Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Essel Group Marks 100 Years With Praise From Kamal Haasan
Essel Group recently celebrated 100 years of its history in Chennai.
The group began in 1926 as a small commodity-trading business.
Kamal Haasan said its story was similar to India’s because both changed and adapted over time.
He praised Chairman Subhash Chandra and his family for helping the business continue across generations.
Chandra said his own venture started in 1970 with only ₹17.
He explained that the group later grew into a large media and entertainment business.
Essel launched India’s first private satellite television channel, Zee TV, in 1992.
Zee TV began showing Tamil programs in 1995.
Zee Tamil became a dedicated Tamil-language channel in 2008.
Kamal Haasan compared Essel Group’s century-long evolution with India’s journey of transformation and reinvention.
Essel Group was founded in 1926 as a pre-independence commodity-trading enterprise.
Chairman Subhash Chandra said his dream venture began in 1970 with an investment of ₹17.
The group expanded into media, packaging and infrastructure, including the launch of Zee TV in 1992.
Chandra said Tamil-language broadcasting began on Zee TV in 1995, before Zee Tamil launched in 2008.
- Who
- Essel Group, Chairman Subhash Chandra and actor-Parliamentarian Kamal Haasan.
- What
- Essel Group celebrated its 100-year milestone and its growth across generations and business sectors.
- When
- At the group’s centenary event; the articles do not provide an exact event date.
- Where
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- To mark Essel Group’s century of operations and discuss its transformation into a global media and entertainment organisation.
- Founded
- Essel Group began in 1926 as a commodity-trading enterprise.
- Chairman
- Subhash Chandra is identified as Essel Group’s Chairman.
- Initial investment
- Chandra said his dream venture began in 1970 with an investment of ₹17.
- Zee TV launch
- Zee TV launched in 1992 as India’s first private satellite TV channel.
- Tamil broadcasting
- Tamil-language programming began on Zee TV in 1995.
- Zee Tamil launch
- The dedicated Tamil channel Zee Tamil launched on October 12, 2008.
- Centenary
- The group celebrated 100 years of history and business growth.