What can the IT MSMEs Learn from Film Actor Dilip Kumar?

Dilip Kumar, (DK) the greatest icon of Hindi cinema, passed away today at 98. He was the first Method Actor in the world - Marlon Brando came much later after him. By the time Marlon Brando began to do method acting, Dilip Kumar was already an established actor with his method acting style. But the West has never acknowledged this. Almost every prominent actor of Hindi cinema has acknowledged to have learnt acting skills by watching Dilip Kumar. The list includes Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

But the reason behind Dilip Kumar's grand success was not only that he was one of the greatest actors in the world history of cinema. It was also that he had very good business sense. IT MSMEs of today's India, who are much troubled by the advancing Smart Tech and online modes of business and impending lockdowns with multiple Corona waves, have much to learn from Dilip Kumar to make their business a success against all odds. Here are some instances which they can imbibe in their business strategy -

When DK emerged on the scene in 1940s film industry, the screen was dominated by Parsi theatre and stage style acting. However, DK didn't follow the crowd. He evolved his own style of realistic, intense acting, later made famous in the West by Marlon Brando, who stole the credit for this style from DK in the international media. He had Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand as his stalwart competitors. But he etched out his own style.

Lesson - Never follow the crowd. Evolve your own strategy. 

If you follow the crowd, you'll be part of the crowd. Unless you plunge in deep waters, you'll never learn to swim. Hence, evolve your business strategy which places you apart from your competitors.

Before DK came on the scene, actors' job was just to act according to the directors' directions, take the money and finish the matter. They did not consider it their responsibility to make the film a success. This was the director's role. DK was the first actor who used to collaborate with the film distributors to see that the film was sold in every theatre of the country and he also saw to it that the film was marketed and advertised properly. In short, he was the first actor who contributed towards the commercial success of his films. As a result, his films were always a grand success.

Lesson -  Think outside the box to make your business a success. Think about how you can expand your business and work towards finding new customers even if it means that you have to work harder than usual. Try to convince your customers why they should align with you. 

DK's Devdas was essentially a remake of Sehgal's Devdas from 1930s. Many scenes were copied shot to shot from that film. Still, DK's Devdas became a milestone in Hindi cinema because DK interpreted his role in a completely new way.

Lesson - Even if you are selling some product, solution, or service which millions of others are selling, try to give an edge to your clients by adding value to your products, service or solutions. Don't blame your competitors; think how you can add value which they are not adding. Never fear competition.

By following these strategies, IT MSMEs in India today can go ahead of others and not only survive, but thrive.

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