Being Famous

Anant Roongta, the young and dynamic managing director of Famous Studios, is all set to bring a new lease of life to the company.

- Benaifer J Mirza

IN AN ERA WHEN TECHNOLOGY is changing every other minute, Famous Studios has been a name that has stood strong and successful through it all. Established in 1946 by Jagmohan Roongta, Famous Studios is now in the able hands of his grandson, Anant Roongta.

Anant completed his ISC from The Cathedral & John Connon School, then went to the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, for a BA in Marketing and Finance, and then to Aston University for an MSc in International Business. After returning to India in 2008, he worked at Famous Studios for about five years. But deep down, he wanted to do something more challenging. This led to him founding Fanatic Sports, a sports tourism company, with his cousin, Raghav Gupta. Also, his passion for the aviation industry led him to working with GVK for a year, where he took care of non-aeronautical revenues, especially advertising.

After learning the dynamics of the Indian business world at Fanatic Sports and GVK, Anant finally decided to return to Famous Studios in 2017, bringing fresh energy and perspective to the family business.

Looking back

Reminiscing Famous’ growth years, Anant says, “I was about four years old when my father, Arunkumar Roongta, quit his steel business to join my grandfather at Famous Studios. I have seen my father struggle and build the entire post-production business and then create an excellent ecosystem for the advertising industry. Back then, there were seven-eight big producers, including White Light and Equinox, which grew in size and stature, along with dad. He supplied them technology and they brought clients. It was a great relationship, and that is when we saw Famous Studios pick up steam.”