Journalists & News Anchors

Amish Devgan Biography 2026: Age, Career, Controversies, and His Exit from News18

Amish Devgan is an Indian television journalist and prime-time news anchor, best known as the face of the debate show Aar Paar on News18 India for nearly a decade. In September 2026, Devgan became one of the biggest names in Indian media news after abruptly announcing his exit from Network18 live on air, with reports suggesting he is set to join Times Network. Alongside his prominent television career, Devgan has repeatedly been at the center of religious and political controversy, including a Supreme Court case over remarks about a revered Sufi saint.

Quick Facts

FieldDetail
Real NameAmish Devgan
Date of Birth1 March 1980 (Wikipedia); some sources cite 1 March 1984
Age46 (per 1980 DOB) or 42 (per 1984 DOB), as of 2026
BirthplaceNew Delhi, India
NationalityIndian
ReligionHindu (reported “Saraswat Brahmin” background per some fan-wiki sources)
EducationPostgraduate in Mass Communication, Delhi University
ProfessionTelevision journalist, news anchor, Managing Editor
Known ForAar Paar (News18 India), Takkar (CNBC Awaaz)
SpouseNot confirmed in credible public sources
Social HandlesX (Twitter): @AMISHDEVGAN; Instagram: @amish.devgan

Who Is Amish Devgan?

Amish Devgan is one of Hindi television news’ most recognizable prime-time anchors, known for a high-energy, combative interviewing style built around nightly political debates. Known for his high-energy presentation and assertive interviewing style, he played a prominent role in shaping the channel’s prime-time identity at News18 India. Over more than two decades in journalism, he built his reputation first in business news before moving into general news and politics, becoming one of the most talked-about — and most controversial — anchors on Indian television.

His September 2026 departure from Network18 has made him freshly newsworthy, with speculation swirling about his next move in an increasingly competitive Hindi news television market.

Early Life and Family

Amish Devgan was born into a middle-class Hindu family in New Delhi, India. Detailed information about his parents and siblings is not publicly available; Devgan has kept his family life largely private throughout his career.

Education

Devgan holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication from Delhi University. Specific details of his undergraduate education have not been independently verified.

Career

Early Career and Business Journalism (2002–2016)

Devgan has been active in journalism since 2002. He built his early career in business journalism, working across Hindi business news television before rising to a senior editorial role. Before joining News18 India, Devgan served as editor and news anchor at Zee Media (Zee Business) between 2014 and 2015. Earlier in his career, he had also worked at Hindustan Times. During his time in business news, he anchored debate-style shows and established a reputation as an assertive, high-decibel interviewer.

Rise at Network18: Aar Paar (2016–2026)

Devgan joined Network18 in June 2016 as Executive Editor of the then-IBN7, which was subsequently rebranded as News18 India. His arrival came at a time when the network was strengthening its Hindi news operations and sharpening its prime-time programming. Soon after joining, he became the face of Aar Paar, a debate-led programme.

Over the following decade, Aar Paar became one of Hindi news television’s most-watched nightly debate shows, built around fast-paced political confrontation. Devgan later described the show as having become “the voice of the nation” during his tenure. He was eventually elevated to Managing Editor, overseeing News18’s operations across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. He also anchored Takkar on CNBC Awaaz.

Exit from Network18 and Move to Times Network (September 2026)

On 24 September 2026, Devgan announced his sudden departure from Network18 during a live episode of Aar Paar. He told viewers, “It is my last day at Network 18, TV18 and News18. You will not see me anchor Aar Paar,” adding that his “journalistic journey will continue” on “a new platform, with a new style.”

Industry reports indicate Devgan has resigned after nearly a decade with Network18, with plans to join Times Network. Speculation has centered specifically on Times Now Navbharat, though Devgan declined to comment when asked directly about the move. Talk of his departure had been building for weeks: reports in early August 2026 had already indicated he was considering multiple options. As of this writing, neither Devgan nor Times Network has issued an official confirmation of his new role.

