HOW I DO LIFE

Anant Roongta, MD, Famous Studios, is young at heart and focussed at breathing new life into the legacy of Famous Studios

- ANISHA GAKHAR

It is out of the ordinary, when a legacy-family-born child, makes it big (read: bigger)—yet with the same degree of wholeheartedness, fervour and finesse. In spite of bearing the plump responsibility of conserving the repute of his family—and that too solely, Anant Roongta, MD, Famous Studios, has set an exhilarating example in his two years since taking over the heritage left behind by his grandfather. Anant is the grandson of J B Roongta—who needs no introduction, and who conceived and founded Asia’s first air-conditioned studios (Famous Studios) in 1946, i.e. in the pre-independence India.

Anant is the third-generation entrepreneur at Famous Studios, and is taking forth the 73-year legacy. As a kid, he was always deeply intrigued by content, technology and films. “I am very blessed to have parents and grand-parents, who have given me a solid upbringing. A lot of respect for my grandfather, who lived a very good life and passed away in 2014. He was the mastermind, and hats off to him for this establishment I am in today. It’s his baby. I don’t give myself credit for anything,” added Anant. “He completed his Masters in Entrepreneurship from Aston University, UK. Like most young professionals, he was passionate about sports and had an inkling to try his hand at his own business—which led to his four-year stint in the sports industry. He returned to Famous to take complete charge of the business, in 2018.

THE STORY

Famous Studios was a bold advent into the world of cinema and TV. A dream is all it takes to go the distance—is the theme on which the foundation of Famous is centered. The story of Famous Studios, standing tall as a landmark of Mumbai’s dream industry, was born from a similar dream.