Leadership Team

Ajay BhalwankarBusiness Head, Sony SAB

Ajay is a prominent figure within the leadership team at Sony Pictures Networks India, contributing his expertise since 2014. In his role as Business Head of Sony SAB, he plays a pivotal part in driving strategic growth and shaping the creative vision of the channel, further solidifying its reputation for quality entertainment. His commitment to delivering innovative and engaging content for diverse audiences allows him to leverage his extensive experience and creative acumen to enhance the viewer experience continually.

Throughout his decade-long journey at Sony Pictures Networks India, Ajay has held significant positions, including Chief Creative Director for Sony Entertainment Television (SET), the company’s flagship channel. His leadership has also propelled Sony Marathi to notable success, cultivating a loyal viewership through high-quality, relatable programming and establishing the channel as a key player in the Marathi entertainment industry.

Before his tenure at SPNI, Ajay gained considerable experience across various channels including Zee TV and Music Asia, where he launched both Marathi and Hindi channels and produced Marathi films, in addition to setting up a film production studio. At Zee Network, he served as the Content Head for Hindi General Entertainment Channels, where he was instrumental in creating and delivering captivating content marked by popular shows and memorable characters across multiple genres. Additionally, Ajay began his career as a journalist at Mumbai’s leading Marathi newspaper, ‘Aapla Mahanagar,’ and the fortnightly sports magazine, ‘Ekach Shatkar.’

Ajay holds an M.A. in French Literature from the University of Mumbai and has completed an advanced media management course at MICA, Ahmedabad. A passionate cinephile, he enjoys exploring films across various genres and he is an avid reader of literary works. In his leisure time, he cherishes precious moments with his family and relishes the adventures of road trips together.

Danish KhanBusiness Head - Digital Business StudioNEXT & Network Channels Licensing

Danish Khan heads SPNI’s digital business – Sony LIV, in addition to the network’s independent production venture – StudioNEXT and Network Channels Licensing. Besides being an experienced and seasoned media professional, he has an accomplished-dotted experience in both the marketing and the creative side of the entertainment space.

As the man at the helm, for Sony LIV and StudioNEXT, Danish drives the overall business of the three verticals with key focus on driving growth, viewership and developing innovative revenue opportunities. He has been instrumental in resurrecting marquee properties like Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian Idol and The Kapil Sharma Show that have received widespread recognition across the industry. He has also created IPs with talent-led reality shows like Super Dancer and Superstar Singer, which have been well received by the audience and industry alike. He has also been in the forefront of launching and nurturing the StudioNEXT business, armed with the ambition of making SPNI a content leader in the M&E industry.

At Sony LIV, he successfully spearheaded the launch of the revamped OTT platform in May 2020. He has been instrumental in bringing together its robust content catalogue including titles like Avrodh, Your Honor, Undekhi and the mega-successful Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. He is credited for the platform reaching millions of subscribers within a short span of time. He has also served as the programming head of Star Plus where he is credited with building shows like ‘Mahabharat’ and ‘Yeh Hai Mohabbatein’. Prior to Star India, Danish was the Marketing head of SET, his first stint at SPNI.

A sociology graduate with a postgraduate degree in management, he has more than two decades of experience in advertising and the broadcasting industry. An avid reader, he enjoys listening to music, watching movies and soccer during his leisure time. He also loves to travel and is a foodie.

Mukund AcharyaChief Technology Officer (CTO)

With a distinguished career in technology spanning nearly three decades, Mukund Acharya has consistently driven innovation, platform scalability, and enterprise transformation across the digital and broadcast ecosystems. In his role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), he oversees the integrated technology landscape across Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering.

Known for his forward-thinking approach, technical depth, and a strong commitment to delivering robust, user-focused solutions. He brings a unique ability to bridge technology with business strategy, ensuring seamless experiences across SPNI’s digital and linear platforms. His leadership is instrumental in advancing SPNI’s transformation journey, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, and aligning technology goals with strategic business imperatives. Mukund holds a deep passion for creating scalable platforms and fostering talent-driven engineering cultures.

Prior to joining SPNI, Mukund held senior engineering leadership positions at several global organizations. Most notably, at Disney+ Hotstar (now JioStar), he played a crucial role in integrating platforms during the JioCinema and Hotstar merger and led the engineering backbone for high stakes sporting events like the ICC World Cups in 2023, 2024, and 2025. His prior roles at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global tech firms further cemented his reputation as a visionary leader in technology, known for building highly scalable, end-user-focused systems, particularly in OTT, advertising, and monetization space.

