Balaji Telefilms Ltd, a Mumbai-based film and television production house, has appointed former chief executive of NDTV Imagine Sameer Nair as Group CEO, the company said in a stock market disclosure. His appointment is effective from July 15, 2014.
Nair, who started his TV career in 1994 as a director-producer for Star Movies, made his name as chief of Star Network where he served as COO and CEO over a period of time. In his role as programming chief in Star TV, he was responsible for revamping the network and launching the combination of quiz show KBC besides the Balaji daily soaps on Star Plus in 2000.
He later moved to join NDTV's new joint venture with Karan Johar's Dharma Productions as CEO. He was involved in launching the channel NDTV Imagine in November 2007. However, the channel didn’t do well and closed in 2012.
Since then, Nair has been working as an independent media entrepreneur and also joined Aam Aadmi Party last year.
"Sameer brings with him immense and diverse experience in the media and entertainment industry and an acknowledged record of content innovation, business leadership besides being an excellent resource unifier,” said Shobha Kapoor, MD of Balaji Telefilms.
Nair said, "I have enjoyed a wonderful association with the Kapoor family since 2000 following the launch of the hugely successful 'K-series' on Star Plus and later with their shows on Imagine.”
"Given BTL's several strengths as a business, it is very well poised to capitalise on emerging growth prospects. I look forward to working together with Ekta, Shobhaji and the team, in driving strategic initiatives, furthering the Group's vision of being regarded as an innovative entertainment powerhouse and enhancing value for all stakeholders," he further added.
Balaji Telefilms is one of the top listed television content and movie production company, and has produced more than 15,000 hours of content including in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam since its inception in 1994.
(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)
