Disney India names new chief in reshuffle

The Walt Disney Company India has a new chief, a move that comes after the exit of former managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur.

Abhishek Maheshwari, who has been with the Mouse House since 2012, will now lead all Disney businesses in India.

He will report to Mahesh Samat, who recently returned to Disney after four years to replace Kapur as executive VP and MD of Walt Disney India for South Asia.

Disney recently merged its South Asian operations under Samat, comprising India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Maheshwari is already overseeing Disney’s channels in India after being handed the portfolio in April this year.

At that point, he was VP and head of corporate strategy and business development, and oversaw consumer products.

“Together, our team will focus on bringing the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars and our home grown brands of Hungama, Bindass and UTV to Indian audiences and provide great consumer experiences across all our businesses,” said Maheshwari.

This week it emerged Disney has been in talks to acquire the entertainment assets of 21^st Century Fox.