Sony Pictures Networks India announced the appointment of former Disney executive Gaurav Banerjee as its Managing Director and CEO, effective on or before August 26, pending regulatory approvals. Banerjee will succeed NP Singh, who will move into the role of Non-Executive Chairman after a 25-year tenure. Singh will transition to the new role after Banerjee takes charge, to support the transition through the end of the fiscal year.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios and President & COO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, expressed confidence in Banerjee’s ability to drive SPNI’s success, citing his proven track record and visionary approach.
Banerjee’s previous experience includes roles such as Head of Content for Hindi Entertainment & Disney+ Hotstar and Business Head for Star Bharat, Hindi & English Movies, Kids & Infotainment, and Regional (East). He began his media career as an assistant producer and anchor at Aaj Tak and later moved to Star News, where he started producing and anchoring prime time news shows.
Banerjee holds a master’s degree in filmmaking and TV production from Jamia Millia Islamia University and an undergraduate degree in history from St. Stephens, Delhi.
The appointment of Banerjee follows Singh’s decision to step down, which was announced last month. Singh expressed his readiness to focus on social change and shift from operational roles to advisory ones, after nearly 44 years in his career.
The deal for the merged entity proposed to be formed after amalgamation with India’s Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) was called off in January this year. The deal, announced more than two years ago, collapsed following a stalemate over who would lead the merged entity and failure to meet closing conditions by ZEEL despite a month’s extension of the deadline.