Abhayanand Singh, COO & Co-Founder of Muvizz
Abhayanand Singh is a young dynamic entrepreneur who completed his management from Chetana Institute of Management and Research. Abhay is the Founder and contributes his vision and overall strategy of the venture. He has dealt in equities, bonds, options, currencies and other alternative asset classes. He has also advised clients on decision related to investment into various businesses and helped them execute the same. In addition to his experience in the finance industry, Abhay has founded diverse ventures related to art, furniture and media. He has also consulted clients in the field of Software, Pharma and Mining.
In conversation with Dominic Rebello, Abhay who is always keen to learn and explore new possibilities, reveals his aim to be a one stop for content driven cinema.
What is the concept behind Muvizz.com?
I was always passionate about cinema, Muvizz.com is a venture which is very close to my heart, it is a portal which offers a curated list of cult, classic and independent films. The whole idea behind the inception of Muvizz was to create a social community of cinephiles where best of world cinema is used as a medium for discussion and debates on one platform. We have “The Critics Corner” wherein viewers can express their thoughts about the film and also have the option to like and comment as well. Users can create their profiles on Muvizz and they can follow other users similar to popular social media channels which make the content discovery process easier. There is a section called “Features” wherein people discuss about social issues using cinema. At a time when there are many options to watch mainstream cinema, Muvizz takes a different approach by offering cinema that does not reach its audience easily.
How does it help independent film makers?
For years, some of the best film makers in the country have struggled to reach a wider audience. The fault lies in the eco-system in which they operate as for years the mainstream content has dominated the single screens and then the multiplexes. However, now through VOD platform creative film-makers can showcase their talent. We are a platform focused on independent films and film makers. We try and help them in every possible way including monetization on our own platform, distribution on external platforms globally and also in bridge funding in production. Noted film personalities like Vishal Bharadwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Shabana Azmi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Ketan Mehta, Sudhir Mishra, Hansal Mehta, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Rajkumar Rao have all supported this great endeavour such that independent films and film makers can use technology to have a wider reach.
How do you plan to scale up?
Muvizz.com raised angel funding investment soon after its commencement. The company’s vision comprises creating exclusive content on website which includes creating its own content like short films, documentaries and web series. We have produced short-films like Taandav & Kriti which received lot of rave reviews. We are also in the process of making a feature film. We plan to produce more content-driven films in the future. Brand association and collaboration with companies of same interest will help the brand grow further. We also intend to raise some funds to pursue these milestones.
How big is the video on demand market and at what rate is it growing?
Video on Demand is in its nascent stage in India but growing at a very fast growth month on month. While there are various estimates on the growth, it is safe to say that the space will continue to witness double digit growth over the next 5 years.
Where do you see yourself five years down the road?
We strive to be a one stop for content driven cinema for both the content makers as well as the content consumers. We also aspire to make Muvizz amongst the top names in the global market of VOD platform. Alliance with international film-makers who have the similar passion for content-driven films can help us take the venture a step ahead.