Indian Americans Bela Bajaria and Mindy Kaling have secured positions on The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100’ list, acknowledging their contributions to Hollywood’s resurgence and record-breaking success at the box office.
Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer since 2016, has played a pivotal role in the platform’s triumphs, overseeing a $17 billion annual content budget and managing global teams. Notable successes include popular shows like ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ ‘Lupin,’ and ‘Cobra Kai.’ In the past year, she delivered hits such as ‘The Night Agent’ and ‘Wednesday,’ the latter becoming Netflix’s most-watched English-language original and earning three Emmy nominations. Beyond Netflix, Bajaria secured a spot on Forbes’ 2023 list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World.
Before Netflix, Bajaria made history as the first woman of color to lead a studio, serving as the president of Universal Television. Her influence extends to TIME’s 2022 list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Mindy Kaling, known for her diverse roles in comedy, started as an intern on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and gained recognition through her involvement in ‘The Office.’ She furthered her career by creating and starring in ‘The Mindy Project’ and currently engages in various creative projects, including a deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
Kaling’s recent achievements include lending her voice to Velma in Max’s animated Scooby-Doo series, continued involvement in ‘The Morning Show,’ and receiving the National Medal of Arts from President Joe Biden earlier this year. Despite controversy, the animated Scooby-Doo series was renewed for another season, showcasing Kaling’s enduring impact on the entertainment industry.
