MUMBAI: After some amount of speculation about whether Disney Star India head honcho Gaurav Banerjee would be hopping over onto Sony Pictures Networks India as big boss, today the company sent out a release confirming Banerjee (or GB as he is known) as the professional to lead SPNI on or before 26 August, pending regulatory approvals. He succeeds the extremely affable and low profile NP Singh who successfully headed the M&E major for around 25 years.
NP is slated to take on the role of non-executive chairman to support the transition until the end of the fiscal year.
Says GB: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of MD & CEO at SPNI. Under N.P. Singh's remarkable leadership, SPNI has achieved tremendous success and innovation in the entertainment industry. I am excited to lead talented teams as we explore new frontiers in original programming, enhance our viewers' experiences, drive our distribution footprint across India, and significantly boost our revenues. Together, we will set new benchmarks in entertainment and deliver exceptional value to our audiences and stakeholders.
"Adds NP: "I am immensely proud of the success and innovation SPNI has achieved. I am confident that Gaurav will elevate SPNI's impressive portfolio to new heights. His visionary approach will undoubtedly continue our legacy of excellence and creativity. I look forward to supporting him and our talented team as we further our impact in content creation, audience engagement, and digital media initiatives. And most importantly, I would like to thank the entire SPNI team for being the fulcrum of our growth and success.
"Chairman of global television studios & president & COO of Sony Pictures Entertainment Ravi Ahuja adds: "N.P. Singh's leadership has been instrumental in shaping SPNI into the powerhouse it is today. I am confident that Gaurav Banerjee, with his proven track record and visionary approach, will continue to drive SPNI's success. Gaurav's expertise in content creation and strategic leadership will undoubtedly lead SPNI into an exciting new chapter of growth and achievement. We are thrilled to have him at the helm and look forward to the continued success of SPNI under his leadership.
"More about GB
With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Gaurav Banerjee brings a wealth of experience in content creation and strategic leadership. He previously held the positions of head of content for Hindi entertainment & Disney+ Hotstar and business head for Star Bharat, Hindi & English movies, kids & infotainment, and regional (East). In these roles, Gaurav not only oversaw content curation across multiple languages but also spearheaded original series and films that resonated deeply with diverse audiences, earning him a reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking leader.
Gaurav's strategic vision and innovative approach consistently positioned top shows like Anupama, Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein, and Imlie at the forefront of viewership ratings. He was vital in producing award-winning streaming originals such as the Emmy-nominated Aarya, Special Ops, The Freelancer, and The Night Manager for Disney+ Hotstar.
Gaurav’s media journey started as an assistant producer and anchor at Aaj Tak. From there he moved to Star News, where he started producing and anchoring prime time news shows. Gaurav holds a master's degree in filmmaking and TV production from Jamia Milia Islamia University and an undergraduate in history from St Stephens, Delhi.
