INDIA: A long-time investor in Robe, Mumbai-based SSL Media Technology & Solutions has steadily expanded its inventory of the brand’s latest-generation moving lights, culminating in its most recent acquisition: eight iFORTE LTX FS fixtures paired with eight RoboSpot BaseStations — the first RoboSpot systems to be installed in India. The equipment was supplied by Robe’s Indian distributor, IES (Integrated Entertainment Solutions), headed by founder and owner Rasesh Parekh.

Led by CEO Ulhas Sahasrabuddhe, whose family roots in theatrical lighting stretch back to the 1970s, SSL Media Technology & Solutions has evolved into a multi-generational powerhouse, with Ulhas’s son Akshay now driving major projects as a key member of the team. And today, SSL commands the country’s largest Robe inventory, exceeding 200 fixtures from recent ranges, supplemented by a remarkable collection of legacy ColorSpot and ColorWash 575 Series units from around 2003, still operating flawlessly and deployed for parties and budget-sensitive events where dependable performance is essential. Over the past year alone, SSL has expanded its fleet of FORTES to 87 units, increased its stock of MegaPointes to 80, and added 24 more Spiiders to meet surging demand.

This robust inventory sits alongside SSL’s capabilities across lighting, video—including LED screens and projection—trussing, rigging, audio, and SFX. With one of the largest lighting and LED screen holdings in India, the company serves a broad mix of clients across events and television production.

In addition to delivering technical production for approximately 95% of the Hindi and Marathi non-fiction TV sector; SSL’s portfolio spans concerts, music festivals, major ceremonies, esports, spiritual gatherings, theatre productions, musicals, and more. Internationally, the company supports projects throughout Asia and the Middle East, providing both equipment and skilled crew for awards shows, concerts, and large-format spectacles. Alongside, the company is also a trusted partner for top-tier global touring artists performing in India—including Coldplay, Bryan Adams, Green Day, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Guns N’ Roses and Eric Prydz—where the ability to meet premium technical specifications is non-negotiable.

“We studied riders extensively, and this has been a factor driving us towards Robe right from the start” explains Ulhas. Today, SSL maintains a fleet of over 1,000 moving lights, branded and unbranded combined. On any given day, the company supplies 20 to 25 active sites for shows, rehearsals, tours, and events, with two or three typically requiring branded moving lights.

Project Manager Siddhesh Susvirkar highlights the popularity of FORTES across concerts, conferences, trade shows, and expo environments, crediting their exceptional brightness, refined gobos, and high-quality output. MegaPointes, he notes, remain one of India’s most sought-after Robe luminaires. Akshay echoes this sentiment, adding that even when international riders do not explicitly list Robe as the first choice, visiting LDs and touring teams are always pleased to work with the fixtures. He also observes growing demand for FORTES, iFORTES and RoboSpot systems, and stresses that any sub-hired Robe equipment is always accompanied by SSL’s own highly trained crew rather than dispatched as a dry hire.

SSL’s first major outing with its new RoboSpot system took place at a massive Chennai concert by Indian film and music superstar Anirudh. The lighting design was led by Bala Subramanya (Vinod) and Guru Somayaji of Bangalore-based creative studio 369 Design Lab. After an initial round of training conducted by IES, SSL’s trained specialists are now upskilling their wider operator base.

Lighting designer Sahi Jabdhav, who co-ordinates RoboSpot operations for SSL, underscores its advantages: reduced structural requirements, fewer seat kills, and a simplified, intuitive workflow that followspot operators can adopt with ease. He notes that many LDs appreciate the system’s proximity and collaboration benefits, as well as the flexibility it brings to lighting rigs—allowing fixtures to handle both followspot tasks and show lighting duties as required.

SSL’s regard for Robe remains unequivocal. Ulhas emphasises the strong partnership they share with Rasesh Parekh and the IES team—a relationship he describes as pivotal to the company’s long-term investment strategy and one that continues to shape SSL’s leadership within India’s professional entertainment technology landscape.