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{{Short description|Indian regional subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = The Walt Disney Company India Private Limited
| name = The Walt Disney Company India
| logo = DisneyIndia2.png
| logo = The Walt Disney Company Logo.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Media conglomerate]]
| industry = [[Media conglomerate]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1993|08}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1993|8|1}}
| founders = [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| founder =
| location_city = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| location_city = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| area_served = India
| area_served = India
| products = {{ubl|[[Film]]s|[[Television show|television programs]] and [[television channel|channels]] | [[Television advertisement]]s}}
| key_people = {{ubl|[[Uday Shankar (businessman)|Uday Shankar]], <small>Chairman</small>}}
| services = {{ubl|[[Film distribution]] | [[Film promotion]] | [[Music recording]] | [[Music publishing]] | [[Over-the-top media service]]s|[[Streaming media]]}}
| assets =
| assets =
| equity =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| parent =The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific<br><small>([[Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International]])</small>
| parent = [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| divisions = {{ubl|Disney India Studios|Disney India Media Networks|Disney India Consumer Products|Disney India Interactive}}
| divisions = {{ubl|Disney India Consumer Products|Disney India Interactive|[[Star Studios]]|[[JioStar]] (36.84%)}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.disney.in/|disney.in}}
| subsid =[[Star India]]<br>[[Tata Sky]] (30%)
| homepage = {{url|corporate.disney.in}}
}}
}}


'''The Walt Disney Company India Private Limited''', known simply as '''Disney India''', is an Indian [[subsidiary]] of the [[The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific|Asia Pacific]] region of the [[Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International|Direct-to-Consumer and International]] segment of [[The Walt Disney Company]] and is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The '''Walt Disney Company India''', also known as '''Disney India''', is the Indian [[subsidiary]] of [[The Walt Disney Company]], headquartered in [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]].


In March 2019, post the [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition of majority of assets]] of [[21st Century Fox]] which included Indian TV giant [[Star India]], Disney India became India's biggest television broadcaster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/sdRdjtYGZyJXQadZwTl0LL/Fox-deal-set-to-make-Disney-Indias-biggest-broadcaster.html|title=Fox deal set to make Disney India’s biggest broadcaster|last=Choudhary|first=Vidhi|date=2017-12-15|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref>
In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company India became India's biggest [[television broadcaster]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Vidhi |date=15 December 2017 |title=Fox deal set to make Disney India's biggest broadcaster |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/sdRdjtYGZyJXQadZwTl0LL/Fox-deal-set-to-make-Disney-Indias-biggest-broadcaster.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=Mint |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321080449/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/sdRdjtYGZyJXQadZwTl0LL/Fox-deal-set-to-make-Disney-Indias-biggest-broadcaster.html |url-status=live}}</ref> after the [[acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney]], which included [[Jio Star|Star India]].


==History==
== History ==
===Joint venture===
Walt Disney India was formed in August 1993 with a licensing agreement as a joint venture partnership between [[The Walt Disney Company]] and [[Modi Group|Modi Enterprises]]. Disney filed in October 2001 with the [[Foreign Investment Promotion Board]] to create a wholly owned subsidiary company to launch the Disney Channel in India. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion granted Disney an initial approval for the subsidiary but with Modi protesting because of similarities to their joint venture. When the 10 year licensing agreement ended, Modi and Disney could not come to a new agreement, thus ending the joint venture agreement in August 2003.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ghaswalla |first=Amrita Nair |title=Disney, Modi end India JV |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-08-15/news/27541902_1_disney-brand-walt-disney-television-international-modi-enterprises |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Economic Times |date=15 August 2003 |agency=TNN}}</ref>


=== Establishment ===
Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) took over distribution of content in September 2003 via [[Star Movies India|Star Movies]], [[AXN]] and [[HBO]] plus 29 hours of children's programmes per week via [[DD Metro]], [[ETV Network|Eenadu]], [[Sony Entertainment Television (India)|SET]], [[Star Plus]] and [[StarWorld|Star World]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Walt Disney to open local sales office in India |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-09-03/news/27530493_1_walt-disney-television-international-star-movies-star-world |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Economic Times |date=3 September 2003}}</ref>
The Walt Disney Company India was initially established as a joint venture partnership between [[The Walt Disney Company]] and [[Modi Enterprises]] in August 1993 as a licensing agreement. Disney received approval in October 2001 from the Indian [[Foreign Investment Promotion Board]] to establish a fully owned subsidiary to launch the Disney Channel in India. Despite the approval for the subsidiary, its joint venture partner, Modi Enterprises, protested because of similarities to their joint venture. At the end of the 10-year licensing agreement in 2003, Modi Enterprises and Disney were unable to reach a new agreement, dissolving the joint venture in August 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghaswalla |first=Amrita Nair |date=15 August 2003 |title=Disney, Modi end India JV |work=The Economic Times |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-08-15/news/27541902_1_disney-brand-walt-disney-television-international-modi-enterprises |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424063842/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-08-15/news/27541902_1_disney-brand-walt-disney-television-international-modi-enterprises |url-status=dead}}</ref>


In September 2003, Walt Disney Television International Asia Pacific assumed control of the distribution of content through channels like [[Star Movies (Indian TV channel)|Star Movies]], [[AXN (Indian TV channel)|AXN]], and [[HBO Asia|HBO]], including 29 hours of children's programming weekly through channels such as [[DD Metro]], [[ETV Network|Eenadu]], [[Sony Entertainment Television|SET]], [[StarPlus|Star Plus]] and [[Star World (Indian TV channel)|Star World]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 September 2003 |title=Walt Disney to open local sales office in India |work=The Economic Times |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-09-03/news/27530493_1_walt-disney-television-international-star-movies-star-world |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203234737/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-09-03/news/27530493_1_walt-disney-television-international-star-movies-star-world |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Wholly owned subsidiary===
The Walt Disney Company (India) Private Limited (WDCI) started operations in July 2004 based in Mumbai.<ref name=pr>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY INDIA & UTV JOIN CREATIVE FORCES |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aAt5o8k1cUNc |format= |location=Bangalore, INDIA |publisher=The Walt Disney Company (India) |agency=Bloomberg |date=19 May 2011 |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> On 17 December, Walt Disney Television International India launched the [[Disney Channel (India)|Disney Channel]] and [[Toon Disney]] channel with three language feeds (English, [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]]). The channels are to be distributed by the Star Group.<ref name=itv>{{cite news |title=After Tamil & Telegu, Toon Disney goes Hindi from 1 September |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/aug/aug244.htm |accessdate=26 February 2014 |newspaper=Indian Television |date=22 August 2005}}</ref><ref name=ect>{{cite news |title=Walt Disney channels to be distributed by STAR |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-11-25/news/27387474_1_walt-disney-television-international-disney-channel-star-bouquet |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Economic Times |date=25 November 2004}}</ref><ref name=itv0/> WDCI planned to focus initially on its channel operations before expanding in to other areas. In the long term, a Disney theme park in India is possible as land has been reportedly found on the outskirts of Delhi.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Manisha |title=Walt Disney's Eisner coming to India |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr255.htm |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Indiantelevision.com |date=20 April 2005}}</ref> Also in December, with [[Indiagames]] as a partner, the [[Walt Disney Internet Group]] released Disney games, wallpapers and ringtones in the market which is also available on [[AirTel]]. In 2005, [[Disney Consumer Products]] (DCP) began working with various Indian retail outlets to establish Disney Corners within the outlets to sell licensed merchandise.<ref name="itv1">{{cite news |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Manisha |title=Disney's Eisner, Iger in India; to meet PM & President |url= http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr296.htm |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Indiantelevision.com |date=25 April 2005}}</ref> In August, [[Funskool|Funskool India]] and Disney entered in a contract for Funskool to sell Disney Princess products in India.<ref>{{cite news |last=Adesara |first=Hetal |title=Disney gives merchandising heavy push with 'Princess' range |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/mam/headlines/y2k5/oct/octmam56.htm |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Indiantelevision.com |date=15 October 2005}}</ref>


=== Fully owned subsidiary ===
Disney India and [[Yash Raj Films]] agreed to co-produce and co-finance a yearly animated film for the India market in January 2007. Both companies would also work together on merchandising and games for the films.<ref name=bsd/>
The Walt Disney Company (India) Private Limited began operations in July 2004 and is based in Mumbai.<ref name="Bloomberg 2011">{{Cite press release |title=The Walt Disney Company India & UTV Join Creative Forces |date=19 May 2011 |publisher=The Walt Disney Company (India) |location=Bangalore, India |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aAt5o8k1cUNc |access-date=23 April 2014 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |via=Bloomberg L.P. |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424040655/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aAt5o8k1cUNc |url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 December 2004, Walt Disney Television International India launched the [[Disney Channel (Indian TV channel)|Disney Channel]] and [[Toon Disney]] Channel with five language feeds (English, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil). The channels were to be distributed by the Star Group.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 August 2005 |title=After Tamil & Telegu, Toon Disney goes Hindi from 1 September |publisher=Indian Television |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/aug/aug244.htm |access-date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301233453/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/aug/aug244.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 November 2004 |title=Walt Disney channels to be distributed by STAR |work=The Economic Times |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-11-25/news/27387474_1_walt-disney-television-international-disney-channel-star-bouquet |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424030751/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-11-25/news/27387474_1_walt-disney-television-international-disney-channel-star-bouquet |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Indiantelevision.com 2009" /> In December 2004, with [[UTV Indiagames]] as a partner, [[Disney Interactive]] released Disney games, wallpapers, and ringtones available on [[Bharti Airtel]]. In 2005, [[Disney Consumer Products]] (DCP) began working with various Indian retail outlets to establish Disney Corners within the outlets to sell licensed merchandise.<ref name="Bhattacharjee 2005">{{Cite news |last=Bhattacharjee |first=Manisha |date=25 April 2005 |title=Disney's Eisner, Iger in India; to meet PM & President |work=Indiantelevision.com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr296.htm |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424034506/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k5/apr/apr296.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> In August, [[Funskool]] India and Disney entered into a contract for Funskool to sell Disney Princess products in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adesara |first=Hetal |date=15 October 2005 |title=Disney gives merchandising heavy push with 'Princess' range |work=Indiantelevision.com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/mam/headlines/y2k5/oct/octmam56.htm |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424031529/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/mam/headlines/y2k5/oct/octmam56.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
In July 2006, Disney India acquired a controlling stake in [[Hungama TV]] from [[UTV Software Communications]] Limited while also taking a 14.9% share in UTV.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leahy |first=Joe |title=Disney switches on to Hindi market |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1114f6f4-4347-11db-9574-0000779e2340.html |accessdate=11 May 2014 |newspaper=Financial Times |date=13 September 2006 |author2=Sundeep Tucker}}</ref> In 2008, the company took an additional 17.5% share in UTV.<ref name=bs>{{cite news |last=Sinha |first=Ashish |title='UTV investment is long-term play' |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/-utv-investment-is-long-term-play-108061801044_1.html |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Business Standard |date=18 June 2008}}</ref>


