The Vidarbha Management Association (VMA) organised the annual edition of ‘FILMY MANTRA 2026’ at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines on Sunday. The unique event drew powerful business and leadership lessons from iconic Bollywood films. The engaging programme featured four VMA members who showcased how cinema can offer valuable insights into strategy, leadership, culture, and people management. Harsh Sharma drew parallels from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, highlighting the importance of market localisation, stakeholder management, trust-building, resilience, and influencing through acceptance rather than imposition. He emphasized that long-term success is built on relationships and credibility.

 

Rohit Dujari used example of ‘Mr India’ film to explain how organisations thrive when they have a clear vision, effective delegation, strong team culture, and a system of recognition that motivates employees to perform better. He underscored the role of appreciation and shared purpose in creating high-performing teams. Nilesh Verma captivated the audience with his analysis of ‘Sholay’, using Gabbar Singh’s famous dialogue, “Kitne Aadmi The?”, to initiate a discussion on performance reviews and accountability.

 

He contrasted fear-based leadership with system-driven accountability and stressed that sustainable organisations are built on transparent processes, regular feedback, and trust rather than intimidation. Aryan Agrawal derived management lessons from ‘Taare Zameen Par’, emphasizing the need to recognize individual strengths, adopt empathetic leadership, and foster environments that encourage creativity and personal growth. He noted that investing in people and nurturing talent can transform underperformers into high achievers. The session witnessed enthusiastic participation and lively interactions, reaffirming VMA’s commitment to promoting innovative learning and demonstrating that timeless cinematic stories continue to offer relevant lessons for modern business and management.