Kalanithi Maran

ABOUT
Kalanithi Maran is a prominent Indian media baron, best known for his ventures in the media and aviation industries. He is the founder and chairman of Sun Group, one of India's most powerful and influential media conglomerates, encompassing television channels, newspapers, FM radio stations, DTH services, and film production houses. Maran's innovative and strategic approach has significantly shaped the landscape of media in South India, making him an eminent figure in the industry.

BEFORE FAME
Maran hails from a family with a strong political background. He was born on July 24, 1964, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He pursued his higher education in the United States, earning a degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, USA. His education and exposure to the media landscape abroad greatly influenced his vision and ambition to establish a media empire in India.

TRIVIA
Kalanithi Maran has received several awards and accolades for his contributions to the media industry. Notably, he was named the "Television King" by Forbes magazine and featured in India's richest list multiple times, underscoring his successful business ventures. Maran's Sun TV Network, launched in April 1993, marked the beginning of a new era in satellite television broadcasting in India. The network gained immense popularity and expanded rapidly, dominating the market with regional content.

FAMILY LIFE
Kalanithi Maran is married to Kavery Kalanithi, who also plays a significant role in the management of Sun Group, serving as the Executive Director. The couple has a daughter named Kavya Kalanithi. Maran's family is deeply rooted in politics; his father, Murasoli Maran, was a renowned politician, and his uncle, M. Karunanidhi, served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Despite the political lineage, Kalanithi Maran chose to carve his niche in the media industry, building an empire that operates independently of his family's political affiliations.

ASSOCIATED WITH
Kalanithi Maran is associated with several key figures in the Indian media and entertainment industry. He has collaborated with numerous film directors, producers, and actors through Sun Pictures, the film production and distribution arm of Sun Group. One of the significant partnerships was with Rajinikanth, the legendary Tamil actor, whose films such as "Enthiran" and "Sivaji" were distributed by Sun Pictures and became major box-office successes. Maran's influence extends beyond the entertainment sector; in aviation, he ventured into the airline industry by acquiring a major stake in SpiceJet, one of India's leading low-cost carriers.