Cinema VinesBanijay Asia, the Indian arm of the global media conglomerate, has carved a significant niche in the country’s entertainment landscape by adapting international hit formats and producing a slate of original shows. From the reality juggernaut Bigg Boss to the culinary competition MasterChef, the company has successfully translated global concepts for Indian viewers while also developing its own intellectual property. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Banijay Asia founder and group CEO Deepak Dhar outlined the firm’s strategy for blending imported formats with homegrown content and revealed plans for future projects.
Dhar emphasized that while the company continues to bring high‑profile international IPs to India, it is equally committed to creating original programming. “We are the makers of The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony, Bigg Boss, and have produced original titles such as Trial by Fire on Netflix, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, and Bombay Begums,” he said. “Our appetite for original content is strong, and we are passionate about bringing fresh stories and concepts to the market.”
When asked how Banijay Asia “Indianises” global formats, Dhar highlighted the importance of emotional resonance. “The biggest thing we look for is how we can make the show extremely emotional for Indian audiences,” he explained. “Emotions really carry a show forward.” He added that this focus on feeling is evident across all of the company’s productions, including the new reality series The Alliance, which aims to showcase positive emotions in a genre often associated with drama and conflict.
The Alliance, currently airing on Amazon Prime Video, departs from conventional reality‑show tropes by centring on uplifting narratives. Dhar described the show’s premise as a “highly positive” exploration of relationships, friendship, and even rivalry, all presented through a constructive lens. “We specialise in creating formats with different emotions,” he said, noting that audiences are responding enthusiastically to the fresh, optimistic tone of the series.
Looking ahead, Dhar hinted at an expanding portfolio that will continue to blend global formats with original IPs. He also touched on opportunities in both television and OTT platforms, suggesting that the next season of Bigg Boss will offer new twists and that the company will keep innovating to meet evolving viewer preferences. With its dual focus on adaptation and originality, Banijay Asia is positioning itself as a key player in redefining reality entertainment in India.
