Zee group patriarch Subhash Chandra tried, but failed to stop Zee Media Corporation Ltd. Cluster 1 CEO and Zee News chief editor Sudhir Chaudhary from resigning from the company that owns and operates several TV news channels, including Zee News and WION.

Chaudhary, who also functioned as chief editor of several TV news channels and was a popular host of prime time show DNA on Zee News, is leaving Zee Media to start his own yet unknown venture that was a result of “internal deliberations”, which he has  been “contemplating for quite some time”, according to his resignation letter.

“Sudhir has resigned. I had couple of meetings with him in last two days and tried to convince him to stay back, but since he is planning to start his own venture by utilising his fan following, I did not want to come in his way of progression. Hence, I have accepted it (resignation) and have wished him great success,” Chandra stated in an internal memo, dated July 1, in his capacity as mentor of Zee Media Corp.

In his resignation letter, dated June 28, Chaudhary wrote: “With heavy heart I have to say that ‘Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of Ending’. But, Sir at the same time I would like to add that, I am seeking your blessings for parting ways from ZMCL. This decision of mine is a result of my internal deliberations, which I have been contemplating for quite some time: To start my own enterprise.”

The letter, addressed to Chandra, further added: “I assure you that my proposed new venture (if successful) will make you happy and proud of me. My success will be testimony of my learning of more than 15 years (two stints) at Zee. Needless to say that I have always respected you as my mentor and guide, which I will continue to maintain and I hope that you will continue to reciprocate the same feelings towards me as you have been having for me.”

Chandra, who has proposed a farewell dinner in honour of Chaudhary at Delhi’s prestigious Constitution Club, has agreed to relieve him immediately.

Chaudhary, who worked his way up at Zee Media, was associated with the organisation for about 15 years and has always been close to Chandra and the Goel family, including Chandra’s younger brothers and sons, Punit and Amit Goenka.

Having started his career in the late 1990s when TV news in India was getting out of the mould of  news presentations of Doordarshan and getting a taste of live news, Chaudhary has held a senior position at Sahara group-promoted Sahara Samay cluster of news channels also.