Sameer Nair

Sameer Nair (born 1965) is an Indian media executive and CEO of Applause Entertainment Limited, a content studio owned by the Aditya Birla Group. He helped revamp the Star India, Star One, Star Utsav, Star Gold, Star Vijay, and Channel V television networks and participated in the launch of the Kaun Banega Crorepati, and Balaji Telefilms' soap operas on Star Plus.

Early life and education

Nair received his Higher Secondary Certificate from Wilson High School in Mumbai. From 1982 to 1984, he studied physics at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He later earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Madras via correspondence courses while studying hotel management at the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition, Mumbai. Alongside these fields, he studied Indian history and politics. These interests lead him to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

Career

Early career Nair began his career in advertising and television marketing before joining Star India in the mid-1990s. He played a central role in the launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.

Under his leadership, Star India also expanded its Hindi general entertainment portfolio, investing in long-running serials and large-scale events that consolidated its dominance in the early 2000s. The channel launched with high-profile programming including a remake of Ramayan and several reality shows.

Turner and Balaji Telefilms Nair subsequently worked with Turner General Entertainment and later with Balaji Telefilms, where he oversaw broadcast and content strategy.