SANJAY GUPTA IS E4M INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR 2019
President, Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman of Star & Disney India
‘Sanjay is by far the best leader in the Indian M&E industry’
Sanjay is by far the best executive and leader that the Indian media and entertainment industry has currently got. But when it comes to Star, I don’t think Sanjay gets enough credit for what he has done. Most of what I have achieved today, would have been impossible without Sanjay. The only way I can describe him and our relationship is like two batsmen playing together at two different ends, and they’ve had a great partnership over these long years.
CEO, IPG Mediabrands India
‘Sanjay has always done breakthrough work in the industry’
Sanjay has repeatedly done breakthrough work and always taken forward-looking steps. I really thought getting into IPL, both Hotstar and TV broadcast; was a big, bold, gutsy move.
CEO, Board of Control for Cricket in India
‘I am proud to be known as one of Sanjay’s friends’
The BCCI and Star India have an extremely strong relationship, and Sanjay is one of the pillars of that relationship. We are proud of our association with him and I am personally proud to be known as one of Sanjay’s friends.
Film-maker, Dharma Productions
‘Sanjay will play an integral role in the Star-Disney alliance’
Heartfelt congratulations to Sanjay Gupta on winning this most deserving ‘Influencer of the Year’ award. I have known Sanjay for many years and we’ve had a very successful and lucrative relationship. Sanjay is going to play an integral role in the Star-Disney alliance, where these two power houses come together, and he will of course be the fulcrum of that association.
‘In a world of dramatic changes, either we disrupt ourselves or others will disrupt us’
Most people think of Star as the country’s largest broadcaster. Some associate us with our streaming service, Hotstar. Others talk about our films and studios business. However, I believe we are in the business of telling stories. I feel I am blessed to be in a business where with our stories, we have the power to challenge status quo, make people think about relevant social issues, encourage them to be agents of change and above all inspire a billion imaginations.
We have always believed that legacy is limiting, and disruption is liberating and enriching. Who would have thought that in a nation obsessed with cricket, a ‘rustic’ and rural sport like kabaddi could capture the imagination of millions of people? But Pro Kabaddi League did just that by becoming the second most watched sports content in the country. Even we did not imagine that in a country where smartphones were limited and data was expensive, 300 million fans in a month would come to Hotstar and enjoy their favourite game of IPL or World Cup; and Hotstar has been around only for four years.
The thoughts that string together all such bold moves is our desire to challenge the status quo. We believe that in a world where dramatic changes are happening at an unprecedented pace, either we disrupt ourselves or others will disrupt us. That belief, that commitment is what drives each one of us at Star. The achievements of Star are all on the back of a team which dreams big, executes brilliantly and is comfortable with the idea of disrupting itself. I feel proud to lead this talented and passionate team.
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