In a significant leadership change at Disney Star, Mihir Rale, the Chief Regional Counsel overseeing legal and regulatory affairs, has officially stepped down, according to sources confirmed by ET BrandEquity.

Rale joined Star India in 2009 as a manager, advancing to lead India operations in 2019. Known for his contributions to the company’s growth, he was pivotal in establishing the Media Pro joint venture, securing the ESPN stake in ESPN Star Sports, and driving sports initiatives for football and Kabaddi. Rale’s tenure saw the acquisition of critical sports rights, including IPL, BCCI, and ICC rights, alongside the launch of Disney+ Hotstar in India.

Rale’s exit follows closely on the heels of other leadership changes, as K Madhavan, Country Manager and President of Disney Star, and Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar in India, also recently stepped down. These shifts come as Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company’s Star India move toward finalizing their merger, which is expected in early November. This joint venture—comprising Reliance, Viacom18 Media, and Disney—aims to consolidate media assets in India, supported by a Rs 1,500 crore investment from Reliance.

Once the merger completes, Reliance will control the new entity, with ownership stakes distributed at 16.34 percent for Reliance, 46.82 percent for Viacom18, and 36.84 percent for Disney. This consolidation aligns with Disney and Reliance’s larger strategic goals, potentially reshaping India’s media landscape.