Siddharth Roy Kapur exits Disney India; Mahesh Samat to be new MD

Mumbai: Film producer Siddharth Roy Kapur, who is married to actress Vidya Balan, is stepping down as the Managing Director of the Walt Disney Company India to “explore his own business interests”. Mahesh Samat will be taking his place.  Walt Disney International, a division of the Walt Disney Company, has announced that Samat will return to his leadership role of the Walt Disney Company India as Managing Director. “Mahesh guided Disney in India in its early days, and we are thrilled with his decision to return to the organisation he helped build,” said Andy Bird, Chairman, Walt Disney International. “We are encouraged by the opportunity we see to further grow our business in India and believe Mahesh’s entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge of our brands and franchises, and long-standing expertise in our broader operations will continue the momentum we are experiencing in this dynamic market,” he added. Samat succeeds Kapur, who is departing the company to explore his own business interests. “Sid is a pillar of the Indian entertainment industry and has demonstrated passion and commitment for the Disney business. He carved a strong position for Disney in the Indian media and entertainment space that positions us well for the future. We are immensely thankful for his service and wish him well in his next venture,” Bird said. While working for the company, Kapur introduced Indian Broadway version of timeless classic Beauty and the Beast, which was a huge success. Samat departed Disney India four years ago to establish Epic Television Networks and was founder and Managing Director of the Epic Channel, which focused on history, folklore and mythology-based content. As Managing Director, Samat will have responsibility for setting and driving the Walt Disney Company’s strategy, coordinating all business efforts in India, including overseeing Disney global franchises in the market, expanding existing businesses, and creating new business opportunities. He will take over from 28 November. Samat is excited to return to the wonderful world of Disney. “Moving forward, we will accelerate the great work done by the team and create new, innovative ways for audiences to engage with our stories, brands and characters, and drive growth across our businesses,” Samat said.