Who is Prasoon Joshi? New Chairman of Prasar Bharati

India's public broadcasting world just got a big name at the top. On 2 May 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially appointed Prasoon Joshi as the new Chairman of Prasar Bharati — India's national public broadcaster. The news spread fast across the country because Prasoon Joshi is not a typical government official. He is a celebrated poet, award-winning Bollywood lyricist, and one of India's most respected creative minds. This appointment has been widely welcomed as a fresh and creative direction for Prasar Bharati.

Who is Prasoon Joshi? New Chairman of Prasar Bharati

Prasoon Joshi is a 54-year-old Indian lyricist, poet, screenwriter, and advertising expert. He was born on 16 September 1971 in Almora, Uttarakhand. His father was a civil services officer and Additional Director in Uttarakhand's Education Service, and his mother was a Political Science lecturer and a trained classical singer.

Growing up in small towns of northern India — like Tehri, Chamoli, Nainital, and Dehradun — deeply shaped his love for culture, music, and literature. He started writing at just 17 years of age, publishing his first book Main Aur Woh.

He completed his B.Sc. and post-graduation in Physics, and later did his MBA from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad. It was during his MBA that he chose to combine his creative passion with a professional career — and never looked back.

Doordarshan family warmly welcomes noted lyricist, writer and communications expert, Padma Shri recipient, Shri Prasoon Joshi, on his appointment as Chairman of Prasar Bharati by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
A distinguished creative professional, he brings rich… pic.twitter.com/YIBdI8eW9E

— Doordarshan National दूरदर्शन नेशनल (@DDNational) May 2, 2026

Career: From Advertising Giant to Bollywood Lyricist

Prasoon Joshi began his professional journey with the famous advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather in Delhi. After 10 years, he joined McCann-Erickson in 2002 as Executive Vice-President and National Creative Director. He rose to become:

• CEO of McCann World Group India

• Chairman of McCann World Group Asia Pacific

During his advertising career, he created some of India's most iconic campaigns — including the legendary "Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola" campaign featuring Aamir Khan, which won the Cannes Lion Award in 2003. He has won over 200 national and international advertising awards.

Alongside advertising, he built an equally powerful career in Bollywood. He made his debut as a lyricist with Lajja (directed by Rajkumar Santoshi) and went on to write memorable songs for hit films like:

• Hum Tum

• Fanaa

• Rang De Basanti

• Taare Zameen Par

• Delhi 6

• Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

He also wrote dialogues and screenplays, most notably for Rang De Basanti and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Awards and Honours Won by Prasoon Joshi

Prasoon Joshi has received some of India's highest creative and civilian honours:

• Filmfare Best Lyricist Award — 3 times (2007 for Fanaa, 2008 for Taare Zameen Par, 2014 for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)

• National Film Award for Best Lyrics — 2 times (Taare Zameen Par in 2007, Chittagong in 2013)

• Padma Shri — Awarded by the Government of India in 2015 for his contributions to Arts, Literature, and Advertising

• Named a Young Global Leader 2006 by the World Economic Forum

• Ranked No. 1 Creative Director in Asia Pacific by Media Magazine in 2007

• Cannes Lion Award 2003 for the Coca-Cola campaign

His Role as CBFC Chairman Before Prasar Bharati

Before becoming Chairman of Prasar Bharati, Prasoon Joshi served as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai from August 2017. During his tenure, he worked to balance creative freedom with regulatory responsibility and earned respect from the film industry for his thoughtful approach.

He also served as a Trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) since 2016 and was part of the creative committee for the Commonwealth Games 2010 opening and closing ceremonies.

Why Was Prasoon Joshi Appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati in 2026?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appointed Prasoon Joshi to lead Prasar Bharati because of his deep understanding of Indian culture, media, and creative communication. Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw praised the appointment, saying Prasoon Joshi's vision reflects "the timeless essence of Indian culture" and that under his leadership, Prasar Bharati will find "renewed energy, deeper purpose, and a fresh creative voice."

At a time when public broadcasting is facing challenges from digital streaming and changing audience habits, Joshi's creative background is expected to give All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) a bold new direction.

What is Prasar Bharati?

Prasar Bharati is India's autonomous public service broadcaster, established under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, and operational since 1997. It runs two major divisions:

• All India Radio (AIR) — One of the world's largest radio networks

• Doordarshan (DD) — India's national television broadcaster

Both channels serve millions of Indians across urban and rural areas in multiple languages.

Key Facts About Prasoon Joshi at a Glance

Prasoon Joshi is not just a government appointee — he is a creative institution in himself. As the new Chairman of Prasar Bharati, he brings with him decades of storytelling, cultural insight, and public communication experience. His appointment on 2 May 2026 marks a new chapter for India's public broadcasting. With his proven record in advertising, cinema, and cultural leadership, the country's national broadcaster is set to enter a more creative and impactful era.