Hindi
Former SPNI head honcho Neeraj Vyas joins Vinod Bhanushali as his studio’s CEO
MUMBAI: When Neeraj Vyas put in his papers at Sony Pictures Networks India mid-last year, speculation was running high where the veteran broadcaster who built Sony Sab into a successful brand would be headed. Well, we know now – to Bhanushali Studios Ltd (BSL) as its CEO. The announcement was made a short while ago by Vinod himself on linkedin.
Said Vinod: “ With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Neeraj brings visionary leadership and a passion for innovation. We look forward to harnessing his expertise, creativity, and strategic vision to drive growth, amplify creativity, and propel the studio to new heights. Here’s to a bright and inspiring future ahead.”
Vinod, has in recent times, been displaying lots of chutzpah, after leaving T-Series around four years ago. Amongst his most recent partnerships was his taking equity in Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films along with former Ksera Sera boss Parag Sanghvi. BSL has been the production house behind titles such as Janhit Mein Jaari, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, Main Atal Hoon and Bhaiyya Ji.
Hindi
YRF Entertainment appoints Saugata Mukherjee as head of content
Former SonyLIV content head to steer films and series at streaming arm
MUMBAI: YRF Entertainment, the streaming arm of Yash Raj Films, has appointed Saugata Mukherjee as head of content, signalling a strong push to scale its original films and series slate.
Mukherjee joins the company following a successful three-and-a-half-year stint at SonyLIV, where he served as executive vice president and head of content. In his new role, he will report to CEO Akshaye Widhani and lead the creative direction and commissioning strategy for YRF Entertainment’s growing slate.
The appointment comes on the back of YRF Entertainment’s recent global success with titles such as The Romantics, The Railway Men and Mandala Murders, which have helped position the studio as a serious player in the streaming space.
At SonyLIV, Mukherjee played a key role in shaping the platform’s identity as a premium content destination. Under his leadership, the service delivered acclaimed originals across genres, building a reputation for storytelling depth and creative risk-taking. His exit was described as “one of the harder goodbyes”, reflecting both the impact of his tenure and the strength of the team he leaves behind.
Mukherjee brings with him a wide-ranging career that spans publishing, television and streaming. Before SonyLIV, he led content initiatives at HBO Max under Warner Bros. Discovery, where he was instrumental in shaping the platform’s India strategy. His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at Hotstar and Star TV, where he worked on building original content pipelines and collaborating with top creative talent.
With a career that began in publishing at firms like HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan, Mukherjee’s journey reflects a deep-rooted understanding of storytelling across formats and platforms.
His move to YRF Entertainment comes at a time when the battle for streaming audiences is intensifying, with studios doubling down on high-quality originals to stand out in a crowded market.
For YRF, the appointment is more than just a leadership hire. It is a clear signal that the studio is ready to scale its streaming ambitions, with Mukherjee expected to play a central role in shaping its next chapter.
