The ET Panache IP Festivals & Concerts A-List 2026 was unveiled on Day 1 of the 6th edition of the Shows of India 2026, presented by Hop Events and powered by The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi, co-powered by Dakshin Stories, District by Zomato, Giant Truss, GIGX, and NESCO Events, in association with Dreamcast, Hookaba, and Eyeconyx. The conclave brought together some of the biggest names from India’s live entertainment, festival, experiential, and concert ecosystem under one roof.
As India’s concert and festival economy enters a transformative phase, the A-List has been created to honour the promoters, curators, operators, and business minds building the country’s experience economy from the ground up. The initiative recognises individuals whose work has contributed to the growth of festivals, touring IPs, concerts, destination experiences, and large-scale live entertainment platforms across the nation.
A major highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the Hall of Fame, recognising legendary names whose contributions have helped define India’s live entertainment industry over the years. The Hall of Fame featured:
- Andre Timmins – Co-Founder/Director, Wizcraft Entertainment Agency
- Naman Pugalia – Chief Business Officer – Live Events, BookMyShow Live
- Samit Garg – Co-Founder & Managing Director, E Factor Experiences
- VG Jairam – Founder, Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
- Vinod Janardhan – Managing Director, TEAM RUSTIC; Director & Partner, EVA Live
The ET Panache IP Festivals & Concerts A-List 2026 further honoured an influential lineup of leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators driving India’s live entertainment and experiential economy forward:
- Ali Safdar Zaidi – Director & COO, Event Network
- Amitesh Ahuja – Founder, Boho Fest
- Arvind Singh – CEO, Giant Truss
- Ashish Arora – Founder, Enrise Entertainment
- Balakrishnan Balram – Head of Live Events, NESCO Events
- Jason Manners – Founding CEO, Rockski EMG
- Kapil Wadhwani – Founder, Showcase
- Khushal Singh – Founder, Nine B Entertainment
- Kunal Deoray – Founder, Show Goes On
- Mayur Agarwal – Founder, Alive Experiences
- Mohit Balchandani – Founder, Bling Ping Motion Pictures
- Naeem Shaikh – Founder & CEO, Social Refuel
- Parul Mundra – Founder, Tarashna – Talent Management
- Ravi Bodiwala – Co-Founder, Lara’s Promotion
- Sainath Goud Malkapuram – Founder, Dakshin Stories & Hyderabad Talkies
- Santosh Smith – Co-Founder, Capital Group; Founder, Gig Work Private Limited
- Saurav Takyar – Founder & Director, TamannaZ Worldwide, House of Production & Team Tandem Dubai
- Srinivas Gunishetty – Co-Founder, Page3 Entertainments
- Sunny Shigwan – Founder & CEO, Team Limelight LLP; Co-Founder, The Dark Cues LLP
- Tamanna Mordani – Co-Founder, Envision India
- Upneet Bhatia – Director – Project Management & Operations – Events, District by Zomato
- Vibhor Hasija – Founder, Yours Eventfully
- Vikas Menon – Founder, Production Crew Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
The personalities featured were felicitated during the conclave in recognition of their contribution towards shaping India’s live entertainment, festivals, concerts, and experiential industry.
Launched at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, the A-List reflects the growing significance of live entertainment as one of the country’s strongest cultural and economic growth engines. From concerts and festivals to destination-led experiences and branded IPs, the sector is increasingly shaping tourism, hospitality, youth culture, and consumer engagement at scale.
The conclave hosted conversations around sponsorship, infrastructure, ticketing, artist management, monetisation, venue development, and the future expansion of homegrown live IPs, bringing together promoters, artists, venue operators, production leaders, brands, investors, and policymakers.
More than a recognition platform, the ET Panache IP Festivals & Concerts A-List 2026 serves as a documentation of the people building modern India’s live entertainment story – the visionaries behind the stages, experiences, and cultural moments redefining how the country gathers, celebrates, and connects.
