Film Production
Edstead brings in storytelling sorceress Charu Budhiraja to supercharge business mojo
MUMBAI: In the boardroom of content creation, few wield the narrative wand like Charu Budhiraja. Known for turning brand briefs into blockbuster ideas, she’s now swapped the corporate corridors of Warner Bros. Discovery for the storytelling stronghold of Edstead. As of 2 April 2025, Budhiraja officially steps in as chief business officer at the research-led documentary studio with a cause.
With decades of experience (and probably a few dusty awards by now), Budhiraja brings a lethal mix of creativity and commercial sense. From crafting campaigns that hit you right in the feels to plotting partnerships that print money, her career reads like a masterclass in modern media hustle.
She now aims to channel that magic into Edstead’s next act. The mission? Turn powerful, purpose-led storytelling into big business. And she’s not just here to play nice. Expect brand partnerships, content alliances, and revenue blueprints as bold as the stories Edstead wants to tell.
“Edstead stands for storytelling with purpose—stories that challenge perspectives, ignite conversations, and create real impact. In today’s media landscape, authenticity and depth matter more than ever, and Edstead has built a strong foundation in this space. I’m excited to build on that momentum, foster strategic partnerships, and help scale Edstead’s reach while staying true to its mission,” said Budhiraja.
Edstead’s founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee rolled out the welcome mat, saying, “Edstead is driven by the belief that powerful stories can inspire change. Charu’s expertise in branded content and content strategy will be instrumental in amplifying our impact and expanding our reach. Her ability to bridge creativity with business strategy makes her the perfect partner as we take Edstead into its next phase of growth.”
Before this appointment, Budhiraja held the creative head position at Warner Bros. Discovery, leading award-winning content across themes like travel, lifestyle, education, and culture. She has also worked across Discovery, Ogilvy, Creativeland Asia, and JWT, bridging storytelling with marketing like it was child’s play. Her fingerprints are on some of India’s most iconic brand narratives.
With Budhiraja now in the driver’s seat, Edstead looks set to scale up its storytelling superpower, turning brains and budgets toward purpose-driven content that isn’t just good-looking but does good, too.
Film Production
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs under new chief executive
The entertainment giant’s freshly installed boss inherits a restructuring already in motion, with marketing and corporate roles bearing the brunt
CALIFORNIA: Walt Disney is preparing to slash up to 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported, as the entertainment giant’s freshly installed chief executive moves swiftly to trim fat and tighten the ship.
The cuts, less than 1 per cent of Disney’s global workforce of 231,000, will fall hardest on marketing and corporate roles. The planning, notably, began before D’Amaro formally took the top job in March, suggesting the new boss inherited a restructuring already in motion rather than one of his own making.
Driving the push is Asad Ayaz, Disney’s newly appointed chief marketing officer, who in January assumed command of a unified, company-wide marketing operation spanning film, television and streaming. His consolidation drive has been given a suitably cinematic internal name: Project Imagine.
The move is modest by Disney’s recent standards. Between 2023 and 2025, under former chief executive Bob Iger, the company eliminated roughly 8,000 positions across several brutal rounds of cuts, saving $7.5 billion, comfortably exceeding its own targets. As recently as June 2025, several hundred more jobs were axed across Disney Entertainment, hitting film and television marketing, publicity, casting, development and corporate finance.
Disney’s structural headaches are well-documented: shrinking streaming margins, a weakened box office, and fierce competition from Amazon and YouTube gnawing at its flanks. The company is merging its Disney+ and Hulu teams into a single app, has brought in consultants from Bain & Co to guide its broader cost strategy, and is betting heavily on digital growth.
The wider entertainment industry offers little comfort. Sony Pictures, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have all taken the knife to their workforces in recent years, and further cuts loom if Paramount’s acquisition of Warner goes through.
For D’Amaro, the message is clear: there will be no honeymoon period. The magic kingdom still has some cost-cutting spells left to cast.
