'India's Rupert Murdoch' fights to keep control of his media empire

Subhash Chandra enlists Sony in battle over future of Zee Entertainment

20211021 Subhash Chandra

Zee Entertainment Enterprises founder Subhash Chandra was once dubbed "India's Rupert Murdoch.'' (Source photo by AP)

DEV CHATTERJEE, Contributing writer

MUMBAI -- Subhash Chandra, the gutsy and influential founder of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, India's biggest listed TV media empire, with a market valuation of 300 billion rupees ($4 billion), was once labeled "India's Rupert Murdoch.'' So when he appeared on prime time news early this month in the middle of a corporate battle with Zee's largest shareholder, everyone expected fireworks.

Instead, the viewers of Zee News, a channel owned by Chandra, were appalled to see the 70-year-old patriarch of the Indian entertainment industry break down on live TV, promising to fight off a hostile attack by U.S. fund manager Invesco, which wants to end his family's dominance at the company.

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