Banerjee used to be the Head of Content for Disney+ Hotstar and Hindi Entertainment. Image: The LinkedIn profile of Gaurav Banerjee
Gaurav Banerjee, a former Disney employee, has been named as the Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India. The appointment will take effect on August 26 at the latest, subject to regulatory approvals.
After a 25-year career, NP Singh will take on the role of Non-Executive Chairman, and Banerjee will succeed him, according to a statement from Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI).
Singh will help the transition through the end of the fiscal year, taking on the new post only once Banerjee assumes leadership.
“NP Singh’s leadership has played a crucial role in transforming SPNI into the modern-day superpower. With his demonstrated track record and forward-thinking style, I have no doubt that Gaurav Banerjee will keep driving SPNI’s success,” stated Ravi Ahuja, President & COO of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Chairman of Global Television Studios.
According to the announcement, Banerjee has held the roles of Business Head for Star Bharat, Hindi & English Movies, Kids & Infotainment, and Regional (East) in addition to Head of Content for Hindi Entertainment & Disney+ Hotstar.
His media career began at Aaj Tak where he worked as an assistant producer and anchor. Later, he moved to Star News, where he produced and anchors prime-time news programmes.
Banerjee holds an undergraduate degree in history from St. Stephens, Delhi, and a master’s degree in filmmaking and TV production from Jamia Millia Islamia University, according to the corporation.
Singh made his plan to move on public last month, and Banerjee was appointed in response.
Singh had said that he is “ready to focus on social change and shift from operational roles to advisory ones” during a career spanning nearly 44 years.
Prior to cancelling the USD 10 billion transaction in January of this year, the Japanese parent company of SPNI had pushed for Singh to be the head of the combined company that would be created following the company’s merger with Zed Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) in India.
The agreement, which was first announced more than two years ago, fell through due to ZEEL’s inability to meet closing requirements even after a month-long deadline extension and a deadlock over who would run the combined company.