Whistling Woods and IIM Mumbai Form Advisory Board for MBA in Media & Entertainment
On January 15, 2026, Whistling Woods International and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai announced the formation of an advisory board for their upcoming MBA program in Media and Entertainment. This initiative aims to enhance the curriculum and industry relevance of the program, ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of the media and entertainment landscape.
Purpose of the Advisory Board
The newly established advisory board will consist of prominent leaders from various sectors within India’s media and entertainment industry. These sectors include cinema, sports, television, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, animation, gaming, music, events, media, and communication. The board’s primary responsibilities will include:
- Guiding curriculum development to align with industry standards.
- Integrating industry practices into the educational framework.
- Providing strategic direction to ensure the program remains relevant in a rapidly changing environment.
Insights from Leadership
Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Vice President, CTO, and Head of Emerging Media at Whistling Woods International, expressed enthusiasm about the advisory board’s formation. In a social media post, he highlighted the caliber and diversity of the members, stating, “We are honored to have assembled an advisory board of such exceptional calibre and diversity. These industry titans represent the very best of Indian media and entertainment. Their collective insights will be instrumental in shaping a world-class MBA programme that prepares the next generation of leaders for this dynamic sector.”
Professor Manoj Tiwari, Director of IIM Mumbai, echoed this sentiment, noting that the board’s composition reflects the comprehensive nature of the MBA program. He stated, “With leaders from every major vertical, students will gain unparalleled exposure to real-world challenges, emerging opportunities, and best practices across the media and entertainment landscape.”
Members of the Advisory Board
The advisory board comprises a diverse group of leaders from various segments of the media and entertainment industry. Some notable members include:
- Ashish Saksena – COO, BookMyShow
- Apoorva Mehta – CEO, Dharma Productions
- Ajit Andhare – COO & Producer, Viacom18 Studios
- Ashish Pherwani – Partner, Media & Entertainment, Ernst & Young
- Ashish Kulkarni – Founder, Punnaryug Artvision
- Atul Churamani – MD, Turnkey Music and Publishing
- Akshat Rathee – Co-founder, Nodwin Gaming
- Dinesh Vijan – Founder, Maddock Films
- Devraj Sanyal – Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group India
- Gaurav Gandhi – VP, Amazon Prime Video APAC & ANZ
- Keitan Yadav – COO, Red Chillies VFX
- Manvendra Shukul – CEO, Lakshya Digital / Keywords Studios India
- Nitish Mittersain – CEO & MD, Nazara Technologies
- Prashant Khanna – Head, JioStar Sports & Live Experiences
- Rajiv Chilaka – Founder & MD, Green Gold Animation
- Rajan Navani – Chairman & MD, Jetline Group of Companies / Jetsynthesys
- Roshan Abbas – Founder, Kommune India
- Sameer Nair – MD, Applause Entertainment
- Samit Garg – Co-founder & MD, E Factor Experiences
- Shashikant Someshwar – CEO, Weber Shandwick
- Vinit Karnik – MD, WPP Media
Future Directions
The advisory board will convene regularly to provide strategic guidance, foster industry partnerships, and mentor students. This collaboration aims to ensure that the MBA program remains aligned with the dynamic and rapidly evolving media and entertainment sector. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders, the program aspires to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in this competitive field.
Conclusion
The formation of the advisory board marks a significant step forward for Whistling Woods International and IIM Mumbai in their mission to provide a cutting-edge education in media and entertainment. By integrating insights from industry veterans, the MBA program is set to become a leading choice for aspiring professionals in this vibrant sector.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the latest announcements and may be subject to change as the program develops.
