Anjana Om Kashyap Biography
Who is the journalist that asks fearless questions to the most powerful leaders and makes a mark in every debate? She started her career in journalism in the early 2000s. With hard work, dedication, and confidence, she made her own place in the media world. Starting from humble beginnings, she worked her way up and created her own identity.
Over the years, she gained experience and a deep understanding of political and social issues. Her popular shows, like Halla Bol and Special Report, are watched by millions. She is known for reporting facts clearly and asking bold questions, which makes her stand out.
Through her hard work and strong anchoring skills, she earned a respected and trusted place in Hindi news media. Whether moderating debates in the studio or reporting from a rally, her presence is always powerful.
This is Anjana Om Kashyap…
Today, she is one of the most influential journalists in the country. Her journey shows that with hard work, confidence, and clear thinking, anyone can make their own identity and gain respect in their field.
Personal Overview :
Category Details
Full Name Anjana Om Kashyap
Date of Birth 12 June 1975
Place of Birth Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
Age 50 Years
Nationality Indian
Education University of Delhi – Graduate degree
Spouse Mangesh Kashyap (IPS Officer, 1995 DANIPS cadre)
Children Two (one son and one daughter)
Hometown Arrah/Buxar district, Bihar (Ancestral village: Nainijod)
Hobbies Cooking and Traveling
Profession Journalist, News Anchor
Current Position Executive Editor, Aaj Tak
Years Active 2000 – Present
Famous Shows Halla Bol, Special Report
Specialization Political & Social Issues, Prime-Time News Anchoring
Known For Fearless journalism, bold questioning, clear reporting
Notable Achievements Established as one of the leading faces in Hindi news media
Early Life and Education :
Anjana Om Kashyap’s journey from a middle-class home in Bihar to the top of Indian media is a story of academic excellence and a late discovery of her true passion.
Early Life & Roots:
Born and Raised: Anjana was born on June 12, 1975, in Ranchi (which was part of Bihar at the time).
Military Background: She grew up in a disciplined environment as her father, Dr. Om Prakash Tiwari, was a doctor in the Indian Army.
Schooling: She completed her initial schooling at Loreto Convent in Ranchi and later attended Delhi Public School (DPS) Ranchi.
Academic Background:
Interestingly, Anjana did not start out wanting to be a journalist. She was a bright science student with different goals:
Science Leanings: After school, she moved to Delhi and joined Daulat Ram College (University of Delhi), where she earned an Honours degree in Botany.
Medical Aspirations: Like many students from her background, she initially prepared for the Pre-Medical Tests (PMT) to become a doctor like her father, but she didn’t quite make the cut.
Social Work: Pivoting from science, she completed her Master’s in Social Work from the prestigious Delhi School of Social Work.
The Turn Toward Journalism:
Before entering news, she actually worked as a counselor and in an NGO. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that she realized her voice belonged on television. She then enrolled in Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi to earn a diploma in Journalism, which officially launched her media career.
Career Beginnings:
Anjana Om Kashyap didn’t become a star anchor overnight. Her career began with hard work behind the scenes and a steady climb through different newsrooms.
The First Step: Doordarshan (2003):
After finishing her journalism course at Jamia Millia Islamia, Anjana got her first break at Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster.
She worked on a famous investigative show called Aankhon Dekhi.
This role was tough , she spent a lot of time on the ground, reporting from the streets and learning the basics of “real” journalism.
The Growth Phase: Zee News & News 24:
Zee News: She soon moved to Zee News, where she worked as a desk reporter and anchor for about five years. This is where she polished her screen presence.
News 24 (2007): Her big breakthrough happened here. She was given her own debate show called Do Tuk (meaning “straight talk”). Her bold and blunt style of questioning became very popular with the audience, making her a well-known face in Hindi news.
Joining the Big League: Star News to Aaj Tak:
Star News (now ABP News): She had a short but impactful stint here as a senior anchor.
Aaj Tak (2012): Finally, she joined the India Today Group (Aaj Tak) as an Associate Editor. Because of her high energy and ability to handle live debates, she quickly rose to become the Managing Editor.
Rise to Prominence:
The Start of Her Career (2003–2012):
Her journey to the top was not instant; she worked at several different channels to build her reputation:
Doordarshan: She started here in 2003 as a reporter for an investigative show called Aankhon Dekhi.