Controversies

Devgan’s career has been marked by several high-profile controversies, largely tied to on-air remarks about religious and political subjects.

Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti remarks (2020): During a June 2020 episode of Aar Paar discussing a case related to the Places of Worship Act, Devgan referred to the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti as “lootera” (robber). He said he had intended to refer to the historical Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji as a marauder but mistakenly used Chishti’s name instead. Devgan apologized publicly, stating he sincerely regretted the “grave error” and the anguish it may have caused to followers of the saint, whom he said he personally revered. Despite the apology, multiple FIRs were filed against him across several states. As many as seven FIRs were lodged in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana, accusing him of hurting the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. The Supreme Court refused to quash the FIRs but granted him protection from arrest, transferring all cases to Ajmer, Rajasthan, for trial. The matter remains a documented, unresolved legal case; this article does not take a position on Devgan’s guilt or intent, which remains for the courts to determine.

Kurla mosque misreporting (2020): A complaint was filed against Devgan in May 2020 over claims aired on his show regarding namaz gatherings at a Kurla mosque, which included visuals that were later disputed as misrepresenting the actual event.

Ram temple election-season “monologue” (2024): Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India alleging that an Aar Paar episode aired on 17 April 2024 violated the Model Code of Conduct by invoking religious sentiment for electoral purposes. The complaint, signed by Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, alleged the segment portrayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP as “true devotees” of Lord Ram in contrast to opposition parties. The Congress described the programme as carrying “inflammatory… incendiary” content and asked the ECI to intervene. No public record of a final ECI ruling on this specific complaint was found in available sources.

Fake Baghdadi graphic (2019): A viral, fabricated graphic falsely attributed to Devgan’s show claimed Modi was responsible for the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; Devgan and News18 clarified the graphic was fake and not from their broadcast.

Personal Life

Amish Devgan has kept his personal and family life largely out of the public eye. Reliable, current information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not available in verified sources at the time of writing. His net worth has also not been credibly reported by financial or media outlets; any figure circulating online should be treated as an unverified estimate.

Amish Devgan in 2026

2026 has been the most consequential year of Devgan’s television career to date. After nearly a decade as the face of Aar Paar and one of News18 India’s most senior editorial figures, he ended his association with Network18 on 24 September 2026, delivering an emotional on-air farewell to viewers. He is widely reported to be moving to Times Network, with speculation pointing to Times Now Navbharat, though this has not been officially confirmed by either party. His next on-air appearance is expected to be closely watched across the Indian television news industry.

FAQs

1. Who is Amish Devgan?
Amish Devgan is an Indian television journalist, best known for anchoring the prime-time debate show Aar Paar on News18 India, where he also served as Managing Editor.

2. How old is Amish Devgan?
Sources differ: Wikipedia lists his date of birth as 1 March 1980, making him 46 in 2026, while some other profiles cite 1984. This has not been independently confirmed.

3. Why did Amish Devgan leave News18?
Devgan announced his exit from Network18 (parent of News18 India) live on air on 24 September 2026, saying his time there had ended but his journalism career would continue on a “new platform.” The exact reason for his departure has not been officially stated.

4. Is Amish Devgan joining Times Network?
Multiple media industry reports say Devgan is expected to join Times Network, with speculation centering on Times Now Navbharat, though this has not been officially confirmed as of this writing.

5. What is the Amish Devgan Sufi saint controversy?
In 2020, Devgan referred to Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti as “lootera” during a TV debate, later saying he meant to name Alauddin Khilji instead. He apologized, but multiple FIRs were filed against him, and the Supreme Court declined to quash them, allowing the case to proceed to trial.

6. Is Amish Devgan married?
Reliable public information about Devgan’s marital status is not available; this remains unverified.

7. What shows has Amish Devgan hosted?
He is best known for Aar Paar on News18 India and previously anchored Takkar on CNBC Awaaz.


Last updated: September 2026

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