Sashi Kumar


Sashi Kumar is an Indian journalist. He set up the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, which was administered by the Media Development Foundation which he had founded.

Early life and education

Kumar was born at Karupadanna near Kodungallur in the Thrissur District of the erstwhile State of Travancore–Cochin. He studied at Sacred Heart High School in Mumbai and at Don Bosco School, Egmore. He then graduated from Loyola College, Chennai, and completed his postgraduation from the Madras Christian College.

Career

As filmmaker

In 2004, he scripted and directed a full length feature film in Hindi titled Kaya Taran. The film is based on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and 2002 Gujarat riots.
He ran a regular column titled “Unmediated” in the fortnightly Frontline and articles were compiled under the same title and published by Tulika Books, New Delhi in 2013. He is also a member of Malcolm and Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust. He is the chairman of the Asian College of Journalism.
In July 2021, along with N. Ram, he approached the Supreme Court and sought a probe into the Pegasus scandal. He also sought the Court to look into the Constitutional validity of the offence of sedition.

Digital platform, Asiaville

In April 2019, he launched Asiaville, a multi-platform digital media venture. Asiaville partnered with Twitter and IIT Madras. In August 2022, Spotify announced a collaboration with Asiaville.that is expected to enable 1000 language podcast creators. In December 2022, Asiaville launched a 20-episode podcast on a 2017 book, Veerappan: Chasing a brigand.

Awards