Media veteran and entrepreneur Dhar has been appointed group CEO of the combined entity following Banijay’s full buy-out of Endemol Shine India from CA Media.
European production group Banijay has announced the reorganising of its operations in Asia, combining Endemol Shine India and Banijay Asia under the leadership of Deepak Dhar.
The move follows the full buy-out of Endemol Shine India from CA Media, and sees media veteran and entrepreneur, Dhar, take on an overarching role. Having 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.
In line with the changes, and with the aim of unlocking greater synergies, Dhar will now finesse the structure of Banijay in Asia, setting group-wide roles, as well as dedicated creative positions within the respective production labels. Key personnel-related news is expected to be shared in the coming few weeks.
Commenting on the developments, Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India, 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. Leveraging the creative potential and possibilities of both brands, we will now strategically pursue complimentary yet independent creative portfolios to offer the most diverse, and compelling cross-genre content from all across the globe, to our Indian and Asian platforms and screens.”
Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay, added: “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.”
Dhar continued: “I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in the growth of both businesses since their inception in India; now, leading them both through the next phase of growth, is a surreal feeling. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues at Endemol Shine and Banijay Asia to continue to create path-breaking content, and having fun along the way.”
Over the last few years, Banijay Asia has delivered scripted adaptations like The Night Manager, Call My Agent Bollywood, Hostages, and Fall, and successful Originals like Dahan, Matsya Kaand, Undekhi, and Tribhanga amongst many others. The content studio’s upcoming shows include Indian reimaginations of The Good Wife Monk, House, and Suits. On the non-scripted front, Banijay is leading the genre with blockbuster titles like The Kapil Sharma Show, MTV Roadies, The Voice, The Big Picture, Into The Wild with Bear Grylls, Case Toh Banta Hai, Nach Baliye and more. The content studio’s upcoming shows include Survivor and Temptation Island.
Meanwhile, since 2005, Endemol Shine India has established a strong reputation as the leading producer of Bigg Boss across nine regions, as well as the Indian adaptations of Fear Factor, MasterChef and Deal or No Deal. On the scripted front, apart from Bombay Begums, Trial By Fire and Tooth Pari, the label has announced a third season of Aarya, and a Hindi adaptation of The Bridge (Bron/Broen).
