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Ajit Andhare

Ajit Andhare (born July 11, 1973) is an media executive, entrepreneur, and known for his leadership in content production and within the entertainment industry. Currently, he serves as the and head of the combined studio business at JioStar, the between Limited, Media, and , overseeing production and efforts for films and . Andhare began his professional career in 1995 as a management trainee at Unilever India, where he worked across various sectors including beverages, feeds, detergents, and hair care, eventually rising to Regional Activation Director for Unilever Thailand in the Asia Pacific region by 2006. In 2007, he founded Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd., a content development and production company, where he served as CEO and produced landmark television shows such as MTV Roadies, Splitsvilla, MasterChef India, and Jai Shri Krishna for broadcasters including MTV, Star Plus, and Zee TV. In April 2013, Andhare joined Viacom18 Motion Pictures as Chief Operating Officer, a role he held for over a decade, expanding the studio's portfolio in new-age Indian cinema and contributing to the production of major Bollywood films including Padmaavat (2018), Drishyam 2 (2022), and Fighter (2024). Under his leadership at Viacom18 Studios, the company became one of India's premier full-service film studios, focusing on innovative storytelling and commercial successes. With an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Andhare has emphasized creativity and strategic decision-making throughout his career in the fast-evolving media and entertainment sector.

Early life and education

Early life

Ajit Andhare was born on July 11, . Andhare is married and the father of two s, with whom he prioritizes spending , such as sharing and assisting with their morning routines. His family life reflects a balance between demanding professional commitments and personal values centered on creativity and presence, as evidenced by the near-simultaneous arrival of his younger and the founding of his venture in the mid-2000s. From his formative years, Andhare emerged as a mythology and history buff, drawing inspiration from these subjects during personal and professional challenges. A trained tabla player, he also developed a deep affinity for music, often playing unplugged Bollywood numbers from the 1960s on the piano as a music aficionado. His reading habits further underscored this interest, focusing on historical fiction to gain perspective on resilience, such as stories of emperors overcoming adversity, which helped him reflect on his own beginnings when facing difficulties. Additionally, Andhare enjoys vintage Bollywood tunes by artists like Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi, using them for relaxation amid a busy schedule. These early personal interests in , mythology, and music laid the foundation for Andhare's transition into formal , where he pursued studies aligned with his analytical and creative inclinations.

Education

Ajit Andhare completed his (B.Tech) in from the (NIT), . This undergraduate program equipped him with a strong foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving methodologies inherent to engineering disciplines. Following his engineering degree, Andhare pursued a (MBA) with a focus on and Technology from the (ISB) in , where he was part of the institution's founding class in 2001. The MBA program honed his business acumen, bridging his technical expertise with strategic management skills essential for the media and entertainment sector. Andhare's background significantly influenced his later endeavors by fostering a structured, problem-solving that emphasized execution and in and roles. This analytical approach, developed through rigorous technical training, enabled him to apply systematic methodologies to creative content development and business strategy. His personal interests in and , cultivated alongside his studies, further complemented his academic pursuits by enriching his narrative and cultural perspectives.

Professional career

Early career in marketing

Ajit Andhare began his professional career at Limited (HUL), a of , where he spent the first 12 years building expertise in and across various Unilever units, including . His roles encompassed sales, general , and functions, starting with foundational positions that involved operational oversight before transitioning into core responsibilities. Over this period, Andhare progressed from roles such as Senior Sales Area and Customer Manager to Senior Brand Manager, and ultimately to Regional Brand Activation Director for the region, focusing on categories like , detergents, and animal feeds. In these positions, he led plans, product launches, and regional activation initiatives, such as campaigns that integrated consumer engagement with innovative strategies. For instance, he conceptualized award-winning campaigns that emphasized in everyday challenges, drawing from collaborations with teams to infuse fresh ideas into brand promotions. These experiences at HUL honed Andhare's skills in consumer insights and branding, enabling him to derive creative solutions from data-driven and regional consumer behaviors, which proved foundational for his subsequent ventures. His engineering background and MBA from the facilitated this entry into marketing, bridging technical acumen with strategic business thinking.

