhajan Vaani and Quran Majeed And is available in the market currently with leading offline and online retailers.[11]

In 2019, Shemaroo launched 'Shemaroo Bhakti Shri Ganesha Bhajan Vaani' during Ganesh Chaturthi, and 'Shemaroo Amritbani' on the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.[12]

Business operations

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Shemaroo's content library includes over 3,700 film and non-film titles.[1][13][14]

They also provide religious content with devotional videos, live streaming of shrines, temples, and more in categories such as Bhakti, Ibaadat and Gurbani via their apps Ibaadat and Hari Om.[15][16][17]

Their distribution network includes an in-house television syndication team, a new media technology team for mobile value-added services (MVAS), the Internet, DTH and a nationwide home entertainment distribution network. The company has partnered with Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, MTN, Ooredoo and Etisalat to distribute content like videos, music and live streaming via MVAS.[13] They also have an online presence on YouTube, where their channels receive an estimated 2.2 billion monthly views on average.[18]

Their partners include major DTH platforms such as Airtel digital TV, Tata Sky and Dish TV, and TV Networks such as Sony Network, Star TV and Colors Network.[13] The company's subsidiary Contentino Media provides in-flight entertainment for airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air India, Vistara, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic.[19]

The company's brand Yedaz is its official Bollywood licensing and merchandising rights holder that sells Bollywood-themed products like T-shirts and mugs.[20][21] They've also established the Shemaroo Institute of Film and Technology (SIFT).[22]

ShemarooMe

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Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff was present at the launch event of the ShemarooMe app in Mumbai.

In February 2019, Shemaroo Entertainment launched its own video-on-demand service app called ShemarooMe, which is available for Android and iOS.[23] It is also available on the web for viewers. The Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff was present at the launch event of this app in Mumbai.[24]

The OTT video streaming service primarily provides content from the company's content library including movies, TV shows, songs, etc.[25][26] The content is available in languages like Gujarati, Marathi and Punjabi.[26]

The service follows a freemium business model. Some of the content is available for users to stream for free, and the rest requires a subscription to be accessed.[26] It was launched in the USA in April 2019.[27][2]

In July 2020, ShemarooMe announced the launch of its new on-demand movie platform called 'ShemarooMe Box Office.' ShemarooMe has also inked a strategic partnership with BookMyShow, India's leading entertainment destination, to ensure more cine-goers have access to the content.[28][29]

TV Channels

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Channel Launched Language Category
Shemaroo Marathibana 2020 Marathi Movies
Shemaroo TV Hindi GEC
Shemaroo Umang 2022
Chumbak TV 2023

Shemaroo Marathibana

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Shemaroo Marathibana[30][31][32] is a Marathi language Entertainment channel that was owned by Shemaroo Entertainment Media Network. It was launched on 14 January 2020.
Current broadcasts

Shemaroo Umang

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Shemaroo Umang[33][34][35] is a Hindi language General Entertainment free-to-air channel that is owned by Shemaroo Entertainment Media Network. This channel was launched on 05 April 2022.[36][37]

Current broadcasts

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Original series

Premiere date Title Genre
16 September 2024 Main Dil Tum Dhadkan[38] Drama

Former broadcasts

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Original series

Year Serial
2022–2023 Raazz Mahal – Dakini Ka Rahasya
Kyunkii Tum Hi Ho[39]
2023 Kundali Milan
Gauna – Ek Pratha[40][41]
2023–2024 Shravani
2022–2024 Kismat Ki Lakiro Se
2024 Chahenge Tumhe Itna[42]
2024 Shamshaan Champa[43]

Acquired series

Shemaroo TV

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Shemaroo TV is an Indian Hindi-GEC free-to-air television channel[44][45] owned by Shemaroo Entertainment Media Network. The channel was launched on 1 May 2020 for the entertainment of Indian audience.[46][47]

