Viacom18 Media has appointed Ajit Andhare as COO of its film business, Viacom18 Motion Pictures. He replaces Vikram Malhotra who put in his papers some time back to pursue his entrepreneurial interests. Andhare will be responsible for the growth and profitability of Viacom18 Motion Pictures and will be reporting to Viacom18 Media, Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats. He will also lead Viacom18 Motion Pictures’ distribution alliance with Paramount Pictures. Said Vats on Andhare’s appointment, “In Ajit, we’ve found the right leader to drive Viacom18 Motion Pictures to the next level of growth and profitability. His passion for films coupled with his education and experience across varied fields like engineering, marketing and creative production give him the edge to build a business that would become a benchmark in the industry.” With an experience of over 17 years in FMCG and media, Andhare has been CEO of Colosceum Media since 2007, a venture that he founded along with Capital18. Colosceum is today a leading media content development and production company, having produced some of the very successful TV franchises like MTV Roadies and MTV Splitsvilla and Jai Shri Krishna for Viacom18, Wheel Smart Shrimati for Unilever and Master Chef India series for Star India. Prior to setting up Colosceum, Andhare worked with Unilever in India and Asia Pacific region for over 12 years across sales, general management and marketing roles. Speaking on his appointment, Andhare averred, “The fundamentals of the motion picture business in India are improving with growth in digital distribution, multiplex screens, emerging digital platforms and above all success of high content cinema. It’s a great opportunity to lead one of the country’s premier studios recognised for its distinguished work in this exciting context.” Over the last two years, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has dished out hits like Tanu Weds Manu, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Shaitan and superhits like Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, OMG – Oh My God!’, Son of Sardaar and the recently released Special 26 and Saheb Biwi Gangster Returns. Through its strategic alliance with Paramount Pictures, Viacom18 Motion Pictures also released some of the biggest Hollywood grosses in India, like Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. 2013 started on a great note for Viacom18 Motion Pictures with the studio sweeping all film awards with Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur and also notching up an impressive tally of five National Awards. The year looks even more promising with an impressive line-up of films like Bhag Milkha Bhag, Madras Café and Boss to name a few.