News Broadcasting
CNN-News18’s ‘Virtuosity with Vir Sanghvi’ to feature Sanjaya Baru
MUMBAI: In this week’s episode of Virtuosity, Vir Sanghvi will be seen talking to Sanjaya Baru, a veteran journalist and media advisor to former prime minister Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2008.
The episode will air on 12 November at 10 pm with a repeat at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm on Sunday.
On the show, he talks in-length about his new book and rejects all accusations that have been built around Vinay Sitapati’s biography on Narasimha Rao, alleging that there has been a systematic attempt in Lutyens’ Delhi to constantly talk about Chandraswamy, Harshad Mehta and communalism to erase and undermine the legacy of PV Narsimha Rao. He added that history will be kinder to Rao.
A national bestselling author of his book The Accidental Prime Minister, he has recently released his new book 1991 How PV Narasimha Rao Made History to mark the 25 anniversary of liberalization of the Indian economy.
The weekend show features a big news story and provides added context, insight and nuance that may not be immediately discernible. The show will have Sanghvi, in his inimitable style, break down the story being featured and make it relevant and relatable for the viewers. He will present the facts, make use of history, use a lifetime of his personal experiences to break through the clutter and bring forth the key aspects of the story.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