Former shows

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Original shows

Chumbak TV

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Chumbak TV[50][51][52] is an Indian Hindi-language free-to-air youth centric entertainment channel which was owned by Shemaroo Entertainment Media Network.[53] The channel was launched on 6 May 2023.[54][55][56][57]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Film production & distribution house gets a revamp after six decades". The Times of India. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Choudhury, Bedatri. "Shemaroo Streams Bollywood into The US". Forbes. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment's Founder Buddhichand Maroo Felicitated with GIFA Golden Award". Indian Television Dot Com. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e indiainfoline.com. "Shemaroo Entertainment: The Content Connoisseurs". Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b Raghavendra, Nandini (24 August 2011). "How family-run enterprise Shemaroo grew from local to a national brand". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment History | Shemaroo Entertainment Information". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  7. ^ Sapre, Omkar (22 November 2007). "Big budget animation from Bollywood in '08". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Shemaroo launches Marathi movie channel, 'MarathiBana'". aFAQS!. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Shemaroo launches Hindi entertainment channel -Shemaroo TV". ETBrandEquity. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Comedian Surleen Kaur in soup over derogatory quips against ISKON, Hinduism". TribuneIndia. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment launches pre-loaded audio speakers in the Indian market". India TV News. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment enters pre-loaded audio speaker market". Business World. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  13. ^ a b c "Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd IPO Review". chittorgarh.com. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment Releases Padmaavat On Blu-ray and DVD for Cinema Lovers". TelevisionPost. 12 July 2018. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Shemaroo gears up for digital era; adds devotional app Ibaadat". Indian Television Dot Com. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Shemaroo Launches "HariOm" An All Inclusive Hindu devotional app". Webdunia. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Shemaroo targeting five times growth in five years". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  18. ^ Jha, Lata (26 December 2018). "Shemaroo scripts digital makeover with streaming tie-ups". Mint. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Inflight". Shemaroo Entertainment Limited. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Shemaroo's licensing and merchandising brand 'Yedaz', to make its presence felt at India Licensing Expo 2018 – ET BrandEquity". ETBrandEquity.com. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
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  26. ^ a b c "Shemaroo launches OTT app with two subscription plans, looks to enter US market in coming quarter". TelevisionPost. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  27. ^ Limited, Shemaroo Entertainment. "Leading Indian Entertainment Company Shemaroo Enters the US Market with the Launch of its Direct-To-Consumer OTT Platform "ShemarooMe"" (Press release). PR Newswire. Retrieved 24 April 2019. {{cite press release}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  28. ^ "ShemarooMe launches 'Box Office'". Brand Equity.com. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  29. ^ "ShemarooMe takes a cue from Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar – to premiere 4 Hindi movies". Financial Express. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
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  38. ^ "Exclusive - Main Dil Tum Dhadkan lead actor Zohaib Ashraf Siddiqui: I'm inspired by the positive impact my own father had on my life". Timesofindia.
  39. ^ "Ankit Bathla, Shubhanshi Raghuvanshi Starrer 'Kundali Milan' New TV Show To Premiere On May 29". ABP Live. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  40. ^ "Hunar Gandhi returns to TV with a negative lead in Yash Patn." The Times of India. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Parvati Sehgal will star in Gauna Ek Prathamesh". Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Bharat Ahlawat On Bagging The Lead Role In 'Chahenge Tumhe Itna': This Was A Perfect Fit For Me". Outlook India. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Monalisa Features As A Powerful Witch In Supernatural Show Shamshaan Champa, Watch Promo". News18. 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Shemaroo TV Launched and Available in DD Freedish Channel Number 28 But Shemaroo Tv Rebrand in 1 October 2022 a New Channel name Shemaroo Plus". Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  45. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment announces the launch of Hindi Entertainment FTA channel, Shemaroo TV". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
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  48. ^ "vineet choudhary putting effort to get-language dialogue delivery right for shanidev". outlook india. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  49. ^ "Het Makwana to star in 'Tulsi Dham ke Laddoo Gopal'". The Times of India. 16 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
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  51. ^ "Shemaroo launches Hindi entertainment channel 'Chumbak TV'". Medianews4u. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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  53. ^ "Shemaroo Entertainment launches 'Chumbak TV', IBW News: English News, Breaking News in English, ताज़ा हिंदी समाचार". Indian Broadcasting World. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  54. ^ "शेमारू एंटरटेनमेंट ने लॉन्च किया नया चैनल 'चुबंक टीवी', इस तरह का होगा कंटेंट". samachar4media. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  55. ^ "शेमारू एंटरटेनमेंट ने लॉन्च किया नया चैनल 'चुबंक टीवी', इस तरह का होगा कंटेंट". Media News, Advertising News, Media Industry Updates – Samachar4media. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  56. ^ "Shemaroo launches Chumbak TV, targeting youth audience with a mix of live-action and animated content -". www.animationxpress.com. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  57. ^ "Shemaroo launches Hindi entertainment channel Chumbak TV". www.bizasialive.com. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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