View source for Subhash Chandra

{{Short description|Indian billionaire media baron|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{For|the leader in the Indian independence movement popularly known as Netaji|Subhas Chandra Bose}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Subhash Chandra
| image               = 
| caption             = 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|11|30}}
| birth_place         = [[Adampur, Hisar]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| residence           = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
| occupation          = [[Chairman]] of [[Essel Group]]
Chairman Emeritus of ZEE
| salary              = 
| blank1              = 
| data1               = 
| nationality         = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| office              = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/subhash-chandra-wins-rs-poll-as-12-cong-votes-were-rejected-due-to-wrong-pen/story-pVv4dssn0Zz2hWsWpAd8wO.html |title=Subhash Chandra wins RS seat as 12 Cong votes were rejected due to 'wrong pen' |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=12 June 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>
| term_start          = 2 August 2016 <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dr-subhash-chandra-takes-oath-as-rajya-sabha-member-2240933|title=Dr Subhash Chandra takes oath as Rajya Sabha member|date=4 August 2016|work=dnaindia.com}}</ref>
| term_end            = 1 August 2022
| constituency        = [[Haryana]]
| predecessor         = [[Suresh Prabhu]]
| party               = 
| successor           = 
| father              = 
| mother              = 
| spouse              = Sushila Devi
| children            = [[Punit Goenka]] <br /> [[Amit Goenka]] <br /> [[amogha harsha]]
| website             = {{URL|http://www.subhashchandra.com/ }}<br />{{URL|http://www.subhashchandrafoundation.org/}}
| signature           = 
| honorific_suffix    = 
}}
'''Subhash Chandra Goenka''' (born 30 November 1950) is an Indian billionaire [[Media proprietor|media baron]]. He is the Chairman Emeritus of [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises|ZEE]] and Chairman of the [[Essel Group]], an Indian media conglomerate and founded [[Zee TV]] in 1992. He was also the chairman of [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises|Zee]] Media but resigned as Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the company on 24 May 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-05-24/news/73315405_1_zee-punjab-haryana-himachal-zee-24-taas-zee-media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155741/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-05-24/news/73315405_1_zee-punjab-haryana-himachal-zee-24-taas-zee-media|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2016|title=Subhash Chandra steps down as Zee Media chairman|work=indiatimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Zee group: Each brother to own 70–80% of business|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Zee-group-Each-brother-to-own-70-80-of-business/articleshow/5150610.cms|access-date=2 August 2015|agency=Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dish TV posts Q1 net profit of Rs 54.21 crore|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/earnings/dish-tv-posts-q1-net-profit-of-rs-54-21-crore/articleshow/48257934.cms|access-date=2 August 2015|agency=India Times|publisher=Economic Times}}</ref> He was elected to the Upper House of the Indian parliament for the [[Haryana]] state in the 2016 [[Rajya Sabha]] election, as an independent candidate supported by legislators from the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/subhash-chandra-bets-on-bjp-support-for-rajya-sabha-entry-116053101457_1.html | title=Subhash Chandra bets on BJP support for Rajya Sabha entry | newspaper=Business Standard India | date=June 2016 | last1=Mohan | first1=Archis }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.patrika.com/chandigarh-punjab-news/haryana-independent-candidate-dr-subhash-chandra-won-the-rajya-sabha-elections-1321112/|title= हरियाणा: निर्दलीय उम्मीदवार डॉ. सुभाष चंद्रा राज्यसभा चुनाव जीते|website= Patrika|date= 9 September 2014|language=hi |access-date=2021-06-09}}</ref>

On 31 May 2022, Subhash Chandra filed his nomination from [[Rajasthan]] for elections to the [[Rajya Sabha]] as an Independent candidate backed by the BJP, but he lost the election.

