Nari Hira, Pioneer of Indian Magazines, Passes Away at 86

Nari Hira, the esteemed founder and editor of Stardust Magazine, has passed away at the age of 86 on August 23. His family shared the news in a statement, expressing their sorrow over the loss of a pioneer in print media and a devoted family man.

Hira was a key figure in the Indian media industry, recognized for his innovative publishing efforts with popular magazines such as Stardust, Savvy, Showtime, Society, and Health. His contributions have significantly shaped celebrity culture and media coverage in India.

Born in 1938 in Karachi, Hira’s family moved to Mumbai following the partition in 1947. He began his career as a journalist in the 1960s before establishing himself in the publishing arena.

Widely regarded as the ‘King of Indian Magazines’, Hira garnered several accolades for his work in this field. His ventures included film production through Hiba Films in the 1980s and later, Magna Films, which he founded in 2007.

Despite his public persona, Hira was known for being a private individual. Following his demise, his son, Rahuul Hira, has taken over the role of managing director at Magna Publishing.

Prominent figures in journalism, including novelist Shobhaa De and journalist Vir Sanghvi, have expressed their condolences. Sanghvi noted Hira’s genius in revolutionizing Indian publishing and his role in establishing a successful magazine empire.