Meet Bankrupt Indian Billionaire: Once Owner of 2 Islands And 71-Room Mansion With Net Worth Of Rs 33,400 Crore, Now Left With Only...; Know Who He Is..
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Success Story: Former telecom tycoon's journey feels straight out of a dramatic biopic. Once a telecom tycoon and owner of two private islands, a 71-room mansion in Chennai, and properties around the world, Chinnakannan Sivasankaran was known in business circles simply as 'Siva.' Today, he describes himself as broke and leading a modest life. In a recent appearance on The Ranveer Show on You Tube, former telecom tycoon Sivasankaran opened up about his incredible rise and the humbling fall that followed. https://zeenews.india.com/photos/business/meet-bankrupt-indian-billionaire-once-owner-of-2-islands-and-71-room-mansion-with-net-worth-of-rs-33400-crore-now-left-with-only-know-who-he-is-2900683 Updated:May 13, 2025, 07:53 PM IST Aircel Founder: Humble Beginnings
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Chinnakannan Sivasankaran was raised in a modest household in Tamil Nadu. Despite limited means, he harbored big dreams and would go on to become one of India's most talked-about entrepreneurs in the tech and telecom sectors. Chinnakannan Sivasankaran Sterling Start In IT
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In the 1980s, Sivasankaran founded Sterling Computers, which quickly became a notable name in India's IT landscape. By the 1990s, Sterling was among the leading players, marking the beginning of his ambitious business journey. Aircel Revolution
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Sivasankaran launched Aircel in 1999, a telecom company that won consumers with its value-for-money offerings. Aircel rose to prominence in a highly competitive market, becoming one of the fastest-growing telecom brands in India at the time. Aircel Founder: The Maxis Deal
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In 2006, Siva sold a 74% stake in Aircel to Malaysia's Maxis Communications. The deal later became controversial, drawing attention during the infamous 2G spectrum scandal, though it initially marked a major financial milestone for him. Chinnakannan Sivasankaran Net Worth
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Aircel eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2018. Sivasankaran claimed personal losses of ₹7,000 crore, a dramatic shift from his earlier success when his net worth was estimated at over $4 billion. Aircel Founder Lavish Lifestyle
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Before the collapse, the 68-year-old serial entrepreneur lived a luxurious life—owning multiple global properties, including a Rs 524 crore mansion in Chennai with 71-rooms, a 14-acre estate in California with a helipad, award-winning mansions, and even two private islands. Chinnakannan Sivasankaran: A New Perspective
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Speaking on The Ranveer Show, Siva revealed he now owns just a 2-acre plot. He added that he won't build a house until he resolves all his ongoing issues, reflecting on a life of rise, fall, and reflection. (Image Credit: @ranveerallahbadia/ YT)
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