Palki Sharma Upadhyay stands as one of India's most influential journalists, renowned for her sharp commentary and prime-time shows like Gravitas on WION and Vantage on Firstpost. Born on May 29, 1982, in Pilani, Rajasthan, she has built a career spanning over two decades, transitioning from public broadcasting to global news leadership. Her trajectory reflects resilience, marked by high-profile roles and legal battles over her moves between networks.tankersinternational+3
Early Life and Education
Palki Sharma grew up in Delhi after her birth in Pilani, attending Loreto Convent Tara Hall in Shimla for schooling. She pursued higher education at ICG Institute for Educational Research & Development in Jaipur, earning a Master's in Communication and Journalism, alongside C1 certification in French from Alliance Française de Delhi. Her childhood passion leaned toward design rather than journalism, fostering creativity evident in her later saree brand, Reyva (also spelled Revya). Hobbies like reading, cooking, and interior designing shaped her multifaceted persona.imdb+2
Career Beginnings at Doordarshan and Print Media
Palki launched her journalism career in 2002 at Doordarshan, India's public broadcaster, anchoring regional and national programs while handling story selection and current affairs scripting. In 2004, she shifted to print as a Staff Writer at Hindustan Times, covering civic issues, film reviews, and editing Jaipur segments for a year. These foundational roles honed her skills in reporting and presentation.starsunfolded+3
Rise at CNN-News18
Joining CNN-News18 (formerly CNN-IBN) in May 2005 as Anchor and Senior Editor marked her breakthrough, spanning 11 years. She anchored news and chat shows, interviewed ministers, business leaders, activists, and celebrities, and contributed book reviews to IBNLive.com. Notable scoops included coverage of Iraqi refugees, Tibetans in India, and being the first Indian correspondent on Barack Obama's US presidential campaign. Her clear delivery and probing style built a household name.mitwpu+4
Managing Editor at WION and Gravitas Phenomenon
In 2019, Palki joined WION as Managing Editor, hosting the prime-time international show Gravitas, which dissected global events from an Indian lens. The program earned her the 2020 ENBA Best International News Show award and solidified WION's identity around her "brand Palki." She covered major stories like US elections and international diplomacy, blending analysis with on-ground reporting.theprint+4
Transition to Firstpost and Vantage
Palki resigned from WION in September 2022 amid a contentious exit, joining Network18's Firstpost in January 2023 as Managing Editor to host Vantage. The launch featured a prominent ad in The Indian Express, signaling her pivotal role in reviving the platform. Vantage airs weekdays at 9 PM IST, offering 360-degree global coverage with unapologetic Indian perspectives on topics from geopolitics to Western media critiques.wikipedia+3youtube
Personal Life and Ventures
Married to journalist Sanket Upadhyay since 2008, Palki shares a low-key family life with daughter Manya and reportedly a son. Sanket's support enabled her demanding schedule post-marriage, unlike pre-wedding parental restrictions on night shifts. Beyond news, she launched designer saree brand Reyva, reflecting her saree obsession and design dreams. Active on Instagram (@palkisharmaupadhyay) with nearly 100k followers, she shares professional insights and family glimpses.instagram+3
Controversies and Legal Battles
Palki's 2022 WION exit sparked a Delhi High Court battle with Zee Media, which sued over her unserved 90-day notice, non-compete clause until June 2023, and alleged confidentiality breaches. The court refused to block her Network18 move but barred sharing proprietary info, amid claims of damages and forced retention. Critics label her shows hyper-nationalistic, citing factual disputes on France riots, Covid coverage, and attacks on Western media like New York Times over India narratives. A 2024 Print profile dubbed her "ambassador of rising, angry India," noting backlash for calling out Xi Jinping, Soros, and US "superiority complex." She faced sexism anecdotes in newsrooms, including post-maternity pressure to "come back in shape."verdictum+5youtube
Awards and Recognition
Palki received the 2007 Best News Reader Award, 2022 AIMA Outstanding Contribution to Media, and KR Malkani Award from Organiser-Panchjanya. Her WION tenure added ENBA honors, affirming her impact. Estimated net worth stands at $4 million from journalism and ventures.organiser+3
Top Interesting Facts
First Indian reporter to cover Barack Obama's presidential campaign.starsunfolded
Owns saree brand Reyva, born from childhood design aspirations.imdb+1
Stands 5'6"-5'7" tall, favors sarees, with black hair and eyes.tankersinternational+1
Gemini zodiac, hobbies include pot painting and her parents' love story inspiration.starsunfolded
Built "brand Palki" synonymous with WION before high-profile shift.theprint
FAQs
Who is Palki Sharma Upadhyay's husband?
