In the world of entrepreneurship, few stories combine passion, risk-taking, and vision as powerfully as the journey of Abhayanand Singh. Born in Bihar, India, and now a respected media entrepreneur in Singapore, Singh’s path has been anything but conventional. From an early career in banking to becoming a driving force in global film production and financing, his life embodies the belief that success is built when courage meets opportunity.
Abhayanand Singh: A Childhood Steeped in Cinema
Abhayanand’s earliest memories are tinted with the magic of the silver screen. Growing up, his father owned a cinema hall in Bihar, and the young Abhayanand spent countless hours immersed in films from India and around the world. These formative years quietly nurtured a lifelong love for cinema, planting seeds for a future that would later merge creativity with commerce.
A Successful Banker Who Chose Passion Over Comfort
Armed with an MBA and a sharp mind for numbers, Abhayanand Singh began his career in banking and wealth management. For years, he built a successful corporate career, managing investments for high-net-worth individuals and advising on strategic financial decisions. But beneath the steady rhythm of balance sheets and market trends beat the pulse of a dream — a dream to create a bridge between the worlds of finance and entertainment.
In 2014, his deep research into the media industry revealed a glaring gap: in India and much of Southeast Asia, institutional funding for films was almost non-existent. While Hollywood enjoyed a robust and structured financing ecosystem, the Indian film industry relied heavily on unorganised funding sources. This insight sparked a radical career pivot — one that would transform not only his life but also the way films could be financed and produced in the region.
Abhayanand Singh: Founding Vistas Media Capital – Where Creativity Meets Capital
Along with co-founder Piiyush Singh, Abhayanand launched Vistas Media Capital (VMC) in Singapore, a media tech powerhouse with operations across India, the Middle East, and North America. The company’s vision was clear: create a sustainable, professional, and scalable financing structure for films and entertainment content.
VMC operates across the complete value chain of content creation — from production and distribution to animation, OTT platforms, gaming, and NFTs. In just a few years, it has evolved into a global ecosystem where creative excellence is matched with strong financial strategy.
One of VMC’s most prestigious moments came when it produced Bhonsle, starring Manoj Bajpayee. The film’s first-look launch at the Cannes Film Festival and its APSA nomination marked VMC’s arrival on the global cinematic stage.
Making Waves in Global Entertainment
Vistas Media Capital’s rise has been swift and strategic. In August 2020, its subsidiary, Vistas Media Acquisition Company (VMAC), raised $100 million and got listed on NASDAQ. Soon after, VMAC announced its merger with Anghami, the first legal music streaming platform in the Middle East, making it the first Arab technology company to be listed on the Nasdaq in New York.
In the MENA region, Singh’s vision expanded further. VMC established Vistas International DMCC in Dubai to tap into the region’s vast potential for content creation, supporting local artists and fostering cultural exchange between Middle Eastern and South Asian cinema. The planned Abu Dhabi Media Fest — a nine-day mega event — promises to bring together international film festivals, concerts, workshops, and a marketplace for filmmakers.
Innovating Beyond Films – Diversifying Media Investments
Abhayanand Singh has always believed that the media business is as much about foresight as it is about storytelling. This is why VMC ventured into OTT platforms like Muvizz.com, championing cult, classic, and independent films for a global audience. Its portfolio through Golden Ratio Films includes titles like The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018) and Nakkash (2019), proving that quality content can be both artistic and commercially viable.
Through its “Red Carpet” investment program, VMC also offers high-net-worth individuals the chance to invest in films as an alternative asset class, blending glamour with financial returns. This innovative approach has attracted a new breed of investors who appreciate both cinema and its business potential.
Navigating Challenges with Resilience
The road to success wasn’t smooth. Transitioning from banking to filmmaking meant convincing skeptics to invest in an untested business model. “The biggest rule of business is to stay in business,” Abhayanand often says. His perseverance paid off when early supporters began to see the vision, and the company weathered initial storms to become a force in global entertainment.
Even during the COVID-19 crisis, while investments slowed, VMC focused on strengthening its team and exploring emerging opportunities in media tech. This resilience ensured that the company not only survived but also emerged stronger.