Zee News: She moved to Zee News next. Interestingly, the channel originally thought she wasn’t ready to be an anchor, so she worked behind the scenes as a producer before finally getting a chance to host special shows.
News 24: This is where she truly began to get noticed. She hosted a debate show called Do Tuk, which made her a household name because of her sharp and direct questioning style.
Becoming a Star at Aaj Tak (2012–Present)
Anjana’s “rise to prominence” reached its peak when she joined Aaj Tak in 2012.
Famous Shows: She became the face of popular shows like Halla Bol and election specials like Rajtilak.
Top Position: She worked her way up from an anchor to become a Senior Executive Editor, one of the highest positions in the newsroom.
Recognition: Because of her fame and influence, she was one of the few journalists chosen to interview Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the 2019 elections.
Style and Personality:
Anjana Om Kashyap’s personality and on-air style have played a major role in her rise to fame.
Her On-Screen Style:
Fierce and Aggressive: She is widely known for her “sharp” and “unyielding” approach to debating. She often uses a “grilling” style when interviewing powerful politicians.
Fearless Reporting: She has built a reputation for being a “fearless” journalist, especially when reporting from the ground during major national crises or elections.
Direct and Blunt: Her style is often described as “direct.” She is known for asking difficult questions and pushing her guests to give clear, concise answers.
Strong Command of Hindi: One of her biggest strengths is her powerful use of the Hindi language, which helps her connect deeply with viewers across India’s heartland.
Her Personality
Confident and Commanding: On camera, she has a “commanding presence.” She is seen as a leader in the newsroom who remains calm and composed even during heated live debates.
Resilient: Her career shows a lot of “resilience.” For example, early in her career, some thought she lacked the “speaking finesse” to be an anchor, but she worked hard to prove them wrong and eventually became a top editor.
Engaging and Energetic: Viewers often find her “energetic.” She has a way of making complex political topics feel “alive” and easy to understand for the average person.
Notable Shows and Reports:
Notable Shows and Programs:
1.Halla Bol (Aaj Tak)
This is her most famous daily debate show.
A high-energy program where she discusses the biggest news story of the day.
It is known for its “fiery” atmosphere. Anjana often grills politicians and experts, asking them tough questions directly. It is one of the highest-rated news shows in India.
- Rajtilak (Aaj Tak)
This is a special show that airs during major elections.
Instead of staying in a studio, Anjana travels across different cities in India on a special bus or stage.
She talks directly to the public (the voters) to understand what they want from their government. It helped build her image as a “ground reporter” who connects with common people.
- Black & White (Aaj Tak)
A newer flagship program she hosts (sometimes featuring an AI clone of herself).
A prime-time show that focuses on deep analysis of political and social issues.
It uses modern technology to present news in a clean, “black and white” (clear and factual) manner.
- Do Tuk (News 24)
This was her first big “breakthrough” show.
A debate show she hosted before joining Aaj Tak.
This is where she first became famous for her blunt and “no-nonsense” style of hosting.
Notable Reports and Coverage
Ground Reporting during Elections: She is well-known for her marathon coverage of the 2014, 2019, and 2024 General Elections. She often spends weeks traveling through rural India to report.
Special Investigative Reports: Early in her career, she worked on Aankhon Dekhi (Doordarshan), an investigative show that looked into crime and social issues.
High-Profile Interviews: She has interviewed almost every top political leader in India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These interviews are often noted for her direct and firm questioning.
Awards and Recognitions:
Major Industry Awards:
Year Award Name Category Highlights
2025 ITA Awards Best News Anchor (Hindi) Won at the 25th Indian Television Academy Awards.
2025 ENBA Awards Best News Anchor (Hindi) Won the “Gold” award for her performance and interview skills.
2024 ITA Awards Best Anchor (Chat Show) Recognized for her flagship show, Halla Bol.
2024 IMPACT Magazine Top 50 Influential Women Named one of the most powerful women in Indian media.
2021 ENBA Awards Best Spot News Reporting Awarded for her excellent reporting from
the field.
2018 ITA Awards Best Anchor (News) Awarded for her consistent work as a
prime-time face.
2015 ENBA Awards Best Anchor (Hindi) Solidified her position as a top national
news anchor.
