The Indian Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry is a rising star in the Indian economy, making considerable gains. The Indian M&E business is on the verge of a robust phase of expansion, fueled by increased consumer demand and improved advertising revenue, demonstrating its resiliency against the rest of the world. It is also one of the most diverse and vibrant media marketplaces in the world, with good growth fundamentals in all forms of media. According to a BCG research, India's M&E market will increase between US$ 55-70 billion by 2030.

Today, the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector is undergoing a disruption as the old and the new coexist. Over the past ten years, the media and entertainment industry has seen significant change due to interactivity, digitization, many platforms and devices, and the globalization of the services-based economy. Every generation has seen the industry successfully adjust to these advancements.

Talking about the world of media and entertainment, Naghma Khan, the founder of Shaaz Media Entertainment, has established a lucrative and illustrious career. She is a well known Bollywood figure. She has been hailed as one of Mumbai's most reputable and trustworthy public relations officers for her skill in handling the media. Naghma's company, Shaaz Media Entertainment, specializes in celebrity management and handles cinematic events, corporate PR campaigns, and athletic events. The company has offices in both Dubai and India, and also manages sport events.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Naghma Khan walks us through her professional journey along with the unique traits of the company. Take us through your overall journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I'm a princess of the Rajasaheb of Tonk district of Rajasthan. I hail from a royal family with my fore-fathers having been the rulers of a small kingdom in Rajasthan. I'm the daughter of Rajasaheb Akhtar Jung (Khan) and have completed my schooling and college studies in the Western state of Rajasthan. I started my own media and entertainment company called SHAAZ Media Entertainment in Mumbai after getting the entertainment world itch. I've managed the public relations for more than 60 Bollywood movies, worked with high-profile movie stars, and got involved with the marketing and distribution of a few movies in the past. Some of the largest sporting events that my company has managed was the Kumite 1 League, a mixed martial arts (MMA) league that held its first season at the NSCI Dome at Haji Ali in Mumbai with Mike Tyson serving as the event's brand ambassador.

Tell us more about your competency in the field of Media & Entertainment.

Since a few years ago, the corporate and entertainment media in India have hardly been active due to the Covid Lockdown. But it was a wise move on my part to go to the UAE, where I have successfully organized international events & managed the PR for a number of foreign superstars. In order to manage sporting events like football, cricket, and other sports, I established an event management firm in Dubai called Shaaz Media Events. The Friendship Cup UAE 2022 (Cricket) and the Celebrity Football League are two of the notable events I created, organized, and managed. I was recently chosen from among candidates from India for the HMC United International Peace Award 2022, which was hosted in Dubai and honored social activists. I tirelessly worked for the people during the lockdown, providing food packages, medicines for the poor, and donating to a number of orphanages. Additionally, the Dubai Police Force recognised my outstanding efforts in the United Arab Emirates' PR industry.

Elucidate on the various projects carried out throughout your professional journey.

I'm a co-organizer of the upcoming Dadasaheb Phalke Awards, which will honor prominent Bollywood stars. I have managed sporting events as the event manager for various conglomerates, corporate PR projects, and even wedding festivities for prominent business families.

Together with Mohamed Ali Rajabali Budhwani, I'm producing a reality series named KUMITE 1 WARRIOR HUNT. Speaking of the show, Kumite 1 Warrior Hunt is a reality series hosted by Suniel Shetty from Bollywood that promotes the Mixed Martial Arts discipline (MMA). The Male and Female Winners will Represent India on an International Platform in in 'Kumite 1 World Championship' in 2023 after competing against 16 MMA fighters from all around India. We are confident that we can fulfill our goal of making mixed martial arts (MMA) more well-known across the nation and giving talented athletes a platform to display their abilities. Sunil Shetty has been actively trying to raise the level of sport knowledge in the nation.

"We wish to instill in our young people a fighting spirit as well as mental discipline, increased physical strength, and the capacity for concentration. Warrior Hunt will assist each participant uncover his or her inner fighter and develop those abilities"

The goal of MMA 1 Warrior Hunt is to awaken the fighter in you. Every child must have fought in their early years in school. We wish to instill in our young people a fighting spirit as well as mental discipline, increased physical strength, and the capacity for concentration. Warrior Hunt will assist each participant uncover his or her inner fighter and develop those abilities.

The six episodes of Warrior Hunt Season One include national level combatants and are based on a concept created by Endemol Shine India. The show will be broadcast through MX Player.

Tell us more about yourself when it concerns film production.

With the release of the two films, Ducks and Dracks, which is currently streaming on MX Player, and System Update, which stars Ejaz Khan as a Sardarji, I transitioned into producing. The third project, Bhumi, a horror-thriller web series about a girl growing up in rural India, is currently in post production. This new online series, which will soon be available for viewing on a top OTT platform, is also produced by me. Hasnain Hyderabadwala, famed for blockbusters like The Train, The Killer, and Ya Rab, is helming this suspenseful drama.

Shed some light on your upcoming projects?

Currently, we are now working on a horror thriller about a deaf and dumb orphan girl who has visions of bad things that will happen. Through the use of doodles, this little youngster expresses how she feels about the impending catastrophe. Nobody pays attention to what she says. The other Indians start thinking of this innocent youngster as a witch instead of being grateful to her. It was a hair-raising experience shooting for Bhumi as we shot during the rains in Palghar during last monsoon. Coincidentally, the locals afterwards informed our unit's members that the home where we shot the entire movie was 'reallya haunted bungalow' where a woman had previously committed suicide. Amrita Halder, a newcomer, is given a chance alongside stars Aryan, Yogi Raj, Javed Rizvi, Kirti Choudhary, and Neha Kapoor.

Naghma Khan, Founder, Shaaz Media Entertainment

Naghma khan is an enthusiastic leader who has experience working with the media. She is regarded as one of the most reputable & trustworthy public relations officers in mumbai's glitzy suburbs. Naghma khan hails from a royal family with her forefathers having been the rulers of a small kingdom in rajasthan. Smitten by the entertainment world bug, this royal established her own media & entertainment firm in mumbai handling the pr of over 50 bollywood films, and big-ticket celebrities. She has also ventured into marketing and distribution, and turned a producer as well with 2 web series & a feature film expected in the coming year.