Sohan Roy is a man of exceptional creativity, who has proven his skills and expertise in various fields including technology, media and cinema. He has decades of experience in executing Naval Architectural Engineering and Design projects all over the world, with a Guinness Book Entry for the longest Snake boat and several other creative designs like BOTEL, Topless Ships
A Mariner of Multiple Talents
Sohan Roy is an accomplished entrepreneur, who has made his indelible mark in various spheres of life including cinema, poetry, theatre and technology. A Naval Architect by qualification, Sohan Roy today heads a vast global business empire- The Aries Group of Companies, which has more than 50 ventures under it, spread across the continents. He is also the Director of the much talked-about Hollywood movie- DAM999, which has to its credit five Oscar Selections. The longest steel snake boat-Aries Punnamada Chundan was designed by Sohan Roy and has an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. These are only a few in the endless list of exceptional achievements of this multi-talented personality.
Early Life
Sohan Roy was born in 1967 in Punalur, as the son of Krishna Sastri, who was a school headmaster. It was his mother, also a school teacher, who encouraged young Sohan to explore his diverse talents. He graduated in Naval Architecture from Cochin University of Science and Technology and started his career as a Marine Engineer in the Merchant Navy, becoming the first Naval Architect in India to join the merchant fleet. He came to the UAE in 1992 and worked as a Marine Surveyor, before launching his own venture.
Aries Group of Companies
Sohan Roy is the founder Chairman and CEO of Aries Group of Companies. He launched Aries Marine, the flagship company of Aries Group, in 1998. Today, it is the largest Ship design and consultancy firm in the Middle East and its UT Gauging Division is the World’s largest ISO 9001:2008 Certified TM firm. Aries Marine, with its headquarters in Sharjah, has branches in UAE (including in Dubai & Abu Dhabi), India, Qatar, Bahrain, China, USA, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Kuwait and in Europe. Powered by cutting-edge technology and a committed professional team of engineers and technicians, Aries Marine provides complete solutions to a wide range of needs of the Maritime industry through its various specialized divisions which offer unique services in Design Consultancy, Offshore Engineering, Hull Thickness Gauging, Non-Destructive Testing, OCTG, Load Test/ Lifting Inspection, Third Party Inspection Services, Plant Inspection, Rope Access, Marine Survey, Project Management, Yacht Interiors, Marine Software and Technical Documentation. In addition, Aries Group is also involved in Training, Media, TV, Movies, Legal Consultancy and Tourism.
Within a short span of 17 years, Aries Group has collaborated with more than 2500 national and international clients and executed more than 25000 projects successfully. Besides providing fast, economical and satisfactory services to its clients around the world, Aries Group has been constantly developing innovative ways to pave the way for some remarkable changes in the Maritime world.
One of the most innovative contributions of Aries Group to the Maritime world is Marine BizTV, which is the world’s one and only TV channel promoting maritime business. The channel, launched in 2007, exclusively serves the marine industry. The realisation that the maritime community needs a common platform to interact and broadcast their views and concerns led to the launching of the channel. Marine BizTV caters to the best medium of infotainment, thereby tracking paths for business development and promotion that bestow a new vision into the entire maritime trade. The channel is acknowledged by maritime institutes as an archive for informative materials.
The Group has also launched Medi BizTV, the first global health care TV channel dedicated to health and wellbeing. The channel serves as a tool of integration for the global healthcare sector and medium to communicate healthcare and medical information to the people across the world.
Other major ventures under Aries Group are:
Aries Vismayas Max
Aries Vismayas Max is a full service, world class post-production facility, offering a complete creative package for film and entertainment industry. Set up by the legendary Malayalam actor Mohanlal, Vismayas Max was the first ever DTS mixing studio in Kerala and now houses state-of-the-art Dolby ATMOS Mixing Studio and Davinci Resolve DI Suite.
Ariesplex
Ariesplex is a chain of advanced multiplexes, soon to be launched in all major cities across India. The first multiplex of the chain has been launched in Trivandrum, Kerala, named Ariesplex SL Cinemas, which is one of the best multiplexes in India. Ariesplex has already set the gold standard with double 4K projection, Giant DMAX Screen with length of 72 feet and a width 30 feet and latest Dolby ATMOS 64 track speakers.
