Pradeep Dwivedi, group CEO, Eros Media World, has been part of an array of industries spanning telecom to broadcasting. Now at the helm of Eros Media World, he’s steering the media company through a focused pivot - from theatrical dominance and early OTT forays to content syndication, IP monetisation, and debt-free agility.

In conversation with Manifest, Dwivedi offered insight into how Eros is recalibrating for a content-saturated world where lasting impact is harder than ever to secure. He also dived into theatrical re-releases and OTT consolidation, to satellite TV’s return and the creative duties of storytelling.

Whether leading back-end b2b operations or crafting b2c brand experiences, Dwivedi believes enduring value is built only when every decision creative or commercial serves the person at the other end of the chain. He remarked, “The core has always been about understanding the value we’re creating for the end customer.”

At Eros Media World, that belief has translated into bold, sometimes counterintuitive moves. Since stepping in as group CEO five years ago, Dwivedi has focused not just on creative revival but on getting the house in order financially, structurally, and strategically. One of his earliest and most significant wins was clearing over USD 56 million in public sector bank debt, pulling the storied company out of its financial slump and into debt-free territory.

But debt clearance was only the beginning. Dwivedi spearheaded a complete organisational reset - one that simultaneously reactivated dormant legacy IPs and refreshed the content pipeline with new acquisitions. Behind the scenes, governance frameworks were rebuilt, and operations were restructured with scalability and partnerships in mind. What emerged was a nimbler, more future-ready Eros Media World, ready to play to its core strengths in storytelling, licensing, and distribution.

He shared, “Rather than invest further in building a streaming platform, we sold it to Xfinite Global PLC in 2023.”

The exit from platform ownership - selling Eros Now to Xfinite - was both a strategic retreat and a smart repositioning. In a highly competitive OTT landscape, Dwivedi recognised the drain on capital and the mounting challenges of user acquisition.

Once an early mover in India’s OTT boom, Eros Now now finds itself navigating a dramatically transformed streaming landscape. “The market has consolidated around a few giants such as JioCinema, Netflix, and Prime Video,” said Dwivedi. “Instead of chasing scale, we realigned our strategy.”

That meant refocusing on content monetisation through syndication, legacy mining, and strategic theatrical re-releases.

Interestingly, the pivot toward theatrical revivals of older hits wasn’t just a nostalgic gamble. “We studied three trends,” Dwivedi explained. “Millennials who first discovered these films between 2005 and 2015 now seek the cinematic experience they missed. Meanwhile, Hindi films have been underdelivering theatrically, creating a vacuum. Add to that the sustained popularity of these titles on music and streaming platforms - and we saw a clear opportunity.”

Theatrical isn't just back; it’s evolving. “Audiences today expect more—premium screens, better sound, and immersive formats like IMAX. It's no longer just about watching a film - it’s an outing worth the price tag.”

Eros is also actively adapting to content consumption shifts. He said, “We’re not streamers anymore, but we’ve built a strong distribution play. Satellite deals, global rights, and licensing keep our library alive across mediums.”

What hasn’t changed Dwivedi pointed out is the commitment to storytelling. “Even as algorithms shape viewer recommendations, we’re still driven by strong narratives. Whether uplifting or gritty, the stories must connect," Dwivedi shared.

Read the full chat with Dwivedi in our May issue. Click here to buy it!