Founding Colosceum Media

In 2007, Ajit Andhare transitioned from a corporate to by founding Colosceum Media Pvt. Ltd., a content development and specializing in television programming. As the founder and CEO, Andhare emphasized an idea-driven approach, drawing on his prior experience in creative to conceptualize and produce content across diverse genres, including and fiction shows. This venture was backed by from Network18's arm, Capital18, which invested less than ₹10 in 2008 for a majority stake, providing the financial foundation for operations. Andhare's inspirations stemmed from his marketing background, where brainstorming sessions and exposure to Western production models like fostered a passion for collaborative ideation in media. He named the company after the to symbolize a grand arena for innovation, reflecting his personal drive to create engaging narratives. Early challenges included competing against established players in a TRP-driven , navigating shifting preferences, and securing initial recognition for projects, often undervalued by major channels. Despite these hurdles, Andhare's hands-on involvement in brainstorming and production helped establish Colosceum as a notable entrant in India's media landscape. By leveraging business acumen from his decade-plus in marketing at firms like , Andhare grew Colosceum into a Rs 52-crore enterprise within a few years, marking a successful pivot to production. The company's focus on innovative, platform-agnostic content laid the groundwork for its expansion into television successes, solidifying Andhare's reputation as a creative entrepreneur.

Executive roles at Viacom18

In April 2013, Ajit Andhare was appointed as the (COO) of Motion Pictures, where he took responsibility for driving the growth and profitability of the company's film business, including production and distribution activities. In this role, he reported directly to the CEO of Media and focused on expanding the studio's portfolio in domestic Indian cinema. By September 2018, Andhare's responsibilities expanded to of , overseeing the full-service operations of the studio, which encompassed production, marketing, and distribution across multiple formats. Under his leadership, positioned itself as a key player in new-age Indian cinema, emphasizing content-driven storytelling that blended commercial appeal with artistic innovation. Andhare provided strategic oversight for brand management of major releases, ensuring cohesive strategies that enhanced audience engagement and market positioning for Viacom18's films. His tenure marked significant achievements, including the studio securing five for Best Film within six years—for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), (2014), (2015), Dhh (2018), and Andhadhun (2019)—along with additional honors for films like in categories such as Best Choreography and Best Music Direction.

Leadership at JioStar

In November 2024, Ajit Andhare was appointed as and to head the combined studio business at JioStar, leveraging his prior experience as at . JioStar emerged from the merger of and Star India, forming a controlled by Limited (RIL), with ownership structured as 16.34% directly by RIL, 46.82% through , and 36.84% by . This entity, valued at approximately $8.5 billion with combined annual revenues of around Rs 26,000 as of the fiscal year ending March 2024, integrates television , digital streaming platforms like and , and content production arms. In his role, Andhare is tasked with integrating the film and content production operations from both and Disney's Indian studios, while leading efforts to streamline production and distribution across JioStar's entertainment portfolio. This involves overseeing the development, greenlighting, and global syndication of content, drawing on the merged entity's resources to enhance creative output and market reach. Andhare's leadership positions JioStar to reshape the media landscape by consolidating disparate content ecosystems into a unified powerhouse, fostering in and distribution amid the shift toward consumption. The venture's scale enables greater investment in original IP and international collaborations, potentially intensifying competition and driving industry-wide efficiencies.

