Often hailed as the ‘King of Indian Magazines,’ Nari Hira earned numerous accolades for his impact on the Indian publishing industry.
Nari Hira, the iconic founder and editor of Stardust Magazine, passed away on August 23 at the age of 86.
In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed their grief: “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Nari Hira, a trailblazer in print media, a devoted family man, and a father beyond compare. His absence leaves us deeply saddened.”
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Hira was a major force in the Indian media landscape, recognized for his groundbreaking contributions as a film producer and owner of Magna Publishing. He was the visionary behind several popular magazines, including Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society, and Health.
About Nari Hira
Born in 1938 in what is now Karachi, Hira and his family were compelled to relocate to Mumbai following the partition in 1947. He began his professional journey as a journalist in the 1960s before transitioning into the world of publishing.
Often hailed as the ‘King of Indian Magazines,’ Hira earned numerous accolades for his impact on the Indian publishing industry.
Hira also had a significant presence in film production. Through his company, Hiba Films, he produced around 15 video films in the 1980s. He later founded Magna Films in 2007 to continue his work in the industry.
Despite his public success, Hira was known for being a private individual. His son, Rahuul Hira, now serves as the managing director of Magna Publishing, continuing his father’s legacy.
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Nari Hira’s passing was mourned by many, including novelist-columnist Shobhaa De and journalist Vir Sanghvi.
Reflecting on Hira’s impact, Sanghvi wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “RIP Nari Hira, the genius of Indian publishing. The magazine revolution began with his launch of Stardust. He defied all conventions of film journalism and built a magazine empire on those bold principles—sharp, blunt, well-written, and visually appealing. I will miss him dearly (sic).”