In this Telugu Podcast episode, we had an eye-opening conversation with Suresh Kochattil garu, who's been in the media industry for 40 yrs & 17 yrs of experience at Times of India in various levels.

 As the world drowns in breaking news, social media headlines, and sensationalism, This episode takes you through the actual machinery that runs Indian media. Starting with a simple question: is the printing press as dramatic as it’s shown in the movies? The truth, as always, is far more layered. From how news is selected, printed, and distributed, to why newspaper stories cut off after 12 PM, we explored the real-time walkthrough of what really goes on behind those bold headlines.

The episode then dives into one of the most defining moments of Indian media urgency—the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in Sriperumbudur. How that single moment changed reporting patterns and led to a media that thrives on speed rather than depth. But this conversation is not just about journalism. It’s about truth, control, perception, and the massive war of narratives we’re all part of, knowingly or not.

We explored how India often wins on the battlefield but loses in the eyes of the world because of poor narrative management. In contrast, countries like Qatar have silently reshaped their global image—through airlines, global sports, news networks, and funding major universities. From Al-Jazeera to the FIFA World Cup, narrative power is everything. And while that happens globally, at home, politicians are allegedly buying YouTube channels for ₹8-9 crores to push their version of reality.

We didn't just stop there. We delved into the dark alleyways of the Indian underworld—gold smuggling routes, Calicut’s Kondotty village, and how dons moved into real estate after using heroines and music labels as money fronts. He talked about bomb blasts, NSG failures, the Bhatkal brothers, and how stories were buried before ever being told. He opened up about the deaths of icons like Lal Bahadur Shastri and cases like Nagarwala, where ₹60 lakhs were withdrawn from SBI based on a phone call impersonating the Prime Minister.

Even the names of Hyderabad’s localities—Tarnaka, Musarambagh, Bolaram—carry centuries of untold stories, which were brought to life with stunning clarity. We spoke about the TRP race, the death of press conferences, and how public discourse has shifted from dinner table conversations to manipulated debate shows. The impact of “WhatsApp journalism,” sensationalism, and psychological conditioning through repetitive negative news is unpacked with startling precision.

As the media landscape tilts further into noise and chaos, This discussion calls for a revival of real, fearless journalism. He expresses his admiration for Karan Thapar, Ramnath Goenka, and Ramoji Rao—figures who once stood for truth despite the odds. He reflects on why journalists today are either demonized or silenced, and how stringers are forced into unethical shortcuts due to low wages and pressure.

Ending on a powerful and emotional note, he shares life lessons from his father, a man of honesty and principle, and offers his heartfelt advice to the youth of India. In a world where everyone is fighting to be heard, this episode reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply speak the truth.