Superindie group Banijay has reorganised its activities in Asia, combining Endemol Shine India and Banijay Asia under the leadership of Deepak Dhar.
Dhar has been appointed the Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India. The move follows the full buy-out of Endemol Shine India from CA Media.
Dhar led Endemol’s Indian operations between 2005 and 2018, before launching Banijay Asia and overseeing its strategic growth.
He will now continue his focus on leading the wider group’s content strategies, partnerships, new business, and alliances, in addition to building both companies’ reputations in generating new IP which can travel the world.
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Dhar will restructure Banijay’s operations in Asia, setting group-wide roles, as well as dedicated creative positions within its respective production labels. Key personnel-related news is expected to be shared in the coming few weeks.
Banijay Asia has delivered scripted adaptations such as The Night Manager, Call My Agent Bollywood, Hostages, and Fall, and originals like Dahan and Matsya Kaand. Upcoming shows include Indian reimaginations of The Good Wife Monk, House, and Suits. On the non-scripted front, Banijay titles include The Kapil Sharma Show, MTV Roadies and The Voice. The content studio’s upcoming shows include Survivor and Temptation Island.
Endemol Shine India, meanwhile, is the producer of Bigg Boss across nine regions, as well as the Indian adaptations of Fear Factor, MasterChef and Deal or No Deal. Its scripted credits include Bombay Begums, Trial By Fire and Tooth Pari. Coming up is a third season of Aarya and a Hindi adaptation of The Bridge.
Dhar said: “The reorganisation of Banijay in Asia is our biggest and boldest move yet and aligns with our ambition to drive further growth in India and Asia at-large.
Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay, said: “Deepak is a leading creative and entrepreneurial force in Asia, and in our partnership thus far, he has successfully created an impressive slate, and a host of fruitful partnerships with major buyers and partners worldwide. In this new phase for the business, he will now focus on unlocking and aligning other strategic growth avenues to put Banijay in a dominating position, both in India, as well as Asia.”
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