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When Aparna Purohit took charge as CEO of Aamir Khan Productions, it marked more than a leadership change. It was the culmination of a two-decade journey that mirrors the transformation of India’s entertainment industry itself gritty, uncertain, and ultimately game-changing.

From arriving in Mumbai with a suitcase and a dream to shaping some of India’s most influential streaming shows, Purohit’s story is about persistence, creative instinct, and the quiet power of enabling others to tell bold stories.

A Dream That Began With a Train Ticket to Mumbai

In 2003, Aparna Purohit arrived in Mumbai determined to build a life in films. Like countless hopefuls before her, she wanted to direct and produce stories that mattered. What set her apart was not instant success, but an early willingness to endure discomfort.

Within a week of landing in the city, she found work as an assistant director on a television show. The speed of that first break was misleading. The real struggle, she would later admit, had only just begun.

She was the only woman assistant director on set, a reality that came with long hours, physical exhaustion, and constant pressure to prove herself. In an interview with Forbes India, Purohit later reflected on how isolating that phase could be but also how it strengthened her resolve.

Her commitment earned her opportunities to work alongside respected filmmakers such as Aparna Sen, Bharatbala, and Naseeruddin Shah. These early collaborations quietly shaped her creative discipline and understanding of storytelling craft.

Choosing Stability, Then Walking Away From It

Like many creative professionals navigating Mumbai’s unpredictability, Purohit eventually opted for financial stability. She moved into corporate roles at Sony Entertainment Television and later at UTV Motion Pictures.

The jobs offered security and exposure, but something was missing. The desire to tell independent stories on her own terms never faded.

In 2008, she made a risky decision. Purohit quit her corporate role and co-founded Chaaryaar Productions with three friends, hoping to build an independent production company rooted in original storytelling.

The reality was far harsher than the dream.

The team developed scripts, pitched relentlessly, and approached every studio willing to listen. Meetings came and went. Projects stalled. Deals never materialized.

As Purohit later recalled, they went “door to door” without seeing tangible results. Eventually, the venture ran out of steam.

When Survival Became the Only Script

Just as she decided to return to the corporate world, the global financial crisis hit. Jobs vanished. Opportunities dried up.

For nearly a year, Purohit struggled to re-enter an industry she had willingly stepped away from. Without a steady income, she took on whatever work she could find, teaching, doing voiceovers, consulting on scripts, often for minimal pay.

Despite the instability, one belief remained unshaken: she was meant to work with stories, even if her role in them was evolving.

The NFDC Break That Changed Her Perspective

A turning point arrived when Purohit joined the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) as a consultant. The role placed her on the opposite side of the creative process.

Instead of pitching ideas, she was now helping writers and filmmakers refine theirs working with creators from India and abroad.

For the first time, she realized that her strength lay not only in creating stories, but in nurturing them. She later described this phase as the moment she discovered her true calling: enabling storytelling.

That insight would redefine her career trajectory.

Building Global Creative Bridges

Following her stint at NFDC, Purohit joined Mumbai Mantra Media, the Mahindra Group’s film arm, as Head of Creative Initiatives.

One of her most significant responsibilities was managing the company’s collaboration with Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute on the Screenwriters Lab. The experience exposed her to global best practices in script development and reinforced her belief in strong, creator-driven narratives.

By the time streaming platforms began eyeing India seriously, Purohit had quietly built one of the most well-rounded creative profiles in the industry.

Enter Amazon Prime Video: Timing Meets Instinct

In 2016, Aparna Purohit joined Amazon Prime Video as Head of Creative Development, becoming one of the platform’s earliest hires in India.

The streaming landscape was still in its infancy. There were no proven formulas, no guaranteed hits only an audience hungry for something different.

Her rise within the company was rapid. She was soon appointed Head of India Originals, placing her at the center of India’s OTT storytelling revolution.

Under her leadership, Prime Video greenlit shows that would go on to redefine Indian streaming content.

The Shows That Changed the Game

Purohit was instrumental in commissioning Mirzapur, which became Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched show in India.

She also backed The Family Man, which debuted in 2019 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its third season later emerged as the most-watched series in India during its launch week, reaching 96% of the country’s postcodes and trending in the Top 5 across more than 35 countries.

Critically acclaimed series like Made in Heaven and Paatal Lok didn’t just earn praise they launched actors such as Jaideep Ahlawat and Abhishek Banerjee into national prominence.

Then came Panchayat, a quiet, rural comedy that proved grounded, small-town storytelling could resonate with mass audiences.

Expanding Beyond Hindi Storytelling

Equally impactful was Purohit’s push for regional content.

Under her watch, Prime Video expanded into multiple languages with shows like Haraa, Masti’s, and Dhootha, helping the platform connect with non-Hindi-speaking audiences across India.

According to Fortune India, during her eight-year tenure, Purohit oversaw the launch of more than 56 original series and 60 direct-to-service films across six languages a scale that fundamentally reshaped India’s streaming ecosystem.

Measurable Impact on India’s Streaming Boom

Prime Video’s growth mirrored this creative momentum.

In 2018, the platform reportedly had around 7 million paid subscribers in India. By 2023, that number had grown to an estimated 30 million.

During a visit to India in March 2024, Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, described India as one of the company’s fastest-growing and largest global markets. He noted that Indian content trended in the global Top 10 for 43 out of 52 weeks in 2023 and was watched across 210 countries and territories.

A Full-Circle Moment at Aamir Khan Productions

Purohit’s appointment as CEO of Aamir Khan Productions feels symbolic.

After years of shaping stories behind the scenes often empowering others she now steps into a role that combines creative leadership with institutional legacy.

Industry observers see her appointment as a signal of the production house’s intent to blend strong storytelling with contemporary platforms and global ambition.

Looking Ahead: The Power of the Enabler

Aparna Purohit’s career is not a story of overnight success. It is a reminder that influence in cinema doesn’t always come from the director’s chair.

Sometimes, it comes from recognizing talent, backing risky ideas, and trusting audiences to embrace stories that feel real.

As India’s entertainment industry continues to evolve, Purohit’s journey offers a clear lesson: the future belongs not just to storytellers but to those who know how to champion them.

 

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