Uday Singh has been appointed managing director of the Mumbai-based Motion Picture Distributors Association (MPDA), which is the wholly-owned India office of the Motion Picture Association (MPA).
He replaces Rajiv Dalal who moved from Los Angeles to Mumbai to become the first managing director of the MPDA in 2008. Dalal is returning to the US to pursue a political career and join one of the 2012 presidential campaigns.
Singh previously headed Sony Pictures India, overseeing distribution and later also the production activities of the US studio in India. From 2009-2010 he headed up PVR Pictures, which is the production and distribution arm of Indian exhibitor PVR.
He also sits on the board of Cause Entertainment, a film financing fund established to invest in socially conscious movies.
The MPDA represents the collective interests of the six major Hollywood studios in India and works closely with the local film community on content protection, market access and economic cooperation issues.
“It is an exciting time in the Indian film and entertainment industry,” said Singh. “Each of our studios have significantly invested in India through local productions and other joint ventures. As they continue to do so, new market access and content theft challenges will arise, and I look forward to working with the Indian film and entertainment industry to address such issues.”
“Uday brings an unparalleled experience to the role,” said MPA Asia Pacific president and managing director Mike Ellis. “He is properly situated to enhance cooperation between Hollywood and Bollywood and drive further industry growth.”
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