Sony creative head Sandiip Sikcand quits

MUMBAI: Call it a coincidence or just strange timing. Just as Balaji Telefilms' Ekta Kapoor announced her first venture on Sony TV after two years, the channel's creative head Sandiip Sikcand has called it a day at the channel.

Sikcand submitted his resignation yesterday (12 July, 2007). Having moved to Sony from being the creative head in Balaji Telefilms in August last year, he will serve a month's notice at the channel. Shows that had been long in the pipeline before he joined were launched with much fanfare in the last nine months. They included Kaajal Sabki Aankhon Mein Bassi, Bigg Boss, Kulvaddhu, Jeete Hain Jiske Liye and Virrudh.

Sikcand has been often surrounded by controversy, be it his equation with his ex-boss or with the producers, apart from many rumours of him being sacked from the channel circulating often.

Talk is that he has lucrative offers from upcoming TV channels and films. According to sources, he had left for an official assignment to Delhi and was unavailable for comment. Sikcand completes a year with Sony on 14 August.

After long speculation, it has finally happened. Sandip Sikand, Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Sony Entertainment Television, has put in his papers. According to informed sources, Sikand is servicing a month's notice period with SET. At the time of filing this report, no Sony official was available for comment.

Sikand joined SET in August 2006. It was the first time that SET had appointed a CCO. Prior to that, he was Creative Head at Balaji Telefilms.

Under his leadership Sony put out shows like 'Kaajal', 'Big Boss', 'Kulvaddhu', 'Jeete Hain Jiske Liye' and 'Virrudh'.