==Early years==
Subhash Chandra was born in an [[Agrawal|Agarwal Bania]] family<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2021 |title=Today In History: Dr Subhash Chandra launched India's first private satellite channel 'Zee TV' in 1992 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/companies/today-in-history-dr-subhash-chandra-launched-india-s-first-private-satellite-channel-zee-tv-in-1995-2399038.html |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref> in Adampur, [[Hisar district]], [[Haryana]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/amp/how-some-gather-silver-in-the-fog/283752|title=How Some Gather Silver In The Fog|access-date=27 February 2019}}</ref> [[Forbes India]] notes that Chandra was born in [[Rajasthan]], and moved with his family to [[Hisar district|Hisar]] during his childhood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2014 |title=At The Zee Group, Son Punit Has Taken The Baton From Subhash Chandra |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/marwari-power/at-the-zee-group-son-punit-has-taken-the-baton-from-subhash-chandra/37359/1 |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref> His family had a debt of {{INR|3.5 lakh}}, which he had to repay. His family could not afford his higher education, and in 1965 he dropped out of school to join the family business of commission agents and traders who procured and supplied rice to the [[Food Corporation of India]].

In the 1980s, he started manufacturing flexible packaging (mainly plastic tubes) for fast-moving consumer goods such as toothpaste under the brand name Essel Packaging. He followed it up with a leisure park Essel World in north Mumbai.

In 1992, he launched [[Zee TV]], the second private commercial television channel in the country in association with [[Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific|Star TV]] in [[Hong Kong]], and in 2003, [[Dish TV]], the first satellite television provider in India.<ref name=kohli>{{cite news|last1=Khandekar|first1=Vanitha Kohli|title=40 Years Ago... And now: Subhash Chandra's chutzpah shaped his media business|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/40-years-ago-and-now-subhash-chandra-s-chutzpah-shaped-his-media-business-115032401258_1.html|access-date=4 August 2015|publisher=Business Standard|date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/article/marwari-power/at-the-zee-group-son-punit-has-taken-the-baton-from-subhash-chandra/37359/1|title=At The Zee Group, Son Punit Has Taken the Baton From Subhash Chandra|website=Forbes India}}</ref>

== Business ==
Chandra established [[Essel Propack]] (now known as EPL Ltd) in 1981; India's 1st company to introduce laminated tubes in the country. The company was acquired by [[Blackstone Inc.|Blackstone]] in 2019.  

Chandra launched [[EsselWorld|Essel World]], India's 1st amusement park and [https://www.waterkingdom.in/ Water Kingdom], Asia's largest theme water park in 1989.  

Chandra set up [[Siti Networks|Siti]] Networks in 1994; one of India's 1st multi system operators and [[Dish TV]] in 2003. 

Chandra launched India's first satellite TV channel, [[Zee TV]], in 1992.<ref name="anand">{{cite news|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/amit-goenka-zee-entertainment-the-next-generation/1/205720.html|title=Passing the Baton|date=25 May 2014|publisher=business today.intoday.in|last1=Adhikari|first1=Anand|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> The channel competes with, among others, [[Sony Entertainment Television (India)|Sony Entertainment Television]] and [[STAR Plus]]. Currently, the Zee TV network consists of up to 90 channels, reaching 1.3 billion people spread over 174 countries.<ref name="forbe">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/subhash-chandra/ |title=Forbes – Subhash Chandra |work=Forbes.com |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

In 2005, in collaboration with the Dainik Bhaskar group, Chandra launched an English-language daily newspaper, ''DNA'', in Mumbai to challenge the well-settled ''[[The Times of India]]''. The competition was one of the biggest newspaper battles in Mumbai. Sustaining earlier losses, the newspaper eventually turned around.<ref name=deepak>{{cite news|last1=Ajwani|first1=Deepak|title=At the Zee Group, Son Punit has taken the baton from Subhash Chandra |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/marwari-power/at-the-zee-group-son-punit-has-taken-the-baton-from-subhash-chandra/37359/1|access-date=4 August 2015|publisher=Forbes India Magazine|date=14 March 2014}}</ref> However, by October 2019, DNA was defunct and completely shut down.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2021/07/27/who-owns-your-media-how-subhash-chandras-zeal-for-diversification-wrecked-his-zee-empire | title=Who owns your media: How Subhash Chandra's zeal for diversification wrecked his Zee empire | date=27 July 2021 }}</ref>

