MUMBAI: The Deepak Dhar-headed Banijay Asia has been appointed as the exclusive production partner for BBC Studios' formats in India, following BBC's exit from local production in the market.

The multi-year agreement gives Banijay Asia exclusive rights to BBC Studios' catalogue of scripted and unscripted formats, including The 1% Club, Dancing with the Stars, The Office and Ghosts.

Banijay Asia has established itself as a leading format adaptor in India, having successfully produced local versions of global hits like MasterChef, Big Brother, and more recently, The Night Manager and Call My Agent: Bollywood.

The deal strengthens Banijay Asia's format portfolio as BBC Studios shifts its India strategy from direct production to licensing partnerships.

 And it brings Dhar closer to his long cherished  dream and vision of making Banijay the largest format licensing and production studio  in India.