Gaurav Gandhi, Vice President, APAC at Prime Video, was recognised as a ‘Visionary Shaping India’s Media & Entertainment Future’ at the 2025 CII Big Picture Summit, where he was felicitated during the valedictory session.

The honour was presented by Rajan Navani, co-chair of the CII National Council on M&E and MD & CEO of JetSynthesys, who also led a special conversation with Gaurav on the ideas that have guided his leadership in transforming India’s streaming landscape.

According to a press release issued by Prime Video, the recognition celebrated Gaurav’s pioneering contributions towards expanding streaming access across the Asia Pacific region, championing innovative content strategies, and strengthening India’s presence in the global entertainment ecosystem.

The felicitation, held in Mumbai on December 3, highlighted how his work continues to reshape the industry while inspiring emerging creators and leaders.

In the session, Gaurav spoke about how imagination and past experiences have shaped his strategic decisions over the years. Reflecting on the early days of streaming in India, he said that learning from every success and failure allowed him to anticipate what the future could hold. “To really change the world, you have to imagine what it could be and not just take it as it is,” he noted, adding that this mindset influenced several foundational decisions when digital entertainment was still in its infancy in the country.

He also highlighted the power of storytelling to transcend borders, emphasising that stories resonate globally only when they connect deeply with their local audience. Gaurav pointed out that over 25 percent of the viewership for Indian content on Prime Video now comes from outside India, proving that authentic, culturally rooted narratives can travel far beyond their home markets.

He explained how intentional casting and the creation of universally relatable characters have helped expand Indian stories across languages and cultures, citing examples such as Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi in ‘Farzi’, and Manoj Bajpayee and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in ‘The Family Man Season 2’.

Speaking about leadership, Gaurav identified curiosity as the single most important trait needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. He said curiosity fuels humility, learning, and the ability to ask difficult questions—qualities he considers essential for imagining new possibilities. He also spoke about empowering teams to take ownership, sharing that the best leaders are those who “create more leaders” and know when to guide and when to step back.

Gaurav concluded with a personal insight into his growth philosophy, saying he often envisions combining the best qualities of the people he works with and adopting them within himself—a practice that keeps him grounded and always learning. “Inspiration doesn’t come from one leader; it comes from everyone,” he said, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that has shaped his journey.

The recognition at the CII Big Picture Summit marks another milestone in Gaurav Gandhi’s influential role in steering India’s streaming revolution and driving the global rise of homegrown entertainment.