CII appoints Gaurav Banerjee as chairman of National Media & Entertainment Council

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has named Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), as Chairman of its National Council on Media & Entertainment (M&E) for 2025–26.

The appointment aligns with CII’s annual theme of “Accelerating Competitiveness, globalisation, inclusivity, sustainability, trust,” with a focus on policy advocacy, regulatory reform, skilling, and creating content in India for global audiences.

Gaurav Banerjee brings over two decades of experience to the role. At SPNI, he has overseen initiatives across content, digital platforms, and audience engagement. He also serves as Chairman of BARC India. His appointment comes at a time when the M&E sector is expected to play an increasingly important role in India’s economic growth amid ongoing shifts in technology and audience expectations.

“At a time when the world is looking to India for inspiration, our media and entertainment industry is uniquely positioned to reflect our distinct cultural ethos while driving global narratives,” said Gaurav Banerjee. “Our focus will be on fostering an ecosystem rooted in trust — where policy frameworks empower innovation, creative-tech, and growth that generates opportunities for the creative economy.”

Under his leadership, the Council will focus on policy advocacy and regulatory reforms by engaging with government stakeholders to streamline existing frameworks, tackle piracy, and uphold content integrity and fair competition.

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There will be a strong emphasis on integrating technology with creativity by encouraging the use of AI and emerging tools to enhance content development and production processes while preserving cultural relevance and ethical standards.Skilling and job creation will be another priority. The Council will support upskilling programs in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, aimed at preparing the workforce for roles in animation, VFX, and immersive technologies such as AR and VR. Additionally, it will work to promote the development of globally relevant Indian content through co-productions and strategic partnerships that leverage storytelling alongside advanced production techniques.The Council also aims to bridge the gaps between industry players, academic institutions, and policymakers to address pressing challenges such as content monetisation, data privacy, and equitable access to digital tools.

Gaurav Banerjee stressed the importance of “a regulatory framework that encourages innovation without compromising accountability,” particularly in emerging areas like generative AI.

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