Cinema has always been an integral part and reflection of our society, history and culture. It’s been the biggest source of entertainment since generations. Netflix’s new The Romantics explores the Chopras’ influence over the world’s most prolific movie industry — and its quintessential genre.
While we did enjoy actors and filmmakers tracing the history of Hindi moviemaking through YRF’s beloved Bollywood classics, we had a unique takeaway from this series. We learnt some key lessons from Aditya Chopra’s decision-making and leadership qualities.
1. Evolve along with the ever-evolving audience choices.
The audience for cinema is society and society is ever-evolving. Ideals, values, mindsets are constantly changing. The Chopras were extremely mindful of that. From Yash Chopra’s initial films like Dhool ka Phool and Dharmputra which tapped into the pulse of the nation with the separation, to films like Hum Tum and Dhoom in 2005 which connected with the audience because of modernization and influence of the West. Every movie struck a chord with the audiences because it was relevant to them at that moment in time.
As a leader, you need to understand what is the pulse of the masses at that particular time. How to touch their hearts with their current values and mindset.
2. Growth comes from diversification
While YRF and Yash Chopra were known for romance and beautiful women and eternal love stories that made you shed a tear, Aditya Chopra took YRF to play a bigger game by diversifying and making movies of all genres to appeal to varied sections of society and cater to multiple audiences. This took the production to heights it had never seen. Hum Tum, a light Rom-com that makes you laugh and love together. Dhoom, a blockbuster entertainer exploring the world of heists and thriller and action. Veer-Zara, a gut-wrenching love story that made you rethink the barriers society imposes on us. All 3 in one year, to give the audience power of choice.
Singular, focused approach is necessary in the beginning to lay the foundation. But as a leader, it is important to identify the right time to diversify and grow in multiple directions to make your brand impactful and trustworthy.
3. Think like your consumer
Everyone mentioned how Aditya Chopra never missed a movie on Friday. He sat with the audience and observed what they enjoyed, what made them smile, what made them boo, what worked and what did not. So when he went on to make movies himself, he would know exactly what they are going to like and what they will reject.
As leaders, we are so passionate about our brand and the business model and the strategy we have devised that we forget to put the customer first and think exactly like them. It’s important to remember that we are slaves to the audiences and we need to constantly keep up with what their preferences are and think like them to shape our brand efficiently.
4. Use your brand to create a difference
YRF films used their movies to stimulate a different mindset in the people of India. Whether it was Chak De India which popularized women in sports and opened up our eyes to their struggles. Or it was DDLJ, which came in an era where love was rebellious like Romeo and Juliet, Aditya Chopra showed the young lovestruck audience the importance of family approval for a happy marriage. Even a Veer-Zara that showed the audience that love knows no religion, no border, no age. Through this, we saw a huge boost in women empowerment, intercultural bonds and family relationships.
Each business is here to create a change, but often we tend to sway away with the profits & growth that we forget to give back. If you build a brand that’s created a difference in the community, then you have created a brand that will live forever in people’s heart.
5. Follow your gut
Aditya Chopra tells us how DDLJ was a film he believed in with all his heart, but somehow others were not convinced. Even Shah Rukh Khan himself was not sold on doing the film and Aditya Chopra had to pursue him tirelessly. But can you imagine, if Aditya Chopra had not followed his gut, then Indian Cinema would not have seen the longest running motion picture in a theatre that put Shah Rukh Khan on the map as a romantic hero.
As a leader, instinct is key. When you live and breathe the brand and business, your gut knows what will work and what won’t. It’s important to identify those moments when people around you are subduing your instinct, but because you believe in it with your past experience and understanding of what the audience needs. Take the leap of faith and follow your gut! It will definitely yield results.
6. Lead from the front
Aditya Chopra tells us that YRF saw a low, movies were not performing well, the financial situation was not ideal. And in that situation, Aditya Chopra felt duty-bound to step into creation and direction again to give the studio a boost. That is when Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was born. And Aditya’s decision to direct was a blockbuster and it got the wheels turning for YRF again.
As a leader, when things get difficult, obstacles are blocking your way, team morale is down, you have to lead from the front. You have to shoulder the responsibility and show the team that you can do it, so that they are motivated again.
While The Romantics was a much-needed and appreciated trip down memory lane and the movies, it reminded us that core values of a leader, whichever industry they might be in are all the same. Whether it is starting a business, making a movie or running a production house, effective leaders can make or break it all.
Focus on your people, your audience and your market, let the rest take a back seat while you’re growing a business.