In January 2007, Disney India and [[Yash Raj Films]] agreed to co-produce and co-finance a yearly animated film for the Indian market. Both companies work together on merchandising and games for the films.<ref name="Business Standard India 2007" />
On 26 September 2006, the Disney Jeans brand was launched under license to Indus Clothing, which planned to open 30 Disney Jean stores by the end of 2007.<ref name="bs1">{{cite news |title=Disney Jeans launched, plans 30 stores |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/disney-jeans-launched-plans-30-stores-106092600046_1.html |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Business Standard |date=26 September 2006}}</ref> In October, DCP franchised to Ravi Jaipuria Corporation the rights for five years to set up 150 Disney Artist brand stores and wholesale under the Disney Artist brand Disney character branded greeting cards, stationery, arts, crafts and party products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |title=Disney to set up 150 stores in India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Disney-to-set-up-150-stores-in-India/articleshow/2153876.cms?referral=PM |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=12 October 2006 |agency=TNN}}</ref>


In July 2006, Disney India acquired a controlling stake in [[Hungama TV]] from [[UTV Software Communications]] Limited while also taking a 14.9% share in UTV.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Leahy |first1=Joe |first2=Sundeep |last2=Tucker |date=13 September 2006 |title=Disney switches on to Hindi market |work=Financial Times |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1114f6f4-4347-11db-9574-0000779e2340.html |access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref> In 2008, the company took an additional 17.5% stake in UTV.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sinha |first=Ashish |date=18 June 2008 |title=UTV investment is long-term play |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/-utv-investment-is-long-term-play-108061801044_1.html |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424042138/http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/-utv-investment-is-long-term-play-108061801044_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Disney Publishing Worldwide]], a division of Walt Disney India, announced a licensing agreement in April 2009 with local publisher Junior Diamond to publish Disney comic books, in both English and Hindi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/disney-launches-comic-books-in-india/355148/ |title=Disney launches comic books in India |publisher=Business-standard.com |date=15 April 2009 |accessdate=21 August 2010}}</ref> Jetix/Toon Disney was switched over in India to [[Disney XD (India)|Disney XD]] on 14 November.<ref name=itv0>{{cite news |title=Jetix rebrands to Disney XD in India |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/broadcasting/tv-channels/kids/jetix-rebrands-to-disney-xd-in-india |accessdate=9 April 2014 |newspaper=Indiantelevision.com |date=12 November 2009}}</ref>


On 26 September 2006, the Disney Jeans brand was launched under a license to Indus Clothing, which planned to open 30 Disney Jeans stores by the end of 2007.<ref name="Business Standard 2006">{{Cite news |date=26 September 2006 |title=Disney Jeans launched, plans 30 stores |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/disney-jeans-launched-plans-30-stores-106092600046_1.html |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=24 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424031848/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/disney-jeans-launched-plans-30-stores-106092600046_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In October, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) franchised the rights to set up 150 Disney Artist brand stores under the Disney Artist brand to Ravi Jaipuria Corporation for a period of 5 years. The stores were to sell greeting cards, stationery, arts, crafts, and party products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives featuring Disney characters.<ref name="The Times of India 2006">{{Cite news |date=12 October 2006 |title=Disney to set up 150 stores in India |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Disney-to-set-up-150-stores-in-India/articleshow/2153876.cms?referral=PM |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625003007/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Disney-to-set-up-150-stores-in-India/articleshow/2153876.cms?referral=PM |url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2011, Disney and UTV agreed to co-produce Disney branded family films with both handling creative function and UTV producing, marketing and distributing the films.<ref name=pr/> Walt Disney Company (South East Asia) Pvt Ltd. in July 2011 offered to purchase the public shareholders' stakes with approval given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for them to increase their ownership. In February 2012, Disney announced the completion of the acquisition of UTV with UTV Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Screwvala becoming Managing Director of TWDC India<ref>{{cite news |title=Walt Disney to acquire controlling stake in UTV |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/walt-disney-to-acquire-controlling-stake-in-utv-112020103001_1.html |accessdate=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Business Standard |date=1 February 2012 |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi}}</ref> replacing Mahesh Samat, who joined the company in 2007 from Johnson & Johnson.<ref name="ecot">{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Mahesh Samat returns to Disney India as Managing Director after four years |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/mahesh-samat-returns-to-disney-india-as-managing-director-after-four-years/articleshow/55044922.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=26 October 2016}}</ref>


[[Disney Publishing Worldwide]], a division of Walt Disney India, announced a licensing agreement in April 2009 with the local publisher Junior Diamond to publish Disney comics in English and Hindi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joshi |first=Priyanka |date=15 April 2009 |title=Disney launches comic books in India |work=Business Standard India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/disney-launches-comic-books-in-india/355148/ |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607175656/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/disney-launches-comic-books-in-india/355148/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Jetix/Toon Disney was changed to [[Super Hungama|Disney XD]] on 14 November 2009.<ref name="Indiantelevision.com 2009">{{Cite news |date=12 November 2009 |title=Jetix rebrands to Disney XD in India |work=Indiantelevision.com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/broadcasting/tv-channels/kids/jetix-rebrands-to-disney-xd-in-india |access-date=9 April 2014 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505184133/http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/broadcasting/tv-channels/kids/jetix-rebrands-to-disney-xd-in-india |url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 2012, Disney launched [[Disney Junior (India)|Disney Junior India]], an ad-free channel for preschool kids. Earlier it was a one and a half hour programming block on Disney Channel India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney Junior to find biz model in digital India |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/nov/nov188.php |accessdate=8 May 2014 |newspaper=Indiantelevision.com |date=21 November 2012}}</ref> Disney India launched its Live Entertainment operations in 2015 with the production of a ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' musical to be shown from October to December in Mumbai and Delhi.<ref name=bs0>{{cite news |last1=Malvania |first1=Urvi |title=Disney launches its theatrical brand with Beauty and the Beast |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/disney-launches-its-theatrical-brand-with-beauty-and-the-beast-115081201691_1.html |accessdate=13 August 2015 |work=Business Standard |date=12 August 2015}}</ref>


=== 2010s ===
Disney India indicated in August 2016 that it was shutting down UTV Pictures, its Hindi film production unit, and focusing only on distribution of its Hollywood films. Disney India managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur also indicated he would let his contract lapse on 1 January 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Disney India to exit from Hindi film production business |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-india-to-exit-from-hindi-film-production-business/articleshow/53865976.cms |accessdate=15 December 2016 |work=The Economic Times |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |date=26 August 2016}}</ref> On 28 November 2016, Mahesh Samat was to return as managing director, four years after he left the company.<ref name="ecot"/>
In May 2011, Disney and UTV agreed to co-produce Disney-branded family films with creative functions handled jointly. UTV produces, markets, and distributes the films.<ref name="Bloomberg 2011" /> In July 2011, Walt Disney Company (South East Asia) Pvt Ltd. offered to purchase public shareholders' stakes with the objective of increasing their ownership. In February 2012, Disney announced the completion of the acquisition of UTV. UTV Chief Executive Officer [[Ronnie Screwvala]] replaced Mahesh Samat as managing director of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 February 2012 |title=Walt Disney to acquire a controlling stake in UTV |work=Business Standard |agency=Press Trust of India |location=New Delhi |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/walt-disney-to-acquire-controlling-stake-in-utv-112020103001_1.html |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231715/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/walt-disney-to-acquire-controlling-stake-in-utv-112020103001_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>


Disney launched [[Disney Junior (Indian TV channel)|Disney Junior]], a channel for preschool kids.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 2011 |title='Disney Junior' for pre-school kids debuts on Disney Channel |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/disney-junior-for-pre-school-kids-debuts-on-disney-channel/articleshow/9099925.cms |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Disney India launched its live Entertainment operations in 2015 with the production of ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]], a'' musical to be shown from October to December in Mumbai and Delhi.<ref name="Malvania 2015">{{Cite news |last=Malvania |first=Urvi |date=12 August 2015 |title=Disney launches its theatrical brand with Beauty and the Beast |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/disney-launches-its-theatrical-brand-with-beauty-and-the-beast-115081201691_1.html |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-date=13 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813231559/http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/disney-launches-its-theatrical-brand-with-beauty-and-the-beast-115081201691_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 12 September 2017, [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney International]] announced a restructuring of its business in Asia, and that Mahesh Samat is to lead the new Disney South Asia division, combining India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/disney-appoints-two-mds-kang-for-n-asia-samat-for-south-170912|title=Mahesh Samat gets expanded role in Disney Asia restructure|date=2017-09-12|work=Indian Television Dot Com|access-date=2017-09-12}}</ref>


