Kalanithi Maran
Chairman & Managing Director, Sun Group- Sun Group
- Sun TV Network
Kalanithi Maran's Journey so far ...
- No politics, please! That was what pushed Kalanithi Maran to choose his own path and not follow in his father Murasoli Maran, who was a Union minister, and uncle and DMK supremo M Karunanidhi’s footsteps
- Initially, he joined his family’s publishing business in 1987 after completing his studies in the United States. As his first independent venture, he started a monthly video magazine called Poomalai (garland) in 1990
- The liberalisation of the Indian economy in 1991 had opened new avenues and cable TV was gaining popularity. Maran saw the opportunity and launched Sun TV -- a Tamil entertainment channel -- in 1993
- His TV business was doing well but he had other ambitions. He further diversified his business with the creation of Sun Direct DTH services in 2005 which was launched in partnership with the Malaysian firm Astro Group
- Maran forayed into the airlines business with the purchase of Spice Jet in 2010
- He acquired the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2012
- Today, the Sun TV Network has 32 TV channels broadcasting in four major South Indian languages -- Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam -- reaching over 95 million Indian households and its network spread across 27 countries
- His group also owns 45 FM radio channels, 2 news dailies and 6 magazines
- Among the many hats that he wears, one is that of a movie producer. His production house Sun Pictures has produced the 2010 Rajnikanth-Aishwarya Rai starer ‘Enthiran’ (Robot)
- As per latest data, Maran is the richest individual in Tamil Nadu and one of the highest-paid CEOs in India
Before you go ...
- After the death of his father, his uncle M. Karunanidhi offered him the DMK ticket for the Chennai Central Lok Sabha constituency in 2004 which he declined. His brother Dayanidhi Maran fought the elections instead
Kalanithi Maran News
- SC sends back SpiceJet plea to Delhi HC over₹144 cr depositThe Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to review SpiceJet's request. SpiceJet sought to submit property deeds instead of depositing ₹144 crore. This reconsideration comes after the government announced an emergency credit scheme for airlines. SpiceJet hopes to benefit from this scheme to meet its financial obligations.
- SpiceJet seeks Supreme Court approval to submit land title as securitySpiceJet has challenged the Delhi High Court's May 4 and March 18 orders rejecting its request to furnish an unencumbered plot of land in Gurugram as security. The HC had directed the airline to immediately comply with its earlier order to deposit the amount and imposed a cost of ₹50,000 for repeatedly seeking modification of the deposit direction.
- Delhi HC dismisses SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh's review plea in case against Maran-Kal AirwaysThe Delhi High Court dealt a blow to SpiceJet and its founder Ajay Singh by rejecting their review petitions, accompanied by a cost penalty of Rs 50,000. This ruling stems from an ongoing legal clash with Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways, where SpiceJet aimed to challenge a directive mandating a deposit of Rs 144 crore.
- Maran case: SpiceJet asks for more time to deposit Rs 144 crSpiceJet faces a critical juncture. The airline informed the Delhi High Court that an immediate Rs 144 crore deposit in a dispute with Kalanithi Maran would lead to its collapse. SpiceJet proposed offering land as security, seeking time to navigate the aviation sector's current challenges. The court will hear the matter again soon.
- Delhi HC gives SpiceJet 4 more weeks to deposit Rs 144 crore, rejects property offerSpiceJet has received a four-week extension from the Delhi High Court to deposit Rs 144 crore. This payment is part of an ongoing arbitration dispute. The court rejected the airline's proposal to offer land property as security instead of the cash amount. SpiceJet had cited financial difficulties for its request.
- SpiceJet faces cash crunch, offers immovable property as security in Delhi HC arbitration caseSpiceJet faces a liquidity crunch. The airline proposed submitting a property deed worth ₹148 crore as security in a share transfer dispute. This offer comes instead of depositing ₹144 crore with the Delhi High Court registry. The court previously ordered the deposit, a decision the Supreme Court declined to review. The airline cited war-related flight cancellations for its financial strain.
- SpiceJet shares jump 6% after Supreme Court rejects Rs 1,300 crore damages appeal by Kalanithi Maran, KAL AirwaysSpiceJet shares jumped 6% after the Supreme Court dismissed a Rs 1,323 crore damages appeal by KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran. Courts criticized their delay and concealment in the share transfer dispute. Despite the win, analysts remain cautious, with a consensus ‘Sell’ rating and Rs 36 target price.
- Uncle Stalin brokers truce between Maran brothers after Sun TV profit feudTamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin intervened to resolve a business dispute between his nephews, Kalanithi and Dayanidhi Maran, concerning Sun TV Network shares. Dayanidhi had issued a legal notice accusing Kalanithi of unfairly acquiring profits, threatening legal escalation. Stalin's mediation led to Dayanidhi withdrawing the notice, averting a public family feud.
