It's All In The Game

The world of gaming and virtual reality have taken the world of entertainment by storm, going by the ever-increasing number of family entertainment centres and multidimensional theatres in every city. Among those to cash in on the bonanza is Ankur Maheshwary, who heads one of the fastest growing retailing companies in the sector.

- Joseph Rozario

THERE WAS A TIME, WHEN FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT MEANT a visit to the cinema, taking a stroll on the beach, snacking on fast food, or heading for the park. The concept of family entertainment has changed since, especially in the larger cities, and today for many family entertainment has come to include a host of fun-filled activities like bowling, go-karting, video games, rides, simulators, interactive projections, snow play, etc. What adds to their allure is the fact that it is pure, clean fun, and usually there is something exciting for everyone in the family.

Entrants to this exciting world of entertainment have been many since the family entertainment centre concept gained popularity over a decade ago and one among them is Ankur Maheshwary, the founder and managing director of Modern Masti Private Limited. At 35, Maheshwary heads one of the fastest growing retailing companies engaged in bringing multi-dimensional cinema, gaming, bowling and entertainment to customers.

Ankur Maheshwary’s growing abilities as an entrepreneur shows in Modern Masti having extended its presence to over 20 locations. In that, the second generation of the Maheshwarys of the Bhopal-based Modern Group holds promise as a dynamic successor to father Ram Prakash Maheshwary’s 30-year business legacy.

How it all began

“We are originally from Jodhpur. My father used to work with the Birlas as a financial controller, before he started on his own in 1989 in Gwalior,” says Ankur Maheshwary, talking about his father’s antecedents and the family’s plunge into the world of enterprise. “He forayed into various industries like textiles and manufacture of ceiling fans, geysers and other home appliances, but the ceiling fan business was the key. We used to make the well-known ‘Modern’ brand ceiling fans, which then was the number one in government supply in India.”