Who Is Ashish Hemrajani?
Ashish Hemrajani is the startup founder who revolutionized the way India books tickets for movies, concerts, and live events. As the entrepreneur behind BookMyShow, he has become a role model for countless dreamers who want to build something big from scratch.
But Ashish’s path wasn’t a straight line to success. In fact, it started with a spontaneous trip and a bold idea that changed everything.
How a South Africa Trip Sparked an Indian Tech Giant
Back in 1999, while vacationing in South Africa, Ashish tuned into a radio ad for online ticket booking. That moment hit him like a bolt of lightning. Why couldn’t this work in India?
Fueled by passion, he returned home, quit his job, and decided to build a tech-enabled ticketing platform. This was before smartphones, fast internet, or even a large online audience. But like many great entrepreneurs, he saw the future before others did.
Building BookMyShow: The Early Startup Struggles
BookMyShow (originally Bigtree Entertainment) started small—just three people in a room with big dreams. The dot-com bubble burst soon after, and things got tough. Funding dried up, and growth was painfully slow.
But Ashish didn’t give up.
He kept adapting, learning, and building. Eventually, BookMyShow evolved into India’s go-to platform for event bookings.
👉 Read next: Startup Success Stories: From Zero to ₹100 Cr Club
What Makes Ashish Hemrajani a Standout Entrepreneur?
Ashish wasn’t just building an app. He was solving real problems:
- No need to stand in long lines
- No more “house full” signs at the cinema
- Easy access to live events, even in Tier-2 cities
He understood Indian consumers deeply and kept improving the product experience. BookMyShow began integrating payment gateways, seat selection, personalized offers, and now even streaming.
Ashish also believed in team culture and resilience. He says, “You can’t build a company without falling flat on your face at least once.”
BookMyShow Today: A Startup That Made It Big
Fast forward to today, BookMyShow isn’t just a ticketing app—it’s a full-blown entertainment ecosystem. With over 50 million users and a presence in multiple countries, it’s a shining example of what Indian startups can achieve.
The platform has expanded into:
- Sports ticketing
- Live events and gigs
- Movie and show recommendations
- Digital content and production
What Can Aspiring Founders Learn from Ashish?
If you’re a startup founder or aspiring entrepreneur, Ashish’s story offers some solid takeaways:
- Start with curiosity. His journey began with a question: Why not in India?
- Be okay with setbacks. The early 2000s tested his grit.
- Customer obsession wins. BookMyShow kept improving based on user behavior.
- Don’t chase money—build value. Revenue followed impact.
Want to Build a ₹100 Cr Startup?
Ashish Hemrajani’s journey proves that with the right mindset and relentless drive, a simple idea can disrupt an entire industry.
If you’re working on your own idea, you’re not alone. At VentureLinkUp, we’re on a mission to help 1000 brands enter the ₹100 Cr Club in just 1 year!
💡 Check out our blog 100Cr Club for startup stories, founder tips, and expert insights.
Learnings
Ashish Hemrajani isn’t just a founder. He’s a symbol of how resilience, timing, and user-first thinking can create a tech empire.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, his journey reminds us: You don’t need perfect timing. You need relentless execution.
So, the next time you book a ticket online, take a second to appreciate the visionary who made it all possible.
