MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment Limited has rolled out its financial results for Q3 FY25 and the nine-month period ending 31 December 2024. Founded by the ever-visionary Raman Maroo in 1962 as a humble book library, Shemaroo has since performed an Indian cinema-style transformation into one of India’s foremost entertainment companies. With a current market valuation of approximately Rs 10,000 crore and a legacy spanning six decades, the company is proof that a great plot (and some brilliant foresight) can weather any twist. Maroo’s genius for spotting trends early—like assembling one of India’s largest content libraries—has cemented Shemaroo’s reputation as a box-office favourite in both traditional and digital media.

Now, who says legacy brands can’t dance to a new tune?

In today’s fiercely competitive market, where giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sony and Zee vie for consumer attention, Shemaroo’s strategy is anything but passive. The company’s ability to repurpose its extensive Indian cinema and regional film library for streaming platforms, coupled with its focus on regional and niche content, is its secret sauce for staying relevant. Can a legacy brand like Shemaroo thrive in a world dominated by binge-worthy web series and blockbuster originals?

Let’s dive deeper into the numbers and uncover the plot twists behind the balance sheet.

Consolidated Performance

For Q3 FY25, Shemaroo Entertainment reported consolidated revenue from operations at Rs 16,437.42 lakhs. Think of it as a steady performance—better than Rs 15,592.64 lakhs in the previous quarter but just a tad shy of Rs 16,206.08 lakhs in Q3 FY24. Adding Rs 296.45 lakhs in other income, the total income reached Rs 16,733.87 lakhs for the quarter. It’s not quite a standing ovation, but at least the audience has not walked out.

Now, let’s talk about EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation)—the backstage crew of financial performance. For Q3 FY25, EBITDA stood at Rs 1,539.47 lakhs. Rising operational costs and tight advertising budgets played the villain here, but the show must go on! Meanwhile, Profit After Tax (PAT) took a dramatic dive, with a loss of Rs 3,652.75 lakhs, compared to a profit of Rs 1,228.94 lakhs in Q3 FY24. If this were a movie, we would call it a tragic second act.

For the nine months ended 31 December 2024, consolidated revenue totalled Rs 48,082.93 lakhs. That’s down from Rs 50,834.08 lakhs in the previous year—not the kind of sequel numbers anyone hopes for. EBITDA came in at Rs 4,210.69 lakhs, while PAT posted a net loss of Rs 10,937.90 lakhs, compared to a loss of Rs 2,041.57 lakhs in FY24. It’s safe to say, the financial script could use a few rewrites.

Despite these challenges, Shemaroo’s numbers reveal a company determined to stay in the game. With rising operational costs and shifting consumer preferences, the Q3 results underline the importance of resilience and adaptability in today’s cutthroat entertainment landscape. After all, every blockbuster needs a bit of suspense, doesn’t it?

Standalone Results

On a standalone basis, Shemaroo’s revenue from operations for Q3 FY25 was Rs 15,542.52 lakhs, edging up from Rs 15,226.01 lakhs in the previous quarter and Rs 14,773.76 lakhs in Q3 FY24. Total income, including Rs 253.41 lakhs from other sources, hit Rs 15,795.93 lakhs for the quarter. While it’s not quite a red-carpet moment, it’s certainly not a straight-to-DVD release either.

EBITDA for Q3 FY25 clocked in at Rs 1,419.05 lakhs. Operational costs, which soared to Rs 14,792.44 lakhs, weren’t shy about stealing the spotlight. Meanwhile, PAT took a dramatic dive, delivering a loss of Rs 3,739.99 lakhs compared to Rs 2,732.39 lakhs in Q3 FY24. Let’s call this twist in the tale Shemaroo’s "Bollywood tragedy" phase.

For the nine months ended 31 December 2024, standalone revenue reached Rs 45,506.20 lakhs, falling short of Rs 48,541.42 lakhs reported in the same period last year. Total income tallied up to Rs 46,058.52 lakhs, while EBITDA for the period stood at Rs 4,153.34 lakhs. PAT for the nine months delivered a loss of Rs 8,176.58 lakhs, more than doubling last year’s Rs 4,035.48 lakhs. These numbers suggest Shemaroo’s script might need some serious rewrites to avoid becoming a "box-office bomb."

Still, Shemaroo’s knack for juggling its legacy operations with a burgeoning digital portfolio shows promise. After all, every epic needs its moment of redemption—here’s hoping Shemaroo’s next act delivers the blockbuster twist we’ve all been waiting for!

Shemaroo’s dual focus on traditional media and digital growth has been a defining aspect of its strategy. While revenue from legacy operations faces mounting challenges, the company’s investments in digital platforms are yielding promising results. Shemaroo’s partnerships with OTT players and its direct-to-consumer initiatives are driving audience engagement and revenue growth. The question remains: can Shemaroo go viral in the digital world while keeping its classic charm?

The digital segment has shown significant traction, with increasing subscriber counts and higher engagement metrics. However, the competition in the OTT space is fierce, with new entrants vying for market share. Will Shemaroo’s robust content library and its reputation for delivering quality entertainment be enough to sustain long-term growth? Or will the digital world prove to be a tougher audience than expected?

Shemaroo has long been a pioneer in India’s entertainment sector, leveraging its extensive content library to cater to diverse audience preferences. The company’s innovative marketing initiatives, such as regional-language content expansions and festival-centric campaigns, have strengthened its brand equity. However, the slight decline in revenue indicates that the path forward will require even greater innovation to compete in a market increasingly dominated by digital platforms.

Can Shemaroo continue to build on its legacy while charting a new course in the digital age? The coming quarters will reveal whether this stalwart of Indian entertainment can transform challenges into opportunities and emerge stronger in a competitive landscape. For now, Shemaroo is writing its next chapter—and it promises to be an interesting read.

After all, even legends need to adapt—no one wants to be a rerun.