Media industry veteran Devika Prabhu has been appointed Business Head – Hindi Movies at Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), marking her return to the network where she began an important phase of her career.

Prabhu shared the update through a post on LinkedIn, announcing her homecoming to the organisation. With more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, she will now lead Sony’s Hindi movie business with a focus on strengthening the channel’s cinematic portfolio and expanding its reach across an increasingly dynamic multi-platform environment.

Her appointment comes after a distinguished 16-year stint at Disney Star, where she most recently served as Vice President and Business Head for Kids, Youth and Infotainment. During her tenure, she oversaw a wide portfolio that included Disney Kids, National Geographic and the Disney Multiplex movie channels.

Known for her strategic approach to content and audience engagement, Prabhu has been recognised for successfully aligning global intellectual property strategies with Indian cultural sensibilities. One of her notable contributions was helping popularise anime in India, where she played a key role in turning the genre from a niche segment into a widely followed youth entertainment category.

Over the course of her career, Prabhu has developed expertise in strategic business growth, digital transformation and the development of in-house intellectual properties, particularly those targeting Gen Alpha and Gen Z audiences. Her work has focused on building content ecosystems that combine strong storytelling with innovative distribution strategies.

The appointment also marks a full-circle moment in her professional journey. Earlier in her career, she spent more than seven years at Sony Entertainment Television, where she worked in strategic planning and research, gaining valuable insights into the network’s content and audience strategy.

Reflecting on her return, Prabhu said that movies have a unique ability to spark conversations and shape culture. She added that she is looking forward to working closely with the teams at Sony Pictures Networks India to bring compelling cinematic experiences to audiences across the country.

Her return comes at a significant time for the network as it continues to focus on content innovation and deeper audience engagement in an evolving media landscape. With her extensive industry experience and leadership background, Prabhu is expected to play a key role in strengthening SPNI’s Hindi movies business and expanding its impact in the Indian entertainment market.