Jayantilal Gada

Biography:

Jayantilal Gada stands as a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, making significant contributions as a film producer and distributor. His journey in film production commenced under the banner of Popular Entertainment Network (PEN) India Ltd. One of his notable productions is the 2013 Hindi-language film Mahabharat, which earned acclaim by winning the Best Animation Film award at the 3rd Fiji Film Festival. Gada’s imprint in the industry became synonymous with quality and success.

In 1987, Jayantilal Gada laid the foundation of PEN India, a company that has evolved into a powerhouse in the Bollywood film scene. The company, now recognized as Popular Entertainment Network India, produces and presents a wide array of Bollywood films. Gada, a visionary, retired in 2014 at the age of 52. His decision to step down was accompanied by the announcement of his son, Dhaval Gada, as his successor at PEN on November 3, 2014.

However, demonstrating his unwavering passion, Jayantilal Gada returned to his role in the company on April 1, 2016. Gada expanded his endeavors beyond film production by venturing into television. He launched WOW (Channel), a television channel that boasts content featuring Bollywood songs, classic and new Hindi movies, Gujarati movies, South Indian (Hindi dubbed) movies, TV series like Mahabharat, and other captivating content.

Born in Lakadia, Gujarat, Jayantilal Gada has roots in the Kutchi Vagad community. His early life saw him studying until the 10th grade at Gurukul High School in Ghatkopar. The foundation of his diverse skills was laid when he began working in his father’s grocery store. Concurrently, he pursued courses in radio repairing and photography. Gada’s journey in the entertainment industry took off when he initiated a small video library within his father’s store.

Starting with the distribution of video cassettes, he gradually expanded his scope by renting out video cassette players and filming weddings. As his endeavors flourished, he transitioned into wholesaling videos. The transformation culminated in the restructuring of Popular Video Cassette Library into PEN in 1992 when Gada was 25, overcoming financial challenges.

Additionally, Gada secured rights to screen films on Zee, broadening his reach. Gada’s production portfolio includes the Bollywood film Kahaani and the 3D animation film Mahabharat, featuring the voices of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, and Vidya Balan. The latter earned the distinction of being the highest-grossing animated film produced in India and received the Best Animation Film award at the 3rd Fiji Film Festival in 2013.

In 2004, Gada made a strategic move by acquiring the rights to supply Hindi-language feature films to Doordarshan, the public service broadcaster. His foresight was evident when he convinced Doordarshan to showcase the remastered and extended version of the iconic Sholay, achieving remarkable viewership despite its extended runtime. Another feather in PEN’s cap is the 2014 film Entertainment, starring Akshay Kumar. Presently, PEN holds the global rights to Hindi films, distributing them to networks such as Zee, Sony, Sahara One, and Star. Jayantilal Gada’s journey stands as a testament to his resilience, innovation, and enduring commitment to shaping the landscape of Indian cinema.