Disney India indicated in August 2016 that it was shutting down UTV Motion Pictures, its Hindi film production unit, and focusing on the distribution of its Hollywood films. Disney India managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur also indicated he would let his contract lapse on 1 January 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=26 August 2016 |title=Disney India to exit from Hindi film production business |work=The Economic Times |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-india-to-exit-from-hindi-film-production-business/articleshow/53865976.cms |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=15 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215163215/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-india-to-exit-from-hindi-film-production-business/articleshow/53865976.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 November 2016, Mahesh Samat was to return as managing director, four years after he left the company.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=26 October 2016 |title=Mahesh Samat returns to Disney India as Managing Director after four years |work=The Economic Times |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/mahesh-samat-returns-to-disney-india-as-managing-director-after-four-years/articleshow/55044922.cms |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029132458/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/mahesh-samat-returns-to-disney-india-as-managing-director-after-four-years/articleshow/55044922.cms |archive-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>
On 5 October 2017, The Walt Disney Company India officially announced the launch of [[Disney International HD]] on 29 October 2017. The channel was to be the exclusive home to live action [[List of Disney Channel series|Disney Channel original]] content.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/gec-channel-disney-international-hd-to-launch-on-29-oct-171005|title=Disney to launch English GEC HD on 29 Oct|date=2017-10-05|work=Indian Television Dot Com|access-date=2017-10-05}}</ref> The channel will not have any animation content, and will be replacing [[Bindass Play]].<ref name=tvpost>{{cite news|title=Disney to shut Bindass Play on 29 Oct to launch Disney Intl HD |url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/disney-to-shut-bindass-play-on-29-oct-to-launch-disney-intl-hd/|accessdate=21 October 2017|work=Television Post|date=28 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928145818/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/disney-to-shut-bindass-play-on-29-oct-to-launch-disney-intl-hd/|archive-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>


On 12 September 2017, [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney International]] announced a restructuring of its business in Asia and that Mahesh Samat is to lead the new Disney South Asia division, combining India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 September 2017 |title=Mahesh Samat gets expanded role in Disney Asia restructure |work=Indian Television Dot Com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/disney-appoints-two-mds-kang-for-n-asia-samat-for-south-170912 |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912201146/http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/disney-appoints-two-mds-kang-for-n-asia-samat-for-south-170912 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Disney launched its second HD channel UTV HD on 21 October 2018, showing Bollywood and Hollywood films in Hindi. It premieres a new movie every Friday.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.televisionpost.com/disney-india-launches-hd-hindi-movie-channel/|title=Disney India launches HD Hindi movie channel|date=2018-10-23|work=TelevisionPost: Latest News, India’s Television, Cable, DTH, TRAI|access-date=2018-10-30|language=en-US}}</ref>


On 5 October 2017, The Walt Disney Company India officially announced the launch of [[Disney International HD]] to be on 29 October. The channel was to be the exclusive home to live-action [[List of programs broadcast by Disney Channel|Disney Channel original content]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2017 |title=Disney to launch English GEC HD on 29 Oct |work=Indian Television Dot Com |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/gec-channel-disney-international-hd-to-launch-on-29-oct-171005 |access-date=5 October 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322103905/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/english-entertainment/gec-channel-disney-international-hd-to-launch-on-29-oct-171005 |url-status=live}}</ref> The channel will not have any animation content and will be replacing [[Bindass Play]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2017 |title=Disney to shut Bindass Play on 29 Oct to launch Disney Intl HD |work=Television Post |url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/disney-to-shut-bindass-play-on-29-oct-to-launch-disney-intl-hd/ |access-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928145818/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/disney-to-shut-bindass-play-on-29-oct-to-launch-disney-intl-hd/ |archive-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>
On 7 November 2017, Disney announced the promotion of Abhishek Maheshwari as country head for India. He was to report to Mahesh Samat, Walt Disney International South Asia managing director.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-names-abhishek-maheshwari-as-country-head-for-india/articleshow/61545751.cms|title=Disney names Abhishek Maheshwari as Country Head for India|last=Laghate|first=Gaurav|date=2017-11-07|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-11-10}}</ref> On 14 December 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced the acquisition of [[21st Century Fox]], which includes [[Star India]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/05/disney-and-fox-are-closing-in-on-deal-could-be-announced-next-week--sources.html|title=Disney and Fox are closing in on deal, could be announced next week: Sources|last=Faber |first=David| date=5 December 2017 |work=CNBC |accessdate=5 December 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205155759/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/05/disney-and-fox-are-closing-in-on-deal-could-be-announced-next-week--sources.html|archivedate=5 December 2017}}</ref>


Disney launched its second HD channel, UTV HD, on 21 October 2018, showing Bollywood and Hollywood films in Hindi. It premiered a new movie every Friday.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2018 |title=Disney India launches HD Hindi movie channel |language=en-US |work=TelevisionPost |url=https://www.televisionpost.com/disney-india-launches-hd-hindi-movie-channel/ |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030171904/https://www.televisionpost.com/disney-india-launches-hd-hindi-movie-channel/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Consumers Products licensed DLF Brands for Disney & Me stores that opened in April 2018.<ref name="ect0">{{cite news|title=Disney & Me stores foray into India|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/disney-me-stores-foray-in-india/articleshow/63712465.cms|accessdate=8 May 2018|work=The Economic Times|publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd|date=11 April 2018}}</ref> The Live Entertainment divisions' second musical, ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]]'', premiered on 20 April 2018.<ref name=Var1>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/legit/asia/disney-to-launch-aladdin-in-india-1202711558/|title=Disney to Launch ‘Aladdin’ Stage Musical in India|accessdate=27 February 2018}}</ref>


On 7 November 2017, Disney announced the promotion of Abhishek Maheshwari as country head for India. He was to report to Mahesh Samat, Walt Disney International South Asia managing director.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=7 November 2017 |title=Disney names Abhishek Maheshwari as Country Head for India |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-names-abhishek-maheshwari-as-country-head-for-india/articleshow/61545751.cms |access-date=10 November 2017 |archive-date=10 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110173437/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/disney-names-abhishek-maheshwari-as-country-head-for-india/articleshow/61545751.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 13 December 2018, Disney announced [[Uday Shankar (businessman)|Uday Shankar]], who serves as president of Fox Asia and chairman of the Star India, will lead Disney's Asian Pacific region and chairman of Disney India after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, including Star India closes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-sets-out-international-leadership-team-post-fox-deal-1203088968/|title=Disney Sets Out International Leadership Team Post-Fox Deal|last=Clarke|first=Stewart|work=Variety|date=13 December 2018|accessdate=14 December 2018}}</ref> On 1 April 2019, Uday Shankar, president Disney Asia Pacific, announced the restructuring of the complete entity of [[Star India]] and Disney. Sanjay Gupta will lead the Indian businesses and head the [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Disney Studios India]], [[Fox Star Studios]] and [[UTV Motion Pictures]] in India, directly reporting to Uday Shankar who is also Chairman of Star and Disney India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/disney-leadership-roles-fox-staff-asia-reshuffle-1203177260/amp/|title=Disney Gives Leadership Roles to Several Fox Staffers in Asia Reshuffle|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2019-04-01|work=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref> Gupta resigned as country head in November 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sanjay Gupta Steps Down As Country Manager, Star & Disney India |url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Sanjay-Gupta-Steps-Down-As-Country-Manager-Star-Disney-India/08-11-2019-178677/ |accessdate=1 February 2020 |work=BW Businessworld |date=8 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


On 14 December 2017, Disney announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox–parent company of rival [[Disney Star|Star India]] and streaming service [[Hotstar]]–for US$52.4 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=14 December 2017 |title=Disney to buy key 21st Century Fox assets for $52.4&nbsp;billion |language=en |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/12/14/disney-21st-century-fox/945309001/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503100713/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2017/12/14/disney-21st-century-fox/945309001/ |archive-date=3 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Castillo |first=Michelle |date=14 December 2017 |title=Disney to buy 21st Century Fox assets in a deal worth more than $52&nbsp;billion in stock |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/14/disney-to-buy-21st-century-fox-assets.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214133050/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/14/disney-to-buy-21st-century-fox-assets.html |archive-date=14 December 2017}}</ref>
Disney XD was shut down in January 2019 to be replace with [[Marvel HQ]] channel on 20 January.<ref name=bmi>{{cite news |title=Disney India to replace Disney XD with Marvel HQ |url=http://bestmediainfo.com/2019/01/disney-india-to-replace-disney-xd-with-marvel-hq/ |accessdate=18 January 2019 |work=Best Media Info |date=16 January 2019}}</ref> [[Star India|Star India networks]] took over distribution of Disney channels in July 2019. Disney Channel, Hungama TV, Marvel HQ and Disney Junior became part of ''Disney Kids Pack'' while Bindass and Disney International HD became part of ''Star Value Pack''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/star-india-launches-disney-kids-pack-with-new-campaign-98252.html|title=Star India launches Disney Kids Pack with new campaign|website=exchange4media}}</ref>


Consumers Products licensed DLF Brands for Disney & Me stores that opened in April 2018.<ref name="The Economic Times 2018">{{Cite news |date=11 April 2018 |title=Disney & Me stores foray into India |work=The Economic Times |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/disney-me-stores-foray-in-india/articleshow/63712465.cms |access-date=8 May 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080140/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/disney-me-stores-foray-in-india/articleshow/63712465.cms |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Live Entertainment division's second musical, ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]]'', premiered on 20 April 2018.<ref name="Disney to Launch 2018">{{Cite web |date=27 February 2018 |title=Disney to Launch 'Aladdin' Stage Musical in India |url=https://variety.com/2018/legit/asia/disney-to-launch-aladdin-in-india-1202711558/ |access-date=27 February 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302075416/http://variety.com/2018/legit/asia/disney-to-launch-aladdin-in-india-1202711558/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Units==