Aries EPICA
Aries EPICA, headquartered in India, has now stepped into the 3D industry with all round technical support and solutions. They launched world’s first glasses-free 4K-3D TV- EPICA in October 2014 at GITEX, Dubai. The path-breaking innovation is designed to open up new vistas of viewing experience and spark revolution in the electronic Industry. EPICA is unique with the autostereoscopic 4K display and offers a magnificent resolution of 3840*2160 Pixels. The 4K display delivers the best depth performance, widest viewing angle, lowest cross – talk, and deepest black levels. These special technical features of EPICA TV help the viewer to go through a unique experience.
Companies under Aries Group
- Aries Marine & Eng Services, Sharjah, UAE
- Aries Marine L.L.C., Singapore
- Aries Network Pte. Ltd., Singapore
- Aries International Maritime Research Institute, Sharjah, U.A.E.
- Aries Marine L.L.C., Dubai, U.A.E.
- Aries International Interiors L.L.C., Dubai, U.A.E.
- Aries Testing Lab, Dubai, U.A.E.
- Aries Oil Field Services L.L.C., Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
- Medi Biz Limited, UAE
- Aries Marine L.L.C., Branch, Fujairah, U.A.E.
- Aries Testing Lab, Fujairah, U.A.E.
- BizTV Network FZE, Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E.
- Aries International Interiors L.L.C RAK Branch, Ras Al Khaimah
- Aries International Trading & Tech Services Co. Ltd, Shanghai, China
- Biz Events Management, Dubai, U.A.E
- Aries International Maritime Research Institute, Kochi, India
- Aries Marine & Engineering Services, Kochi, India
- Aries Creations, Kochi, India
- Aries e-Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, India
- Aries Tourism, Kochi, India
- Aries Legal Cell, Kochi, India
- Aries Telecasting Pvt. Ltd., Kochi, India
- Aries Interiors & Architects, Kochi, India
- Biz 2 Legal Solutions Private Limited, Kochi, India
- Aries Overseas Services, Kochi, India
- Aries Marine & Engineering, Kochi, India
- Aries EPICA Electronics Trading L.L.C, Dubai
- Aries Rope Access Specialist Centre, Kochi, India
- Aries Vismayas Max Entertainments Private Limited, Kerala, India.
- Aries Plex Private Limited,Cochin, India
- EPICA Studio Private Limited, Trivandrum, India
- Aries Marine & Engg. Services, Goa, India
- Aries Marine & Engg. Services, Mumbai, India
- MediBiz Solutions Pvt. Ltd., India
- Aries Offshore Inc., Houston, U.S.A.
- Aries Marine Co. L.L.C., Doha, Qatar
- Aries Marine S.P.C, Bahrain
- Aries Marine M.M.C, Azerbaijan
- Aries Global.Co.L.L.C, Muscat Oman
- GJ Entertainments, Kochi, India
- Aries Marine & Engg. Services SDN Bhd, Malaysia
- Aries Marine & Engg. Services, Punalur, Kerala
- EPICA Media, UK
- EPICA Media, Italy
- Aries Kuwait General Trading & Contracting Co., Kuwait
Aries International Maritime Research Institute
Sohan Roy is the concept creator to introduce Innovative Technology with Visual Media Training in Maritime sector with his own venture ‘Aries International Maritime Research Institute’ (First i-University in Maritime field). AIMRI has also launched a research initiative to offer Industrial Doctorate Programmes for the pioneers and innovators in the Maritime sector. The first research project of AIMRI has launched TIME software for the Efficiency improvement in workplace.
A Man of Creativity
Sohan Roy is a man of exceptional creativity, who has proven his skills and expertise in various fields including technology, media and cinema. He has decades of experience in executing Naval Architectural Engineering and Design projects all over the world, with a Guinness Book Entry for the longest Snake boat and several other creative designs like BOTEL, Topless Ships etc.
Sohan Roy is the concept creator and Naval Architect of Aries Punnamada Chundan, the largest steel snake boat in the world. The snake boat boasts a length of 144 ft and can accommodate up to 141 rowers. This boat has found place in Guinness Book of World Records, Limca Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.Sohan Roy is also the concept creator and Naval Architect of Safe BOTEL, a scientifically designed, unsinkable steel houseboat, which converges safety with luxury. BOTEL is an indigenous houseboat with an unusual facet including great interiors and ecofriendly features. It is the first scientifically designed unsinkable houseboat in India, made of steel and with unique features and was nominated for the Seatrade Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the Maritime Industry. These two wonderful innovations of Sohan Roy have already become major attractions for tourists visiting Alappuzha. Sohan Roy is currently working on the Topless Ship Concept Development Project as its Creative Head with research in patenting the design.
