Journalist and film producer Nari Hira dies at the age of 86 (Source: Instagram)
Senior journalist, founder of Stardust magazine and film producer Nari Hiradied on Friday at the age of 86.
Known for revolutionising the Indian magazine industry, Hira owned Mumbai-based Magna Publishing Co. Ltd., which publishes popular magazines such as Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society and Health. He was also involved in film production through Magna Films, a subsidiary of his publishing company.
Nari Hari has died
Exchange4media quoted his family in an official statement: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of his death. He was a pioneer of print media, a family man and a father without equal. His absence breaks our hearts.”
Born in Karachi in 1938, Hira and his family moved to Mumbai after the partition of India in 1947. He began his career in journalism in the 1960s and eventually ventured into publishing. His magazine Stardust quickly gained immense popularity and was known for its sensational stories, gossip and revelations about Bollywood stars.
Learn more about Nari Hira
Hira was also a pioneer of video film in the mid-1980s, launching Aditya Pancholi and Urmila Matondkar. After founding Magna Films, he attempted to break the conventions of the industry at the time and make films with adult content available only on DVD.
Hira’s contributions to Indian publishing have been recognised with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Magazine Congress. While details of his personal life remain confidential, his son Rahuul Hira has taken over as CEO of Magna Publishing.
