Why Ratan Tata’s biography didn’t have his final sanction
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. BENGALURU , MUMBAI : The highly anticipated biography of Ratan Tata, which hit bookstores on Friday, less than three weeks after his death, was reportedly published without the late industrialist’s stamp of approval. Tata distanced himself from ‘Ratan Tata—A Life’ and ended the agreement late last year because he felt “discomfited" by the overly flattering references about him in the manuscript he had received, according to an executive familiar with the situation.
After the prominent businessman and philanthropist passed away on 9 October, Harper Collins released the book on 25 October. Tata, who was chairman emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd, the holding company of Tata group, is mentioned in the present tense throughout the 668-page book. Mahindra Group chair emeritus Keshub Mahindra and former Tata Sons board member R.K.
Krishna Kumar, who passed away last year, are also mentioned in the present tense in the book. The book cover acknowledges Tata’s passing, but the text refers to the doyen in the present tense. Author Thomas Mathew later explained in a telephone conversation that the manuscript, except for the cover, was already printed and ready to hit the bookstores.
Also read | 7 books that touch on the life of Ratan Tata and the group he led “Mr. Tata had terminated the project sometime between October and December of last year," said the executive mentioned above, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He was unhappy after reading the one-side and glowing representation made." Mathew declined to comment on whether he had shared the manuscript with Tata, although Mint learned that he had in early 2022.
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