Gaurav Banerjee

Gaurav Banerjee, Head- Content, Disney+ Hotstar & HSM Entertainment Network Gaurav is Head of Content, Disney+ Hotstar & HSM Entertainment Network. In this role, he oversees all entertainment content for Disney+ Hotstar and for Hindi Entertainment channels of Star TV Network.

Gaurav joined Star News as prime time anchor and senior producer and launched the Bengali news channel of the group, Star Ananda, in 2005.

He moved on to lead the content strategy of the network's regional entertainment channels in 2008 and expanded the company's reach in two new markets, Bengal and Maharashtra, with Star Jalsha and Star Pravah, respectively. Star Jalsha became India's number-one Bengali language channel within a year of launch.

In October 2009, Gaurav moved on to Hindi entertainment as Head of Content Strategy at Star Plus, and he was responsible for Star's widely popular shows like 'Diya aur Baati Hum' and 'Sasural Genda Phool'.

Gaurav took on the role of General Manager of Star Plus in 2013 and propelled Star Plus into a strong leadership brand with blockbuster shows like Mahabharata and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein.

Around 2015-2016, as Star's entertainment became available across screens, Gaurav took charge as the leader of the Content Studio and refreshed the storytelling approach for Star Plus and Star Bharat. He has strengthened the Disney+ Hotstar library with world-class content that appeals to unique tastes of audiences with Hotstar Specials like 'Special OPS' and the Emmy-nominated 'Aarya'.  

Gaurav is dedicated to nurturing a pool of talented writers with the Star Writers Program – one of India's most immersive courses in television writing.

Gaurav believes that good stories provide context. It comes from his experience of being a journalist with Aaj Tak in 2000. As an anchor, he covered the Afghan war and the General Elections.

Gaurav has a Master's in Film Making and Video from Mass Communications Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi.