Balanced
C. Sivasankaran: the price warrior who failed to price in his own risks
C. Sivasankaran, "Siva," a disruptive entrepreneur, revolutionized India's PC market by slashing prices and built Aircel into a major telecom force. His aggressive deal-making and understanding of the cost-conscious Indian consumer propelled his early success. However, his phenomenal rise was shadowed by fragile finances, heavy leverage, and persistent legal battles, including alleged loan defaults and the Aircel-Maxis controversy. Despite his brilliance, the same relentless risk-taking that fueled his triumphs ultimately led to his downfall, resulting in company bankruptcies, asset freezes, and ongoing fraud investigations.
LiveMint · Sundeep Khanna · May 16, 2026 at 1:30 AM