Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Vikram Malhotra quits to start own venture

Vikram Malhotra has quit as chief operating officer (COO) of  Viacom 18 Motion Pictures () , a production house, to start his own venture in the  digital and movies genre by second half of 2013.

"I will start my own venture that will operate in the digital and movies genre. My venture should take off some time in the second half of the year," Malhotra said in a statement.

Malhotra, who joined Viacom18 in September, 2010, will serve till July, 2013. Before Viacom18, Malhotra worked as COO for about an year in Balaji Motion Pictures Ltd.

He has also worked for about four years as head – marketing, in Kingfisher Airlines. Prior to this, he has worked on senior positions in TATA Communications Ltd and SCJ India.

Malhotra started his career in 1999 with FCB Ulka as Brand Executive.

During Malhotra's stint, Viacom18 tied-up with US based Paramount Pictures, and released movies like Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in India.

Tanu Weds Manu, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, and OMG - Oh My God has also come from the Viacom18 stable in the last two years.

"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," said Malhotra.

Viacom 18 is a 50/50 joint venture operation in India between global media giant Viacom Inc, a $11.5 billion company and Rs 2,500 crore Indian digital media house Network18 Group. Viacom 18 operates channels including MTV, Nickelodeon,  Vh1, Colors, Sonic, and Comedy Central.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)