===Current units===
On 13 December 2018, Disney announced [[Uday Shankar (businessman)|Uday Shankar]], who serves as president of Fox Asia and chairman of Star India, would lead Disney's Asia Pacific region and chairman of Disney India after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox closes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Stewart |date=13 December 2018 |title=Disney Sets Out International Leadership Team Post-Fox Deal |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-sets-out-international-leadership-team-post-fox-deal-1203088968/ |access-date=14 December 2018 |website=Variety |archive-date=13 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213194133/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/disney-sets-out-international-leadership-team-post-fox-deal-1203088968/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 April 2019, Uday Shankar, president of Disney Asia Pacific, announced the restructuring of the complete entity of Star India and Disney, while Sanjay Gupta would lead the Indian businesses and head [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Disney Studios India]] and [[Star Studios|Fox Star Studios]] in India, directly reporting to Uday Shankar who is also Chairman of Star and Disney India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=1 April 2019 |title=Disney Gives Leadership Roles to Several Fox Staffers in Asia Reshuffle |language=en |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/disney-leadership-roles-fox-staff-asia-reshuffle-1203177260/amp/ |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-date=1 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401151855/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/disney-leadership-roles-fox-staff-asia-reshuffle-1203177260/amp/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Gupta resigned as country head in November 2019, while UTV channels were merged into the Star India bouquet.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2019 |title=Sanjay Gupta Steps Down As Country Manager, Star & Disney India |language=en |work=BW Businessworld |url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Sanjay-Gupta-Steps-Down-As-Country-Manager-Star-Disney-India/08-11-2019-178677/ |access-date=1 February 2020 |archive-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201213716/http://www.businessworld.in/article/Sanjay-Gupta-Steps-Down-As-Country-Manager-Star-Disney-India/08-11-2019-178677/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" align="right"

Disney XD was replaced with [[Super Hungama|Marvel HQ]] channel on 20 January 2019 at noon.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2019 |title=Disney India to replace Disney XD with Marvel HQ |work=Best Media Info |url=http://bestmediainfo.com/2019/01/disney-india-to-replace-disney-xd-with-marvel-hq/ |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402233449/https://bestmediainfo.com/2019/01/disney-india-to-replace-disney-xd-with-marvel-hq/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Disney Star|Star India networks]] took over the distribution of Disney channels in July 2019. Disney Channel, Hungama TV, Marvel HQ, and Disney Junior became part of ''the Disney Kids Pack'' while Bindass and Disney International HD became part of the ''Star Value Pack''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star India launches Disney Kids Pack with new campaign |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/star-india-launches-disney-kids-pack-with-new-campaign-98252.html |website=exchange4media |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721072347/https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/star-india-launches-disney-kids-pack-with-new-campaign-98252.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Later, in February 2020, [[StarPlus#Star Gold|Star Gold]] underwent a branding overhaul, while its sister channel Movies OK was replaced by Star Gold 2.

=== 2020s ===
On 30 December 2020, Disney announced that the Star branding would be replaced with Utsav from 1 February in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2020 |title=Disney Renaming Star Channels in the Netherlands |url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-renaming-star-channels-in-the-netherlands/ |publisher=What's On Disney Plus |accessdate=1 September 2021 |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004100401/https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-renaming-star-channels-in-the-netherlands/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 January 2022, Tata Sky was rebranded into [[Tata Play]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=26 January 2022 |title=Tata Sky is now Tata Play, firm drops brand name after 18-year-run |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/tata-sky-is-now-tata-play-firm-drops-brand-name-after-18-year-run/articleshow/89127825.cms |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126025223/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/tata-sky-is-now-tata-play-firm-drops-brand-name-after-18-year-run/articleshow/89127825.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

Marvel HQ was replaced with the [[Super Hungama]] channel on 1 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Kids Network to launch new channel Super Hungama – Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/disney-kids-network-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-118684.html |access-date=4 July 2022 |website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228024944/https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/disney-kids-network-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-118684.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 April 2022, The Walt Disney Company India rebranded Star India to [[Disney Star]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhadra |first=Soham |title=Star India rebrands to Disney Star; channels celebrate new beginning on Twitter |url=https://dreamdth.com/star-india-rebrands-to-disney-star-and-channels-celebrate-new-beginning-on-twitter/ |access-date=15 April 2022 |website=dreamdth.com |date=15 April 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=15 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415113407/https://dreamdth.com/star-india-rebrands-to-disney-star-and-channels-celebrate-new-beginning-on-twitter/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 May 2022, Fox Star Studios was renamed [[Star Studios]], as part of the removal of the "Fox" name from the studios that had been acquired from 21st Century Fox by Disney.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 2022 |title=Fox Star Studios rebrands to Star Studios |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/fox-star-studios-rebrands-to-star-studios/article65466364.ece |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=The Hindu |archive-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607090816/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/fox-star-studios-rebrands-to-star-studios/article65466364.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a restructuring paradigm, Disney announced plans to shut down the UTV brand, with UTV Movies, UTV HD, and [[UTV Action]] being replaced respectively by [[StarPlus#Star Gold Romance|Star Gold Romance]], the HD feed of Star Gold 2, and [[StarPlus#Star Gold Thrills|Star Gold Thrills]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star India to shut down UTV Movies and UTV Action |url=https://journalismguide.in/star-india-to-shut-down-utv-movies-and-utv-action/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=journalismguide.in |date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314111212/https://journalismguide.in/star-india-to-shut-down-utv-movies-and-utv-action/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2023, Head of Network Entertainment Kevin Vaz left the company to join [[Viacom18]] as CEO of TV Business.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farooqui |first1=Javed |title=Disney Star's Kevin Vaz set to join Viacom18 as CEO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/disney-stars-kevin-vaz-set-to-join-viacom18-as-ceo/articleshow/99643793.cms |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=20 April 2023 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122190756/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/disney-stars-kevin-vaz-set-to-join-viacom18-as-ceo/articleshow/99643793.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Farooqui |first1=Javed |title=Kevin Vaz joins Viacom 18 as CEO of TV business |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/kevin-vaz-joins-viacom-18-as-ceo-of-tv-business/articleshow/101678156.cms |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 July 2023 |archive-date=22 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122190756/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/kevin-vaz-joins-viacom-18-as-ceo-of-tv-business/articleshow/101678156.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2023, The Walt Disney Company began exploring strategic options for their businesses in India, such as forming a joint venture or selling it completely; the company had major domestic cricket rights to competitors, which had weakened the Disney+ Hotstar service.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |title=Disney Reportedly Exploring Strategic Options in India, Including Potential Sale or Joint Venture |url=https://variety.com/2023/global/asia/disney-india-business-potential-sale-joint-venture-1235667496/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Variety |date=12 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713222509/https://variety.com/2023/global/asia/disney-india-business-potential-sale-joint-venture-1235667496/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Between September and October 2023, Disney held preliminary talks with [[Reliance Industries]], [[Adani Group]], [[Sun Group]], [[Blackstone Inc.|Blackstone]], and [[Sony Pictures Networks India]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kalesh |first1=Baiju |last2=Singh |first2=Preeti |last3=P R |first3=Sanjai |title=Disney India Sale Talks Draw Firms Including Reliance |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-18/disney-india-sale-talks-said-to-draw-firms-including-reliance |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Bloomberg.com |url-access=registration |date=18 September 2023 |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919043931/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-18/disney-india-sale-talks-said-to-draw-firms-including-reliance |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sriram |first1=M. |last2=Kalra |first2=Aditya |title=Blackstone holds initial talks with Disney for stake in India arm, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/blackstone-talks-with-disney-stake-india-arm-sources-2023-10-11/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |agency=Reuters |date=11 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024171503/https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/blackstone-talks-with-disney-stake-india-arm-sources-2023-10-11/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Laghate |first1=Gaurav |title=Sony begins talks with Disney to buy India biz |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/sony-begins-talks-with-disney-to-buy-india-biz-11697390191465.html |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Mint |url-access=subscription |date=15 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022203933/https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/sony-begins-talks-with-disney-to-buy-india-biz-11697390191465.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2023, it was reported that Disney was nearing a cash and stock deal with Reliance Industries for the sale of its operations in India, including a controlling stake in Disney Star. The assets Reliance will acquire are reportedly valued at around US$7–8 billion (valuing the entire division at US$10 billion), and a transaction could be announced as early as November.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittock |first1=Jesse |title=Disney Set To Sell Indian Operation To Reliance Industries in Deal Valuing Biz At $10B – Report |url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/disney-set-to-sell-india-business-reliance-industries-report-1235581318/ |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=Deadline |date=24 October 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030154012/https://deadline.com/2023/10/disney-set-to-sell-india-business-reliance-industries-report-1235581318/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although the CEO of Disney, Robert Iger, refuted such claims at first, it was announced in December 2023 that Disney and Reliance had signed a non-binding term sheet for a merger. According to its terms, Reliance would hold a 51% in the merged company in cash and stock, while Disney would own the remaining 49%. For purposes of the merger, a subsidiary of [[Viacom18]] will be created to absorb Disney Star through a [[stock swap]]. The deal is expected to be completed by February 2024, pending ratification and regulatory approval, although Reliance aims to complete it by the end of January.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barman |first1=Arijit |last2=Farooqui |first2=Jaaved |title=Reliance, Disney ink non-binding agreement for mega merger |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/reliance-disney-ink-non-binding-agreement-for-mega-merger/articleshow/106255328.cms |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=25 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sinha |first1=Vaishnawi |title=Mukesh Ambani's Reliance-Disney Star deal explained: 10 points on mega-merger |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/mukesh-ambanis-reliance-disney-star-deal-explained-10-points-on-megamerger-101703494970189-amp.html |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaustubh |first1=Abhinav |title="We'd Like To Stay," Disney CEO On Hotstar's Alleged Sale To Reliance Jio, Adani Group |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/wed-like-to-stay-disney-ceo-on-hotstars-sale-to-reliance-jio-adani-group/articleshow/105090482.cms |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=The Times of India |date=9 November 2023}}</ref>

