Non-Fiction
BBC Worldwide appoints Akhauri Sinha as the COO of Content and Production
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide India has appointed Akhauri Sinha as the COO of Content and Production. Based in Mumbai, Akhauri will report to Myleeta Aga, SVP and General Manager India and Content Head for Asia, and will oversee BBC Worldwide’s production business in the country.
Akhauri will head the production of BBC Worldwide formats and local originally developed concepts in both fiction and non-fiction genres, for the Indian market. He is also tasked to formulate and implement local development strategies to maximise commissioning opportunities within the territory.
Akhauri joins BBC Worldwide from Moving Picture Company (MPC) in Bangalore where he headed the India studio for the global visual effects giant. Prior to that, Akhauri worked with Nimbus and UTV, managing the film entertainment division and business development, respectively.
“I am very pleased to have Akhauri join the BBC Worldwide family,” said Myleeta Aga. “Akhauri has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the media industry and has managed major production and other media businesses. With him working closely with our team on the ground, I am confident that BBC Worldwide in India will continue to produce quality formats and local productions that will appeal to our growing audience.”
Last month, BBC Worldwide India was recognised at the 2013 Asian Television Awards when Disney Q Family Mastermind (India) was awarded with the Best Game/Quiz Programme. The format was adapted from the classic BBC format, Mastermind, which was revised to include families as participants. It airs on Disney Channel India.
The sixth and latest season of the Hindi version of Dancing with the Stars, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which aired on Colors, achieved its best audience figures to date – the grand finale, on 14th September 2013, pushed the show to the top of weekend programming nearly doubling the ratings from 2012. There is also a regional Bengali version of the show.
Source: BBC Worldwide India
MUMBAI: Dharma Cornerstone Agency is turning the page. The talent venture created by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Bunty Sajdeh’s Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment is being reshaped as both partners head in different directions, according to media reports.
What began as a bid to bring top-tier celebrity representation under one roof is now winding down its joint structure. With each company pursuing its own strategy in a fast-evolving talent industry, the partnership has reached its final chapter.
Reports suggest that Dharma is buying out Cornerstone’s 45 percent stake in the LLP. Once the transition is complete, Dharma is expected to hold full ownership and steer the operation entirely on its own.
The move comes at a time when celebrity and creator management is splintering into more specialised, independent models. Agencies are sharpening their focus as the entertainment economy grows more crowded and competitive.
DCA has represented a starry roster featuring Tiger Shroff, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Tripti Dimri, Aditya Roy Kapur, Neha Kakkar and Jubin Nautiyal, along with rising names including Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shanaya Kapoor. As the curtain falls on the joint venture, both Dharma and Cornerstone are expected to manage their talent stables separately.
The industry will watch closely as the two now script their next acts.
