Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Nitin Shashindran: Cinema, Movie or Motion Picture has always been my passion, and while starting off in this industry I was clueless, but one thing I was most certain about is
whatever I will be doing, it will be within the business, which kept me going. This is one of those few industries which is really hard to crack in, for obvious reasons. So after gaining relavant experience, I wanted to create an eco-system which can empower other filmmakers too during my growth. So that passion and vision resulted in the formation of QUAFF. It's been 8 years since, and QUAFF is no more just about my dream or growth, but its a collective aspiration and ambition of all amazingly talented storytellers who are associated with us.
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by QUAFF
Nitin Shashindran: We are content production & distribution company, very actively working with most of the top streaming services/OTT platforms, broadcast newtworks, and theatrical, in India and overseas. We provide one stop solution to producers, directors and writers by helping them in the process of creating, pitching and standardizing the process of content creation.
Great Companies: What makes QUAFF different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Nitin Shashindran: Most of our contemprory aggregators or production compaines take in any projects that comes their way and at times offers zero result to the makers, which results in to the lose of contents' shelf-life and money.
For us, the core competence will always be the quality of storytelling, so that's where we do not compromise. We only take projects that passes our meticulous curation process, which is very helpful to maintain the transparency.
Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Nitin Shashindran: Challenges are constant, with every milestone comes a new challenge. To list down few, 4 years back when we were trying to create an alliance with premium streaming brands who are top at their game such as Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, SONY LIV, Hungama Play and more, it was really hard to wrap our head around their distinctive process, but these brands were kind enough to hear our prospects, guided and educted us through the whole process, which was really empowering. Another struggles we faced in the initials days were to have filmmakers believe in QUAFF. Unfortunately, in the business where you can find a lot of conmen and plagiarism around the corner, it was hard for us to win the makers' faith, so we implemented a model that will keep the makers updated with each stages of progress, maintaining 100% transparency, which worked for us. Yet challenges are something now we look forward to because it plays a major part in the growth, and we are always focused on upgrading to provide the best experience.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line QUAFF?
Nitin Shashindran: We have 2 web-shows under-developed with a premium SVOD streaming platforms. 2 movies in regional languages that are going under production in 2023. We are also developing an unscripted show for a streaming platform, and curating more content.
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Nitin Shashindran: Be opinionated towards your vision and goal, but always keep room for creative ways to achieve them. Don't be discouraged by the people who do not match your vision, and you may find too many of them. In the end they'll be happy for you anyway.