News Broadcasting
‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023’ honours India’s brightest youth icons
Mumbai: ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ (IOTY), the largest awards platform on news television, has revealed the nominees in its ‘Youth Icon’ category for this year. The platform seeks to honour young trailblazers who have emerged as influential voices among India’s youth today.
Recognizing excellence across seven categories – entertainment, business, sports, youth icon, rising Sports Star, Social Change, and Climate Warriors, the 13th edition of ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year’ promises to be a celebration of India’s finest achievers on the global stage.
The nominees for the Youth Icon category encompass exceptional individuals and internet personalities who have ingrained themselves into India’s pop culture. This distinguished roster includes AP Dhillon, Kusha Kapila, Anirudh Ravichander, Ranveer Allahbadia, and Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju.
A notable figure in the global music scene, A P Dhillon seamlessly blends traditional Punjabi folk music with modern hip-hop, captivating the youth with his distinctive style. His recent release ‘With You’ garnered an astounding 37 million views on YouTube in just a month, a testament to his impactful storytelling and authentic embrace of identity.
Social media influencer and versatile artist Kusha Kapila has earned widespread acclaim for her roles in Masaba Masaba Season 2, Shilpa Shetty-starrer Sukhee, and Rhea Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor’s production ‘Thank You For Coming.’
Renowned Chennai-based composer-singer Anirudh Ravichander, celebrated for his globally popular ‘Why This Kolaveri Di,’ continues to dominate the Indian music scene. Hits like Kaavaalaa, Chaleya, and the Jawan title track have solidified his position as the anthem creator of the year, especially for Shah Rukh Khan’s fans.
A pioneer in Indian podcasting, Ranveer Allahbadia has spearheaded ‘The Ranveer Show’ on his YouTube channel ‘BeerBiceps.’ With over six million subscribers, Allahbadia’s podcasts feature some of India’s most successful individuals, contributing to meaningful conversations and thought leadership.
Karnataka’s first trans-woman doctor and a trailblazer in Indian content creation, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, has established a safe platform for the queer community. Her acting debut in Made in Heaven Season 2, coupled with recognition on “The Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List 2022,” underscores her multifaceted impact.
The winner in the youth icon category will be revealed at the star-studded grand finale celebrating luminaries in Indian entertainment at The Indian of the Year 2023 award ceremony.
CNN-News18 IOTY has a rich legacy of honoring exceptional talent across various fields, with past winners in the category including Allu Arjun, Neeraj Chopra, Yogi Adityanath, and Marimuthu Yoganathan.
This year, the winner selection process will combine expert judgment and public voting, with 50 per cent of the decision-making power given to the audience and the remaining 50 per cent entrusted to the jury. To cast your vote for your favourite Indian and for more details regarding the awards, visit www.indianoftheyear.com
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