In February 2024, [[The Walt Disney Company]] and [[Reliance Industries]] reached a deal to merge their streaming and television assets, with the joint venture valued at $8.5 billion, including synergies. As part of the deal, Viacom18 would be merged into [[Disney Star]], with Disney holding a 36.84% stake in the combined entity. This would bring together assets such as linear television entertainment channels [[StarPlus]], [[Colors TV]], and the [[Star Gold Network]]; sports channels [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]] and [[Sports18]]; and the streaming services [[JioCinema]] and [[Disney+ Hotstar]]. [[Nita Ambani]] will serve as the chairperson of the joint venture, while [[Uday Shankar (businessman)|Uday Shankar]] will serve as vice chairperson. The deal gives 16.34% to Reliance and 46.82% to Viacom18<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/reliance-disney-india-merge-streaming-tv-assets-to-create-rs-70-352-crore-media-powerhouse-5-key-highlights-11709129039923.html |title=Reliance, Disney India merge streaming, TV assets to create ₹70,352 crore media powerhouse; 5 key highlights |last=Prasad |first=Nikita |date=28 February 2024 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |access-date=29 February 2024}}</ref> and is expected to close sometime in late 2024 or early 2025, pending regulatory approval.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney And Reliance Clinch Joint Venture in India |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |first=Jill |last=Goldsmith |date=28 February 2024 |access-date=28 February 2024 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/disney-star-reliance-india-joint-venture-in-india-1235840411/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RELIANCE AND DISNEY ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC JOINT VENTURE TO BRING TOGETHER THE MOST COMPELLING AND ENGAGING ENTERTAINMENT BRANDS IN INDIA |url=https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/ea700929-d4cd-43d9-8d05-a6d2553436e8.pdf |website=BSE India |publisher=BSE India}}</ref> The deal was approved by the [[National Company Law Tribunal]], with the JioCinema streaming service being moved to the [[Viacom18]] unit as part of the merger.<ref>{{cite web |title=NCLT approves merger process for Reliance's arm Viacom18 and Star India |first=Abhijeet |last=Kumar |date=14 May 2024 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/nclt-approves-merger-process-for-reliance-s-arm-viacom18-and-star-india-124051700335_1.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NLCT sets the ball rolling on merger of Reliance's arm Viacom18 and Star India |url=https://m.economictimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/nclt-sets-the-ball-rolling-on-merger-of-reliances-arm-viacom18-and-star-india/articleshow/110192337.cms |access-date=17 May 2024 |website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

== Divisions ==

=== Current Divisions ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Store
! Store !! licensee !! start date !! closed date
! Licencee
! Start Date
! Closed Date
|-
|-
| Disney Corners Departments
| Disney Corners<br>departments || || {{dts|format=dmy|2005|4}}<ref name="itv1"/> ||
|
| April 2005<ref name="Bhattacharjee 2005" />
| rowspan="5" |
|-
|-
| Disney Jeans
| Disney Jeans || Indus Clothing || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|9|26}}<ref name="bs1"/> ||
| Indus Clothing
| 26 September 2006<ref name="Business Standard 2006" />
|-
|-
| Disney Artist
| Disney Artist || Ravi Jaipuria Corporation || {{dts|format=dmy|2006|10|10}}<ref name="toi"/> ||
| Ravi Jaipuria Corporation
| 10 October 2006<ref name="The Times of India 2006" />
|-
|-
| Disney & Me
| Disney & Me || DLF Brands || {{dts|format=dmy|2018|4}}<ref name="ect0"/> ||
| DLF Brands
| April 2018<ref name="The Economic Times 2018" />
|-
| shopDisney
|
| 23 November 2020<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2020 |title=ShopDisney, Disney's Online Store, Now Live in India |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/disney-store-india-online-shopdisney-free-shipping-disappointing-2328949 |access-date=5 November 2021 |website=Gadgets 360 |language=en |archive-date=5 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105125107/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/disney-store-india-online-shopdisney-free-shipping-disappointing-2328949 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
|}
* [[JioStar]] (36.84%)
* [[Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media]]
** [[Disney Consumer Products]]
* [[Star Studios]]
* [[Disney Consumer Products#Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media|Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media]]
** [[Disney Consumer Products]]
** [[Disney Publishing Worldwide]]
** [[Disney Publishing Worldwide]]
** Disney Interactive
** Disney Interactive
** [[Walt Disney Pictures India]]
* [[Star India]]
** Star Media Networks
*** [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]]
*** Star Media Networks South
**** [[Asianet Digital Network Private Limited|Asianet Star Communications]]
**** [[Star Maa|Star Maa Network]]
** [[Fox Star Studios]]
** Novi Digital Entertainment
*** [[Disney+ Hotstar]]
**Mashal Sports (74%)
***[[Pro Kabaddi league]]
**[[Indian Super League]] (40%)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/kabaddi/its-kabaddi-time-for-star-buys-74-stake-in-pro-kabaddi|title=Star buys 74% stake in Pro Kabaddi|date=27 April 2015|website=www.sportskeeda.com}}</ref>
** [[UTV Software Communications]]
*** [[UTV Indiagames]]
*** [[UTV Motion Pictures]]


===Disney Studios===
=== Former Divisions ===
* Walt Disney Pictures India
====Films====
* UTV Software Communications
The following films were produced by Walt Disney Pictures India.
** [[UTV Motion Pictures]]
** [[UTV Indiagames]]
* Disney India Media Networks
* Asianet Star Communications
* Novi Digital Entertainment


