Early Life and Family
Manoj Dhamoo Punjabi was born on December 7, 1972, in Jakarta, Indonesia, to parents of Indian-Sindhi descent. His family has roots in the Indian diaspora, migrating to Indonesia after the Partition of India in 1947. From a young age, Punjabi was fascinated by films, eventually transitioning into the family entertainment business after completing his degree.
Rise to Success
Punjabi started his career in the family business, joining Multivision Plus (MVP) in 1995. He initially took on administrative roles before moving into production management. In 2002, Manoj, along with his wife, Shania, and parents co-founded MD Media which later became MD Entertainment. Since its founding, MD Entertainment has become the largest film production house in Indonesia and has produced a vast catalog of films and television series. The company went public in 2018. MD Entertainment's success is also reflected in its diverse ventures, including music and animation production, as well as restaurants.
Key Business Strategies
Punjabi's strategy includes producing high-quality content that resonates with Indonesian audiences. His focus on the horror genre, and diverse revenue streams, has contributed to the company's growth. MD Entertainment has also established partnerships with major online platforms, expanding its reach in the digital market. Furthermore, in 2024, MD Entertainment acquired an 80% stake in the free-to-air broadcaster NET. TV.
Philanthropy
Manoj Punjabi, through the MD Foundation, actively participates in philanthropic initiatives. The foundation focuses on causes like education and healthcare. Nayla Punjabi, his daughter, produced a documentary about stunting to prevent public health issues in rural populations. Furthermore, the foundation has collaborated with other organizations on projects such as the "Layar Rakyat Indonesia" event.