Lights, Camera, Business: 8 movies every entrepreneur must watch

8 must-watch entrepreneur movies for business journey
(Last Updated On: November 23, 2023)

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Bollywood and Hollywood alike have made a thousand movies that show the highs and lows of an entrepreneur’s life on the giant screen.

We have chosen 8 such movies that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you clench your fists in anticipation. But most importantly, it will make you believe in the results of hard work and resilience.

So get your popcorn and napkins ready. Here are the best 8 movies to watch and learn from!

The significance of learning from movies

You know, those stories that play on the big screen? Well, it turns out they’re not just for entertainment. They’re like secret teachers, giving us many lessons about life and profession, and we’re here to chat about why that’s a big deal.

Movies? Seriously?

Yep, seriously! Movies aren’t just about superheroes and explosions. They’re like a bag of wisdom candies. You watch them, and suddenly, you’re thinking about life, love, and the whole human experience. It’s like chatting with a wise friend who’s been through it all.

Different Angles

What’s incredible about entrepreneur movies is they show life from all sorts of angles. You see people doing incredible things, facing tough stuff, and coming out on the other side. 

  • Character connections: Movie characters feel like buddies, sharing wins and lessons. It’s a sneak peek into lives just like yours.
  • Feels inspired: Movies have a magic power to make you feel – joy, sadness, excitement. In those lies the feeling of inspiration. Laugh, cry, and suddenly, you think differently.
  • Movies for change: Movies aren’t just for chilling; they can change the world. They make you think, question, and maybe even inspire positive changes. 

Best Bollywood movies for entrepreneurs! 

Let’s mix business smarts with Bollywood fun! These entrepreneur movies aren’t just entertaining and full of clever lessons for your entrepreneurial journey. Ready to learn something, but filmy style? Here we go – 

1. Guru

“Guru,” a Bollywood gem from 2007 directed by Mani Ratnam. It’s not just your typical film; it’s a story about a guy named Gurukant Desai, played by Abhishek Bachchan, and his journey from small-town dreams to big-time success.

Guru poster

Plot overview

Guru starts with a dream, a small-town guy wanting to make it big. But, of course, the road to success is bumpy. The movie takes us through Guru’s ups and downs and his tough choices to reach the top.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Doing big things the right way: “Guru” guides entrepreneurs to aim high with ethics as their compass. Success isn’t just the destination; it’s the journey to get there.
  • Bouncing back when life gets tough: Guru’s journey teaches entrepreneurs to bounce back stronger from setbacks. Setbacks can sometimes be heartbreaking and can feel like you are at your lowest. Bouncing back from that is what shows real strength! 
  • Thinking long-term: “Guru” encourages entrepreneurs to think beyond quick wins. It’s a reminder that success involves building a lasting legacy by considering the long-term impact of choices.

Fun fact: This movie is said to be loosely based on the life of one of India’s greatest entrepreneurs – Dhirubhai Ambani!

Related read: 10 Qualities entrepreneurs have in common: Lessons from the best

2. Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year

“Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year.” This Bollywood flick from 2009 is not your usual corporate drama; it’s a remarkable story about Harpreet Singh Bedi, played by Ranbir Kapoor, who brings some serious swag to the sales world.

Rocket Singh- Salesman of the year poster

Plot overview

So, Harpreet is a fresh grad stepping into the corporate jungle, but here’s the twist—he’s not your typical suit-and-tie guy. Instead of playing by the rules, he decides to carve his own path and bring some honesty and creativity to the sales game.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Innovation is the key: “Rocket Singh” urges entrepreneurs to think creatively. Same old routines won’t set you apart; innovation is the key to standing out.
  • Honesty pays off: Harpreet’s honesty teaches entrepreneurs that integrity is a long-term success strategy. Quick wins may feel good, but honesty is the golden ticket.
  • Be authentically you: The movie is a pep talk for entrepreneurs, encouraging them to be themselves. In the business world, standing out and staying true to who you are is awesome.

Related read: Finding the USP (unique selling proposition) of your small business

3. TVF Pitchers 

“TVF Pitchers,” the web series that takes the startup world and turns it into a hilarious adventure. Created by The Viral Fever in 2015, it’s like a sitcom mixed with the chaos of trying to start a business.

TVF Pitchers poster

Plot overview

Four buddies stuck in boring jobs, dreaming of breaking free and starting their own thing. Suddenly, an opportunity knocks, and they jump into the wild world of startups. What follows is a crazy mix of dreams, challenges, and a ton of laughs.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Go for your dreams, even if it’s a mess: “TVF Pitchers” pushes entrepreneurs to chase dreams, even in the chaos. Starting a business might be a wild ride, but the adventure is worth it.
  • Lean on your crew: The series stresses the importance of friends in the startup world. Entrepreneurs, remember a strong support system is crucial for navigating business challenges.
  • Humour is business: “TVF Pitchers” highlights humour as a powerful tool in business. A good laugh in tough times makes the entrepreneurial journey more enjoyable and manageable. 

Related read: Mind Matters: 10 Strategies for entrepreneurs’ mental resilience

4. Tumse Na Ho Payega

Disney+ Hotstar’s ‘Tumse Na Ho Payega’ is a feel-good tale about how kindness can lead to success. But, let’s face it, the movie world and real life are poles apart. In the movies, bouncing back from failures is a cakewalk. Abhishek Sinha’s film tracks Ishwak Singh’s character, an entrepreneur, on his journey to the top.

