As Chief Executive Officer of Yash Raj Films (YRF), Akshaye Widhani takes the reins of India’s biggest, foremost and the most coveted studio to strengthen top-line growth, drive initiatives and expansion for the brand on a global scale.

Prior to becoming the second-ever CEO in YRF’s span of glorious 50-year history, Akshaye served in the leadership role as the Senior Vice President - Finance, Business Affairs & YRF Studios. He has had an unwavering track record demonstrating superior business acumen responsible for accelerated business growth, optimising value and refining brand equity across all verticals of the company. A graduate from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University with a dual major in Finance and Entrepreneurship, Akshaye joined YRF as a Studio Manager and his contribution to the company since 2005 has been marked by purpose-driven passion, transformational changes and relentless commitment towards the success of the brand.

A growth catalyst by nature, he rose from the ranks and has undertaken industry-shaping projects under his wings. He led ‘YRF Entertainment’ (India’s first studio producing international film content), thereby becoming instrumental in mounting YRF as a global filming powerhouse. As an extension, this division has also ventured into the booming digital content (over-the-top or OTT) landscape and has started producing marquee projects. He played a crucial role in launching and setting up the company’s own in-house visual effects division: yFX - which is now responsible for churning out and showcasing the industry’s best VFX work across tentpole Hindi films.

Akshaye also drove ‘The Yash Chopra Foundation’ initiative during the pandemic that aimed to assist the Hindi film industry union’s daily wage earners and their families by virtue of provisions like health insurance, school fee allowance, ration supply, annual health check-ups and vaccinations, among other benefits to around 4000+ members.

Akshaye brings an exceptional blend of senior executive leadership, proven industry capabilities and deep understanding of the company’s functions. And in his current role, he will lead all company verticals to take YRF into its next chapter of growth.