- Sun TV says Maran dispute pre-dates public listing, no impact on businessSun TV Network addresses a 22-year-old stake dispute between Kalanithi Maran and Dayanidhi Maran. Dayanidhi Maran alleges fraudulent seizure of company control. Sun TV denies the claims, asserting legal compliance. The company states the matter is personal and doesn't affect operations. Dayanidhi threatens legal action if his demands aren't met. Sun TV's revenue and net profit have recently declined.
- Sun TV denies dispute between Dayanidhi Maran and Kalanithi MaranSun TV has refuted media reports of a dispute between Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi Maran, concerning a 2003 share allotment. Dayanidhi allegedly sent a legal notice accusing Kalanithi of fraudulently seizing control. Sun TV clarified that the matter pertains to when the company was private, asserting all actions were legal and vetted before its public issue.
- Dayanidhi Maran sends legal notice to Sun TV CMD Kalanithi Maran, says brother seized Group control ‘fraudulently'Dayanidhi Maran accuses Kalanithi Maran of fraudulently seizing control of Sun Group. He alleges a disputed share allotment in 2003. Dayanidhi demands restoration of the original shareholding structure. He plans legal action, including approaching SFIO and BCCI. The dispute involves Sun TV Network and other assets. Allegations include misuse of dividends and illegal share transfers.
- Is Anirudh Ravichander getting married to the co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kavya Maran? Singer breaks silenceRumors swirled online, fueled by sightings at events, suggesting a possible wedding between composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sunrisers Hyderabad co-owner Kavya Maran. The speculation gained traction due to their respective high profiles in the entertainment and sports industries. However, Anirudh quickly dispelled the rumors with a concise tweet, denying any impending nuptials and asking people to stop spreading false information.
- Delhi HC grounds Maran's ₹1,323-crore damages claim in SpiceJet disputeThe Delhi High Court dismissed KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran's appeal for ₹1,323 crore damages from SpiceJet in a share transfer dispute, citing delayed filings and concealed facts. The court criticised KAL and Maran's lack of good faith and "calculated gamble" in delaying proceedings. SpiceJet's shares saw a rise following the dismissal.
- Delhi HC dismisses Rs 1,300 cr damages appeal by Kalanithi Maran & KAL Airways against SpiceJetThe Delhi High Court's Division Bench has dismissed the appeal by KAL Airways and Kalanithi Maran, who were seeking over ₹1,300 crore in damages from SpiceJet. These claims had already been rejected earlier by an Arbitral Tribunal consisting of three retired Supreme Court judges and later by a Single-Judge Bench of the Delhi High Court. The latest ruling reaffirms those earlier decisions.
- Rajinikanth’s 171st film, Coolie release date confirmed. Lokesh Kanagaraj makes it officialSuperstar Rajinikanth stars in the upcoming action thriller Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and set to release on August 14, 2025. Produced by Sun Pictures, this high-octane film features an ensemble cast, including Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, Satya Raj, and Aamir Khan in a cameo. It promises a visually stunning and musically spectacular experience.
- Who is SRH owner Kavya Maran? Know her net worth, education & moreKavya Maran, born into an influential Indian business family, leads Sunrisers Hyderabad as CEO. With an MBA from Warwick, she oversees team management and auction strategies. Her personal net worth is estimated at Rs 409 crore. Passionate about cricket, she actively supports SRH's IPL journey while maintaining a luxurious lifestyle.
- Sun Group wins bid for Northern Superchargers franchise at £100 millionKalanithi Maran's Sun Group has purchased 100% of The Hundred's Northern Superchargers for £100 million, becoming the first full-fledged owner in the league. IPL owners are actively expanding their presence in English cricket, with RPSG Group and a tech consortium also acquiring significant stakes in other teams.
- SpiceJet is struggling to defy gravity. What are the odds?SpiceJet, once a leading airline, is grappling with severe financial distress. Grounded aircraft, unpaid dues, and a dwindling market share have exacerbated its troubles. Promoter Ajay Singh is attempting to raise funds through various means to revive operations and settle liabilities, but challenges persist.
- Revenue from cricket franchise SunRisers will rise substantially: Sun TVSun TV Network anticipates a significant rise in revenue from its cricket franchise SunRisers Hyderabad, supported by increased earnings from movie distribution. The company, which has expanded into Hindi, Bangla, and Marathi languages, remains confident in its content delivery strength across these markets.
- SpiceJet averts shutdown crisis at Mumbai Airport, ops resume after financial matter resolvedSpiceJet avoided a disruption of its flights from Mumbai’s international airport by resolving a financial issue at the last moment. The airport had issued, then withdrew, an advisory about potential disruptions. Ongoing financial difficulties, including delayed salaries and overdue payments, have led to flight delays and other operational challenges for the airline.
