Subhash Chandra the man who started TV revolution in India now bows out after piling on $1.6 billion debt

• Subhash Chandra did not just launch the first private television channel in India, he also paved the way for the rise of Hindi television content.
• Subhash Chandra was known for his meteoric rise. After all, he added 59 channels in 25 years to shape his ‘jewel in the crown’.Subhash Chandra was known for his meteoric rise. After all, he added 59 channels in 25 years to shape his ‘jewel in the crown’.
• Troubles started when Chandra decided to enter into infra business and took up endless loans
• Subhash Chandra lost half of his wealth in a year
  
  

Subhash Chandra did not just launch the first private television channel in India, he also paved the way for the rise of Hindi television content. Back then, their competitor Star TV had continued with its strategy to beam American and British television shows, before shifting gears to follow Zee’s path.

Till date, Zee is successfully using its legacy content to build its OTT platform. But it will carry on without Chandra who resigned as the chairperson of Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) recently. He will continue to be a non-executive director while Punit Goenka his son will continue as the MD and CEO.

Subhash Chandra once sat at the helm of India’s only private TV channel but his ambition to aggressively expand into infrastructure and real estate -- changed the course of his fortunes