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Saurabh Tewari quits Imagine TV
Tewari joins hands with BAG Films to launch the film and television production company Nautanki Films.
Saurabh Tewari, head of programming -- fiction, has put in his papers at Imagine TV, the flagship Hindi general entertainment channel of Turner General Entertainment Networks India.
Moving forward, Tewari is venturing into the business of films and TV production. Tewari has partnered with Abhinav Shukla, currently vice-president, corporate strategy, BAG Films and business head, Studio 24, to launch the film and TV production company Nautanki Films.
Nautanki Films will begin operations with two film projects that will go on the floors, early next year. The objective will be to create and deliver popular, high-quality programming to consumers, globally.
Confirming on his new venture, Tewari says, "Nautanki Films is long-awaited and is a great opportunity, and the company has serious plans to create innovative, yet massy content. Being a storyteller, I have always thought of venturing into something where my expertise can come in handy and with the new company in place, Shukla and I will put forward our best effort to live up to the expectation."
Shukla further adds, "Nautanki Films will be another effort to establish a strong contender in the market, which will deliver interesting content in both television and films. In the last few years, TV and film viewership has changed and audiences have accepted the new approach of programming. We hope that with the new initiative, we can also bring about a difference and make a mark in the industry. Partnering with Tewari is a strategic move, as he knows the pulse of the Indian audience."
Tewari had joined Imagine TV, the flagship Hindi GE channel of Turner General Entertainment Networks India as head of programming -- fiction, a year ago.
A Bachelor of Arts from the Lucknow University, Tewari began his career directing ad films. Since then, he has worked with a variety of television production houses, primarily as a writer. In 2006, he moved to Zee Telefilms as assistant vice-president of programming for ZEE TV.
He then moved to Viacom 18, in 2007, as part of the start-up team for the launch of Colors.