News Broadcasting
Subhash Chandra fourth in ‘BS’ Billionaire list
MUMBAI: Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra may have seen an erosion in his personal wealth this last year but that hasn’t prevented his climbing a place in the richest Indians’ list.
Business Standard’s fourth annual ranking of the richest Indians belonging to the Billionaire Club features Chandra in fourth place with his total wealth estimated at Rs 23.88 billion. Last year, Chandra was in fifth place with Rs 29.52 billion and the net worth of his unlisted companies is placed at Rs 1.72 billion.
Wipro’s CMD Azim Premji tops the list with an estimated wealth of Rs 322.02 billion. The Ambanis of Reliance are placed second with Rs 188.63 billion. The survey was conducted in association with Amity Business School.
Business Standard’s study also shows that the highest climbers in terms of value is the Hinduja family (ranked No 13) whose net worth has increased by Rs 7.11 billion to Rs 15.22 billion.
The study also showed that the entertainment industry is becoming another major moneyspinner.
Subrata Roy
Five billionaires, of whom three are directly linked to television, have a combined value of Rs 31.72 billion. Chandra towers over this pack and is followed by Subrata Roy of Sahara Media with a net worth of Rs 3.2 billion. Also up there is Jeetendra Kapoor through Balaji Telefilms whose net worth was placed at Rs 2.47 billion.
The top corporate earners from media on the list were also
Jeetendra Kapoor
from Zee. RK Singh and the man who replaced him Sandeep Goyal are nowhere in the Zee picture today but as whole time directors on the company board figure in the list. RK Singh had a gross salary of Rs 18 million whereas Goyal had a gross salary of Rs 17.3 million.
The methodology adopted for estimating wealth was based on market value of their holdings in the listed companies. In line with the international practice, the crossholding structure of their stakes was also considered. The net worth of those own unlisted companies has also been taken into consideration. More than 25,000 unlisted companies spread over 100 sectors were considered. The “earning” billionaires or professional managers were also considered.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
