Drawing parallels between the energy of a startup cohort and the charged atmosphere of an election newsroom, Chaudhary emphasised that startups are not just businesses, but revolutions. “Every startup here is proof that India’s future won’t be written by those who cling to old hierarchies, it will be written by those who dare to disrupt them,” he said.
In a candid recounting of his journey, Chaudhary spoke of leaving behind the comfort of a corner office as CEO of a leading news network to build something of his own. “Comfort can kill your ambitions. I wanted to create a newsroom that decoded news instead of dramatising it, and empowered citizens instead of confusing them,” he explained. That leap led to the birth of his company Esprit Productions, which now produces Decode with Sudhir Chaudhary on DD News.
Journey Of Becoming Entrepreneur
Marking a milestone, Chaudhary revealed that his show has crossed 23 crore YouTube views in just 100 episodes, competing with the biggest private news channels while redefining how news connects with citizens. His decision to take Decode to Doordarshan, despite skepticism, was framed as a bold risk—one that paid off through resonance with viewers.
Reflecting on the entrepreneur’s journey, he underlined the mix of risk, sleepless nights, and exhilarating rewards that define startups. “Chaos with purpose is far more rewarding than comfort without meaning,” he declared, urging founders to keep building, not just once but “again and again.”
Power Of Storytelling
Closing his address, he congratulated India’s new wave of founders, calling them disruptors and dreamers who will define the nation’s economic future. “When your idea becomes a product, your product becomes a company, and your company becomes an inspiration—that is the true power of storytelling and entrepreneurship.”
He acknowledged the vision of Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Businessworld and Exchange4Media, as a driving force behind platforms that strengthen India’s founder ecosystem. |
