Alumni Speak
From Stage Fright to Prime Time: This Apeejay alumnus’ journey to newsroom
Once afraid of public speaking, Prakhar Srivastava from Apeejay Stya University now appears on national television, handling output editorial duties and managing IPL discussions at NDTV.
Meet Prakhar Srivastava, an alumnus of Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Prakhar Srivastava pursued a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication that helped him pivot from a science stream to the buzzing world of media. Today, he works as an Output Editor at NDTV, where he handles daily news programming, anchors short IPL segments, and covers national and international sporting events. As he completes four years at NDTV, he is setting his sights on transitioning fully to the sports beat—a dream rooted deeply in his identity.
Let’s read edited excerpts of his interview:
Tell us about your current role at NDTV. What’s your typical day like?
My designation is Output Editor. I’m mainly responsible for creating the 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. news shows. That involves coordinating scripts, planning the rundown, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on air. But it’s all quite fluid—some days we’re short-staffed or there’s breaking news, and everything changes instantly. Apart from that, I also manage a post-match IPL segment and occasionally go live from the newsroom.
You’re often seen on screen during the IPL. How did that begin?
Yes, during the IPL season, I host a 5 to 6-minute segment—usually a quick, crisp discussion post-match. This gives me national exposure regularly. Of course, breaking news can sometimes bump the segment, but when it runs, it’s amazing!
Was journalism always your first career choice?
Actually, no. I was preparing for medical exams and realised during that period that I had a severe fear of public speaking. I decided to confront it head-on and chose journalism as a way to overcome that fear. I’m so glad I did—this career has helped me evolve, and now I speak daily in front of the nation.
Your love for sports is evident. How have you managed to keep it alive in a newsroom setting?
Sports is in my blood—I’m a state-level badminton player and played cricket in school. Even at ASU, I used to play regularly. At NDTV after finishing my primary news duties, I work on sports segments. It’s a 95-5 split, but I make that 5 count!
How did ASU prepare you for this journey?
ASU gave us practical exposure—several reporting assignments helped. I feel there could have been more, but it was a good start. Newsrooms demand real-time confidence and calm under pressure. The placement process was simple for me. I had a direct one-on-one interview with my future boss and HOD over a video call during COVID times. No group discussion, just honest conversation.
What’s next for you?
I’ll be completing four years at NDTV this November. My dream is to move into full-time sports reporting. That’s my passion, and I believe now is the time to transition. I’m actively exploring opportunities where I can work entirely on sports content.
