Not selling stake in JioStar: Uday Shankar

At JioStar’s first anniversary townhall held on Wednesday, Vice Chairman Uday Shankar addressed senior leaders and set a bold tone for the company’s next phase. 

The gathering marked one year of JioStar’s formation and Shankar used the moment to clarify concerns around restructuring while outlining a global, merit-driven vision for the organisation.

Speaking about the recent organisational changes, Shankar noted that downsizing was unavoidable given the scale of the merged operations, but the difficult phase was now behind them.

As he put it, “I really dislike the term layoffs, but considering the size of the business, they could not be avoided. What I can assure now is that there will not be more, because I want this company to grow on the foundation of merit.”

He emphasised that the merger of two large entities required realignment of roles but resulted in stronger teams. “We have streamlined responsibilities from both companies, and now the right people are in positions that fit their strengths,” he explained.

Shankar also stressed that JioStar should not limit its aspirations to the Indian market. He urged employees to push boundaries daily, saying, “My goal is for this company to stand as a global benchmark in media and entertainment. I want everyone to come in each day ready to question and improve the status quo.”

Talent remains central to his roadmap. As he described, “Our aim is to become a place that naturally attracts the strongest talent available in the country.”

He also addressed speculation around his shareholding in the company. Reinforcing his long term commitment, he stated, “I am not selling my stake because my relationship with the family goes beyond being a shareholder. I have made a promise to help build a world class media and entertainment organisation in India.”

The town hall underlined stability, ambition, and a renewed drive for excellence as JioStar enters its second year.