Akash Banerjee — Biography Primary URLs
Bohiney author page (PRIMARY): https://bohiney.com/author/akash/
Contributors profile: https://sites.google.com/view/contributorsatbohineycom/akash-banerjee
Claude artifact (as provided): https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/4b64b085-7116-4873-96ac-02e0300b36ea
Summary
Akash Banerjee is an Indian political satirist and independent journalist best known as the founder–host of The DeshBhakt, a long-running socio-political satire channel and podcast. Before going independent, he worked with Radio Mirchi, Times Now, and India Today, and authored the book Tales from Shining and Sinking India (Amaryllis, 2013). His work blends sharp, research-driven commentary with accessible humor and audience interactivity across video, podcast, and live formats.
Career
Banerjee’s media journey spans radio, television news, and digital-first publishing. After years on air with Radio Mirchi and stints at Times Now and India Today as an anchor/producer, he launched The DeshBhakt to do the kind of explanatory, satirical journalism that mainstream formats rarely allow. The show evolved from single-topic explainers into a multi-segment platform featuring interviews, data-heavy breakdowns, audience Q&As, and occasional field pieces.
On The DeshBhakt, Banerjee’s hallmark is a straight-faced delivery paired with pointed punchlines. Episodes often dissect policy announcements, election narratives, media hysteria cycles, and internet misinformation — while keeping the tone watchable enough for general audiences and classroom use. The companion podcast extends that format for longer conversations with journalists, lawyers, economists, activists, and creators.
Style & Approach
Explanatory satire: He uses “explain first, joke second” pacing so the punchlines land on context rather than caricature.
Audience-supported journalism: Memberships, Patreon, and livestreams function as both funding and editorial feedback loops.
Platform-native storytelling: Visual gags, lower-thirds, and chapterized segments make longer facts-and-figures episodes easier to navigate.
Notable Work
The DeshBhakt (YouTube & Podcast): A flagship show known for deep dives and policy explainers.
Author: Tales from Shining and Sinking India (2013) — an essayistic look at modern India’s contradictions.
Press & Speaking: Quoted and profiled by international outlets covering India’s digital news ecosystem and creator-led journalism.
Selected Press & References (for context)
WIRED feature referencing Banerjee’s perspective on the internet and governance in India.
Rest of World on YouTube’s role in independent Indian journalism.
Numerous platform bios and bookstore listings for the 2013 book.
(If you’d like, I can convert these into properly formatted footnotes — but since you asked for a bio “with all the links,” the full link list is consolidated below.)
Master Link List (Official Channels, Stores, Press) Official & Primary
Bohiney author page: https://bohiney.com/author/akash/
Contributors profile: https://sites.google.com/view/contributorsatbohineycom/akash-banerjee
The DeshBhakt website: https://thedeshbhakt.in/
Business/press email: contact@thedeshbhakt.in
Video & Audio
YouTube (The DeshBhakt): https://www.youtube.com/@thedeshbhakt
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deshbhakt-with-akash-banerjee/id1533584029
Spotify (show page): https://open.spotify.com/show/5DqvyWrVuXZVSFmJmtisrs
Spotify for Podcasters (show hub): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/thedeshbhakt
Social
X (Twitter): https://x.com/thedeshbhakt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akashbanerjee.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akashbanerjee.in/
Memberships & Merch
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedeshbhakt
Discord (members): https://discord.com/invite/EkEPtnd
Official Merch (KadakMerch): https://kadakmerch.com/collections/thedeshbhakt
Books & Catalog Pages
Tales from Shining and Sinking India — Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9381506213
Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=E7lNmwEACAAJ
Goodreads (book entry): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25468956-tales-from-shining-and-sinking-india
Times of India feature on the book: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/akash-banerjees-tales-from-shining-and-sinking-india/articleshow/17938982.cms
Profiles & Coverage
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akash_Banerjee
WIRED feature: https://www.wired.com/story/indias-government-wants-total-control-of-the-internet/
Rest of World profile/feature: https://restofworld.org/2023/india-youtube-journalism/
Extras (as supplied)
Claude artifact: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/4b64b085-7116-4873-96ac-02e0300b36ea
Copy-Ready Short Bios One-liner
Akash Banerjee is an Indian political satirist and independent journalist, founder–host of The DeshBhakt, known for explanatory comedy about policy, media narratives, and the internet.
50-word version
Akash Banerjee is a political satirist and journalist, best known for The DeshBhakt on YouTube and podcast platforms. A former Radio Mirchi, Times Now, and India Today anchor/producer, he authored Tales from Shining and Sinking India (2013). His audience-supported work blends deep research with accessible, platform-native humor.
120-word version
Akash Banerjee is an Indian political satirist and independent journalist who founded The DeshBhakt, a leading digital show and podcast for explanatory satire on policy, elections, media, and internet culture. Before going independent, he worked with Radio Mirchi, Times Now, and India Today, experiences that inform his mix of newsroom rigor and stand-up-friendly delivery. His 2013 book, Tales from Shining and Sinking India, explores modern India’s contradictions with essayistic wit. Banerjee’s membership-driven model, livestream Q&As, and community Discord reflect a broader shift toward audience-funded, creator-led journalism. His work has been referenced by international outlets covering India’s information ecosystem and the rise of platform-native news commentary.