We’re experiencing fantastic work from women in the M&E landscape: Kreeti Gogia

Adgully has consistently celebrated and acknowledged the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs and leaders in various sectors. One of our notable initiatives, W-SUITE, focuses on highlighting extraordinary women achievers in the Media & Entertainment, Advertising, Marketing, PR, and Communications industry. In this updated series, we aim to explore how women leaders adeptly manage their teams and overcome challenges in the dynamic landscape of their respective industries.

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Kreeti Gogia, Head of Content – Business & Operations, OML Entertainment, shares her perspective on evolving women’s leadership in the entertainment industry, emphasizing empowerment, originality, and inclusivity. She also delves into the creative processes behind acclaimed projects like Comicstaan and Pushpavalli, while outlining OML’s vision for shaping digital entertainment with impactful, relatable stories, and more.

What qualities do you believe set women leaders apart in the entertainment and content creation industry, and how have you incorporated these into your leadership style at OML?

Content creation is a dynamic and multifaceted industry that demands constant evolution, motivation, and an unwavering belief in the work you create and develop. While it might be incorrect to assume that men or women in leadership roles in this industry function differently, I personally prioritize a culture at OML where everyone feels empowered to contribute irrespective of their gender identity.

With the abundance of content available everywhere, only unique insights, treatment and perspectives can distinguish your work. It’s the bedrock of original storytelling that will resonate with audiences. In such a creative environment, it’s crucial that every voice is valued. For me, it’s essential that the people I work with genuinely feel inspired and excited about the projects we work on – it’s this passion that drives exceptional outcomes.

How do you see the role of women evolving in the media and entertainment landscape? What innovative approaches do you think women leaders are bringing to this dynamic industry?

We’re honestly experiencing some fantastic work from women in the media and entertainment landscape. We’re now in positions that were far less common only a decade ago – whether as producers, cinematographers and other required skills behind the scenes or even in front of the camera as leading performers.

In the last ten years alone, women’s representation in the industry has grown multifold and evolved significantly, both on and off camera. We’ve actively ensured that our perspectives, stories, and voices are heard, driving a wave of innovation in the industry. From films exploring themes like female sexuality to women leading crime dramas or even headlining their own reality formats, progress is happening because more women are now present and speaking up in spaces where real change takes shape.

Given the demands of the entertainment industry, how do you balance your professional responsibilities with personal commitments? What advice would you offer to women striving for similar harmony?

Balance looks different for everyone. Early on in my career, work was my sole focus, leaving little time for pretty much anything else. Over time, I’ve learned that balance isn’t about doing everything – it is about doing the right things well. To do this – to balance professional and personal responsibilities requires setting intentional boundaries, strategic planning, and a strong support system.

Women are often conditioned to feel guilty for not ‘being fully present’ all the time, but with planning, acceptance, and the right support, the journey gets easier. A special shout out to one of my team members – a mum to a 1.5 year-old – who structures her work to fit her needs by coming in and leaving early or virtually participating when needed, without any dip in efficiency.

So, my advice to women and anyone who’s pursuing balance is to align their goals with their values and seek support without hesitation. Self-care is non-negotiable. Success isn’t about being everywhere at once; it’s about making what truly matters count.

How do you nurture and mentor the next generation of women leaders in the content and media space? What strategies have you found most effective in empowering them?

Empowering women in the workplace begins with ensuring they have access to opportunities that place them in decision-making spaces. Too often, the biggest hurdle isn’t just talent or ambition – it’s logistics, safety, and societal conditioning.

There have been so many instances when I’ve had to reassure the families of young women I work with, that their workplace is safe. In our industry, late nights, unfamiliar locations, and predominantly male crews are common. While these may seem like small details in the larger conversation around gender equality, practical measures – such as secure transport from shoot locations, sanitized washrooms, and policies designed with women’s needs in mind – can make significant difference.

At a recent conference with stalwarts like Shabana Azmi, Anupama Chopra, Shobha Sant, and Riteish Deshmukh, a key conversation revolved around something as fundamental as facilities on set that support women. The fact that we are still discussing these basics shows how much work remains.

When it comes to strategies for change, I believe, this is two-fold. First, we must ensure that women can work without fear – without worrying about safety, health, or home responsibilities while on set. Second, we need to instill confidence – that their ideas, perspectives, and decisions are valuable and deserve to be heard. I’ve often noticed women second-guess themselves far more than men in the same spaces and situations. This is something that needs to change.

A crucial part of empowerment is also listening – truly listening – to women’s struggles instead of shrugging them off. It’s easy to dismiss concerns as overthinking or overreacting, but real change happens when we acknowledge women’s challenges and create an environment where they are heard and supported.

That said, my role isn’t to make decisions for them, but to guide them, help them build confidence, and ensure they always know they have my support. My team knows that no matter what, I’ve got their back. And finally, I believe in leading by example. The best way to inspire is to become so good at what you do that others – especially young women – can see what’s possible. Surrounding them with like-minded, accomplished women who have carved their own paths creates a culture of confidence and ambition. When women see others breaking barriers, they will believe they can too.

With OML’s reputation for groundbreaking content, how do you approach innovation while leading the content division? Could you share insights into your creative process for projects like Pushpavalli or Comicstaan?

The creative process for Comicstaan was particularly exciting. Our primary focus was on finding the right talent, as the show is designed to showcase the journey of an aspiring comedian – from a raw performer to a confident comic with 20-30 minutes of solid material by the end of the show.

Though contestants bring their own unique voice and write their own material, it was our job to guide them through the nuances of performing on stage, write for a broader audience, and refine their craft. As a creative producer, it’s often a very thin line between knowing when to step in and when to step back. Originality and authenticity come from letting people be themselves rather than over-manufacturing content.

At its core, Comicstaan was built as a platform to allow comedians to focus solely on their art. We provided them with access to some of the greatest mentors in the industry, regular open mics, structured training, and a boot camp-like environment where their only priority was to hone their skills. The setup has been deliberately designed to eliminate distractions and create a space where they can grow, experiment, and bring out their best.

However, the first season of Pushpavalli was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career so far, thanks to Sumukhi Suresh – who is a perfect blend of passion, bold ideas, and hard work. She brought us a concept like no other, and we fully embraced her vision.

We built a fantastic team to support her, including writers and our director, Debbie Rao, to carefully select the right cast and editors who truly understood the show’s tone. When a show has such a strong creative voice, a producer’s job is to assemble the right team, support them, and let them operate seamlessly – being there when needed, but allowing them to thrive and bring the vision to life.

In your new role as Head of Content, what are your key priorities for shaping the future of digital entertainment? How do you plan to keep OML ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape?

At OML, we are proactively empowering creators to craft their own narrative and develop original IPs. We’re also simultaneously dedicated to pursuing original concepts and stories that can capture the hearts of a wide audience. However, our central focus is to curate content that not only entertains, but also resonates with a pan-India demographic. Whether it’s romance, dating, action, or comedy, there is a constant reflection at the core of our creative process: ‘Will this evoke an emotional connection with a broader audience? Does this story possess universal relatability?’.