Sony Pictures India has named Vivek Krishnani managing director. His appointment to the company’s highest post will be effective from Nov. 1.
Mumbai-based SPI was earlier headed by veteran executive Kercy Daruwala, who is retiring. Krishnani will handle theatrical distribution for the studio’s titles in India.
Sony Pictures Entertainment senior vp international distribution, Asia Brett D. Hogg said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Vivek to Sony Pictures India. He’s a media veteran with very valuable experience in the unique and dynamic Indian market, in both Hollywood and local-language productions.”
Krishnani was previously senior vp revenue and marketing at MSM Motion Pictures, the film unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment Television-owned Multi Screen Media Private Limited. MSM operates such entertainment channels as SET and AXN. The company recently announced a partnership with ESPN to expand its sports outlets. MSM Motion Pictures releases include this year’s hit comedy Piku, which starred Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone.
“With a legacy of over 80 years since the first Columbia Pictures office opened here, Sony Pictures has over the decades continued to entertain Indian and global audiences,” said Krishnani. “We are committed to further strengthening our distribution network in India and overseas and also looking to scale up our local acquisitions as well.”
Before his tenure at MSM Motion Pictures, Krishnani spent six years at 21st Century Fox-owned Fox Star Studios India, heading distribution, marketing and syndication.
