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Bhalwankar had quit Zee TV in October 2009 after spending ten years with the organisation, to join Sony.
After an approximate eight-month stint with Sony Entertainment Television, Ajay Bhalwankar has once again returned to Zee TV as head -- programming.
Interestingly, Bhalwankar joins Zee at a time when the network is ready for change with a progressive and modern outlook, not only with a changed corporate identity, but also in its story-telling structure.
Bhalwankar, with a background in journalism, joined the Zee Group in 1994 as assistant director, Dream Merchants (the company's advertising and marketing magazine).
He was instrumental in launching Music Asia, which later became Zee Muzic, and is now called Zing. He spent three years there, and subsequently, as group head, worked towards the launch of Zee Marathi in 1999. He later became business head, Zee Marathi, and vice-president, Zee Marathi and Zee Talkies. He took charge as the programming head of Zee in 2008.
And as for Sony, says a source, the appointment of a replacement in place of Bhalwankaris not on the cards yet.