The Indian media landscape shook this week as Saurabh Dwivedi, the founding editor of The Lallantop, announced his resignation from the India Today Group. After a 12-year tenure and building a digital empire of 35 million subscribers, Dwivedi’s departure isn’t just a news headline; it is a case study in media ethics, corporate pressure, and the volatile nature of being a “voice” within a large conglomerate. Also, why it matters to ‘Building Your Own’ is the Ultimate PR Strategy for 2026.
Speculation is rife that Dwivedi’s exit was precipitated by his final broadcast on January 2, 2026. In a scathing segment, he aimed two Goliaths:
When a journalist of Dwivedi’s stature moves from “establishment voice” to “anti-establishment critic,” the friction often leads to a parting of ways. For PR consultants and communications experts, this highlights a growing truth: The platform you build for others is never truly yours.
As a communications consultant based in Delhi/NCR, I often tell my clients that Executive Visibility is a double-edged sword. When you are the face of a corporate entity, your narrative is tied to its bottom line, its political alignments, and its stakeholders.
Saurabh Dwivedi’s exit, fueled by reports of “silenced voices” on social media, underscores three critical pillars of modern PR:
Dwivedi built The Lallantop into a powerhouse. However, the intellectual property and the distribution channel belonged to the India Today Group. When editorial independence clashes with corporate interests, the individual, no matter how famous, is often the one to exit. The Solution: Build your own digital footprint. Whether you are a CEO or a Senior Editor, having an independent brand (like a personal website or a verified newsletter) ensures your voice isn’t subject to a “kill switch.”
Dwivedi’s critique of the Indore water scandal was a masterclass in investigative storytelling. However, from a PR perspective, such moves require a robust Crisis Management strategy. When you speak truth to power, you must have the professional infrastructure to handle the fallout.
Despite leaving a 35-million-subscriber channel, Dwivedi is not “starting from zero.” His poetic exit on X (formerly Twitter) proved that his audience follows him, not just the brand logo. This is Brand Narrative at its finest, converting corporate fame into personal equity.
The mantra for 2026 is simple: Don’t just be an asset to a company; be an institution yourself.
At Romit PR, I leverage over a decade of experience, from the newsrooms of Sahara India to the corporate halls of S&P Global, to help founders, executives, and journalists build narratives that they own entirely.
How we bridge the gap:
Saurabh Dwivedi’s journey from a Features Editor to a household name is a testament to the power of Hindi digital journalism. His exit serves as a reminder that in the world of communications, autonomy is the highest currency.
Are you ready to build a brand that no one can silence? Whether you are navigating a career transition or looking to amplify your firm’s voice in Delhi/NCR and beyond, let’s build something that belongs to you.
Contact Romit Vincent Singh at romitpr.com to start your journey of narrative independence.
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