Brands
Varun Shah takes on global creative transformation lead role at Publicis Production
India lead expands remit to steer global production and scaled craft
MUMBAI: Varun Shah is adding a global brief to his growing remit at Publicis Production, stepping into the role of global creative transformation lead while continuing to helm responsibilities in India.
In his new position, Shah will focus on driving the next phase of production transformation, blending creativity, creators and technology to deliver work at scale. His mandate spans key markets including the US, UK and France, with delivery hubs across Canada, Colombia, Budapest and India.
Shah currently serves as managing partner at Publicis Production in India, where he leads the production centre of excellence across brands, aimed at unlocking the full power of the group’s capabilities in the market.
With over a decade in production and content, Shah’s journey has moved fluidly between advertising and cinema. Before his current stint, he held multiple leadership roles at Prodigious Worldwide, including managing partner and head of prodigious and content factory india, as well as executive vice president and senior vice president roles leading prodigious india.
His earlier innings saw him as executive producer at Dharma Productions, where he worked on the company’s foray into branded and digital content through its Dharma 2.0 initiative.
Shah’s foundation in storytelling was laid in independent cinema. He produced the critically noted Tu Hai Mera Sunday, which travelled to international festivals including the BFI London Film Festival and the Mumbai Film Festival.
From co-producing projects in New York to building production pipelines in India, Shah’s career has been shaped by a cross-border perspective. That global lens now sits at the heart of his new role, as Publicis Production looks to scale craft and creativity in an increasingly tech-led content ecosystem.
Brands
JP Morgan names Rahul Badhwar as senior country officer for India
HSBC veteran to drive growth and strategy as US bank strengthens India presence
MUMBAI: JP Morgan has appointed Rahul Badhwar as its senior country officer for India, signalling a renewed push in one of Asia Pacific’s most critical markets.
Badhwar, who joins from UK-based HSBC, brings three decades of experience in sales and trading, most recently serving as global head of corporate sales for markets and securities services in London. His career spans stints in India, Dubai and Hong Kong, giving him a strong international perspective.
He will replace Kaustubh Kulkarni, who left JP Morgan in September 2025 to join rival Citigroup. Badhwar will be based in Mumbai from July, report to Leenart, and join JP Morgan’s Asia Pacific Management Committee.
According to an internal memo reviewed by PTI, Badhwar’s responsibilities include expanding the bank’s full suite of offerings to clients, strengthening governance and controls, and supporting talent development and community initiatives.
JP Morgan operates across trade solutions, investment banking, and equity capital markets in India, employing more than 55,000 people nationwide. Badhwar’s appointment is expected to reinforce the bank’s strategy and growth ambitions in a market critical to its Asia Pacific operations.