==== Walt Disney Pictures India ====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Year
Line 115: Line 153:
| [[Jugal Hansraj]]
| [[Jugal Hansraj]]
| [[Aditya Chopra]]
| [[Aditya Chopra]]
| {{ubl|[[Yash Raj Films]]|[[Walt Disney Pictures]]|[[Tata Elxsi]]}}
| {{ubl|[[Yash Raj Films]] | [[Walt Disney Pictures]] | [[Tata Elxsi]]}}
| [[List of Indian animated feature films|Animated Film]] <br> [[National Film Award for Best Animated Film]]<ref name="56thawardPDF">{{cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf |title=56th National Film Awards |format=PDF |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |accessdate=27 March 2012}}</ref> <br> Nominated- [[Visual Effects Society Awards 2008|Visual Effects Society Award]] for Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ayear/7th-annual-ves-awards |title=7th VES Awards |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| [[List of Indian animated feature films|Animated Film]] <br /> [[National Film Award for Best Animated Film]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=56th National Film Awards |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf |access-date=27 March 2012 |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019152853/http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> Nominated- [[Visual Effects Society Awards 2008|Visual Effects Society Award]] for Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture<ref>{{Cite web |title=7th VES Awards |url=https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ayear/7th-annual-ves-awards |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721005412/https://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ayear/7th-annual-ves-awards |url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref name=bsd>{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/yash-raj-disney-in-animation-films-tie-up-107061301114_1.html |title=Yash Raj, Disney in animation films tie-up |date=13 June 2007 |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3250464/Disney-releases-Bollywood-animation-Roadside-Romeo.html |title=Disney releases Bollywood animation 'Roadside Romeo' |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |date=24 October 2008 |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref name="Business Standard India 2007">{{Cite news |date=13 June 2007 |title=Yash Raj, Disney in animation films tie-up |work=Business Standard India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/yash-raj-disney-in-animation-films-tie-up-107061301114_1.html |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=31 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231142847/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/yash-raj-disney-in-animation-films-tie-up-107061301114_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 2008 |title=Disney releases Bollywood animation 'Roadside Romeo' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3250464/Disney-releases-Bollywood-animation-Roadside-Romeo.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3250464/Disney-releases-Bollywood-animation-Roadside-Romeo.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2010
| 2010
Line 123: Line 161:
| [[Habib Faisal]]
| [[Habib Faisal]]
| [[Arindam Chaudhuri]]
| [[Arindam Chaudhuri]]
| Planman Motion Pictures<br>Disney World Cinema
| Planman Motion Pictures
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]]<ref name="58thawardPDF">{{cite web |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/58_NFA.pdf |title=58th National Film Awards |format=PDF |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |accessdate=29 March 2012}}</ref>
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=58th National Film Awards |url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/58_NFA.pdf |access-date=29 March 2012 |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |archive-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307013755/http://dff.nic.in/2011/58_NFA.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-business/walt-disney-releases-first-live-action-hindi-feature-do-dooni-chaar-113101403495_1.html |title=Walt Disney releases first live action Hindi feature Do Dooni Chaar |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Walt Disney releases first live action Hindi feature Do Dooni Chaar |url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-business/walt-disney-releases-first-live-action-hindi-feature-do-dooni-chaar-113101403495_1.html |access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|2011
| rowspan="3" | 2011
| ''[[Feluda: The Kathmandu Caper]]''
| ''[[Feluda: The Kathmandu Caper]]''
| Tapaas Chakravarti
| Tapaas Chakravarti
|
|
| distribution only<br>DQ Entertainment International
| distribution only<br />DQ Entertainment International
| [[List of Indian animated feature films#TV films|Animated TV Movie]]
| [[List of Indian animated feature films#TV films|Animated TV Movie]]
|<ref name= Feluda>{{cite web |url=http://www.exchange4media.com/industrybriefing/disney-brings-satyajit-ray’s-detective-feluda-to-the-small-screen_40497.html |title=Disney brings Satyajit Ray’s detective Feluda to the small screen |date=30 December 2010 |accessdate=19 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=30 December 2010 |title=Disney brings Satyajit Ray's detective Feluda to the small screen |url=http://www.exchange4media.com/industrybriefing/disney-brings-satyajit-ray%E2%80%99s-detective-feluda-to-the-small-screen_40497.html |access-date=19 May 2017 |archive-date=27 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727144129/http://www.exchange4media.com/industrybriefing/disney-brings-satyajit-ray%E2%80%99s-detective-feluda-to-the-small-screen_40497.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Anaganaga O Dheerudu]]''
| ''[[Anaganaga O Dheerudu]]''
| [[Prakash Kovelamudi]]
| [[Prakash Kovelamudi]]
| [[Prasad Devineni]] <br> Prakash Kovelamudi
| [[Prasad Devineni]] <br /> Prakash Kovelamudi
| {{ubl|A Bellyful of Dreams Entertainment|[[Arka Media Works]]|Disney World Cinema}}
| {{ubl|A Bellyful of Dreams Entertainment|[[Arka Media Works]]}}
| [[Telugu cinema|Telugu film]]
| [[Telugu cinema|Telugu film]]
|<ref name="disneyfilm">{{cite news |title=Walt Disney picks Shruti, Siddharth! |publisher=[[Times of India]] |accessdate=17 March 2010 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-17/news-interviews/28114703_1_walt-disney-characters-film |date=17 March 2010}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2010 |title=Walt Disney picks Shruti, Siddharth! |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Walt-Disney-picks-Shruti-Siddharth/articleshow/5689807.cms |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321010831/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-17/news-interviews/28114703_1_walt-disney-characters-film |archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Zokkomon]]''
| ''[[Zokkomon]]''
| [[Satyajit Bhatkal]]
| [[Satyajit Bhatkal]]
|
|
|
|
|
|<ref name="Bollywood Trade">{{cite news |title=Walt Disney's Zokkomon to Release on 22nd April 2011 |url=http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/box-office-reports/walt-disneys-zokkomon-to-release-on-22nd-april-2011/d9bf9f92-258f-46da-9316-a7f83a21d036/index.htm |accessdate=6 July 2011 |newspaper=Bollywood Trade |date=2 March 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321024004/http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/box-office-reports/walt-disneys-zokkomon-to-release-on-22nd-april-2011/d9bf9f92-258f-46da-9316-a7f83a21d036/index.htm |archivedate=21 March 2012}}</ref>
|
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2011 |title=Walt Disney's Zokkomon to Release on 22nd April 2011 |work=Bollywood Trade |url=http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/box-office-reports/walt-disneys-zokkomon-to-release-on-22nd-april-2011/d9bf9f92-258f-46da-9316-a7f83a21d036/index.htm |access-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321024004/http://www.bollywoodtrade.com/box-office-reports/walt-disneys-zokkomon-to-release-on-22nd-april-2011/d9bf9f92-258f-46da-9316-a7f83a21d036/index.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|2012
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| ''[[Arjun: The Warrior Prince]]''
| ''[[Arjun: The Warrior Prince]]''
| Arnab Chaudhuri
| Arnab Chaudhuri
| [[Ronnie Screwvala]] <br> [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]]
| [[Ronnie Screwvala]] <br /> [[Siddharth Roy Kapur]]
| [[UTV Motion Pictures]]
| [[UTV Motion Pictures]]
| Animated Film <br> Nominated - [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival#Feature films|Grand Prix]] at [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival|2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival]]<ref name=Annecy>{{cite web |url=http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/animation/arjun-the-warrior-prince-nominated-for-annecy-cristal-award-2013 |title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince Nominated for Annecy Cristal Award 2013 |accessdate=26 April 2013}}</ref>
| Animated Film <br /> Nominated – [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival#Feature films|Grand Prix]] at [[Annecy International Animated Film Festival|2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2013 |title=Arjun: The Warrior Prince Nominated for Annecy Cristal Award 2013 |url=http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/animation/arjun-the-warrior-prince-nominated-for-annecy-cristal-award-2013 |access-date=26 April 2013 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904153950/http://www.animationxpress.com/index.php/animation/arjun-the-warrior-prince-nominated-for-annecy-cristal-award-2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/disneys-arjun-opens-monday-night-in-hollywood-69157.html |title=Disney’s "Arjun" opens in Hollywood |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2012 |title=Disney's "Arjun" opens in Hollywood |url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/disneys-arjun-opens-monday-night-in-hollywood-69157.html |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906181540/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/disneys-arjun-opens-monday-night-in-hollywood-69157.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Luck Luck Ki Baat]]''
| ''[[Luck Luck Ki Baat]]''
| Iqbal Khan
| Iqbal Khan
| [[List of Disney Channel (India) series|Disney Channel India]]
| [[List of Disney Channel (India) series|Disney Channel India]]
|[[Sol (production company)|SOL Productions]]
| SOL Productions
| [[Television film]] <br> Remake of 2001 [[List of Disney Channel original films|Disney Channel original movie]] [[The Luck of the Irish (2001 film)|The Luck of the Irish]]<ref name= Luck>{{cite news |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/sep/sep291.php |title=Disney India's first ever MADE FOR TELEVISION Film to premiere on 30 Sep.|work=India Television |date=28 September 2012 |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| [[Television film]] <br /> Remake of 2001 [[List of Disney Channel original films|Disney Channel original movie]] [[The Luck of the Irish (2001 film)|The Luck of the Irish]]
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2012 |title=Disney India's First Ever Made for Television Film to Premiere on 30 Sep. |publisher=India Television |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/sep/sep291.php |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908055815/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/sep/sep291.php |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2014
| 2014
|''[[Khoobsurat (2014 film)|Khoobsurat]]''
| ''[[Khoobsurat (2014 film)|Khoobsurat]]''
| [[Shashanka Ghosh]]
| [[Shashanka Ghosh]]
| {{ubl|[[Anil Kapoor]]|[[Rhea Kapoor]]|Siddharth Roy Kapur}}
| [[Fawad Khan]]{{ubl|[[Anil Kapoor]] | [[Rhea Kapoor]] | Siddharth Roy Kapur}}
| {{ubl|UTV Motion Pictures|Anil Kapoor Film Company}}
| {{ubl|UTV Motion Pictures|Anil Kapoor Film Company}}
|
|
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/disney-india-to-co-produce-khubsoorat-remake-with-kapoors-456638 |title=Disney India to co-produce Khubsoorat remake with Kapoors – NDTV |work=Movies.ndtv.com |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney India to co-produce Khubsoorat remake with Kapoors – NDTV |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/disney-india-to-co-produce-khubsoorat-remake-with-kapoors-456638 |access-date=18 May 2017 |website=Movies.ndtv.com |archive-date=13 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213133234/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/disney-india-to-co-produce-khubsoorat-remake-with-kapoors-456638 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2015
| ''[[ABCD 2]]''
| ''[[ABCD 2]]''
| [[Remo D'Souza]]
| [[Remo D'Souza]]
| Siddharth Roy Kapur
| Siddharth Roy Kapur
| UTV Motion Pictures
| UTV Motion Pictures
| Sequel to the 2013 film [[ABCD: Any Body Can Dance]].
| Sequel to the 2013 film [[ABCD: Any Body Can Dance]].
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/disney-india-creates-its-first-local-franchise-with-abcd-2/ |title=Disney India creates its first local franchise with ‘ABCD 2’ |work=[[Indian Express Limited]] |date=22 April 2015 |accessdate=30 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=22 April 2015 |title=Disney India creates its first local franchise with 'ABCD 2' |work=[[Indian Express Limited]] |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/disney-india-creates-its-first-local-franchise-with-abcd-2/ |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=19 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219035426/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/disney-india-creates-its-first-local-franchise-with-abcd-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|2016
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[Apna Bhai Gaju Bhai]]''
| ''[[Apna Bhai Gaju Bhai]]''
| Sandeep Patil and Aarsh Vohra
| Sandeep Patil and Aarsh Vohra
| Disney Channel India
| Disney Channel India
| [[Toonz India Ltd|Toonz Animation]]
| [[Toonz India Ltd|Toonz Animation]]
| Animated TV movie <br> based on [[List of Disney Channel (India) series#2016|Disney Channel's animated TV series]] ''[[Gaju Bhai]]''
| Animated TV movie <br /> based on [[List of Disney Channel (India) series#2016|Disney Channel's animated TV series]] ''[[Gaju Bhai]]''
|<ref name= Gaju>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/When-Jollywoods-Superstar-meets-Bollywoods-superstar/articleshow/52868823.cms |title=When Jollywood’s Superstar meets Bollywood’s superstar! |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=22 June 2016 |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2016 |title=When Jollywood's Superstar meets Bollywood's superstar! |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/When-Jollywoods-Superstar-meets-Bollywoods-superstar/articleshow/52868823.cms |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=27 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627165056/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/When-Jollywoods-Superstar-meets-Bollywoods-superstar/articleshow/52868823.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Dangal (film)|Dangal]]''
| ''[[Dangal (2016 film)|Dangal]]''
| [[Nitesh Tiwari]]
| [[Nitesh Tiwari]]
| {{ubl|[[Aamir Khan]]|[[Kiran Rao]]|Siddharth Roy Kapur}}
| {{ubl|[[Aamir Khan]] | [[Kiran Rao]] | Siddharth Roy Kapur}}
| [[Aamir Khan Productions]]<br>UTV Motion Pictures
| Aamir Khan Productions<br />UTV Motion Pictures
| Highest Grossing Indian film till date.
|
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/news/17/jan/dangal-collections-records-disney-india.asp# |title=DANGAL is an extremely special film for Disney, says Disney India Studios VP |work=Glamsham.com |date=10 January 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2017 |title=DANGAL is an extremely special film for Disney, says Disney India Studios VP |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/news/17/jan/dangal-collections-records-disney-india.asp |website=Glamsham.com |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326062923/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/news/17/jan/dangal-collections-records-disney-india.asp |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2017
| 2017
| ''[[Jagga Jasoos]]''
| ''[[Jagga Jasoos]]''
| [[Anurag Basu]]
| [[Anurag Basu]]
| Anurag Basu <br> [[Ranbir Kapoor]] <br> Siddharth Roy Kapur
| Anurag Basu <br /> [[Ranbir Kapoor]] <br /> Siddharth Roy Kapur
| {{ubl|PictureShuru Entertainment|UTV Motion Pictures|Ishana Movies}}
| {{ubl|PictureShuru Entertainment|UTV Motion Pictures|Ishana Movies}}
|
|
|<ref name="JaggaJasoos">{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jagga-jasoos-new-poster-out-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-starrer-to-release-on-14-july-3477252.html |title=Jagga Jasoos new poster out; Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer to release on 14 July |date=24 May 2017 | work=Firstpost/ShowSha |accessdate=23 June 2019 }}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2017 |title=Jagga Jasoos new poster out; Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer to release on 14 July |work=Firstpost/ShowSha |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jagga-jasoos-new-poster-out-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-starrer-to-release-on-14-july-3477252.html |access-date=23 June 2019 |archive-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624005138/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jagga-jasoos-new-poster-out-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-starrer-to-release-on-14-july-3477252.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|}
|}


====Home entertainment====
=== Home Entertainment ===
The following Indian films were released under the [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] banner.
The following Indian films were released under the [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] banner.


