TikTok India CEO Nikhil Gandhi quits Company

The CEO of TikTok India, Nikhil Gandhi, has reportedly quit the company and is currently serving his notice period.

It was reported that Nikhil was leading ByteDance’s efforts to sell TikTok India in the past few months.

He was also looking at options with some Indian startups who were looking to expand their operations.

Nikhil has worked with Times Network and the Walt Disney Company before he was roped in by TikTok in 2019.

He built a solid team structure locally, thus organising TikTok in India.

As CEO of TikTok India, Nikhil Gandhi also played a key role in bringing Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandez.

As a result, he enhanced brand credibility.

However, his efforts came to an end when the Indian government issued a ban notice to Bytedance India.

In 2020, TikTok and over 200 other Chinese apps were banned in India.

The government stated that it was concerned that these apps threatened national security.

The ban was in response to a military clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

Nikhil was then redesignated as the TikTok head for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and South Asia.

Earlier in 2021, Bytedance India decided to let go of its employees.

Now, Nikhil Gandhi has reportedly left his position in the wake of the company stopping its India operations.

A source told IWMBuzz: “Nikhil knows the new age media video business ecosystem like no other and he brought great success to TikTok India under his leadership.

“We hear that he is all set to make a powerful career move soon.”

“We further know that Daniel Habashi will expand his role from TikTok GM of Canada to now also serve as interim TikTok GM of META and South Asia.

“South Asia and META continue to be important markets for TikTok, with tremendous growth opportunities.

“It is said that TikTok will remain committed to its people and the business there, continue to work with the Indian government and hope to make progress to come back.”

Nikhil Gandhi later said in a statement:

“After much reflection on my time here at ByteDance, and looking at my future goals, I have made the difficult decision to leave my role in the company.

“Working with TikTok, I have seen our app shepherd in a new era of connection, communication, and cultural appreciation.”