An alumnus of the University of Kentucky with a Master’s in Computer Science, he also holds a Bachelor’s degree from NIT, Warangal. Outside of work, he remains an avid learner of emerging tech trends and enjoys mentoring aspiring tech enthusiasts and young engineering leaders.

Rajaraman SundaramHead of Business Strategy and Commercial

In his illustrious career spanning more than two decades in the media and entertainment industry, Raja has a proven track record in driving strategy, business transformation, finance, and operations. In his current role as Head of Business Strategy and Commercial, he is responsible for steering strategic direction and commercial operations across SPNI’s television and digital platforms.

Recognized for his strategic foresight and collaborative leadership style, Raja combines financial acumen with a deep understanding of the media ecosystem. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to align business objectives with financial discipline and operational excellence to deliver sustainable growth. He has significant exposure to regional markets, especially southern India, and is widely recognized for his ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Prior to joining SPNI, Raja held several senior leadership roles that shaped his broad understanding of India’s evolving media landscape. At Disney STAR, he played a pivotal role as Chief of Staff to the Country Manager in driving enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and engaging with key stakeholders. He earlier served as Business Head for Colors Tamil (at Viacom18) and Business Head of Asianet (STAR), where he drove brand growth in the regional television space. His prior stints at Hathway Cable, Vijay TV, and NDTV Imagine further enriched his expertise across Finance, Content, Distribution, and Business Operations.

Raja is a qualified Chartered Accountant and achieved an All India 50th rank in the CA Foundation exam, reflecting his strong academic credentials. Beyond work, Raja listens to music and audiobooks, enjoys reading fiction, and is an avid follower of sports, movies and web series.

Ritesh KhoslaGeneral Counsel

Ritesh Khosla is the General Counsel of Sony Pictures Networks India. He heads legal, compliance, litigation, public policy, CSR, Standards & Practices, and regulatory and Government affairs.

Ritesh is an executive whole-time Director on the Board of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI). Ritesh also serves as a Director on the Boards of subsidiaries and affiliated entities of SPNI, where he provides critical oversight and guidance, and manages the Board affairs. Currently, he is Director of Multiscreen Media Worldwide (MSMW), and Director of Bangla Entertainment Private Ltd (BEPL). He is also a member of the Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC), a member of the Legal Committee of the IBDF and represents SPNI at the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

Ritesh additionally serves as SPNI's Ombudsperson and Data Protection Officer.

As General Counsel, Ritesh oversees the company's legal operations, providing strategic advice to the executive team and Board of Directors. His expertise encompasses corporate law, regulatory compliance, IP monetization, dispute resolution, and mergers and acquisitions, amongst others, ensuring that SPNI achieves sustainable success and long-term value creation in a competitive market.

Ritesh's association with SPNI spans 17 years, during which he has served SPNI with unwavering dedication, previously holding the pivotal role of Deputy General Counsel.

Ritesh holds an LLM in intellectual property law from the University of Manchester. Before joining SPNI, he was associated with UnitedLex and Chambers of Law, Chandigarh, as a Senior Associate.

Beyond his professional life, Ritesh enjoys swimming, gardening and travelling.

Tushar ShahChief Marketing Officer (CMO) & Business Head - Movies, Regional, FTA, and Infotainment Channels

Tushar is part of SPNI’s leadership team and has been with the network for over 19 years across two stints. He brings over three decades of varied experience across Revenue, Marketing and Business functions in Print, Telecom and Media industries.

Equipped with a deep understanding of the media landscape and sharp business acumen, his responsibilities at SPNI include spearheading business and driving profitability for the Hindi and English movies, Marathi and Bengali General Entertainment Channels (GEC), FTA, and Infotainment channels comprising Sony MAX, Sony MAX2, Sony WAH, Sony PIX, Sony Marathi, Sony AATH, Sony PAL, and Sony BBC Earth. Tushar is also the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), where he is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive brand strategies aligned with the Company's overall goals and growth objectives. His dynamic leadership and expertise will fuel further innovation across these channels, enhancing their market presence.

Prior to joining SPNI, he worked in various capacities across Revenue, Product Development, Marketing and Communications in companies such as Times of India, Telstra, Hutchison Telecom and Walt Disney. His strategic vision combined with entrepreneurial approach and strong execution capability has helped him successfully build brands, turnaround businesses and drive growth across several organisations.

Tushar's academic distinction is marked by his alumnus with St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, and his Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the esteemed Institute of Marketing and Management, Kolkata. And in addition to Travel and Reading, his personal interests reveal a more nuanced character, with a penchant for the discerning pursuits of Philately and Rare Collectibles.