Vikram Malhotra to quit Viacom18 Motion Pictures to start his own venture

The COO of Viacom18 Motion Pictures has resigned and will start his own venture in the digital and movies genre.

Vikram Malhotra, chief operating officer, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has resigned and plans to start his own venture. He will serve at Viacom18 Motion Pictures till July, 2013 to ensure a seamless transition and completion of several projects of the team.

Malhotra says, "I will start my own venture that will operate in the digital and movies genre. I think it was the right time to implement my learning from my experience at Balaji Motion Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. My venture should take off some time in the second half of the year."

Malhotra, however, refuses to divulge further details about his venture.

He joined Viacom18 Motion Pictures in September, 2010 after he quit Balaji Motion Pictures.

He says, "My experience at Viacom18 Motion Pictures has been phenomenal. Though I was a late entrant to the business, I have rebuilt and rebooted Viacom18 Motion Pictures. It is amongst the top three production houses of the country with a number of hit films in its kitty, along with a phenomenal line up of awards."

Malhotra adds that the type of content, growth rates and box office figures show clear signs of a bright future and his outlook of the industry is definitely bullish.

Over the past two years, Viacom18 Motion Pictures has had hits like 'Tanu Weds Manu', 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama', 'Shaitan'; and super hits like 'Kahaani', 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'OMG - Oh My God!', 'Son of Sardaar' and the recently released 'Special 26' and 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns'.

During his tenure, Viacom18 Motion Pictures also formed a strategic alliance with Paramount Pictures, and released some of the biggest Hollywood movies in India, including 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' and 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'.

Malhotra began his career as a brand executive with FCB Ulka in 1999. He then moved to SC Johnson India as brand manager and national sales manager in 2001. Then, he had a short stint of five months at Tata Motors as product manager; later, in 2003, he joined the UB Group as group marketing manager. He also served as head, marketing for Kingfisher Airlines for more than four years, between 2005 and 2009.

Malhotra entered the film production industry in September, 2009 with his one year stint at Balaji Motion Pictures as chief operating officer.