Ashish Kanakia, Director of the Kanakia Group, on leading MovieMax’s expansion, redefining the cinema experience, balancing family legacy with innovation, and how wife Shazahn Padamsee Kanakia’s creative perspective has shaped his outlook on entertainment.

By Nichola Marie

As the second-generation leader of the Kanakia Group’s entertainment business, Ashish Kanakia is steering MovieMax through a new phase of growth at a time when India’s cinema industry is rapidly evolving. After taking over the reins of the brand’s relaunch in 2022, he has focused on creating multiplexes that go beyond movie screenings, placing equal emphasis on technology, hospitality, design and the overall customer experience. Under his leadership, MovieMax has expanded to 85 screens across 22 properties, with plans to cross the 100-screen milestone in the near future. The company’s growth reflects his ambition to position MovieMax as a contemporary entertainment destination for audiences across metropolitan cities and emerging markets alike.

A graduate in Business Administration, he has been closely involved with the family’s diversified businesses for over a decade, bringing fresh ideas while building on the entrepreneurial values established by Chairman Rasesh B Kanakia. The Kanakia Group, which began as a real estate developer nearly four decades ago, today has interests spanning real estate, entertainment, hospitality and education.

In 2025, he married actress-singer Shazahn Padamsee, daughter of legendary theatre personality Alyque Padamsee and singer-actress Sharon Prabhakar, bringing together two families with distinguished legacies in business and the performing arts.

While respecting his own family’s legacy, he has championed innovation and customer-centric thinking, recognising that the future of cinema lies in creating memorable experiences that cannot be replicated at home. Forward-looking and deeply invested in long-term growth, he believes enduring businesses are built on adaptability, strong teams and an unwavering commitment to consumers.

You represent the second generation of the Kanakia Group while leading MovieMax’s expansion across India. What has been your vision for the brand, and where do you see it over the next decade?

When we relaunched MovieMax in 2022, the vision was to build a contemporary Indian cinema brand that could offer audiences much more than just a movie. We have grown to 85 screens across 22 properties and are working towards crossing 100 screens within the next year. Over the next decade, I would like MovieMax to become one of India’s most recognised entertainment brands, with a strong presence across markets and an experience that people genuinely enjoy coming back to.

Cinema-going has evolved significantly in recent years. How is MovieMax redefining the theatrical experience for today’s audiences?

People today have many ways to consume entertainment, so simply showing a good film is no longer enough. We are looking at the complete experience, from technology and comfortable spaces to food, service and convenience. We are also exploring new formats and experiences that make a visit to the cinema feel more like an outing. The idea is simple: Give people a reason to step out of their homes and make their time with us worth it.

As a second-generation entrepreneur, how do you balance carrying forward your family’s legacy while bringing your own ideas and leadership style to the business?

I see legacy as a foundation, not a rulebook. I feel fortunate to have grown up with a strong family legacy that has given me a solid foundation to build on. I have learnt a great deal from the generations before me, especially about the importance of taking a long-term view, staying resilient and building relationships. At the same time, every generation brings a different perspective, and I see it as my responsibility to build on that foundation, adapt to a changing world and create something that reflects the needs of today’s consumer.

Every entrepreneurial journey comes with its share of challenges. What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt while building MovieMax?

The biggest lesson has been that growth is never linear. There will always be challenges, unexpected situations and decisions where you don’t have all the answers. I have learnt to stay patient, listen to people around me and not be afraid to change course when something isn’t working. Most importantly, building a business is a long-term game and you have to keep showing up, even on the difficult days.

Your wife, Shazahn, comes from a family with a rich legacy in theatre and entertainment. Has her perspective on storytelling and cinema influenced the way you look at the business of entertainment?

Absolutely. Shazahn has grown up surrounded by theatre, music and storytelling, so she has a very instinctive understanding of what connects with an audience. Her perspective has often made me look beyond the business side and think more about the emotions and experiences we create for consumers. Our conversations often remind me that ultimately, cinema is about how you make people feel, not just the business behind it.

What qualities do you believe are most important for building a successful business in today’s rapidly evolving world?

I would say adaptability, curiosity and the ability to listen. Consumer behaviour can change very quickly today, so businesses have to be willing to learn and evolve constantly. At the same time, you need the patience to think long-term and the conviction to stay with your vision. For me, it is also important to build a good team because no business can grow sustainably without the right people.

When people look back at your journey years from now, what legacy would you like to leave behind?

I would like to be remembered for building something meaningful and enduring. Of course, I want MovieMax to be a successful business, but I also want to create a brand that patrons trust, enjoy and feel connected to. For me, legacy is about building something significant and creating a positive impact along the way. More than anything, build a culture where people have the opportunity to learn, grow and do their best work.

Rapid Fire

One word that describes you: Passionate.

One business leader you admire: My father Rasesh B Kanakia.

Coffee or tea: Coffee.

One quality you admire most in Shazahn: Her ability to stay positive and see the creative side of everything.

Your favourite way to unwind: Travelling. Discovering a new place is probably my favourite way to switch off.

Success, in one sentence: Success is building something you believe in, while staying positive and grounded along the way.