Sanket Upadhyay, a fellow journalist; married in 2008 with children including daughter Manya.tankersinternational+1
What is Palki Sharma's current role?
Managing Editor at Firstpost, hosting Vantage since 2023.wikipedia+1
Why did Palki leave WION?
Resigned in 2022; Zee sued over notice and non-compete, but court allowed her Network18 join.newslaundry+1
Has Palki Sharma won awards?
Yes, including ENBA for Gravitas, AIMA Media Contribution, and Best News Reader.medianews4u+1
What are Palki Sharma controversies?
Primarily WION exit lawsuit and bias accusations for nationalistic takes on global media.verdictum+1
- https://www.app.tankersinternational.com/86013943/palki-sharma-upadhyay-bio-net-worth-height-nationality-facts/
- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11593532/bio/
- https://starsunfolded.com/palki-s-upadhyay/
- https://www.verdictum.in/court-updates/high-courts/delhi-high-court-palki-sharma-channel-wion-zee-1449664
- https://mitwpu.edu.in/awardee-profiles/smt-palki-sharma-132
- https://www.myjar.app/blog/palki-sharma-upadhyay-net-worth
- https://theprint.in/ground-reports/palki-sharma-is-the-unofficial-ambassador-of-rising-angry-india-her-list-of-foes-is-long/1771364/
- https://organiser.org/2022/05/25/82478/bharat/organiser-panchjanya-awards-palki-sharma-wins-kr-malkani-award-rohit-sardana-posthumously-gets-ab-vajpayee-puraskar/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firstpost
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdrAkmpzDk
- https://www.firstpost.com/vantage/
- https://www.instagram.com/palkisharmaupadhyay/?hl=en
- https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/11/22/why-zee-media-wont-let-palki-sharma-upadhyay-join-network18
- https://www.facebook.com/brutindia/posts/palki-sharma-took-on-zee-media-in-court-a-month-after-she-resigned-from-the-netw/1074885078156968/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/UPSC/comments/1hl5iki/is_vantage_by_palki_sharma_biased/
- https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/delhi-high-court-refuses-restrain-palki-sharma-joining-network-18-suit-zee-wion-news
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2DB-16QH3Y
- https://www.medianews4u.com/wion-news-palki-sharma-wins-outstanding-contribution-to-media-award-at-aima/
- https://www.sovrenn.com/knowledge/palki-sharma-upadhyay-the-journalist-who-was-chosen-by-journalism
- https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/who-is-palki-sharma-upadhyay-husband-sanket-upadhyay-63657
- https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/meet-palki-sharma-upadhyay-63627
- https://www.imeuswe.in/famous-families/Palki-Upadhyay
- https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j8p6alwv7j0
- https://www.facebook.com/girlsCornerByGenmice/posts/palki-sharma-upadhyay-has-transcended-the-role-of-news-anchor-to-become-one-of-i/1223360239841597/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0PHz8X2Aas
- https://www.facebook.com/100094348540538/posts/palki-sharma-upadhyay-is-one-of-indias-most-respected-female-journalists-today-b/660958810392398/
- https://www.shekunj.com/article/news/meet-palki-sharma-the-face-of-fearless-journalism-in-india
- http://avayshukla.blogspot.com/2024/05/this-is-not-journalism-ms-sharma-its.html
- https://dev.thedublinmarket.com/where-is-palki-sharma-upadhyay/130103973.html
- https://www.reddit.com/r/unitedstatesofindia/comments/1792uz2/palki_overrated_sharmas_news_report/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3kq03jIUY0
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEVkQGIATCXKwc2DtR7yq-TBJVHsnmUXW
- https://bestmediainfo.com/2022/04/wion-news-palki-sharma-wins-outstanding-contribution-to-media-award-at-aima
- https://www.facebook.com/brutindia/videos/come-back-in-shape-quickly-palki-sharma-on-toxic-newsrooms/1306316494188809/

Comments
Post a Comment