On 25 November 2019, Chandra had to resign as chairman of his company [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises]], as per the SEBI Listing Regulations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Subhash Chandra Resigns as Chairman of Zee Entertainment Enterprises |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/subhash-chandra-resigns-as-chairman-of-zee-entertainment-enterprises-2400237.html |publisher=[[News 18]] |date=25 November 2019}}</ref> However, he still continues as a non-executive director of the company.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jagannath |first1=J. |title=Zee Entertainment board accepts Subhash Chandra's resignation as chairman |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/zee-entertainment-board-accepts-subhash-chandra-s-resignation-as-chairman-11574688147326.html |publisher=[[Livemint]] |date=25 November 2019}}</ref>

In his autobiography ‘The Z Factor: My Journey as the Wrong Man at the right time’, Chandra has written about his association with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], the ideological parent of the BJP, in his younger days. Chandra claimed the support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators and said he had others across party lines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohan |first1=Archis |title=Subhash Chandra bets on BJP support for Rajya Sabha entry |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/subhash-chandra-bets-on-bjp-support-for-rajya-sabha-entry-116053101457_1.html |publisher=[[Business Standard]] |date=2016}}</ref>

On 22 May 2020, [[Essel Group]] defaulted ₹616 Crore secured NCD Bonds with a standstill agreement along with Subhash Chandra Personal Guarantee thus affecting 3,00,000 investors.

In August 2020, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) appointed promoter Subhash Chandra as chairman emeritus, following his resignation as non-executive director of the firm. Subhash Chandra, who was previously chairman, would now continue to be associated with the business in an honorary fashion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Laghate|first=Gaurav|title=Subhash Chandra to take role of chairman emeritus at ZEE, steps down as non-executive director|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/subhash-chandra-to-take-role-of-chairman-emeritus-at-zee-steps-down-as-non-executive-director/articleshow/77614362.cms|access-date=2020-08-18}}</ref>

==Awards==
*[https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/article/interesting-facts-about-chairman-of-the-essel-group-subash-chandra-that-will-inspire-many/articleshow/74171305.cms <nowiki>Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young) [1998]</nowiki>]
*[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/subhash-chandra-chairman-essel-group/story-UXyn9AmFslWiD5VtjLE5aP.html <nowiki>Businessman of the Year (Business Standard) [1999]</nowiki>] 
*[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/subhash-chandra-chairman-essel-group/story-UXyn9AmFslWiD5VtjLE5aP.html <nowiki>Enterprising CEO of the Year (International Brand Summit) [1999]</nowiki>] 
*[https://www.india.com/news/india/zee-group-founder-subhash-chandra-celebrates-his-71st-birthday-in-hisar-5114851/#:~:text=Dr%20Chandra%20has%20been%20the,Year'%20by%20FICCI%20in%202004.&text=New%20Delhi%3A%20Zee%20Group%20Founder,71st%20birthday%20in%20Haryana's%20Hisar. <nowiki>Global Indian Entertainment Personality of the Year by FICCI [2004]</nowiki>] 
*[https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/2582/casbaa-honors-subhash-chandra <nowiki>Lifetime Achievement Award at the CASBAA Convention [2009]</nowiki>] 
*[https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/subhash-chandra-conferred-with-an-honorary-doctorate-degree-113111901183_1.html Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the University of East London (2013)] 
*[https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/e4m-inba-2010subhash-chandra-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame-for-continuing-contribution-to-industryentrepreneur-39320.html Hall of Fame for continuing contribution to industry in Entrepreneur category at the INBA (2010)] 
* [[International Emmy Directorate Award]] (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zee-tvs-subhash-chandra-receive-193758 |title=Zee TV's Subhash Chandra to Receive Emmy Honor |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref>
* Canada India Foundation, Chanchlani Global Indian Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/dr-subhash-chandra-to-receive-canada-india-foundation-cif-chanchlani-global-indian-award_1851917.html |title=Dr Subhash Chandra to receive Canada India Foundation (CIF) Chanchlani Global Indian Award |publisher=Zee News |date=3 February 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.subhashchandra.com/}}
*[http://www.subhashchandrafoundation.org/ Subhash Chandra Foundation]

{{Essel Group}}
{{International Emmy Directorate Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandra, Subhash}}
[[Category:Indian mass media owners]]
[[Category:Indian billionaires]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Marwari people]]
[[Category:People from Hisar district]]
[[Category:Indian television executives]]
[[Category:Indian television company founders]]
[[Category:International Emmy Directorate Award]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Bihar]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Haryana]]
[[Category:Independent politicians in India]]