In last 25 years slowly Hero of our movies changed from bright and honest police officer to a gangster turned Politian – take example of so many web series on various OTT platform! While mainstream media kept producing films on sports, war, spy world some of which were very nationalist, OTT platform supplied lot of content on illegitimate violence triggered by aggression and personal ambitions. Even movies with business background, content creators were excited about scams with least excitement towards stories of ethical wealth creators or challengers. After a long time, we got to see a web series which is build on ethical and legal wealth creation and patriotism via business i.e. Made in India: A Titan Story. (TITAN)
Success at any cost vs. Success within framework!
In today’s world where our political leaders and OTT platforms are telling us to succeed at any cost, even if it is illegal it doesn’t matter! It is bound to impact the morale and ethics of common man. If you do not get success, easy way to challenge is to cross the boundary of legality. But in TITAN, when their factory is denied with license, they figure out a smart innovative but legal way. Tatas were ready to offer 28% of equity to state for that matter !!! This is a classic. In fact, the birth of TITAN is to eliminate the need for smuggling of watches! The need for business itself was triggered by opportunity which kind of eliminated wrong doers! This is a classic blend of aggression for a legitimate wealth creation.
A business which demanded skilled labour and local talent of fine work getting trained to make watches. Today – we talk about ESG, what an amazing way for inclusive growth and distribution of wealth by empowerment. In fact, TITAN is not just a story of start up but a social start up which became a GLOBAL LEADER.
Fear of Losing to Freedom to Fail
In a society where failure is punished, where failure attracts personal liabilities to directors and fiduciaries [even if there is no fraud], someone standing out and saying, ‘you invent and I give you freedom of failure!’ is the mantra which all corporates and Government need to cherish! India will not become superpower if business is worried that their business which was legal becomes illegal retrospectively! Or if they fail in legitimate business their personal assets can be attached [although they have started business in limited liability entity] and that too without any fraud element[i] Tatas gave freedom of failure to TITAN team and that’s why they could dear to create something so adorable. INDIA not only needs compliance related exemption to start ups but also a relief from personal liabilities of promoters if there is no fraud. India needs an IBC which will allow companies to close if they are not successful[ii].. Not every promoter will be TATA Sons and therefore not every management or professional director will get back-ups which TATA companies got. For example, Tata Sons continued to support strategic businesses such as Air India despite significant losses. This reflects that, in large regulated or strategic sectors, initial losses may be supported where the promoter has long-term capital commitment and turnaround intent with national interest as priority.
Courage and Commitment
In this web series we observe that Chairman of the Group, Managing Director of the Company and his core team refused to wear watch until world class watch is manufactured in their factory. How many times would you see a group chairman, Managing Director and Core Team commit something like this! This is the skin in the game. This is the courage and commitment! When stakes are so high in terms of personal sacrifice success is bound to come.
Many a times we want something but like they say do we have ardent desire? Are we ready to pay the price for it? Are we ready to put things at stake for achieving our goal? And do we respect our value system at any cost in that journey? If India wants to become a world leader, we must inculcate each of this and much more.
Content – Content – Content
What content we consume will determine our behaviour and destiny, otherwise it is just garbage in garbage out. In our childhood time we read AMAR CHITRA KATHA. We read stories of real heroes who were courageous and ethical. Our idols were ideal. But when we grew up, we saw angry young man who is believes in revenge and now stories of scamsters being glorified. India need content like TITAN story like Bhag Milkha Bhag like Merry Kom. Since OTT has reached home and it has almost replaced traditional television channels, we need more content on that and on social media and even in mainstream media. Compliments to producers, directors and actors and entire team of this movie.
[i] section 89 of CGST Act, 2017
[ii] Approximately 2022 companies are waiting for their resolution order. Source: IBBI newsletter Jan – march 2026