Bang on target

DJ Roopak Saluja tells HT Horizons how, in four years, he turned his ‘start-up’ into a successful company

Roopak Saluja has led a very interesting life. He has studied and worked in Europe, and done his MBA from INSEAD, one of the most coveted B-Schools in America. And while he probably has the credentials to get a cushy paying job at any multinational, he prefers the challenges that can only come with one’s very own start-up, a company he describes as “India’s international production company.”

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Is Bang Bang Films your first business venture?
Actually, it is my second. But the first was a business of passion that I co-founded while having a day job. I did that at the age of 25 while I was working at Ogilvy & Mather advertising in Paris. Being a professional DJ as well, I got together with another DJ and we founded Procyon Records in Paris and Budapest.

Tell us a little about Bang Bang and the work you do.

Bang Bang Films is what we call India’s international production company. We produce content for brands across multiple platforms and geographies. The core of the business is producing TV commercials and ad films, but we also produce content for traditional, digital and mobile platforms through our content-for-brands arm, Jack in the Box.

What does it take for someone to start his or her own company?
You know, filing your application with the Registrar of Companies is all it takes! But on a serious note, the number one factor for success is Passion! Without it you can’t see big success. It also takes grit, determination, some intelligence, good networking skills, and common sense. If you top it off with a generous dollop of luck, you have a successful business. If this sounds like too long-winded an answer, I can give you a more succinct answer – passion, patience, intelligence and luck.

What are the challenges you faced when you were starting off?
It’s always a little difficult in the beginning. The biggest challenges were credibility and access to great talent. At times money was tight but that’s normal I guess.

What according to you, has been your greatest achievement so far?
My greatest achievement would definitely have to be setting up Bang Bang, and leading it into a successful company within less than four years. As a company, Bang Bang’s greatest achievement has been along the same lines – moving up to the head of class within a short time when the class was bursting with students.

Education Route
Undergraduate: Junior, senior college, post-grad, certificate / diploma courses. Went on to do a BBA in Marketing from the Budapest Economics University of which the first year and a half were spent at the University of Rochester.

Postgraduate: MBA at INSEAD in France and Singapore.

advice
I would definitely recommend working before doing an MBA if that’s what you’re going to do, and try gaining some entrepreneurial experience
as well, if possible.

The best business school in life is entrepreneurship