There couldn’t be a more trying time for media baron Kalanithi Maran — his Sun Group (its Chennai HQ pictured here) has been jumping from one crisis to another. In early June, the ministry of home affairs refused security clearance to the network’s 33 channels across the four south Indian states. This was on the back of a probe against Maran in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case, apart from allegations of money laundering and operating an illegal telephone exchange. If that wasn’t bad enough, Maran’s radio network Red FM has not been allowed to participate in phase 3 of FM auctions after the ministry of information and broadcasting rejected its application. Maran, who is the grandnephew of DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, has seen his fortunes spiraling downwards since 2011, after J Jayalalithaa took over as Tamil Nadu chief minister. Now, there appears to be trouble from the central government as well. Meanwhile, the Sun TV stock is down 26% since early June and there is very little to suggest that this soap opera will change for the better anytime soon.