Star's Yash Khanna calls it a day

Confirming the development, Khanna said: “I have enjoyed my stint at Star. I have met and worked with some extraordinary professionals and, hopefully, have contributed to the growth of the company that I joined in 1992. I am leaving because I felt it was time to explore some of my dreams. I am now turning to be an entrepreneur, leveraging my experiences of my 35-year career and the relationships that I have built and nurtured over the years.”

However, Khanna would not confirm what he was starting except to say that “the new venture would be in the media and communications space."

Khanna joined Star when it was run by the original owner, Richard Li of Hutchison Whampoa. He started his Star stint under Siddharth Ray, as virtually a one-man ad sales team.

Khanna was a critical member of Peter Mukerjea’s core team after Mukerjea joined Star India, overseeing the advertising sales function. Khanna moved from his ad sales role to look after marketing, business development, client relations and corporate communications functions.

While a number of those who formed part of Mukerjea’s core team joined INX Media on Mukerjea’s exit, Khanna opted to stay at Star India.