MUMBAI: Padmalaya animation division director Rajeev Sangari has joined Maya Entertainment Limited (MEL) as chief operating officer. Sangari was also serving as the president of Zee Institute of Creative Arts (ZICA).

The fate of Padmalaya's animation and other businesses stand uncertain. Recently, Zee Telefilms Limited (ZTL) had made allegations against founder-promoters of Padmalaya companies' for fraudulent acts. ZTL had also sought market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) intervention.

Confirming Sangari's appointment, Maya Entertainment chief executive officer Rajesh Turakhia told indiantelevision.com that Sangari was taken in at a time when the company was in expansion mode.

"We are planning expansion in the education field where we already have 40 animation academic centres. Our 3D outsourcing contracts are also increasing. Sangari is expected to speed up these processes," said Turakhia.

Padmalaya announced a $19 million animation deal with Mondo TV group in March 2004, which never took of. According to an industry source, several animators working in Padmalaya are now looking for jobs.