Tumse Na Ho Payega poster

Plot overview

Inspired by Varun Agarwal’s book, this Hindi film follows Gaurav Shukla, played by Ishwak Singh. From a small idea of delivering home-cooked lunches, he grows a startup, facing doubters. The first half feels dreamy, but unexpected twists add spice to the tale.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Think outside your comfort zone: Gaurav Shukla’s journey emphasizes that the best ideas come outside comfort zones. Embrace new paths, especially when challenges arise.
  • Simple ideas, big ventures: Gaurav’s startup, delivering home-cooked lunches, shows simple, quality concepts can turn into successful ventures. Sometimes, simplicity is the key.
  • Adapt to the unexpected: The movie’s sudden conflicts mirror entrepreneurship’s unpredictability. Entrepreneurs, be agile and ready to navigate life and business twists.

Best Hollywood movies for entrepreneurs

Now that we have seen some Bollywood gems, its time for the word of Hollywood to charm us. Here are some of the best of best movies to inspire the entrepreneur in you! 

1. The Social Network 

Imagine a time before Facebook was a thing. That’s where “The Social Network” takes us. Released in 2010 and directed by David Fincher, it’s not just about how Facebook started; it’s a rollercoaster of friendships, big dreams, and a bit of messiness.

The Social Network poster

Plot overview

So, we follow Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, the brain behind Facebook. The movie dives into his journey from a college dorm to the courtroom, showing the crazy ride of turning an idea into a massive social media giant.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Integrity matters: Success is tremendous, but not at the cost of integrity. The movie reminds entrepreneurs to stay true to themselves in personal and business dealings.
  • Roll with the punches: Like Zuckerberg faces hurdles, entrepreneurs must be ready for the unexpected. Life won’t always be smooth, but rolling with the punches is part of the entrepreneurial game. 
  • The power of social media: Social media may be the cornerstone of a successful brand. But knowing just how impactful its consequences can be is important. What you post, how you post and the way you build a community around your brand is important.

Related read: How to prepare for your first entrepreneurial crisis?

2. Wolf of Wall Street

“The Wolf of Wall Street” is not your typical money-making movie. Released in 2013 and directed by Martin Scorsese, it’s a wild ride through the world of making big bucks, partying hard, and the not-so-great stuff that comes with it.

Entrepreneur movies: Wolf of Wall Street poster

Plot overview

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, a guy who goes from zero to hero in the stockbroker game. But here’s the catch—it’s set in the late 80s and early 90s, and it’s not all rainbows and sunshine.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Keep it real: “The Wolf of Wall Street” reminds entrepreneurs that success is better when earned with honesty and integrity. Shortcuts might seem tempting, but they often lead to trouble.
  • Find the balance: Balancing big dreams with ethical choices is a theme in the movie. Entrepreneurs are nudged to pursue success while ensuring their actions do not hurt other people in the process. Fast money is not equivalent to healthy wealth. 
  • Learn from the ups and downs: The film, full of highs and lows, especially the lows, teaches entrepreneurs that mistakes are part of the game. What matters most is learning from them and bouncing back stronger. 

Related read: What is an emergency fund and how to build it for your eCommerce business?

3. Startup.com

In the late 90s, everyone’s hyped about the internet, and along came “Startup.com.” Directed by Chris Hegedus and Jehane Noujaim in 2001, this documentary-style film gives us a front-row seat to the craziness of the dot-com era.

Entrepreneur movies: Startup.com poster

Plot overview

The movie zooms in on buddies Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman trying to make it big with their startup, govWorks.com. From getting money to dealing with friend drama, “Startup.com” gives us a natural, no-filter look at what it’s like to start a tech company during the wild dot-com boom.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Flexibility wins: “Startup.com” teaches the value of flexibility in the unpredictable startup world. Being able to go with the flow and make changes is a valuable skill.
  • Dream big, stay real: The film reminds entrepreneurs to dream big and keep it real. Ambition is fantastic, but staying grounded and practical is crucial for long-term success. We talk a bit about this core value of entrepreneurs here. 
  • People matter in business: “Startup.com” emphasizes the human side of entrepreneurship. So entrepreneurs, consider the personal aspects of your journey; people relationships are as crucial as business strategies.

4. Pursuit of Happyness

“The Pursuit of Happyness” is this awesome movie from 2006 about a guy named Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith. It’s all about how he went from having a tough life to making it big in finance. Will Smith brings so much emotion to the role, making it a must-watch.

Entrepreneur movies: Pursuit of happyness poster

Plot summary

So, Chris Gardner’s life is a bit of a rollercoaster—money troubles, nowhere to live, and being a single parent. But he decides to shoot for the stars and get into stock brokerage. The movie follows him through a challenging internship at a fancy firm, where he faces tons of challenges while trying to build a better future for himself and his son.

Life lessons for entrepreneurs

  • Stay positive: In entrepreneurship, a positive mindset is a secret superpower. “The Pursuit of Happyness” teaches that a hopeful attitude turns challenges into opportunities in tough times.
  • Keep going, no matter what: Chris Gardner’s story is a crash course in resilience. Entrepreneurs take note: setbacks are just pit stops on the road to success. Learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. 

Fun fact: Chris Gardner has a small cameo in this film that shows his magnificent rise!

Lights, camera, action: Your entrepreneurial inspiration awaits!

Take a cinematic journey with these movies that surpass the silver screen and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit in you. 

Two themes dominate all these movies: Resilience and the courage to start.

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