Kalanithi Maran
Kalanithi Maran | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1964 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Businessman |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Known for | Founder of Sun Group, Owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape |
Kalanithi Maran (born 24 July 1964) is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Sun Group, which ranks among the largest media conglomerates in India. His business interests encompass a variety of television networks, newspapers, weekly publications, FM radio stations, direct-to-home (DTH) services, a film production company (Sun Pictures), and ownership of two cricket franchises (Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the South Africa T20 League). Between 2010 and 2015, he also maintained a significant equity stake in the Indian airline SpiceJet.
Career
After obtaining his MBA from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, Kalanithi Maran observed the extensive diversity of television channels in the United States compared to India's sole Doordarshan channel at that time. Upon returning to India in 1987, he joined his family’s publishing enterprise and subsequently launched Poomaalai, a Tamil monthly video magazine aimed at Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Europe, despite challenges posed by piracy. On 14 April 1993, he established Sun TV, which went public on the Bombay Stock Exchange on 24 April 2006. The IPO raised $133 million for a 10% stake, propelling Maran into billionaire status. He also took part in a roundtable discussion with then-US President Bill Clinton.
Maran has been honored with Young Businessman awards from CNBC and Ernst & Young, while Forbes recognized him as the "Television king of southern India." Under his stewardship, Sun TV Network’s channels have become some of the most-watched in South India and were trailblazers in setting up their own earth station infrastructure.
In June 2010, Maran acquired a majority controlling interest in SpiceJet, increasing his shareholding beyond 50% through both personal and corporate investments. However, due to substantial financial setbacks, he divested his holdings back to co-founder Ajay Singh in February 2015 amid company restructuring.
In 2014, both Maran and his spouse Kavery ranked highest among Indian executives with remuneration packages of ₹62 crore each. By 2023, he was listed as the 77th wealthiest individual in India with an estimated net worth of $3 billion. His film production house Sun Pictures released Jailer, featuring superstar Rajinikanth, which emerged as the highest-earning Indian movie of 2023.
Personal life
Born on 24 July 1964 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Kalanithi Maran is the son of former Union Minister Murasoli Maran and grand-nephew of ex-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He is married to Kavery from Kodagu. Their daughter, Kavya Kalanithi Maran, manages his cricket teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad (Indian Premier League) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (South Africa T20 League).
His education includes schooling at Don Bosco, Chennai; a commerce degree from Loyola College, Chennai; and an MBA from the University of Scranton in the United States. As of 2023, his net worth is approximated at US$3 billion.
External links
- Businesspeople from Chennai
- Tamil billionaires
- Living people
- Indian television executives
- Tamil businesspeople
- Indian billionaires
- University of Scranton alumni
- 1965 births
- Loyola College, Chennai alumni
- Don Bosco schools alumni
- University of Madras alumni
- Tamil entrepreneurs
- Indian Premier League franchise owners
- Caste