Inspiring Creativity since 1997
December month has brought few amazing laurels for Arena Geeta Bhawan, Indore. Its founder & CEO Sanjay Khimesara was called to moderate a Panel discussion at Indian CSR Awards. Sanjay Khimesara got a Momento in the capacity of Director, Asifa Animation Foundation. Our Educational Society Horizon Institute of Design also got a mention for its Vocational Education Initiatives for youth in BPL and Lower Income Category.
Recently on 20th, I-Can Foundation extended its appreciation Certificate for the outstanding activities and contribution to the community of Computer Graphics & AVGC. Centre head Sanjay Khimesara was also nominated for Humanitarian Awards 2021 from Madhya Pradesh.
Indore-based leading Design School Arena Geeta Bhawan (HID) is one of the most trusted digital media education destinations across central India. Its Founder and CEO, Sanjay Khimesara, is such a name that, with his farsightedness and belief in the technological revolution, he decided to navigate the rare way of opening a Skill-Based Training Institute in the creative segment.
Initial Strides-
On asking what instigated the idea of starting an academic venture in a field not so popular at that time, Sanjay says, “after my Engineering and Management, my father-in-law initiated the idea of setting my foot into the sector. At that time, conventional courses were in high demand.” Sanjay felt that one of the biggest challenges our society faces is the need to employ the youth. The decision worked really well for Khimesara, but the reward was not easily achieved.
It was not so easy to be where Khimesara stands today. Obstructions were many, but the sheer dedication and belief in the idea set the ball rolling for Sanjay. “Few major difficulties faced include finding prospects, convincing them, finding faculty members and placements,” summons up Sanjay.
The defining moment–
On asking who he attributes the institute’s success to, Sanjay says, “it has always been my students who with their creativity, hard work and faith in the institute engrossed the multinational firms for recruitment.” After big firms noticed the student’s work, there was no looking back. Today, apprentices are working with top-quality organisations. Khimesara also helps Society through a student incubation center by developing digital content for police departments and other public welfare organizations.
The success recipe–
Today with almost every successful venture in films, television, advertisement and games, having alumni of the institute associated with them, the students are also new-age entrepreneurs and freelancers. Inquisitively when we ask the proud man about his secret recipe to success, humbly he reveals, “for an academic venture to be a success, it’s the student- mentor relation that plays an important role.” The strong industry and alumni connection plays a crucial role for our School team.
Sanjay believes that success has no shortcut. Perseverance towards your field is a must. He also says that keeping yourself alert and updated about anything new in your workspace always keeps you a step ahead.
Recognitions–
Sanjay is an active contributor to MandE Sector and has got dozens of recognitions, including the Golden Pixel Award as Backbone of AVGC Industry, Indian CSR Award, Indian Achiever Award, Top 100 Admired People in Education, Global Educational Influencers, Captain’s, Trailblazers and Icons of Education, Numerous Excellence Awards, Commendation and Appreciation Certificates etc.
18 alumni from his D-School have been part of Six Oscar Awarded Films for Outstanding Vfx and Four National Awarded films for Animation and VFX. During the past two decades, Sanjay was instrumental in bringing over 250 Global experts to inspire youth in Central India.
Love- other than animation
His passion for divulging his knowledge is so strong that Sanjay Khimesara spends hours online as an expert panel member, guiding the creative aspirants. He also loves to keep himself always updated with social networking sites.
Sanjay believes in his religion –Jainism, “I spend time exploring the religion and learning tattva Gyan. I also do Jainism way of meditation. This helps me calm down”.
Sanjay Khimesara is also the Core Committee member for ASIFA INDIA, a professional body recognised by UNESCO. It is devoted to developing film animation both as an art and an effective means of communication. He also volunteers his time for TASI and MP: AVGC-XR.
Sanjay is President of an Educational Society which provides Free Skilling and opportunities to youth in marginalised communities.
“My parents and wife Aekta are my backbones, “confides Sanjay. His wife contributes to the functioning of the Design School.
Future plans–
There is no stopping for this entrepreneur. After achieving so much he is still restless. He has much other accomplishment to fulfil. After the Design Institute, Khimesara is on his way to make Indore as hub for AVGC industry. His future plans include contribution in Skill development initiatives and to be a leading Training provider of Central India.
Indore is sure to see a lot more in animation and digital media in the coming years with Sanjay around.
Twenty five years ahead from today, the man who introduced animation to Indore, CEO of Horizon Institute of Design and Arena GBS dreams not only of taking animation to new heights but wants to create new opportunities for the youth of his state in this lucrative sector.
Alumni and Expert Speaks:Experts & AluMNI speaks on 25th foundation day of arena geeta bhawan (HID), indore
Video Messages from Experts and Alumni
Inspiring Creativity : Photos Gallery of few activities :-https://bit.ly/hidarena
Media & Entertainment Sector
The Indian Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry is a sunrise sector for the economy and is making high growth strides. Proving its resilience to the world, the Indian M&E industry is on the cusp of a strong phase of growth, backed by rising consumer demand and improving advertising revenues. The industry has been largely driven by increasing digitization and higher internet usage over the last decade. Internet has almost become a mainstream media for entertainment for most of the people.
