The session was held as part of the prestigious Jai Bhim Saptaha Film Festival 2026, curated by Dr. Harish Wankhede from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

The lecture took place in the Senate Room and featured an enriching panel discussion with distinguished IIT Delhi faculty: Prof. Amitabha Bagchi (renowned computer scientist and novelist), Prof. Dickens Leonard (film studies expert), and Prof. Charu Monga (expert in design and visual communication).

The session was chaired by Prof. Yashpal Jogdand, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Advisor at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, IIT Delhi.

Organised as part of IIT Delhi’s week-long celebrations commemorating the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (April 10–16, 2026), the lecture offered a deep dive into the rapidly evolving Indian cinema ecosystem, shaped by cutting-edge technological advancements, including AI-driven innovations and shifting audience preferences.

Drawing on over two decades of rich industry experience, Mr. Wankhede shared his remarkable professional journey; from his early days in cinema exhibition to his pivotal role at Cinemax India, where a leading US trade publication hailed him as the company’s “secret weapon” and Bollywood’s “busiest man.”

He later served as National Marketing Head at PVR Pictures, where he spearheaded high-impact marketing campaigns for major Hollywood blockbusters such as The Wolf of Wall Street and The Expendables 2. His strategic efforts secured brand partnerships worth several crores and set new benchmarks in film marketing.

Wankhede also highlighted his significant contributions to theatrical distribution, content syndication, and the growth of regional cinema, particularly in expanding the footprint of Marathi films. As the Founder and CEO of Entity One Entertainment, he continues to pioneer innovative approaches at the intersection of branding, content creation, and audience engagement.

The session was highly engaging, with Mr. Wankhede illustrating complex market dynamics through real-world case studies, latest box office trends, and insightful examples from both Bollywood and regional cinema.

The panelists enriched the discussion with sharp academic perspectives, resulting in a vibrant, interactive, and intellectually stimulating exchange.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Yashpal Jogdand expressed gratitude to Mr. Wankhede for his perceptive responses and praised his rare ability to blend deep practical industry insights with remarkable clarity and engaging humour. He noted that the session successfully bridged the gap between academic inquiry and real-world industry practices.

The lecture was widely appreciated by students, faculty, and attendees alike, emerging as one of the standout highlights of the Jai Bhim Saptaha Film Festival 2026. It exemplified IIT Delhi’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue between academia, industry, market forces, and emerging technologies.