The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has appointed Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital at JioStar, as the new Chairman of its Digital Entertainment Committee, a move that signals a bold step towards shaping the next phase of India’s digital storytelling and streaming landscape.

Known for his extensive leadership in technology and media, Kiran Mani currently leads JioHotstar, one of India’s largest digital platforms under JioStar. As digital viewership continues to surge across the country, his appointment is seen as a pivotal moment in how the industry aligns with the changing demands of consumers, platforms, and policy frameworks.

According to a JioStar press release, Kiran Mani also serves as an elected Governing Council member of the body and previously held the position of Co-Chair for the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Committee. With over two decades of experience navigating the intersection of tech, content, and consumer engagement, his elevation to this role is expected to steer India’s streaming sector into a more innovation-driven and inclusive future.

Speaking on the announcement, Kiran Mani said, “India isn’t just a fast-growing content market—it’s becoming the epicentre of global digital storytelling. As consumers demand deeper authenticity, cultural relevance, and interactive formats, we have a unique opportunity to build an ecosystem that’s not only scalable but also inclusive and innovation-led. With 5G, AI, and machine learning transforming how content is created and consumed, this is the moment for the Indian media industry to move from following trends to setting them.”

Joining Mani as Co-Chair is Deepit Purkayastha, Co-founder & CEO of Inshorts, bringing in a unique mix of editorial insight and tech-product acumen to the committee’s leadership. Together, the duo aims to drive stronger cross-industry collaboration at a time when digital-first formats and OTT consumption are reshaping entertainment models.

The IAMAI Digital Entertainment Committee serves as a key industry platform to foster dialogue between creators, platforms, regulators, and policymakers. Under the new leadership, the committee is set to focus on initiatives surrounding content regulation, technology integration, audience development, and monetisation models for creators.

With India’s digital entertainment industry poised for exponential growth, IAMAI’s strengthened leadership is expected to accelerate innovation and policy frameworks that keep pace with both local aspirations and global benchmarks.