2014 ITA Awards Best Anchor Her first major national “Best Anchor” win.
Legacy and impact :
Anjana Om Kashyap’s legacy and impact go beyond just being a face on television. She has changed how news is presented in India and has become a role model for many.
Redefining Hindi News:
The “Halla Bol” Style: She popularized a fast-paced, high-energy style of debating. Many younger anchors now try to copy her “combative yet composed” way of handling heated discussions.
Connecting with the Heartland: She is credited with bringing the concerns of small-town India (the “Hindi heartland”) to national television, balancing big-city news with issues that matter to regular people.
Empowering Women in Media
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: In a field often led by men, she rose to become a Managing Editor. This showed that women could not only be successful anchors but also powerful decision-makers in the newsroom.
A Role Model: Her journey from a student in Ranchi to a top executive in Delhi inspires thousands of young girls from small towns to pursue careers in journalism.
Impact on Public Discourse
Ground Reporting: By moving debates from the studio to the streets (like in her show Rajtilak), she forced politicians to face the public directly. This has made election coverage more interactive and transparent.
A “Public Watchdog”: She is known for her fearless reporting on sensitive topics, such as the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case, which helped spark national conversations about women’s safety.
Net Worth :
Category Estimated Amount (INR) Simple Explanation
Annual Salary ₹4 Crore+ Her yearly pay from Aaj Tak for anchoring and her role as Senior
Executive Editor.
Monthly Income ₹33 Lakhs+ What she roughly earns every month.
Net Worth ₹50 Crore The total value of her savings, properties, and overall wealth
accumulated over 20+ years.
Controversies :
- The Bihar ICU Incident (2019)
While covering a health crisis in Bihar, Anjana entered a neonatal ICU (intensive care unit for babies) and began shouting questions at the doctor on duty.
The Backlash: Many people and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) criticized her. They argued that her loud behavior disturbed sick children and that she was trying to get “publicity” by blaming a hardworking doctor for a government failure.
- The “Valmiki” Remarks (2025):
In late 2025, an FIR (police complaint) was filed against her in Ludhiana.
The Issue: It was alleged that she used “inappropriate” or “derogatory” language while talking about Maharishi Valmiki during a televised discussion.
Result: Members of the Valmiki community were deeply offended, leading to protests and legal action against her and the channel’s leadership.
- “Black & White” Partition Show (2025)
A court in Lucknow ordered a case against her regarding a show titled “Why was the purpose of Partition not fulfilled?”
The Issue: Critics and legal experts argued that the show used “distorted history” and “selective data” about Muslim migration during 1947 to create division between communities.
The Complaint: Former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur claimed the show was “divisive” and could cause communal disharmony.
- Fake News about Actor Dharmendra (2025)
In November 2025, Anjana aired a report claiming that the legendary actor Dharmendra had passed away.
The Mistake: The report was false; the actor was alive and receiving treatment.
The Reaction: The news went viral and caused panic before Aaj Tak had to issue an official apology. Anjana became a target for “trolls” on social media because of this error.
- Allegations of “Biased Reporting”
Throughout her career, critics (such as the magazine The Caravan) have accused her of being “pro-government.”
The Criticism: Some say she asks very easy questions to powerful leaders (like PM Modi) while being very aggressive toward opposition leaders. They claim her reporting often favors the ruling party’s ideology.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Anjana Om Kashyap:
- She Wanted to Be a Doctor: Before entering journalism, Anjana’s goal was to become a doctor. She even appeared for the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT). When she didn’t pass, she pivoted to science and earned an honors degree in Botany from Delhi University.
- Born Leader: Her leadership skills started very early. She was the “Head Girl” at both of her schools (Loreto Convent and Delhi Public School in Ranchi) and was later elected the President of her college hostel.
- Army Background: She comes from a family dedicated to service. Her father, Dr. Om Prakash Tiwari, was a doctor who served in the Indian Army and was a veteran of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
- Movie Cameos: Anjana has appeared as herself (a news anchor) in major Bollywood films. You can see her in the Salman Khan starrer Sultan (2016) and in Tiger Zinda Hai (2017).
- She Faced Early Rejection: Even though she is now a top anchor, when she first joined Zee News, the channel actually thought she lacked the “speaking finesse” to be an anchor. She was forced to work as a producer behind the scenes for years before she finally got her chance to host.
