Samar Khan is a multi-hyphenate creative force whose career spans journalism, filmmaking, authorship, and education. With a sharp eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of media evolution, Samar has seamlessly navigated print, television, and digital formats.
In the last several years, he has carved a distinct niche in the OTT space, bringing cinematic flair and narrative depth to streaming platforms. Known for his nuanced voice and cross-platform versatility, Samar continues to shape conversations around content in India.
Early Career and Education:
Khan was born on 17th October 1972 in New Delhi. He is a student of the National Defence Academy, New Delhi, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Television Journalism from the University of Cardiff, Wales, UK.
He began his career in 1995 with India Today’s Television Company, TV Today, working as a bilingual entertainment reporter for Newstrack and Aaj Tak. He then joined NDTV as an entertainment correspondent, later moving on to Star News, where he conceptualized and executed India’s first 20-minute entertainment news program on Star News and Star Gold – Bollywood News.
Professional Milestones:
In 2000, he became the Entertainment Editor (All India) at Star News and the Chief Artist Manager for NDTV’s “Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai” for Zee TV. In 2002, Khan founded his own production house, Moonbeam Pictures, where he executed multiple projects like the Star Screen Awards (2003–2005), the Star Pariwar Awards, the Annual Television Awards on Star TV (2004–2005), and the Zee Cine Awards (2004).
His directorial debut was “Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye” (2005), followed by the critically acclaimed “Shaurya” (2008), which was well-received at the box office and selected for the Kazan Film Festival in 2009.
From 2008 to 2012, Khan worked as the Head of the Television Department at Red Chillies Entertainment. He produced several notable shows, including “The First Wives,” “The Farah Khan Show,” “Ishaan,” and the documentary “Living with a Super Star – Shah Rukh Khan” (2010).
Shift to OTT and Recent Ventures:
Recognizing the shift in content consumption from offline to online, Khan ventured into the OTT space with “The Test Case” in 2017, co-produced by Endemol Shine. After its success, he joined Irada Productions as a Creative Producer.
Since 2019, Khan has been leading Epic Studios, a part of The EPIC Company, as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has produced shows like Single Papa for Netflix, 108 BH URI for JioHotstar, “Rakshak” for Amazon Mini, “Jaanbaaz” for Zee5, “Illegal Season 2” for Voot Select, “Avrodh Season 2” for Sony LIV, “Shoorveer” for Disney+ Hotstar, “The Married Woman” and “Code M” for ALTBalaji.
The company has collaborated with leading platforms including Netflix, JioHotstar, Amazon Mini, Zee5, Sony LIV, Disney+ Hotstar and ALTBalaji, and has ventured into non-fiction with co-productions with Applause and Tech Talk TV, as well as documentaries with DocuBay India.
In 2025, Samar Khan took the helm at DocuBay as its Chief Content Officer (CCO). Under his leadership, DocuBay is expanding its footprint in the premium non-fiction space, with a sharp focus on globally resonant documentaries and deeply researched storytelling. Some of the shows include Operation Maa, Honeymoon se Hatya, Hathras, Dupatta Killer, Kargil 1999, Gateway of Europe – The Migrant Crisis, along with a growing slate of original documentaries.
Khan brings his storytelling acumen and editorial rigor to the table, curating and overseeing original productions that push the boundaries of factual entertainment. His dual role signals a new era for DocuBay—one driven by creative ambition, journalistic integrity, and a pulse on what today’s streaming audiences crave.
Publications and Lectures:
In 2016, Khan authored the book “SRK – 25 Years of A Life,” celebrating Shah Rukh Khan’s career. He is also an acclaimed guest lecturer at Whistling Woods International.
Personal Insights and Industry Impact:
Throughout his over two-decade-long career, Khan has maintained close relationships with industry members across various verticals, including writers, directors, producers, and senior executives. His experience across all mediums and formats has given him a balanced understanding of both artistic excellence and commercial reality. In an industry known for its unpredictability, Khan stands out for his steady optimism, creative energy, and an undimmed passion for storytelling—qualities that continue to drive his work forward.