From IIT Aspirant to CEO: The Story of This Actress-Turned-Executive Earning Crores

Remember the actress with striking eyes who captured hearts in the 90s? This is the story of Mayoori Kango. After debuting at 18 and working with some of Bollywood's biggest names, she stepped away from the film industry after marrying an NRI. But her story doesn't end there.

Kango pursued an MBA in New York and later joined Google India in April 2019 as Industry Head of Agency Business. Now, she's reached the pinnacle as CEO at Publicis Global Delivery.

Mayoori Kango is best known for her role in the 1996 film 'Papa Kahte Hain,' particularly the popular song 'Ghar se nikalte hi,' where she starred alongside Jugal Hansraj. She attended Saint Francis De Sales School and Deogiri College in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Her mother, a stage actress, influenced her early exposure to the world of acting.

Her Bollywood break came unexpectedly during a visit to her mother in Mumbai. Director Saeed Akhtar Mirza offered her a role in 'Naseem' (1995), a film addressing the Babri Masjid demolition. Initially hesitant due to her board exams, she eventually accepted the part. This role paved the way for her to star in Mahesh Bhatt's 'Papa Kehte Hai' (1996).

Before her time at Google India, Mayoori Kango built a strong corporate foundation. Her LinkedIn profile describes her as a 'passionate marketer.' She began her corporate career in 2007 as an Associate Media Manager at 360i, an American digital agency. In 2009, she transitioned to Resolution Media, an advertising firm based in New York. From 2010 to 2012, Kango held the position of Associate Director (Media) at Digitas, an experience agency located in Boston. She became Managing Director at Performics, a performance marketing agency within the Publicis Groupe, in 2016. After Google India, she rejoined Publicis Groupe in August 2023.

Mayoori Kango married Aditya Dhillon, an NRI, on December 28, 2003, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. They have a son, born in 2011.

Interestingly, Kango had secured admission to IIT Kanpur but chose to pursue her passion for acting instead, according to a Live Mint report.

She obtained her MBA in marketing and finance from Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business in New York. After serving as Managing Director at Performics and then as India Industry Head – Agency Business for Google India, she has now taken on the role of CEO at Publicis Global Delivery.