Amish Devgan (born 1 March 1980, New Delhi) is a prominent Indian journalist, news anchor, and managing editor at News18 India (CNN-News18). With over two decades in mainstream media, Devgan is known for his aggressive moderation style and hard-hitting debates, especially on his flagship show, “Aar Paar”, and the primetime program “Takkar” on CNBC Awaaz (Wikipedia).
Early Life & Education
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Birth date & place: 1 March 1980, New Delhi
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Education: Diploma/PG in Mass Communication from Delhi University (Wikipedia)
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Family Background: Son of Pervesh Kr Devgan; raised in a middle-class Saraswat Brahmin family in Delhi/Noida (N.ACTION)
Personal Life
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Marital Status: Married to Kanika Sharma Devgun; the couple has two children (a son and a daughter).
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Physical Stats: Height ~5′7″ (≈170–173 cm), weight ~65–68 kg, black hair, black eyes .
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Hobbies & Interests: Passionate about reading, traveling, Bollywood films, and cricket .
Career Timeline
1. Early Career (2002–2013)
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Began at Hindustan Times (2002) as a desk reporter before transitioning into television journalism.
2. Zee Media (2014–2015)
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Joined Zee Business in 2014 as a business reporter; later became Editor‑in‑Chief.
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Stepped down in May 2016 and transitioned to IBN7 (Wikipedia).
3. IBN7 (2016)
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Hired as Executive Editor and joined IBN7 in June 2016, undertaking major primetime hosting roles before moving to News18 (Wikipedia).
4. News18 India / CNN-News18 (2016–Present)
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Became Managing Editor of News18 India; anchored key shows:
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“Aar Paar” – a widely-watched Hindi debate show (Wikipedia).
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“Takkar” on CNBC Awaaz (X (formerly Twitter)).
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Awards & Recognitions
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IMF Young Emerging Editors Award (2015)
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Srishti Award for Business Journalism (2016)
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Power Brand Trend Setter Award (2016)
Noteworthy Controversies
1. Kurla Masjid Episode (May 2020)
During a special edition of Aar Paar, Devgan aired a video allegedly showing Muslims performing namaz near Kurla Masjid in Mumbai. He claimed the footage depicted a scuffle but was later found to be misleading and unrelated. FIRs were filed under IPC sections for fake news related to the Muslim community (Wikipedia).
2. “Lootera Chisti” Remark (June 2020)
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On 15 June 2020, he referred mistakenly to the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti as “Lootera Chisti” (robber), when he intended to say "Khilji."
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The Supreme Court (MC Khanwilkar & Sanjiv Khanna bench) refused to quash multiple FIRs filed across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, but stayed coercive action and moved investigations to Ajmer (latestlaws.com).
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Devgan issued a public apology via tweet and video on 16–17 June, clarifying the error (latestlaws.com).
3. Fake Poster Incident (October 2019)
A fabricated News18 poster purporting that PM Modi was credited with killing ISIS chief Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi circulated on social media. News18 clarified that Amish Devgan never endorsed such a poster (Wikipedia).
4. On‑Air Abuse by Opposing Anchor (2020)
During a live debate, Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi reportedly hurled abusive language at Devgan, which triggered backlash and online harassment (Wikipedia).
5. Communal Statements & Ethical Debates
Critics alleged Devgan used communal rhetoric during discussions on Wayanad politics in 2019, and he faced backlash for generalizing about Muslim communities (Wikipedia).
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
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Devgan remains one of the most-viewed Hindi debate shows anchors.
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He recently supported the RSS’s “positivity unlimited” campaign, aiming to reshape public discourse and opinion trends (wikimylinks, Instagram).
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No major controversies or new FIRs have emerged since 2020—his legal matters primarily continue in Ajmer, and his public image has stabilized as an anchor aligned with nationalist narratives.
Writing Style & Public Perception
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Debate Style: Known for assertive, energetic, and polarizing moderation.
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Political Tilt: Often described as pro‑right‑wing and pro‑BJP in coverage tone.
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Digital Presence: Maintains active Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram profiles, where he updates followers on upcoming episodes and sharing opinions .
Top Interesting Facts
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Video Apology Delivered Live – Following the “Chisti” controversy, Devgan recorded a heartfelt televised apology clarifying he intended to mention Alauddin Khilji (latestlaws.com).
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Dubbed "Gareebon ka Arnab" – Some audiences have likened his debate style to that of Arnab Goswami, earning him the nickname among Hindi viewers.
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Award-Winning Journalist – Recognized with international and national awards for journalism within a few years into broadcasting.
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Media Shift: Rose from print to business reporting to prime-time news—showcasing versatility across media formats.
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Legal Precedent: His Supreme Court case created conversations about FIR processes for media professionals in India.
FAQs about Amish Devgan
1. When and where was Amish Devgan born?
He was born on 1 March 1980 in New Delhi, India (THE ORG, latestlaws.com, Wikipedia).
2. What shows does he host on News18 India?
He anchors “Aar Paar” (debate show) and “Takkar” (on CNBC Awaaz) (Wikipedia).
3. Why was he called out for “Lootera Chisti”?
In June 2020, he mistakenly used the phrase to describe Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, leading to FIRs and a Supreme Court hearing (latestlaws.com).
4. What legal status do the FIRs against him hold?
The Supreme Court refused to quash them but stayed coercive actions, centralizing the investigation in Ajmer (latestlaws.com).
5. What awards has he received?
He received the IMF Young Emerging Editors Award (2015), Srishti Business Journalism Award (2016), and Power Brand Trend Setter Award (2016).
Conclusion
Amish Devgan stands as a powerful figure in Indian broadcast journalism—a sharp-tongued anchor, award-winning journalist, and controversial but influential media personality. His polarizing style and high-octane debates continue to engage viewers, while his past controversies reflect the complexities of India’s media landscape.
Top Interesting Facts
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Recorded a televised apology video after the “Chisti” controversy.
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Dubbed “Gareebon ka Arnab” by audiences.
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Won multiple prestigious journalism awards.
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Transitioned from print to prime-time television.
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Central legal proceedings in Ajmer after Supreme Court consolidation.
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