Who was Nari Hira, the charismatic publisher who made scandal-hungry India gasp with gossip
Nari Hira, the founder and editor of Stardust Magazine, passed away on August 23 at age 86. Known as a significant figure in the Indian media industry, Hira pioneered in publishing popular magazines and ventured into film production, leaving a lasting impact on the media landscape.
Hira's family expressed their deep sorrow in a statement, «It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of his passing, a pioneer in print media, a family man and father beyond compare, he leaves us behind heartbroken in his absence.»
Born in 1938 in modern-day Karachi, Hira and his family moved to Mumbai following the partition in 1947. He started his career as a journalist in the 1960s but shifted focus to publishing, where he earned the moniker 'King of Indian Magazines.'
Hira founded Magna Publishing and produced a range of popular magazines such as Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society, and Health. He was also involved in film production through Hiba Films, producing around 15 video films in the 1980s, and later through Magna Films, which he established in 2007.
Details about Hira's personal life remain sparse as he was known to be a private person. Following his footsteps, his son, Rahuul Hira, took over as the managing director of Magna Publishing.
Prominent figures in Indian journalism, such as novelist-columnist Shobhaa De and journalist Vir Sanghvi, expressed their condolences at his passing. Sanghvi shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), stating, «RIP Nari Hira, the genius of Indian publishing. The magazine revolution
