The Wait Lengthens For Ratan Tata's Authorized Biography

The long wait for the biography of one of India's foremost businessmen and philanthropists has become longer. And more uncertain.

- Varun Sood

The authorized biography of Ratan Tata by former bureaucrat Thomas Mathew is in limbo, two executives privy to the events said, two years after Harper Collins bagged its publishing rights for a record ₹2 crore, or 10 times what authors typically get paid for non-fiction work. According to these executives, people close to the Tata Sons chairman emeritus, including some Tata family members, continue to consider the material that should finally go in print.

Mathew had shared the manuscript of Ratan Tata: The Authorised Biography with Tata in January 2022, and Harper Collins had initially planned to release the book on 7 November 2022. The release date was deferred to 30 March 2023, and further to 5 February this year. The book has not come out yet, and Harper Collins does not have a date when it will release the book either.

"Family members of Mr Tata are considering what things he initially spoke (with the author) should be shared in public," said the first executive, declining to share details.