{|class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Home Entertainment Release date
! scope="col" | Home Entertainment Release date
Line 221: Line 259:
| ''Like Stars on Earth''
| ''Like Stars on Earth''
| 21 December 2007
| 21 December 2007
| [[Aamir Khan Productions]] and [[PVR Pictures]]
| Aamir Khan Productions and [[PVR Pictures]]
|
|
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Disney-releasing-lsquoTaare-Zameen-Parrsquo-on-DVD-in-US/article16853948.ece |title=Disney releasing ‘Taare Zameen Par’ on DVD in US |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 December 2009 |accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=18 December 2009 |title=Disney releasing 'Taare Zameen Par' on DVD in US |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Disney-releasing-lsquoTaare-Zameen-Parrsquo-on-DVD-in-US/article16853948.ece |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501171144/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Disney-releasing-lsquoTaare-Zameen-Parrsquo-on-DVD-in-US/article16853948.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|26 July 2011
| rowspan="3" | 26 July 2011
| ''[[Anaganaga O Dheerudu]]''
| ''[[Anaganaga O Dheerudu]]''
| ''Once Upon a Warrior''
| ''Once Upon a Warrior''
| 14 January 2011
| 14 January 2011
| Disney India, A Bellyful of Dreams Entertainment, Arka Media Works and Disney World Cinema
| Disney India, A Bellyful of Dreams Entertainment, and Arka Media Works
| rowspan="3" | Part of Disney World Cinema series
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2011 |title=Disney Releasing 3 Indian Films in North America |work=Deccan Herald |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/172630/disney-releasing-3-indian-films.html |access-date=6 July 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021163719/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/172630/disney-releasing-3-indian-films.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|rowspan="3"|Part of Disney World Cinema series
|rowspan="3"|<ref name="Deccan Herlad">{{cite news |title=Disney Releasing 3 Indian Films in North America |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/172630/disney-releasing-3-indian-films.html |accessdate=6 July 2011 |newspaper=Deccan Herald |date=30 June 2011}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Do Dooni Chaar]]''
| ''[[Do Dooni Chaar]]''
| ''Two Twos Are Four''
| ''Two Twos Are Four''
| 8 October 2010
| 8 October 2010
| Disney India, Planman Motion Pictures and Disney World Cinema
| Disney India and Planman Motion Pictures
|-
|-
| ''[[Zokkomon]]''
| ''[[Zokkomon]]''
| ''Zokkomon''
| ''Zokkomon''
| 22 April 2011
| 22 April 2011
| Disney India and Disney World Cinema
| Disney India
|-
|}
|}


===Disney Live Entertainment===
=== Disney Live Entertainment ===
'''Musicals'''
* ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (2015)<ref name="Malvania 2015" /> The staff on the show include Vikranth Pawar (director), [[Leslee Lewis]] (music director), and [[Terence Lewis (choreographer)|Terence Lewis]] (choreography).<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2015 |title=Disney to create the magic of Broadway in India |url=https://www.adgully.com/disney-to-create-the-magic-of-broadway-in-india-62577.html |access-date=22 May 2017 |publisher=Adgully}}</ref>
* ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]]'' (2018) The musical is co-produced with Indian company BookMyShow.<ref name="Disney to Launch 2018" />


== See also ==
: '''Musicals'''
* ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (2015)<ref name="bs0" /> The staff on the show include Vikranth Pawar (director), [[Lesle Lewis (composer)|Lesle Lewis]] (music director), and [[Terence Lewis (choreographer)|Terence Lewis]] (choreography).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adgully.com/disney-to-create-the-magic-of-broadway-in-india-62577.html |title=Disney to create the magic of Broadway in India |date=13 August 2015 |publisher=Adgully |accessdate=22 May 2017}}</ref>
* ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]]'' (2018) The musical is co-produced with Indian company BookMyShow.<ref name=Var1/>

=== Disney Media Networks ===
{{See also|List of Disney TV programming blocks#India}}

====Channels====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:middle;
!style="width:180pt; background:Lavender;"|Channel Name
!style="width:180pt; background:Lavender;"|Launched
!style="width:180pt; background:Lavender;"|Discontinued<br/>Replacement
!style="width:300pt; background:Lavender;"|Language(s)
!style="width:180pt; background:Lavender;"|Genre
!style="width:180pt; background:Lavender;"|Notes
|-
|[[Bindass]]
|24 September 2007
|
|rowspan="2"|[[Hindi]]
| rowspan="2" |Entertainment
|Acquired in 2012
|-
|[[UTV Stars]]
|19 August 2011
| 2014<br>Bindass Play
|Acquired in 2012
|-
|[[Bindass Play]]
|1 October 2014
| 2017<br/>Disney International HD
|Hindi
|Music
|
|-
|[[Disney International HD]]
|29 October 2017
| rowspan="5" |
|[[English language|English]]
|Entertainment
| rowspan="5" |
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Bengali]]
|[[Disney Channel (Indian TV channel)|Disney Channel India]]
|17 December 2004
|[[English language|English]]
|[[Hindi language|Hindi]]
|[[|Bengali language|Bengali]]
|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]

| rowspan="6" |English<br>Hindi<br>[[Tamil language|Tamil]]<br>[[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| rowspan="7" |Kids
|-
|[[Disney Channel (Indian TV channel)|Disney Channel HD]]
|1 March 2020
|-
|[[Disney Junior (India)|Disney Junior India]]
|15 October 2012
|-
|[[Marvel HQ]]
|20 January 2019<ref name=bmi/>
|-
|[[Toon Disney India]]
|17 December 2004
|2009<br>Disney XD
|-
|[[Disney XD (India)|Disney XD]]
|14 November 2009
|2019<br>Marvel HQ<ref name=bmi/>
|-
|[[Hungama TV]]
|26 September 2004
|
|Hindi<br>Tamil<br>Telugu
|Acquired in 2006
|-
|[[UTV Action]]
|24 September 2007
|
| rowspan="2" |Hindi
| rowspan="4" |Movies
|rowspan="2"|Acquired in 2012
|-
|[[UTV Movies]]
| 24 February 2008
|
|-
|[[UTV Movies|UTV HD]]
|21 October 2018
|
|Hindi
|It shows hollywood and bollywood movies.
|-
|[[UTV World Movies]]
| 3 February 2008
| 5 October 2014
| English
|Acquired in 2012
|}

==See also==
* [[UTV Motion Pictures|List of films released by UTV Motion Pictures]]
* [[UTV Motion Pictures|List of films released by UTV Motion Pictures]]
* [[List of Walt Disney Pictures films]]
* [[List of Walt Disney Pictures films]]
* [[Star Studios]]
* [[List of Disney television films]]
* [[List of Disney theatrical animated features]]
* [[List of Indian animated feature films]]


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|corporate.disney.in}} (corporate)
* {{official website|https://www.disney.in/}}
* [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/company/the-walt-disney-company-india-private-limited/U74999DL2003PTC121582?from=mdr Info] at [[The Economic Times]]
* {{Official website|www.disney.in}}
* {{imdb company|0297957}}


{{India Animation Industry}}
{{India Animation Industry}}
{{Disney}}
{{Disney}}
{{Disney Star}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walt Disney Company India public limited company.}}
[[Category:Disney India| ]]
[[Category:1993 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Film production companies based in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Film production companies based in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Disney India| ]]
[[Category:The Walt Disney Company subsidiaries|India]]
[[Category:Indian animation studios]]
[[Category:Indian animation studios]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:Mass media companies of India]]
[[Category:Television broadcasting companies of India]]
[[Category:Television companies of India|Broadcasting]]
[[Category:Television networks in India]]
[[Category:The Walt Disney Company subsidiaries|India]]

Latest revision as of 18:05, 7 January 2025

The Walt Disney Company India
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryMedia conglomerate
Founded1 August 1993; 31 years ago (1993-08-01)
FoundersThe Walt Disney Company
Headquarters
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Area served
India
Products
Services
ParentThe Walt Disney Company
Divisions
Websitedisney.in

The Walt Disney Company India, also known as Disney India, is the Indian subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company India became India's biggest television broadcaster[1] after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, which included Star India.

History

[edit]

Establishment

[edit]

The Walt Disney Company India was initially established as a joint venture partnership between The Walt Disney Company and Modi Enterprises in August 1993 as a licensing agreement. Disney received approval in October 2001 from the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board to establish a fully owned subsidiary to launch the Disney Channel in India. Despite the approval for the subsidiary, its joint venture partner, Modi Enterprises, protested because of similarities to their joint venture. At the end of the 10-year licensing agreement in 2003, Modi Enterprises and Disney were unable to reach a new agreement, dissolving the joint venture in August 2003.[2]

In September 2003, Walt Disney Television International Asia Pacific assumed control of the distribution of content through channels like Star Movies, AXN, and HBO, including 29 hours of children's programming weekly through channels such as DD Metro, Eenadu, SET, Star Plus and Star World.[3]

Fully owned subsidiary

[edit]

The Walt Disney Company (India) Private Limited began operations in July 2004 and is based in Mumbai.[4] On 17 December 2004, Walt Disney Television International India launched the Disney Channel and Toon Disney Channel with five language feeds (English, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil). The channels were to be distributed by the Star Group.[5][6][7] In December 2004, with UTV Indiagames as a partner, Disney Interactive released Disney games, wallpapers, and ringtones available on Bharti Airtel. In 2005, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) began working with various Indian retail outlets to establish Disney Corners within the outlets to sell licensed merchandise.[8] In August, Funskool India and Disney entered into a contract for Funskool to sell Disney Princess products in India.[9]

In January 2007, Disney India and Yash Raj Films agreed to co-produce and co-finance a yearly animated film for the Indian market. Both companies work together on merchandising and games for the films.[10]

