Rajdeep Sardesai & Sagarika Ghose Open Up About Power, Egos & the Newsroom

Flashback: Media Archives

When the Cameras Turn Off: The Real Dynamic Between Rajdeep Sardesai & Sagarika Ghose

We see them dominating prime-time television, debating politicians, and shaping the national narrative. But what happens when two of India’s most powerful editors run the same newsroom—and go home to the same house?

In this rare, candid flashback to 2013, the ultimate media power couple stripped away the teleprompters. From failing prestigious scholarships to micromanagement and newsroom egos, this interview reveals the unvarnished truth about living and breathing 24/7 news.

In 2013, the financial daily Mint published its highly anticipated "Love Issue." Nestled among the features was a spectacular, lovely interview with the reigning couple of Indian television news (then leading CNN-IBN): Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose.

If you've ever wondered how heavy-hitting journalists manage their massive egos and grueling schedules, this conversation is an absolute masterclass in relationship management.

Rajdeep and Sagarika met for the very first time in 1986 in Jamshedpur (now in Jharkhand). They had both traveled there for an interview with Russi Mody, the former chairman of Tata Steel, for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships.

The Scholarship That Started It All

Rajdeep Sardesai: “She got it. I did not. I am still trying to get back.” Sagarika Ghose: “In those days, Rajdeep was extremely laid-back; in fact, he was so laid-back that he was horizontal. I remember when the results were being announced he was sleeping somewhere up there in his room.”

As Rajdeep tries to defend himself but ends up muttering, Sagarika mercilessly ploughs on:

Sagarika Ghose: “I remember thinking to myself, ‘Does this guy really care about the scholarship?’”

POWER COUPLE: Sagarika Ghose and Rajdeep Sardesai photographed for Mint by Priyanka Parashar (2013).

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"A Newsaholic and a Micromanager"

The conversation then shifts to the brutal reality of running a 24-hour news channel. Sagarika doesn't hold back on critiquing her husband's management style.

Sagarika Ghose: “Now, Rajdeep is a workaholic, a newsaholic, a journoaholic. Thank God he is not an alcoholic.”

She candidly reveals that as editor-in-chief, Rajdeep struggles to let go of the reins.

Sagarika Ghose: “He is obsessed with what’s on the ticker, the top bands. This way the people who are doing the work are not empowered because they keep trying to second-guess him. In fact, my team is obsessed with Rajdeep. I delegate much more and believe if you empower people, things run on their own and you get fresher ideas.”

Rajdeep, attempting to salvage his work-life balance record, interjects with a promise that sounds all too familiar to anyone working in the corporate media grinder:

Rajdeep Sardesai: “I have a resolution — to leave office by 6pm on Friday. I have left office early for the last few Fridays.”

Behind the Glamour of Prime Time

This brief exchange is a fascinating window into the intense, obsessive nature of broadcast journalism. It proves that behind the polished studio lights and the aggressive political debates, anchors struggle with the exact same workplace dynamics and relationship banter as the rest of us.

To read the full, original 2013 feature by Seema Chowdhry, visit LiveMint's archive: "Airing both sides".

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This article was originally published on The Reading Room on March 13, 2013, and has been updated, optimized, and republished here with permission.

About the Author: Ramesh Prabhu

I have more than 20 years’ experience (1981 to 2003) as a journalist in India and Dubai, specializing in selecting and editing news reports and features. From 2003 to 2019, I taught journalism and writing skills to master’s students at Commits, a media college in Bangalore. In October 2019, I joined Cactus Communications (“Serving Science Worldwide”) as a freelance copyeditor (yes, it’s one word according to the American spelling conventions preferred by the medical journals I am associated with). I work from home — no more commuting in Bangalore. Heaven! I copyedit the papers submitted by researchers from all over the world. It’s fascinating work! From the very beginning, I have enjoyed the challenge of working on a new assignment each day. I like to think of every article as a daily crossword puzzle that I need to solve by examining the clues closely. And, finally, when I submit the article that I have tended, I like to think, with love and care, I feel deeply satisfied.