Notable productions and achievements

Television productions

Through Colosceum Media, which Ajit Andhare founded in 2007 as a production company, he spearheaded the creation of several influential television programs spanning reality, mythological fiction, and adapted international formats, emphasizing innovative storytelling for diverse Indian audiences. These productions, totaling over a dozen shows across non-fiction and fiction genres, showcased Colosceum's agility in partnering with major broadcasters like , Colors, and Star Plus to deliver high-impact . One of Andhare's landmark contributions was the production of , a high-stakes adventure reality show that became MTV India's biggest cult property, captivating young viewers with its intense challenges and auditions format. Colosceum handled production starting from season 8, incorporating global elements like shoots in to enhance the show's adventurous appeal and youth engagement. The series' success established Colosceum's expertise in programming, blending with aspirational themes that resonated widely among India's urban youth demographic. Building on this momentum, Andhare produced , a romance and that introduced a unique elimination-based format inspired by interpersonal dynamics, quickly evolving into MTV's second major cult hit by its fourth season in 2010. Filmed in exotic locations such as , the show emphasized emotional narratives and couple competitions, significantly influencing youth-oriented entertainment by promoting themes of relationships and choice in a culturally adaptive manner. Its sustained popularity underscored Colosceum's creative prowess in crafting relatable, drama-driven content that drove viewer loyalty and longevity. In the realm of , Jai Shri Krishna, a mythological series aired on , marked Andhare's successful foray into scripted content, depicting the life of Lord Krishna with a focus on devotional storytelling and family values. Produced shortly after Splitsvilla, the show achieved substantial viewership as a slot leader, demonstrating Colosceum's versatility in transitioning from reality to epic narratives that appealed to a broad, intergenerational audience in . This production highlighted Andhare's strategic emphasis on culturally resonant , contributing to the genre's resurgence on Indian television. Andhare also adapted the international MasterChef format for Indian audiences through MasterChef India on Star Plus, localizing cooking challenges to incorporate regional cuisines and home-style techniques while featuring host to infuse action-hero energy. As one of India's top-rated cooking reality shows, it bridged global standards with local flavors, such as pressure-cooker tasks mirroring everyday Indian kitchens, to engage aspiring home cooks and food enthusiasts nationwide. This project exemplified Colosceum's role in international format localization, fostering culinary creativity and expanding entertainment beyond traditional boundaries.

Film productions and studio awards

Under Ajit Andhare's leadership as and later CEO of Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the studio co-produced several critically acclaimed and commercially successful Hindi films, including Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), (2014), (2018), and (2018). Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biographical sports drama directed by and starring , grossed ₹109.18 crore nett in , marking a super hit that celebrated the life of athlete and earned widespread praise for its portrayal of perseverance. Queen, directed by and featuring , became a surprise hit with ₹95 crore worldwide gross, lauded for its empowering narrative of a woman's solo honeymoon and self-discovery. Padmaavat, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic historical drama starring , , and , achieved blockbuster status with ₹572 crore worldwide, despite controversies, for its grand visuals and performances. Andhadhun, a directed by and led by , collected ₹458 crore globally, noted for its twists and suspense while becoming a critical darling. These productions underscored Viacom18's focus on diverse, high-impact storytelling under Andhare's oversight, blending commercial viability with artistic merit. Later successes included (2022), a crime thriller sequel directed by and starring , which grossed over ₹350 crore worldwide as of 2023, praised for its suspenseful narrative and strong performances, reinforcing the franchise's popularity. (2024), an aerial action film directed by featuring and , earned over ₹350 crore worldwide, noted for its high-octane visuals and tribute to the . Viacom18 Studios, during Andhare's tenure, amassed five National Film Awards for Best Film over six years, including Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, 2014), Queen (Best Hindi Film, 2015), Mary Kom (Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, 2015), Dhh (Best Children's Film, 2018), and Andhadhun (Best Hindi Film, 2019). Padmaavat secured additional honors at the 66th National Film Awards (2019), winning Best Choreography for "Ghoomar," Best Music Direction for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Best Male Playback Singer for Arijit Singh's "Binte Dil." The studio's films also triumphed at the 11th Mirchi Music Awards in 2019, where Padmaavat claimed Album of the Year, Song of the Year for "Ghoomar," and Male Vocalist of the Year for Arijit Singh, highlighting the soundtrack's cultural resonance.

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