Karan Thapar

Karan Thapar is an Indian journalist and television commentator who has become one of the country's most prominent political interviewers. During his four-decade career, he has conducted hard-hitting interviews with nearly every major Indian political figure and established himself as a leading voice in broadcast journalism. His interview style is characterized by direct questioning and persistent follow-ups, most notably demonstrated in his interviews with politicians like L.K. Advani and Narendra Modi. Thapar has worked with multiple major Indian news networks including CNN-IBN, India Today, and NDTV, hosting shows such as "Devil's Advocate" and "The Last Word." As an author, Thapar has written several books including "Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story" and "More Salt Than Pepper," which provide insights into his journalistic experiences and encounters with leading political figures. His weekly newspaper column has appeared in multiple publications including The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. Beyond his journalism career, Thapar received his education at The Doon School and Pembroke College, Cambridge, bringing an international perspective to his work. He has received several awards for his contributions to journalism, including the International Press Institute Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Readers view Karan Thapar as a forthright journalist who asks direct, sometimes confrontational questions in interviews. His books receive attention primarily from readers interested in Indian politics and media. Readers appreciate: - Behind-the-scenes details of notable interviews - Clear documentation of political events - Direct writing style without embellishment - Personal anecdotes about public figures Common criticisms: - Repetitive content across books - Self-centered perspective - Limited depth beyond interview accounts - Focus on personal opinions rather than analysis Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Devil's Advocate" - 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) "More Than Just An Interview" - 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) Amazon India: "Devil's Advocate" - 4.1/5 (350+ reviews) Multiple readers note his "ego comes through strongly" while others praise his "unflinching honesty." Several reviews mention the books serve better as journalism records than comprehensive political analysis.

Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story (2018) A memoir covering Thapar's journalism career and notable interviews with politicians and public figures.

More Salt Than Pepper: Dropping Anchor in Indian Television (2000) Chronicles the author's experiences in Indian television journalism from the 1980s to 2000.

Face to Face India: Conversations With Karan Thapar (2006) A collection of transcribed interviews with prominent Indian personalities conducted during Thapar's television career.

Sunday Sentiments (2005) Compilation of columns written for the Hindustan Times addressing current affairs and social issues.

As I Like It (2011) Collection of essays covering politics, society, and personal observations from the author's journalism career.

On India's Business Families (2000) Examines the history and influence of major Indian business dynasties through interviews and analysis.