Skill & Education Mapping
Market Dynamics
The Indian M&E sector is growing by 15% per annum and expected to reach INR3.07 trillion in 2024 as per FICCI-E&Y report 2021. The Animation & Vfx segment within M&E Sector is growing with 15.5% and is expected to cross Rs 151.80 billion by FY 2023. M&E Industry currently has 35-40L jobs and is expected to required upto 65L people by 2022.
The Snapshot of 2020 growth trends in M & E Segments released by FICCI in Mar’21
Growth led by Online Gaming, Digital Media & Animation/VFX
About Us : –
Name of Organization : Arena Geeta bhawan (Horizon Institute of Design), Indore
Experience : 24 Years of consistent track record in Design, Media & Entertainment
We have over two decades of expertise and are termed as pioneer in the Design/ Media and entertainment training. We not only train creative aspirants on industry-relevant employment-oriented skills through the most advanced tools and technologies, but provide the Mentor-ship via Expert faculty members having 12-21 years’ experience.
We have trained & placed thousands of students, who regularly trust us from Central India. Nearly 100% of our pass out and skilled students are successfully placed in leading Animation Studios, Production Houses, Gaming Companies, Ad Agencies, Web & Digital Companies, Design Companies, Educational Content developers of India & abroad, as per their interests. Due to a huge demand, we are able to provide at least 3 job opportunity to each and every student based on his skills and interest in Indore through our Placement Cell & across India through our National Placement & Industry Connect division ICAP.
Current Association in Media & Entertainment Vertical :
Track Record–
Awards received by Centre/Students/Alumni: 200+ Recognitions including:-
National level Appreciation to Centre :
Global Educational Influencers, 2020″by Knowledge Review,
Achiever of the Year-2019 by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, SVE (M & E Vertical), Golden Pixel Award-2019 as Backbone of Indian AVGC Industry, Animation Mentor by Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, Pune in Jan’2019,
Gurukul Jyoti Certificate of Honor
National level Awards to Students-
Orbit Live, Star Talent Award to , 7 Award to Student Animation Film Rules on the Road by Indore Traffic Police(created by 26 students), Gujarat One Minute Film Festival, Chandigarh International Film Festival, Chitrabharti Film Festival, Do Good Karma Fest, Hyderabad, U Special International Film Festival, First Cut Film Festival (FAME, Pune). Total Rs.50000 as cash prizes, Stop Motion Animation Film Adventure of Kevin got Nominations at Kinephone Film Fest, Tiff Video Challenge, OakVille Festival of Film & Art, I-phone Film Fest, Indevise Free Virtual Fest, Premio Cenemetographiko Pelena, Film Helmet & Masoom got Award by Safe India Foundation, Toilet-Ek Soch Sureksha ke liye & Soilgot Award at Chambal Film Festival, Kota & Chandigarh University Film Fest in 2019 with Rs.3100 Cash Award.
National/International Credits to Alumni–
Fourteen Alumni got Six Oscar Credits in Academy awared films including Best Vfx to Film 1917 during 2020, Best Vfx to First Man during 2019, Best Vfx to Blade Runner 2049 during 2018, Best Editing Award to Dunkirk during 2018, Best Vfx to Life of Pi during 2013 & Best Vfx to Golden Compass during 2009.
Apart from that, Six Alumni have National Film Awards Credit in Four Bollywood films including Bahubali-The Beginning, Bahubali-The Conclusion for Vfx, Delhi Safari(2013) for Animation, RaOne for Vfx. 48hours film project gave Best Cinematography Award at Paris for alumni Short film D4Dance, Window Short Film got Awards at Spain, France Germany, Asifa India Award for Excellence (Nomination), 6 VES, 7 BATFTA Awards, 24FPS Award, Frameflix award, Role Model at Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to dumb & deaf alumni, Golden Cursor Award- Best & Brightest Category, Big Ganesha Award by Reliance Pune etc
Film Credits : HID Students have earned 1000+ credits on Hollywood & Bollywood projects of films including 1917,First Man, Blade Runner 2049, Life of Pi, Prometheus, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Golden Compass, Bahubali, 2.0, The Mummy, The Incredible Hulk, Star Trek, Iron Man 3, Transformer, Inception, Green Lantern, Seventh Son, Into the Storm, Winter’s Tale, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, R.I.P.D., Big Miracle, Moneyball, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, X-Men: First Class, Hop, Yogi Bear, Knight and Day, Marmaduke, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Cabin in the Woods, The A-Team, Aliens in the Attic, Land of the Lost, The Kingdom, Evan Almighty, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Phantom, Dishkiyaoon, Mausam, Happi, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, 47 Ronin, Thor: The Dark World, The Wolverine, Pacific Rim, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Jurassic Park, Thor: The Dark World, Holiday, Youngistaan, Ragini MMS 2, World War Z, Paa, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Blue, Love Aaj Kal, Raaz: The Mystery Continues, Ghajini, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Tees Maar Khan, PK, Broken Horse, 3 idiots, Gravity, Frankenweenie, Men in Black-3, Star Wars, Shrek-2, Avatar etc. Credits in top notch Mobile & Console Games.