In July 2006, Disney India acquired a controlling stake in Hungama TV from UTV Software Communications Limited while also taking a 14.9% share in UTV.[11] In 2008, the company took an additional 17.5% stake in UTV.[12]

On 26 September 2006, the Disney Jeans brand was launched under a license to Indus Clothing, which planned to open 30 Disney Jeans stores by the end of 2007.[13] In October, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) franchised the rights to set up 150 Disney Artist brand stores under the Disney Artist brand to Ravi Jaipuria Corporation for a period of 5 years. The stores were to sell greeting cards, stationery, arts, crafts, and party products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives featuring Disney characters.[14]

Disney Publishing Worldwide, a division of Walt Disney India, announced a licensing agreement in April 2009 with the local publisher Junior Diamond to publish Disney comics in English and Hindi.[15] Jetix/Toon Disney was changed to Disney XD on 14 November 2009.[7]

2010s

[edit]

In May 2011, Disney and UTV agreed to co-produce Disney-branded family films with creative functions handled jointly. UTV produces, markets, and distributes the films.[4] In July 2011, Walt Disney Company (South East Asia) Pvt Ltd. offered to purchase public shareholders' stakes with the objective of increasing their ownership. In February 2012, Disney announced the completion of the acquisition of UTV. UTV Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Screwvala replaced Mahesh Samat as managing director of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) India.[16]

Disney launched Disney Junior, a channel for preschool kids.[17] Disney India launched its live Entertainment operations in 2015 with the production of Beauty and the Beast, a musical to be shown from October to December in Mumbai and Delhi.[18]

Disney India indicated in August 2016 that it was shutting down UTV Motion Pictures, its Hindi film production unit, and focusing on the distribution of its Hollywood films. Disney India managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur also indicated he would let his contract lapse on 1 January 2017.[19] On 28 November 2016, Mahesh Samat was to return as managing director, four years after he left the company.[20]

On 12 September 2017, Walt Disney International announced a restructuring of its business in Asia and that Mahesh Samat is to lead the new Disney South Asia division, combining India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.[21]

On 5 October 2017, The Walt Disney Company India officially announced the launch of Disney International HD to be on 29 October. The channel was to be the exclusive home to live-action Disney Channel original content.[22] The channel will not have any animation content and will be replacing Bindass Play.[23]

Disney launched its second HD channel, UTV HD, on 21 October 2018, showing Bollywood and Hollywood films in Hindi. It premiered a new movie every Friday.[24]

On 7 November 2017, Disney announced the promotion of Abhishek Maheshwari as country head for India. He was to report to Mahesh Samat, Walt Disney International South Asia managing director.[25]

On 14 December 2017, Disney announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox–parent company of rival Star India and streaming service Hotstar–for US$52.4 billion.[26][27]

Consumers Products licensed DLF Brands for Disney & Me stores that opened in April 2018.[28] The Live Entertainment division's second musical, Aladdin, premiered on 20 April 2018.[29]

On 13 December 2018, Disney announced Uday Shankar, who serves as president of Fox Asia and chairman of Star India, would lead Disney's Asia Pacific region and chairman of Disney India after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox closes.[30] On 1 April 2019, Uday Shankar, president of Disney Asia Pacific, announced the restructuring of the complete entity of Star India and Disney, while Sanjay Gupta would lead the Indian businesses and head Disney Studios India and Fox Star Studios in India, directly reporting to Uday Shankar who is also Chairman of Star and Disney India.[31] Gupta resigned as country head in November 2019, while UTV channels were merged into the Star India bouquet.[32]

Disney XD was replaced with Marvel HQ channel on 20 January 2019 at noon.[33] Star India networks took over the distribution of Disney channels in July 2019. Disney Channel, Hungama TV, Marvel HQ, and Disney Junior became part of the Disney Kids Pack while Bindass and Disney International HD became part of the Star Value Pack.[34] Later, in February 2020, Star Gold underwent a branding overhaul, while its sister channel Movies OK was replaced by Star Gold 2.

2020s

[edit]

On 30 December 2020, Disney announced that the Star branding would be replaced with Utsav from 1 February in the Netherlands.[35]

On 26 January 2022, Tata Sky was rebranded into Tata Play.[36]

Marvel HQ was replaced with the Super Hungama channel on 1 March 2022.[37]

On 14 April 2022, The Walt Disney Company India rebranded Star India to Disney Star.[38]

On 27 May 2022, Fox Star Studios was renamed Star Studios, as part of the removal of the "Fox" name from the studios that had been acquired from 21st Century Fox by Disney.[39]

Following a restructuring paradigm, Disney announced plans to shut down the UTV brand, with UTV Movies, UTV HD, and UTV Action being replaced respectively by Star Gold Romance, the HD feed of Star Gold 2, and Star Gold Thrills.[40]

In April 2023, Head of Network Entertainment Kevin Vaz left the company to join Viacom18 as CEO of TV Business.[41][42]

In July 2023, The Walt Disney Company began exploring strategic options for their businesses in India, such as forming a joint venture or selling it completely; the company had major domestic cricket rights to competitors, which had weakened the Disney+ Hotstar service.[43]

Between September and October 2023, Disney held preliminary talks with Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Sun Group, Blackstone, and Sony Pictures Networks India.[44][45][46] In October 2023, it was reported that Disney was nearing a cash and stock deal with Reliance Industries for the sale of its operations in India, including a controlling stake in Disney Star. The assets Reliance will acquire are reportedly valued at around US$7–8 billion (valuing the entire division at US$10 billion), and a transaction could be announced as early as November.[47]

Although the CEO of Disney, Robert Iger, refuted such claims at first, it was announced in December 2023 that Disney and Reliance had signed a non-binding term sheet for a merger. According to its terms, Reliance would hold a 51% in the merged company in cash and stock, while Disney would own the remaining 49%. For purposes of the merger, a subsidiary of Viacom18 will be created to absorb Disney Star through a stock swap. The deal is expected to be completed by February 2024, pending ratification and regulatory approval, although Reliance aims to complete it by the end of January.[48][49][50]

In February 2024, The Walt Disney Company and Reliance Industries reached a deal to merge their streaming and television assets, with the joint venture valued at $8.5 billion, including synergies. As part of the deal, Viacom18 would be merged into Disney Star, with Disney holding a 36.84% stake in the combined entity. This would bring together assets such as linear television entertainment channels StarPlus, Colors TV, and the Star Gold Network; sports channels Star Sports and Sports18; and the streaming services JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. Nita Ambani will serve as the chairperson of the joint venture, while Uday Shankar will serve as vice chairperson. The deal gives 16.34% to Reliance and 46.82% to Viacom18[51] and is expected to close sometime in late 2024 or early 2025, pending regulatory approval.[52][53] The deal was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, with the JioCinema streaming service being moved to the Viacom18 unit as part of the merger.[54][55]

Divisions

[edit]

Current Divisions

[edit]
Store Licencee Start Date Closed Date
Disney Corners Departments April 2005[8]
Disney Jeans Indus Clothing 26 September 2006[13]
Disney Artist Ravi Jaipuria Corporation 10 October 2006[14]
Disney & Me DLF Brands April 2018[28]
shopDisney 23 November 2020[56]

Former Divisions

[edit]
  • Walt Disney Pictures India
  • UTV Software Communications
  • Disney India Media Networks
  • Asianet Star Communications
  • Novi Digital Entertainment

Walt Disney Pictures India

[edit]
Year Film Director Producer(s) Co-production Co. Notes Ref.
2008 Roadside Romeo Jugal Hansraj Aditya Chopra
Animated Film
National Film Award for Best Animated Film[57]
Nominated- Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture[58] 		[10][59]
2010 Do Dooni Chaar Habib Faisal Arindam Chaudhuri Planman Motion Pictures National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi[60] [61]
2011 Feluda: The Kathmandu Caper Tapaas Chakravarti distribution only
DQ Entertainment International 		Animated TV Movie [62]
Anaganaga O Dheerudu Prakash Kovelamudi Prasad Devineni
Prakash Kovelamudi
Telugu film [63]
Zokkomon Satyajit Bhatkal [64]
2012 Arjun: The Warrior Prince Arnab Chaudhuri Ronnie Screwvala
Siddharth Roy Kapur 		UTV Motion Pictures Animated Film
Nominated – Grand Prix at 2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival[65] 		[66]
Luck Luck Ki Baat Iqbal Khan Disney Channel India SOL Productions Television film
Remake of 2001 Disney Channel original movie The Luck of the Irish 		[67]
2014 Khoobsurat Shashanka Ghosh Fawad Khan
  • UTV Motion Pictures
  • Anil Kapoor Film Company
 [68]
2015 ABCD 2 Remo D'Souza Siddharth Roy Kapur UTV Motion Pictures Sequel to the 2013 film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance. [69]
2016 Apna Bhai Gaju Bhai Sandeep Patil and Aarsh Vohra Disney Channel India Toonz Animation Animated TV movie
based on Disney Channel's animated TV series Gaju Bhai 		[70]
Dangal Nitesh Tiwari
Aamir Khan Productions
UTV Motion Pictures 		Highest Grossing Indian film till date. [71]
2017 Jagga Jasoos Anurag Basu Anurag Basu
Ranbir Kapoor
Siddharth Roy Kapur
  • PictureShuru Entertainment
  • UTV Motion Pictures
  • Ishana Movies
 [72]

Home Entertainment

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The following Indian films were released under the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment banner.

Home Entertainment Release date Film International Title Original Theatrical Release date Production Company Notes Ref.
12 January 2010 Taare Zameen Par Like Stars on Earth 21 December 2007 Aamir Khan Productions and PVR Pictures [73]
26 July 2011 Anaganaga O Dheerudu Once Upon a Warrior 14 January 2011 Disney India, A Bellyful of Dreams Entertainment, and Arka Media Works Part of Disney World Cinema series [74]
Do Dooni Chaar Two Twos Are Four 8 October 2010 Disney India and Planman Motion Pictures
Zokkomon Zokkomon 22 April 2011 Disney India

Disney Live Entertainment

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Musicals

See also

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References

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