- SpiceJet vs Kalanithi Maran case: SC upholds Delhi HC's decision, directs reconsideration of arbitral awardIn a significant relief to SpiceJet, the Supreme Court upheld a Delhi High Court division bench's decision to remand a 2018 arbitration case involving a share transfer dispute back to its single judge. The Court criticized the single judge for not applying his mind in the case between SpiceJet and its former promoter Kalanithi Maran. Previously, the single judge supported an arbitral award requiring SpiceJet and Chairman Ajay Singh to refund Rs 579 crore with interest to Maran. However, the division bench later remanded the dispute for fresh consideration. SpiceJet welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, viewing it as a vindication.
- Kalanithi Maran vs SpiceJet: SC upholds Delhi HC's order remanding arbitration dispute back to single judgeThe Supreme Court on Friday upheld a division bench order of the Delhi High Court, remanding the arbitration dispute in Kalanithi Maran's case against SpiceJet back to the single judge. The single judge had previously refused to interfere with the arbitral award issued in 2018. The tribunal had directed Ajay Singh-led SpiceJet to refund Rs 579 crore along with interest to the carrier's former promoter, Maran.
- Sony eyeing M&A opportunities in India post termination of Zee deal: Tony VinciquerraSony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is in discussions for potential merger and acquisition deals in India following the collapse of its merger deal with Zee Entertainment. The deal between Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee couldn't go through due to regulatory issues and the deterioration of the Indian entertainment giant's financials. SPE's India arm held discussions with Viacom18 in 2020 to combine the two businesses.
- SpiceJet says Sun Group's claims of damages are unfoundedSpiceJet and Ajay Singh refuted Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways' Rs 1,323 crore damages claim as legally untenable. Maran plans to challenge a Delhi High Court order favoring SpiceJet. This ownership dispute dates to 2015. Following the claim, SpiceJet's shares dropped 1.24%. The court had overturned an earlier ruling favoring Maran.
- SpiceJet refutes KAL, Maran's Rs 1,323 cr damages claim, terms it 'legally untenable'SpiceJet refuted the Rs 1,323 crore damages sought by Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways as legally untenable. Maran and KAL plan to challenge a Delhi High Court order that remanded the dispute, involving a Rs 579 crore refund, for reconsideration. The Delhi high court had overturned a previous ruling favoring Maran.
- Kalanithi Maran to seek Rs 1,323 crore in damages from SpiceJetAccording to the Sun group, as part of a share transfer agreement signed in 2015 when Ajay Singh took over SpiceJet, Maran and KAL Airways had paid SpiceJet Rs 679 crore for issuing warrants and preference shares. However, Maran alleged that the warrants and preference shares were not allotted, and initiated arbitration proceedings against SpiceJet and Singh.
- SpiceJet to seek Rs 450 cr refund from erstwhile promoter Maran following Delhi HC rulingSpiceJet plans to reclaim Rs 450 crore from former promoter Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways, following a Delhi High Court division bench ruling in its favor. The airline previously paid Rs 730 crore to Maran, including principal and interest. The decision overturns a previous order and highlights unresolved legal issues.
- Delhi HC sets aside order upholding arbitral award in favour of Kalanithi Maran and against SpiceJetThe Delhi High Court on Friday overturned a ruling that upheld an arbitral award favoring Kalanithi Maran against SpiceJet. Maran sought a refund of Rs 579 crore with interest from SpiceJet in a share transfer dispute dating back to January 2015. Shares of SpiceJet surged 6.5% post the court's decision.
- HC directs SpiceJet to pay Rs 50 crore to former promoter Kalanithi Maran, KAL Airways in six weeksThe case relates to a share transfer dispute between SpiceJet’s chairman and managing director Ajay Singh and Maran and his KAL Airways. In February 2015, Maran and KAL Airways transferred their entire 58.46% stake in the airline to Singh. In 2017, Maran and KAL Airways moved HC demanding that 180 million warrants redeemable as equity shares be transferred to them.
- Disney said to be in talks with Adani, Maran to sell India assetsWalt Disney Co. is in preliminary discussions with potential buyers, including billionaires Gautam Adani and Kalanithi Maran, for its India streaming and television business. Private equity funds have also expressed interest. Discussions involve selling part of the Indian operations, including sports rights and regional streaming service Disney+ Hotstar. Asset-sale talks have already been held with Reliance Industries Ltd. Disney is exploring strategic options for its business in India, including an outright sale or setting up a joint venture.
