Animation veteran Jayakumar exits Toonz after 26 years at the helm

MUMBAI:  P Jayakumar is calling time on his quarter-century run as chief executive of Toonz Media Group. The animation veteran will step down on 30 November, closing the book on a 26-year stint that transformed a scrappy Indian startup into a global entertainment operation.

Under Jayakumar’s watch, Toonz sprawled across continents, planting studios in Ireland, Spain and New Zealand whilst keeping roots firmly in India. The company churned out content that found its way onto screens worldwide, cementing its place in the kids and family entertainment pecking order.

“Leading Toonz has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life,” said Jayakumar. “What began as a dream shared by a small, passionate team has today grown into a global powerhouse of creativity and storytelling.”

But this isn’t quite farewell. Jayakumar hints at a new venture on the horizon—something that will keep him elbow-deep in the global entertainment game. “I will always remain emotionally connected to Toonz,” he added.
The handover has been months in the making. Jayakumar worked closely with Viswanath Rao, the group’s acting chief executive, and Karthik V Kumar, recently named finance director and board member of Toonz Animation India, to ensure the transition doesn’t skip a beat.

After 26 years steering the ship, Jayakumar is jumping overboard—but don’t expect him to drift far from shore.