You’ve been called the "Angry Young Man" of the 80s. Does the label fit?
Founded by Susheel Somani and originally printed by the G. Claridge Printing Press, Debonair was unapologetically modelled after Western giants like Playboy. However, reducing its legacy merely to its controversial, bold centerfolds misses a crucial chapter of Indian literary history.
Debonair was founded in 1973 by Susheel Somani, a young entrepreneur who owned the G. Claridge printing press, one of the best in India at the time. The magazine was floated as a monthly “men’s” publication, positioned as the Indian answer to Playboy . Its first issue hit the stands in April 1974, generating considerable excitement among readers who were curious to see how the concept would translate to the Indian context.
It was at this moment of crisis that a young, desperate-to-leave-advertising journalist named Vinod Mehta stepped in. He wrote to Susheel Somani offering his services and was hired for a salary of ₹2,500 a month. Mehta agreed to one critical condition: the semi-nude female centrespreads would stay, and the semi-nude males would go. This Faustian pact set the tone for Debonair 's next few decades: a mix of high-brow literature and titillating visuals. Debonair Magazine India 13
Debonair is a prominent English-language monthly magazine in India, originally established in 1973 by Susheel Somani. It gained fame as a "men's lifestyle" publication, modeled after Playboy , and was notably the first in India to feature nude and semi-nude centrespreads. Historical Significance and Editorial Leadership
Dressed in high-waisted denim and a silk blouse, sitting on a vintage Harley-Davidson. HEADLINE: "THE WILD ONES: India’s New Rebel Generation." SUB-HEADLINE: Plus, The Great Bollywood Scandal & Summer Fashion Tips for the Metro Man."
For collectors who finally locate a dog-eared copy at a Chor Bazaar or on an archived auction site, here is what they typically find inside Debonair Magazine India 13 : You’ve been called the "Angry Young Man" of the 80s
"The Art of Refined Living: Exploring the Epitome of Sophistication"
Today, operating under the Mavilach Group , the contemporary iteration of the magazine functions as an English-language digital entertainment and lifestyle platform. Rather than relying on the shock value of its 1970s print roots, the current format focuses on:
Vinod Mehta famously wrote the entire first issue himself when others were too shy to contribute; eventually, he transformed it into a "collectors item" for its high-quality writing rather than just its pictorials. A Launchpad for Stardom: Claridge printing press, one of the best in
As the internet became ubiquitous in the 2000s, the primary selling point of Debonair —the pictorials
[April 1974: Debut Issue] ───(12 Months)───> [April 1975: 13th Chronological Issue] │ * Solidified Editorial Blueprint * Historic Pre-Emergency Journalism * Highly Sought Vintage Target The Digital Resurgence and Vintage Appeal
