MUMBAI: Manish Kalra, who led Zee5 over the past five years, first domestically and then in a global position, has abruptly stepped down from his role as chief business officer for India and global markets.

Manish had initially been given charge of the streamer's advertising video on demand product in 2020. Eight months into the job,  and he was given a bump up as Zee5's business head for the domestic market (both AVoD and SvoD), a position he held until September 2024 when Archana Anand, the global head quit, and he was given additional responsibility for her portfolio.

Zee5 had recently broadened Manish's mandate, entrusting him with overseeing the platform’s business across global markets. This role involved fostering strategic partnerships, enhancing audience engagement, and positioning Zee5 as a prominent player on the global streaming stage. Company sources confirmed Manish’s resignation, and that an internal leader has been assigned to oversee the transition. He would be serving his 90 day notice period at Zee is what sources say. 

Manish  joined Zee5 in May 2020 and brought over two decades of experience in online business and marketing. Before his time at Zee5, he held leadership roles at renowned organisations, including Amazon, MakeMyTrip, and Dell. His strategic vision and business acumen have been pivotal in steering Zee5’s growth.

An alumnus of XLRI, Jamshedpur, where he earned his MBA, Kalra also holds an engineering degree from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. His professional journey exemplifies a strong foundation in strategic planning and execution across industries.

Under Kalra’s leadership, Zee5 made significant strides in audience engagement. His efforts helped the platform cement its position as India’s homegrown streaming giant with a growing international footprint.