MUMBAI — Ronnie Screwvala the iconic head of Disney-UTV is to quit the powerhouse Indian company with effect from Jan. 1, 2014. He will be replaced by his current number two Siddharth Roy Kapur.
“Its been a fantastic seven year working relationship with Disney, first as a co-shareholder, then when Disney held a majority stake in UTV, and since February 2012 as Managing Director of Disney UTV India,” said Screwvala in a statement.
Screwvala is expected to stay on a further six months in an advisory capacity.
“Ronnie had a clear mandate to merge two organisations, build a single team and lay the strategic direction for a diversified media and entertainment company that would be part of the growing India growth story,” said Andy Bird, chairman of Walt Disney International. “When he passes on the baton in June 2014, he will leave the company in a great place strategically and with a strong leadership team.”
Kapur has a track record that spans consumer goods, a stint at STAR TV and an eight year tenure at UTV. He was responsible for the launch of kids TV channel Bindass and has recently headed top-ranking film studio UTV Motion Pictures.
Disney in India today includes Disney, Marvel, UTV, Bindass and Hungama film and TV broadcast operations.
Screwvala is expected to focus on other entrepreneurial activities and spend more time with his SWADES foundation.
