Hira’s family expressed their deep sadness in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of his passing. He was a pioneer of print media, a family man and a father without equal. His absence breaks our hearts.”
Hira was born in 1938 in what is now Karachi. After the partition of Mumbai in 1947, he and his family moved to Mumbai. He began his career as a journalist in the 1960s, but shifted his focus to publishing, where he was nicknamed the “King of Indian Magazines”.
Hira founded Magna Publishing and produced a number of popular magazines such as Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society and Health. He was also involved in film production through Hiba Films, where he produced around 15 video films in the 1980s, and later through Magna Films, which he founded in 2007.
Details about Hira’s personal life are scarce as he was considered a private person. His son Rahuul Hira followed in his footsteps and took over as CEO of Magna Publishing.
Prominent figures in Indian journalism such as novelist and columnist Shobhaa De and journalist Vir Sanghvi expressed their condolences on his death. Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), Sanghvi stated, “Rest in peace Nari Hira, the genius of Indian publishing. The magazine revolution began when he launched Stardust. He broke all the conventions of film reporting and then created a magazine empire based on these principles: be sharp, be direct, but write well and make it look good. I will miss him.” Hira, writing in the 50th anniversary issue of Stardust, recalled his youth: “We were kids from South Bombay and so stars meant nothing to us.” This irreverence influenced the magazine’s distinctive tone, with popular nicknames for film stars such as “Garam Dharam”, “Idli Malini” and “Shotgun Sinha”. As Hindustan Times reported, Stardust was a huge success, but just one of Hira’s many impactful projects. He hired top talent like Shobhaa De and helped her break into journalism. De noted, “He was very adept at identifying people who would take his brand forward. He had a great instinct for spotting talent, whether it was film stars or people from other fields.”
The magazine became known for its big headlines, sensational revelations about the private lives of film stars and glamorous photoshoots that caught the attention of a scandal-hungry India. De said, “He was the epitome of sophistication, a far cry from the stereotype of the profit-hungry media mogul.” She added that Hira combined sharp wit with an uncanny eye for the sensational, but always with a certain panache.
Vir Sanghvi, who edited Bombay magazine at the same time, echoed this view: “The magazine revolution began when he launched Stardust. He broke all the conventions of film reporting and then created a magazine empire based on these principles: be sharp, be direct, but write well and make it look good.”
Hira, who shortened his name from Hiranandani to Hira, demonstrated a knack for staying ahead of media trends. Alongside film magazines such as Stardust and Showtime, he founded Society, one of the first magazines to focus on India’s rich and elite, long before the Page 3 celebrity culture flourished.
Society featured an eclectic mix of artists, politicians, businessmen and stars from India’s emerging fashion industry. Hira was one of the first to highlight the concept of an emerging India.
One of Hira’s most radical publications was Savvy magazine, known for its main feature, the Savvy Woman of the Month. At a time when divorce was a taboo subject in Indian society, Savvy featured women who spoke openly about ending abusive relationships. It also featured pioneering figures such as India’s first transgender model in the late 1980s and Dr. Indira Hinduja, the pioneer behind India’s first test-tube baby.
De recalled the creative freedom Hira offered him: “His copywriting brilliance was unmatched – every headline had to meet his high standards. If something didn’t meet expectations, he would change it in a matter of seconds. That gave us the strength to be bold. Irreverence was the mantra.”
Suma Varghese, the long-time editor of Society magazine, remembers Hira’s infectious personality: “His energy was electrifying – after just a few minutes with him, you were full of optimism and enthusiasm.”
Although Hira never married, he adopted a son, Vikram. He split his time between Mumbai, London and New York. His restless spirit and keen news sense were always on the lookout for the next big thing in the media. In the 1990s, when VHS threatened the film industry, Hira founded Hiba Films, which produced several shows inspired by Hollywood hits such as Dallas and Dynasty. These shows, which often featured risqué scenes, brought a new element to Indian households.
When the magazine boom subsided, Hira retreated into private life and rarely appeared in public, apart from occasional social gatherings with former colleagues such as Shobhaa De or film producers Ashwin Varde and Sarita Tanwar.
Tanwar highlighted Hira’s exceptional relationship with his employees: “What stood out about Mr. Hira was the way he treated his employees – with generosity and genuine concern for their well-being. He treated everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their position. That was first class.”
Hira’s legacy in magazine publishing and film production remains influential. He will be remembered for his keen instincts, innovative ideas and commitment to quality content. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the Indian media industry.
