If you’ve ever looked up at a billboard in Mumbai and seen a Bollywood superstar staring back at you, chances are Dr Yogesh Lakhani had a hand in it. As the Chairman and Managing Director of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, he has transformed Mumbai’s skyline into a canvas for cinema, glamour, and celebration.
By Andrea CostaBir
From humble beginnings to taking his company public, Dr Yogesh Lakhani’s journey is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and relationship-building. Whether it’s launching the latest blockbuster campaign or supporting stars behind the scenes, his deep-rooted friendships in Bollywood have made him an integral part of the industry’s ecosystem.
This year, his presence at Cannes 2025 was more than just a red-carpet moment — it marked the global recognition of a man who’s quietly shaped the visual identity of Indian entertainment. Now embracing digital displays, expanding his footprint, and staying grounded by strong family values, Lakhani speaks to us about the evolution of outdoor media, the power of personal connections, and what it truly takes to light up a city — and a career — with your name on it!
Excerpts from the interview…
You made a striking impression at Cannes 2025 this year. How did it feel to represent India on such a prestigious global platform, and what does Cannes mean to you personally?
Walking the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival was a surreal and deeply humbling experience. Invited by NFDC and FICCI to represent India, I stood among global cinematic figures in a classic tuxedo — truly a reflection of “from the streets of Mumbai to the red carpet at Cannes.” Personally, it wasn’t just about glamour, it was a validation of decades of storytelling, media innovation, and the resilience behind Bright Outdoor Media.
Beyond the red carpet, what did you take away from Cannes in terms of global media trends or creative inspiration that you hope to bring back to Bright Outdoor Media Limited?
Beyond the glitz, Cannes reaffirmed that storytelling remains central — even in media and advertising. I absorbed global trends in brandcinema collaborations, immersively produced campaigns, and creative tech-backed innovations. I aim to bring back this synergy — integrating cinematic creativity with OOH (out-of-home) and DOOH (digital-out-of-home) strategies at Bright.
Your bond with Bollywood is legendary. From Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan to Akshay Kumar, nearly every star seems to call you a friend. How did those relationships begin, and what has sustained them over the years?
My connections with superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar date back to early film campaign work and friendshiprooted professional collaborations. Over time, these relationships have been built on mutual respect, trust, and shared creativity. Beyond campaigns, we’ve grown together as peers and supporters in a tight-knit industry.
Your company has been instrumental in launching massive outdoor campaigns across Mumbai for film promotions. What’s the behind-the-scenes process like for executing a campaign at that scale?
Campaigns like ‘Singham Again’ or ‘Pushpa 2’ often involve multi-format activation — local train branding, full train-wraps on BEST buses, digital metro panels, and station branding. The scale demands close coordination – track and tenderbased rights (often under our stewardship), custom creative design scaled for city transit infrastructure, real-time execution monitoring, and strong regional agency coordination.
In recent years, you’ve embraced digital transformation, replacing traditional billboards with dynamic digital screens. What prompted that shift, and how do you see the future of OOH advertising evolving?
Our push into DOOH wasn’t just trend-chasing — it was strategic. Visiting places like New York’s Times Square and interactive 3D LED installations inspired us. As early adopters, we’ve complemented static billboards with digital ones across Mumbai (e.g. BKC, Airport, Bandra-Worli Sea Link). I believe the future of OOH is hybrid, interactive, measurable, and responsive — driven by DOOH, AI-driven real-time content, and experiential eco-friendly design.
Taking Bright Outdoor Media Limited public was a major milestone. What led to that decision, and how has it changed your approach to growth, accountability, and expansion?
Taking Bright public in March 2023 was a pivotal move that introduced institutional discipline and accountability. With accountability comes sharper governance, transparency, and investor scrutiny — an impetus to scale responsibly. It turbocharged our expansion into experiential formats, digital integration, and geographic diversification while reinforcing trust among stakeholders.
Your professional journey is often described as self-made. Looking back, what were some defining moments or early struggles that shaped your path as an entrepreneur?
Starting Bright in 1980 as a traditional OOH player, we climbed through hands-on learning — from securing crucial transit tenders to pioneering digital ad formats. Moments like winning the Western Railways or Navi Mumbai Metro tender, and pushing Mumbai’s first large-scale DOOH screens, shaped a no-shortcuts entrepreneurial ethic.
Behind the success is a family man. Can you tell us about your family’s role in your journey — and how they’ve kept you grounded in a high-profile, high-pressure business?
My family has been my sounding board, my anchor. Their unwavering support — especially during the hustle of tender wins, tech investments, and the listing process — kept me grounded. Their presence reminds me that behind every professional milestone, emotional and relational strength sustained me.
You’re a regular at industry events, Bollywood parties, and film launches. How do you strike a balance between business networking and genuine friendships in such a close-knit yet competitive industry?
I cherish every opportunity — from Bollywood launches to media events — as long as the connection is genuine. I focus on shared values, mutual growth, and authenticity. Business may come through networking, but lasting bonds are always built on sincerity and mutual respect, not transactions.
From lighting up a single hoarding to leading a national brand, what’s next for you and Bright Outdoor Media Limited? Any new ventures, cities, or creative innovations on the horizon?
We’re set to deepen our digital and experiential footprint, deploying AI-enabled DOOH, solar-powered ecoscreens, and immersive formats in new geographies. Our coveted tenders in metro systems, local railways, and transit corridors make us uniquely poised to scale. Expect expansion into additional Indian cities, smarter OOH solutions, and deeper brand integrations — while maintaining our ethos of ‘People before profit’.
