The Indian industry has lost one of its biggest visionaries. The co-founder and CEO of Qyuki Digital Media Samir Bangara, passed away on Sunday 14 June in a road accident.
He started his career at IL&FS venture corporation and moved to Ernst & Young next where he was focused on cross border M&A in the tech, communications,wireless and entertainment industry and was instrumental in closing several cross border deals.
Further to that he moved to Indiagames as the COO where he, along with founder Vishal Gondal and other key people looked after the sale of Indiagames to Disney in 2012. After that he served as the MD of Digital at Disney UTV.
Later he joined H2 as founding- co-chair India and further in 2013 with Shekhar Kapur and A.R. Rehman he co-founded the digital music platform Qyuki.
“We are all in a state of complete and utter despair and words will do no justice to express this loss. But it is our duty to absorb this shock for now so that we can be there for each other, especially for his family, just the way Samir would have liked us to,” said Qyuki co-founder and COO Sagar Gokhale in a statement.
The statement further read, “On behalf of Team Qyuki and all our allies, we seek your support. Given the pandemic, please send your prayers from home until such time as we have more information to share with you.”
Personalities from across industries shared their condolences:
Still can’t believe @samirbangara you are gone.
We have done so many things together
Traveled the world, experienced the thrills of building startups…the good and bad times…Such a big loss loss ??? ? @nixxin@rafat@ipaananen@RonnieScrewvala@vijayshekharpic.twitter.com/btEMramCVH
— Vishal Gondal (@vishalgondal) June 14, 2020
Terrible news RIP @samirbangara – such a sharp mind, ambitious and a gentleman- we worked so well so many years – only the best of memories – so sudden – strength to the family and the children
— Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) June 14, 2020
I lost my super power today @samirbangara you have been a mentor / friend / business guide and the biggest cheer leader…. you belived in me like no one else in this world.
what happens to our afternoon catch up call today.
Can’t believe this. Please come back 🙁
— Guneet Monga (@guneetm) June 14, 2020
We lost our friend, visionary commander in chief and a super-good human being …RIP @samirbangara … @MyQyuki family….@shekharkapur @SagarGokhaleQ
@JuhiMehta1 @yattamizer @nirmika @MandeliaPooja— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) June 14, 2020