Even while pursuing a successful career as a mariner and entrepreneur, Sohan Roy has always kept his passion for cinema alive. He has earned diploma in Film Direction and Production from Hollywood. ‘DAM999′, his debut Hollywood venture as director, triggered worldwide debates and rethinking on dam safety and its ecological impact. The movie was shortlisted for the Oscars and its script, written by him, has been selected by the Oscar Library to its permanent core collection. Sohan Roy’s documentary ‘DAMs – the Lethal Water Bombs?’ has won 23 international awards. He has also written lyrics for the songs of a Malayalam movie named ‘Vacation’.
Sohan Roy has to his credit six international technical paper presentations and 25 fully developed creative research products.
Honours and achievements
Sohan Roy has been ranked among the Forbes Top 50 Indian Leaders in the Arab World. The movie DAM999, directed by him won Oscar selections in three categories – Original Song (3 songs), Original Score, and Best Picture, in 2011. The other honours he received include Global Indian of the Year 2014 Award, Sevachakra Puraskar/ Shining Image of India Award 2014 by All India Economy Survey Award Council, Super Quality Crown Award for Aries Group from All India Economic Survey Award Council, Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award 2013 for outstanding contribution towards industry and society as a whole, Indira Gandhi Sadbhavana Award 2013, K R Narayanan Foundation Award for the Year 2011, the first MAST Excellency Award from MAST- Middle East Alumni of Ship Technology, UAE, and Excellence Award by Dubai Shipping Agents Association for the contribution towards Maritime service. Sohan Roy has been selected as one of the top business leaders from Kerala in GCC- Book of Achievers 2009 and Newage Icon of the Year 2011. In 2011, he was voted among the top 25 NRI leaders by NRI Power Podium.
Sohan Roy is the concept creator and Naval Architect of Aries Punnamada Chundan, the largest steel snake boat in the world. The snake boat boasts a length of 144 ft and can accommodate up to 141 rowers. This boat has found place in Guinness Book of World Records, Limca Book of Records and Asia Book of Records.
Sohan Roy has published articles in International Marine Journals namely, Marine World, Arabian Yachts, Shipstechnic, etc. He is also an expert faculty at several premier educational institutions including IIM and a consultant for more than 700 companies in the world.
Sohan Roy has held many important positions including being the concept creator and organizer of ‘International Maritime Awards’- an exclusive award ceremony for the Marine community, President of Middle East Alumni of Ship Technology, moderator of various prospects of Indian Shipbuilding Industry at APM, creative Head of the Publications – VOYAGE and Waves, creative Head of Marine BizTV, concept creator of Digi Booth- the first digital exhibition booth, president of Maritime Film Society, and organizing Head of Maritime Film Festival – Ocean Blue.
He is president of the International Maritime Club (IMC), which is the largest club of maritime associations and organizations worldwide; and Vice-President of WMC (World Medical Council), a forum designed for the continuous and conscious development of medical industry. He was also the organizer and concept creator of ShipTek, the annual flagship event of Marine BizTV that opens up various possibilities for the Maritime industry.
Charitable activities
Aries Group undertakes various charitable and social welfare activities as part of Corporate Social Responsibility. The Group has made significant contributions towards the rehabilitation of the victims of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami across the world. They have adopted 10 Ekal Schools in India to provide free education for students from remote villages and have introduced Aries Educational Scholarship. Besides, Sohan Roy heads the charity drive through IMC for the welfare of the families of mariners who are under the custody of Somalian pirates. In recognition of these efforts, Aries Group has been awarded the 2015 Middle East Oil & Gas awards for Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year.
Family
Sohan Roy is married to Abhini, an exemplary interior designer, a gifted dancer and a quality artiste who also teaches classical dance, art and craft. The couple is blessed with two beautiful and talented twin daughters- Nivedya and Nirmalya. Both of them are gifted dancers, trained in classical dance and Russian Ballet. They have composed a music album all by themselves. Currently, they are pursuing Masters Program in Naval Architecture at University of Southampton, UK.
