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Uday Shankar: The man who built Star India
MUMBAI: 31 December 2020. A chapter ended in the history of Disney Star India. According to public announcements by the mouse house, it was the last working day for chairman Uday Shankar at Star India, a company he steered – along with the Murdochs – into its arms over a decade. No announcement has been made regarding his replacement. Not much is known about where he is headed.
Mutterings have been heard in the media that he is setting up an investment fund along with other high net worth individuals (the gossip is that it is James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems) to help talented young entrepreneurs polevault their start-ups to the next level and even unicorn status. Which he might end up being very successful at as his track record has shown. Star India has had quite a few CEOs – Andrew Carnegie (general manager), Gene Swinstead, Rathikant Basu, Peter Mukerjea, Sameer Nair and then Uday. He probably has the distinction of being the longest running head of the network.
Uday himself is worth a few hundred crore (some say, the stocks he has accumulated during his tenure with 21st Century Fox over the years are valued at between $100-150 million). He has been appointed as the president of industry lobbying body Ficci – reportedly the first media and entertainment executive to be given that position. Which puts him centre stage in Indian industry – amidst some of the top businessmen and industrialists in the country – and gives him tremendous access to different ministries. His track record and public profile is enough to open many a door but the Ficci handle would really come handy.
That track record saw Star India being valued at around $17 billion in the acquisition price of $72-odd billion that Disney paid for Fox’s entertainment assets. Clearly, Uday had a big hand to play in that growth.
Uday, however, is leaving behind the company in good hands. K Madhavan is managing director Star and Disney India. He has the impeccable track record of transforming an ailing business, Asianet, in the previous decade into a hugely profitable one, which Star finally acquired. And he worked very closely with Uday to build its regional language business. President & head infotainment, kids & regional entertainment channels, Disney & Star India Kevin Vaz has seen and participated in the broadcaster’s growth curve for more than a decade in different roles. President & head English and Hindi entertainment Star India Gaurav Banerjee is a long-timer Uday has had tremendous trust in and he has delivered by keeping the network on the top of the ratings charts. Star veterans CFO Sanjay Jain and chief legal counsel Deepak Jacob and the highly respected HR head Amita Maheshwari have domestic and APAC responsibilities for The Walt Disney Co. President of TV distribution Gurjeev Singh Kapoor, India and International for Star and Disney knows the ins and outs of getting the channels into Indian and international homes, having seen the network report increased revenues year on year.
President ad sales Disney and Star India Nitin Bawankule too has tremendous pedigree with experience in companies such as Google, Dell, and Motorola.
Then there is the new hire Sunil Rayan, who is heading the OTT business in the shape of Disney+ Star India, and has had international experience leading Google Cloud for Games before hopping on board for his new challenge. Head corporate development direct to consumer business APAC, The Walt Dsiney Co Prateek Garg too has a respectable track record with experience at Ernst & Young, HSBC, Sun group and many years at Star India. Finally, Uday has left the fortunes of the studios business for both Disney and Star India in the hands of Bikram Duggal, who too has a long track record in the business.
Will the mouse house find a replacement for Uday? Or will it let the current structure continue? Probably The Walt Disney Co CEO Bob Chapek and international operations & direct to consumer chairman Rebecca Campbell know. And we will have to wait until early 2021 when Campbell said Uday’s successor would be announced.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
