Chennai, India, July 10, 2025 – Dayanidhi Maran, a prominent Indian politician and Member of Parliament (MP) from Chennai Central representing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and his brother Kalanithi Maran, the billionaire chairman of Sun TV Network, one of India’s largest media conglomerates, have begun efforts to resolve their ongoing family dispute amicably. The reconciliation process follows the intervention of their uncle, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who also leads the DMK party, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The dispute, which became public in June 2025, centers on allegations by Dayanidhi Maran that Kalanithi Maran engaged in fraudulent share transactions in 2003, shortly after the death of their father, Murasoli Maran, a former Union Minister and key DMK figure. Dayanidhi claimed that Kalanithi illegally allotted himself 12 lakh equity shares in Sun TV Network at a nominal value, significantly diluting the family’s stake and securing majority control of the company, now valued at over $3 billion USD (₹24,400 crore). The legal notice also accused Kalanithi of financial mismanagement, including diverting substantial dividends, estimated at ₹5,926 crore ($700 million USD) by 2023 and ₹455 crore ($54 million USD) in 2024 alone.
Sources indicate that Chief Minister Stalin stepped in to mediate, aiming to prevent the high-profile feud from escalating further in public or through legal battles. With Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections scheduled for 2026, Stalin, keen to maintain party unity and avoid political embarrassment, urged the brothers to settle their differences privately. The mediation, reportedly involving other family members and key DMK figures, has led to a tentative truce, though specific details of the agreement remain confidential. Speculation suggests the settlement may include financial compensation or a restructuring of stakes in Sun TV Network to address Dayanidhi’s concerns.
The Maran family, descendants of Murasoli Maran and closely tied to the DMK through their relation to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, holds significant influence in both Indian politics and media. Sun TV Network, founded in 1993, dominates regional television, radio, and entertainment in South India. The public dispute had caused a temporary dip in Sun TV’s stock prices, with a 4% drop reported in June 2025, raising concerns among investors about corporate governance.
While the brothers have not issued public statements, sources confirm that Dayanidhi is likely to withdraw his legal notice as part of the compromise. This development marks a critical step in preserving the Maran family’s legacy and the DMK’s political standing ahead of the upcoming elections.
