Widhani, who most recently served as SVP- Finance and Business Affairs and the Head of Operations, for YRF Studios, has been associated with the company for 17 years.
He had joined YRF at the age of 22 as a studio manager, in charge of setting up operations for YRF Studios in 2005.
Over the years, he has been responsible for setting up and running several business verticals for YRF and has taken up leadership roles in corporate finance, strategy and operations.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to assume the role of CEO of Yash Raj Films, a company in which I have spent the last 17 years of my life learning,” said Widhani. “I’m happy that I had a front-row seat as a member of the leadership team at YRF under Yashji and Aditya Chopra during the course of this time. I share their passion and commitment towards innovation, creative excellence, future expansion plans and also giving back to the industry that has supported and made us who we are today.”
A graduate from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University with a dual major in finance and entrepreneurship, Widhani has also been spearheading the recent initiatives for the Yash Chopra Foundation.
“I have been entrusted to collaborate and lead the hugely sharp think-tank at YRF which I believe to be the best that the industry has to offer. I’m looking forward to assuming this responsibility and taking the company to greater heights with the YRF family in the years to come,” he added.
He will fill a position that has been lying vacant since 2009, when Sanjeev Kohli, the last CEO of YRF quit.
The studio has been managed by chairman and MD Aditya Chopra since then.
