📖 Overview
Rajdeep Sardesai is one of India's most prominent journalists and news anchors, currently serving as a consulting editor and anchor at India Today Television. Born in 1965 to Indian Test cricketer Dilip Sardesai, he has built a notable career in broadcast journalism spanning over three decades.
With an academic background from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and University College, Oxford, Sardesai established himself as a significant voice in Indian media. He previously held the position of Editor-in-Chief at Global Broadcast News, overseeing networks including CNN-IBN, IBN7, and IBN-Lokmat until 2014.
Sardesai's contributions to journalism have earned him recognition including the prestigious Padma Shri award. His career encompasses extensive coverage of major political events, elections, and social issues in India, alongside authoring several books on Indian politics and society.
Beyond television journalism, Sardesai maintains an active presence in public discourse through his writings and social media engagement. His background in both law and economics, combined with his journalistic experience, has shaped his analytical approach to news coverage and commentary.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Sardesai's work through a political lens, with reviews often reflecting their own ideological positions. On Amazon India, his book "2019: How Modi Won India" receives contrasting responses - some praise his detailed electoral analysis, while others criticize perceived bias.
What readers liked:
- Research depth and insider access to political figures
- Clear writing style that explains complex political events
- First-hand accounts of major news stories
- Balanced coverage of sensitive topics
What readers disliked:
- Claims of anti-BJP bias in political coverage
- Some readers note repetitive content from his news coverage
- Price point of hardcover editions
- Limited focus on regional politics
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon India: 4.1/5 (1,000+ ratings)
Flipkart: 4.2/5 (750+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Provides context missing from daily news coverage, though occasional editorializing detracts from the reporting." Another stated: "Strong on facts but analysis sometimes feels rushed."
📚 Books by Rajdeep Sardesai
The Election that Changed India (2014)
A firsthand account of the 2014 Indian general election that brought Narendra Modi to power, covering the key events, personalities, and strategies that defined this pivotal moment in Indian democracy.
2019: How Modi Won India (2019) An analysis of the 2019 Indian general election, examining the factors behind BJP's victory and Narendra Modi's successful bid for a second term as Prime Minister.
Democracy's XI: The Great Indian Cricket Story (2017) Chronicles the stories of eleven Indian cricket personalities who symbolize different aspects of India's evolving democracy and social fabric through the lens of cricket.
Newsman: Tracking India in the Modi Era (2021) A collection of essays and reportage examining India's political and social transformation during Narendra Modi's tenure as Prime Minister.
2019: How Modi Won India (2019) An analysis of the 2019 Indian general election, examining the factors behind BJP's victory and Narendra Modi's successful bid for a second term as Prime Minister.
Democracy's XI: The Great Indian Cricket Story (2017) Chronicles the stories of eleven Indian cricket personalities who symbolize different aspects of India's evolving democracy and social fabric through the lens of cricket.
Newsman: Tracking India in the Modi Era (2021) A collection of essays and reportage examining India's political and social transformation during Narendra Modi's tenure as Prime Minister.
👥 Similar authors
Shekhar Gupta
He offers similar deep analysis of Indian politics and media through his journalism and books. His work "Anticipating India" provides comparable insights into modern Indian democracy and political transformations as Sardesai's writings.
Barkha Dutt Her career trajectory and focus on investigative journalism parallels Sardesai's approach to broadcast news and political analysis. Her book "This Unquiet Land" examines contemporary Indian society through a journalistic lens similar to Sardesai's work.
Karan Thapar His interview style and political commentary align with Sardesai's method of questioning power structures. Thapar's books like "Devil's Advocate" showcase similar behind-the-scenes insights into Indian journalism and politics.
N. Ram His work combines academic rigor with journalistic expertise in analyzing Indian politics and society. His writings on media ethics and democracy reflect themes found in Sardesai's examination of Indian institutions.
Mark Tully His long-term coverage of Indian politics and society offers perspective similar to Sardesai's analysis. Tully's books provide comparable examination of India's social and political evolution through a journalist's perspective.
Barkha Dutt Her career trajectory and focus on investigative journalism parallels Sardesai's approach to broadcast news and political analysis. Her book "This Unquiet Land" examines contemporary Indian society through a journalistic lens similar to Sardesai's work.
Karan Thapar His interview style and political commentary align with Sardesai's method of questioning power structures. Thapar's books like "Devil's Advocate" showcase similar behind-the-scenes insights into Indian journalism and politics.
N. Ram His work combines academic rigor with journalistic expertise in analyzing Indian politics and society. His writings on media ethics and democracy reflect themes found in Sardesai's examination of Indian institutions.
Mark Tully His long-term coverage of Indian politics and society offers perspective similar to Sardesai's analysis. Tully's books provide comparable examination of India's social and political evolution through a journalist's perspective.