MUMBAI: It can be termed as return of the prodigal. Anil Lale takes charge at Viacom18 as senior vice-president and head of business & legal affairs this September. He will report to group general counsel Sujeet Jain.

This is Lale’s second stint with Viacom18 where he is returning to head the business legal function across its various verticals.

“Apart from litigations, I will oversee the group’s overall business and legal proceedings that include contract negotiations as well,” Lale told Indiantelevision, confirming his appointment at Viacom18.

His previous stint as group general counsel at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) saw him setting up a new and vibrant legal team and streamlining the legal functions. Within a span of two years, the legal team at Zee was recognised as the best in-house bunch of lawyers in media by Legal Era that also heaped recognition and awarded it for so.

Lale had left Zee mid-July this year, as reported by indiantelevision.com.

This would be a homecoming of sorts for Lale who had worked at Viacom18 from 2009 to 2014.

Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India's fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of Viacom Inc and the Network18 Group (controlled by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd via subsidiaries), Viacom18 businesses connects with people on-air, online, on ground, in shop and through its cinema.