Jyoti Deshpande

Jyoti Deshpande
Born	1972 Pune, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Businesswoman, Film Producer, Media Executive
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Former Managing Director of Eros International CEO of Viacom18
Education	MBA (SP Jain Institute of Management and Research)
Spouse	Sanjay Deshpande
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Jyoti Deshpande is an Indian businesswoman, film producer and senior media executive. She is widely recognized for her leadership role as the former Managing Director and Group CEO of Eros International and for her current position as Chief Executive Officer of Viacom18. Over the course of her career, she has played a key role in shaping India’s film distribution, production, and digital entertainment ecosystem.

Early Life and Education

Jyoti Deshpande was born in 1972 in Pune, Maharashtra, India. She later moved to Mumbai, where she completed her higher education. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce and Economics degree from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics.

To support her education, she gave private tuitions during college. She went on to complete her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1993 from the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai University. Her academic background laid the foundation for her career in media, marketing, and corporate leadership.

Career

Early Career

After completing her MBA, Deshpande began her professional journey with Mindshare Media, a UK-based media consulting firm, where she worked as a senior consultant. She later joined the Zee Network as Sales and Marketing Head, gaining valuable experience in broadcast media.

She subsequently worked with advertising agency James Walter Thompson and was part of the senior management team that helped establish the B4U Television Network between 1999 and 2001.

Eros International

Jyoti Deshpande joined Eros International in 2001 and steadily rose through the organization, holding several strategic roles before being appointed Managing Director in 2014.

During her tenure, Eros International expanded its global footprint across theatrical distribution, satellite rights, and digital platforms. She played a central role in strategic planning, international partnerships, content acquisition, and monetization. Under her leadership, the company distributed and produced numerous successful Hindi and regional-language films and strengthened its presence in overseas markets.

Deshpande was also instrumental in accelerating Eros International’s digital transformation, focusing on streaming platforms and adapting to shifts in audience consumption patterns.

In 2019, she stepped down from her role at Eros International to explore new leadership opportunities.

Reliance Industries and Viacom18

In 2018, Jyoti Deshpande joined Reliance Industries as President – Media Platform & Content, reporting directly to Mukesh Ambani. She later became Chief Executive Officer of Viacom18, overseeing one of India’s largest media and entertainment networks spanning television, digital platforms, sports, and film production.

She also serves as Co-Chair of the Media & Entertainment Committee at FICCI, contributing to industry policy discussions and strategic initiatives.

Film Production

As a producer and media executive, Deshpande has been associated with several commercially successful Hindi films, including Desi Boyz, among many others distributed and produced under Eros International.

Recognition and Influence

Jyoti Deshpande has consistently been recognized as one of the most influential women in Indian business and media. She has featured in:

• Fortune India – Most Powerful Women
• Business Today – 50 Most Powerful Women in Business

Her leadership is often cited as instrumental in modernizing film distribution and integrating digital-first strategies within India’s entertainment industry.

Personal Life

Jyoti Deshpande married Sanjay Deshpande in 2011. She resides in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and watching films.

Legacy

Jyoti Deshpande is regarded as a transformative leader in Indian media and entertainment. Her ability to bridge traditional film business models with emerging digital platforms has significantly influenced how Indian content is produced, distributed, and consumed globally.