More State level Recognition to HID :
Trailblazers of Education in MP , Icons of Industry, M.P. Entrepreneur & Excellence Award, National Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Socio-Economic Development, India Education Excellence Award as “Best Digital Media & Animation Academy of Central India”, Arena Excellence Award for being amongst Top 10 in National Placement & Star Performer LMS during Session: 2013-14 & 2014-15 , Appreciation & Award by M.P.Police for PRTS during 2012-13 & 2013-14, 19, Captains of the Industry in M.P. by CM, MP State, Icons of the Industry, Consecutive Excellence Award for Best performance in Training, Placements & Quality Audits within Arena brand for Pune Region(Central Province) during 1997-2017 & Quality Audit Certificate, Best Placement Award
State Level Awards to Student – Awards & Contracts, Creative Minds -60 Awards, Alumni Credits- MP Police Medical Health Security AV Film got Certificate of Honor by State Police Department & Scheme got Sanctioned impacted 1L policemen families of state, Student became Winner & Runner up in Regional Round for Graphic Design of India Skills & Qualified for various levels during national level Skill Championship organized by Ministry of Skills & NSDC during 2018-19 and 2021
District Level Recognitions: Commendation Certificate from PRTS three times for AV film to 17 student members, IMA Animation Maestro-Total 55 Awards in Animation, Vfx & Script Writing & Contracts by Indore Management Association(2011-2019), Commendation Certificate from RRCAT for AV Film on Laser Additive Manufacturing, Short film Smiley got recognition by MY Blood Bank, Best Film Award at 48 hours Film Project, Indore for Short film D4Dance, Student Alumni got Award at Fluidian Contest, Save a Life Contest Award by Traffic Police, India Social Responsibility Film Festival organized by SIRF & Rotary Club , Several Recognition to Students on Painting, Graphic Collaterals for Traffic Police & Citizen Cop Mobile App, Jain Grantha like Satya Muskura Raha Hein, Satya ki Khoj, Cover Pages
Industry Connect:
Over 250 Experts visited in 24 years including Dhimant Vyas, E.Suresh, Vaibhav Kumaresh, Prosenjit Ganguly, Dr.R.L.Mistry, Geetanjali Rao, Ashish Kulkarni, Shibu Menon, Anand Bhanushali,Achyut Palav,Yunus Bukhari, Subhajit Sarkar, Dr.Mukul Rawat, Yashraj Vakil, Indraneel Malik, Shashank Rayadu, Shrevan Cheriyala, Jatin Thakkar, Snehganshu Benarjee, Ashish Thapar, Stephan M, Vaibhav More, Puneet Sharma, Somnath Sen, Mustafa Buxerwala, Atul Bhatkar, Prashant Shahane, Dr.Neel Dabir, Anindya Mitra, Soniya Pinto, Dr.Satyanshu, Yogi Chopra etc.
International Experts Visit during Community activities : Ed Hooks(UK), Bill Dennis(US), Doerthe Eickelberg(Germany),Vani Saraswathi (Dreamworks,China), Arnauld Bullard(France), Rajesh Sharma (Disney,US), Pete Draper(Makuta Studio), Ron Diamond(US).
Experts during 2021-22 Recent Asifa India’s e-CG meetup : Walt Jones, Ed Hooks, Pilar Alessendra, Dr.Stuart Sumedha, Joseph Kslender, Vaibhav Kumaresh, E.Suresh, Chetan Sharma, Upmanyu Bhattacharya, Kalp Sanghvi, Ravichandran etc to under its eCG Meet up’s. Women Creators Program 2021 with Unreal Games: Saraswathi Vani Balgam, Charuvi Agarwal, Marta Ampudia Dalmau; Arvind Neelakantan, Dean Reinhard, Jack Condon, Karan Parikh, Za
National level Expert Session during Community building activities- Sesha Prasad, Mehul Hirani, Vijay Arumgam, Amit Aidasani, Mahesh Baria, Abhishek Chandra, Chetan Sharma, Kushal Kshirsagar, Chetan Deshmukh, Ramendra Vashishtha, Tony Singh, Ishtiyaq Quadri, Dileep Verma, Rishikesh Nandlaskar, Prince, Venkat Raman, Mahee Pal, Ratnesh, Vimal, Aniruddh, Abhishek Singh etc.
Social Impact– 5Lakh+ People,
Arena Geeta Bhawan, Indore 