Explore the opulent residential abode of the Sunrisers Hyderabad's alleged proprietor, boasting an estimated worth of 100 crores, intimately linked to Kavya Maran.
Flashy Billionaire Media Baron, Kalanithi Maran
Last Updated: June 02, 2025, 3:47 PM IST
Meet Kalanithi Maran, the flashy billionaire Indian media baron who dominates the industry with his extensive empire spanning television, radio, print, and sports. He's best known for being the proprietor of Sun Group and the owner of the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team.
Maran's Extraordinary Ascent
Born into a powerful family with roots in Tamil Nadu politics, Maran paved his way to the top by launching Poomaalai, a Tamil magazine, in 1990. His breakthrough came in 1993 with the establishment of Sun TV, which swiftly became a massive success. The network's initial public offering in 2006 generated USD 133 million when Maran sold just 10% of Sun TV shares, propelling him into the billionaire club.
Today, Maran's net worth is around USD 3 billion, placing him among the 77th wealthiest individuals in India. His annual income approximates Rs 62 crore, making him one of India's highest-paid business executives.
The Luxurious Lifestyle of Kalanithi Maran
Residing in a lavish bungalow located in the high-end Boat Club Road neighborhood of Chennai, Maran's house is valued at nearly Rs 100 crore. He shelled out this hefty sum during an e-auction held by HSBC in 2001. Navigating the city in his Bentley, Maran also maintains an office filled with TV screens displaying his 21 TV channels operating across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages.
Beyond television, the Sun Group owns 69 FM radio stations, a major DTH provider, several newspapers, and magazines.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Ruling the IPL
Maran's daughter, Kavya Maran, serves as the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), a popular team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). SRH was acquired by the Sun Group in 2013 after the Deccan Chargers were removed from the league. Under Kavya's leadership, SRH claimed IPL victory in 2016 and the runner-up position in 2018.
The Controversial Legal Battle
Current headlines revolve around a legal battle between Maran and SpiceJet concerning a 2015 share transfer agreement. The Delhi High Court dismissed Maran’s appeal seeking approximately $155 million in damages for the non-materialization of warrants and preference shares. This adverse ruling, following numerous judicial level decisions, marked a significant legal victory for SpiceJet and a setback for Maran.
Despite the controversy surrounding the SpiceJet dispute, Maran continues to steer his media empire with unwavering determination.
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- Kalanithi Maran, the media baron from India, launched his career in 1990 with Poomaalai, a Tamil magazine, before establishing Sun TV in 1993.
- Maran's empire spans various industries, including sports, with his ownership of the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team through his company, Sun Group.
- Beyond sports, Sun Group owns multiple TV channels in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages, 69 FM radio stations, a DTH provider, several newspapers, and magazines.
- Despite a legal battle with SpiceJet over a 2015 share transfer agreement, Maran is known as one of India's highest-paid business executives, with an annual income of approximately Rs 62 crore.
