The list of achievements for this Young Turk is long. Right from the start of his school days, he has been outsmarting his peers across several domains. Whether it is the student of the year, best outgoing student or Best engineer award, he has always been on top of his game. After completing his B.Tech from Chaitanya engineering college in electronics and communication, he went on to pursue his MBA in operations and marketing.
This is where he took his first jab at entrepreneurship by launching itsmycollege. It is a social learning and Collaboration platform for colleges to connect students and professors from all over the world. But his true ingenuity came to the forefront, after he started Handyflix. It is a one-stop destination for best independent and short films. Currently he is looking after the marketing of the platform as a chief marketing officer.
Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.
HandyFlix.com is an online platform for independent and short filmmakers where they can release, promote and sell their films to millions of film lovers. We can simply say it as an online movie theater where people pay and watch movies.
What inspired you to build the above product/ service?
Unlike feature films, Distributors won’t come forward to distribute and release short films and independent films. Because of this reason short filmmakers release their films in YouTube for free just to showcase their talent to get an opportunity in feature films.
Some people wait for years to get such an opportunity. But, most of the people go for other jobs against their passion. Since 20th century till today, film industry is following the same traditional way of distribution in bringing the films to end viewers. But, we can change this system and make it simple, cheaper and better with the help of technology and help independent, short filmmakers to create their own opportunity, instead of waiting for an opportunity.
It works in 4 simple steps :
1. Filmmaker/ Production banner create an account and upload his/their film with all its details (Ex: Price, Trailer, Full movie and information about film crew, etc)
2. HandyFlix will approve and make the film available in its website and mobile app for its viewers to watch.
3. Viewers (Film lovers) Pay the price fixed by filmmaker/Production banner and watch the full movie.
4. HandyFlix will pay back the revenues generated to Filmmaker/ Production Banner.
What is your life mantra?
I always seek for clarity. Once I got clarity I will go ahead even though other people opposed me, because everyone’s ways are unique.
What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
Convincing my parents to join MBA and starting up own venture.
Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.
So far we bootstrapped our venture. We will reach out to investors, once we release the next version of our product.
How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?
We came across problem in our organization. The only way we can stop this is by hiring tight people who are passionate about what we are doing. Even a better culture and clear vision can stop employees from leaving the company.
According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?
1. Vision
2. Motivation
3. Patience till we reach the destination.
Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?
- Hootsuite: We use hootsuite for all our social media engagement.
- Slack : For work collaboration
- Moqups : For prototyping our products.
Answer in less than 50 words
• One tip to success:
No need to listen critics, once you get your confidence it drives to destination called success, because your ways are unique.
• One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:
Once we have faced some bad time people used to give up, actually it’s a good time learn new thing from our bad time, take a new way in our success journey. If u want to hug your success you must continue your journey
• One most important lesson that you have learnt till now:
Success is not inheritance or gift from someone, it is a reward of your hard work and struggles.
What are your plans for next 3 years?
1) Goin Global
2) 30 million users
3) 10k film makers
If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?
For now I am not looking for any chances, Our only vision is to create an industry for independent and short films (Short film industry). We want to become one stop destination for every independent and short filmmaker.
Share a quote that inspires you the most.
“Struggle at your venture even though you are not getting anything, wait for some time with patience, surely you will contribute many things to many.”