Prasoon Joshi appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati
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The government has appointed Prasoon Joshi as chairman of Prasar Bharati, bringing a prominent creative voice to the helm of India’s public service broadcaster at a time of rapid media and technology shifts.
On his appointment, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “My heartfelt congratulations to Shri Prasoon Joshi ji on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. Prasoon ji is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the world in advertising, literature, art and cinema, yet his heart beats unmistakably for India,"
"His words carry the fragrance of our soil, and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture. Under his stewardship, Prasar Bharati will discover renewed energy, deeper purpose, and a fresh creative voice. My very best wishes to him for a memorable and meaningful tenure ahead," he added.
Who is Prasoon Joshi?
Joshi, a Padma Shri awardee, is widely regarded as one of India’s most influential advertising and creative professionals. Born in Almora, Uttarakhand, he began writing early, publishing his first book at 17, before moving into advertising and eventually rising to lead McCann Worldgroup India as CEO and chairman for Asia Pacific.
His career spans multiple domains. In cinema, he has written lyrics and scripts for films such as Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, winning National Film Awards and multiple Filmfare awards for his work. In advertising, he is known for high-impact campaigns including the “Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola” campaign and has worked across global and Indian brands.
He has also been serving as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since August 2017, where he focused on balancing creative freedom with regulatory oversight while engaging closely with industry stakeholders.
Joshi is also a trustee at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, reflecting his continued engagement with India’s cultural ecosystem.
Prasar Bharati, established under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990 and operational since 1997, functions through All India Radio and Doordarshan, with a wide reach across urban and rural India.
His appointment comes as the broadcaster navigates increasing competition from digital platforms and shifting audience preferences, with a growing focus on expanding its digital footprint through initiatives such as its Waves OTT platform.