- SpiceJet pays Kal Airways Rs 100 cr towards arbitral award after court orderLow-cost airline SpiceJet has paid Rs 100 crore ($1.5 million) to Kal Airways and its promoter Kalanithi Maran, following an order from the Delhi High Court. The payment was completed on Tuesday, with Rs 77.5 crore paid by September 11 and the remaining Rs 22.5 crore paid on September 12. The court had previously ordered SpiceJet to make the payment by September 10 or risk having their properties attached
- SpiceJet vs Maran case: Delhi HC asks promoter Ajay Singh to pay outstanding amount by Sept 12The Delhi High Court has ordered SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh to pay the remaining Rs 32.5 crore to Kalanithi Maran and Kal Airways by the end of the day or maximum by tomorrow. Singh's lawyers have stated that they have already paid Rs 62.5 crore and have a cheque for Rs 37.5 crore in Maran's name. SpiceJet and Singh had filed an appeal challenging an order to refund over Rs 270 crore to Maran and Kal Airways. The court had directed SpiceJet to pay Rs 100 crore by September 10.
- Delhi HC asks SpiceJet to pay ₹100 cr to Kalanithi Maran by Sept 10The Delhi High Court has ordered SpiceJet and its CMD Ajay Singh to pay former promoter Kalanithi Maran ₹100 crore by September 10, or else the airline's assets will be attached. The court rejected SpiceJet's offer to deposit ₹75 crore within 10 days. The court is only concerned with how SpiceJet will pay its liabilities to Maran.
- Pay Kalanithi Maran Rs 100 cr by Sep 10, or will attach assets: HC tells SpiceJet & SinghThe Delhi High Court on Thursday asked carrier SpiceJet and CMD Ajay Singh to pay former promoter of the airline Kalanithi Maran a sum of Rs 100 crore by September 10 to prove bona fide, subject to their rights and contentions. Singh was due to appear today in the Delhi HC for non-compliance with the HC order that asked him to disclose assets and revenue collection.
- Disclose assets, revenues in a week: HC to SpiceJetThe Delhi High Court has ordered SpiceJet to disclose its assets and revenue collection in connection with a request made by the airline’s former promoter, Kalanithi Maran, who is seeking 50% of its revenue against an arbitration award. SpiceJet has been given until August 24th to respond to the demand by Maran, who is seeking half of SpiceJet’s daily revenue on a weekly basis to cover the INR 393 crore ($54m) that it still owes him following a 2015 share transfer dispute.
- Court upholds 2018 arbitral award in Maran-SpiceJet caseThe HC also rejected SpiceJet's objections to the levy of interest @12% per annum on the amount to be refunded towards warrants and 18% per annum in case of non-payment within the stipulated time period. Maran and his KAL Airways had sought to set aside the award to the extent it failed to award restitution of 58.46% shareholding to them and that too, without assigning any reason.
- Delhi HC rejects SpiceJet's plea, refuses to interfere with 2018 arbitral awardThe Delhi High Court on Monday refused to interfere with the 2018 arbitral award that had asked SpiceJet and Ajay Singh to refund Rs 579 crore plus interest to former promoter Kalanithi Maran. Earlier in July, the Supreme Court had directed SpiceJet to pay the entire arbitral amount of Rs 380 crore to Maran. The business must be carried out with 'commercial morality', the apex court had observed.
- Supreme Court directs SpiceJet to pay Maran Rs 380-crore arbitration awardThe Supreme Court has directed SpiceJet, which had sought two more months to pay former promoter Kalanithi Maran an arbitration award of INR380 crore ($51m), to pay the full amount immediately. The sum relates to a share transfer dispute, but the airline said it had already paid INR579 crore to its former boss and the matter was now subject to Delhi High Court arbitration.
- Court directs SpiceJet to pay Rs 380 crore to former promoter Kalanithi MaranDelhi High Court has ordered SpiceJet to pay INR380 crore to its former promoter, Kalanithi Maran in a seven-year-old share transfer dispute with interest liabilities having risen from INR362 crore. Further, the judgment requires SpiceJet to provide details of its assets within four weeks. SpiceJet has stated it is already in discussions with Maran and his firm for a comprehensive settlement and has already paid the entire principal amount of INR578 crore earlier awarded by the arbitral tribunal.
- Encash guarantee to pay arbitral award to Kalanithi Maran: Supreme Court to SpiceJetThe decision relates to a seven-year-old share transfer dispute between SpiceJet's chairman and managing director Ajay Singh and Kalanithi Maran and his KAL Airways. If SpiceJet pays the interest amount, then the balance dues and payment in terms of the award will remain stayed, the court said, adding that any default in payment will make the award executable.
- Tamil Nadu cable operators switch off Zee channels over discountsAs per multiple local cable operators (LCOs) in Tamil Nadu, Arasu Cable and SCN have switched off ZEE’s channels from their platform, while VK Digital has removed Zee Tamil from the base pack and changed its placement on its service. The issue, operators say, is related to dispute over discounts. The timing is crucial as ZEE is launching a Tamil movie channel, Zee Thirai, in the market.