{{Short description|Indian journalist, film maker}} {{distinguish|text=Shashi Kumar, the actor and politician from Karnataka}} {{for|the Indian cricketer|Sashi Kumar (cricketer)}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Sashi Kumar | image = Sasikumar 02.jpg | caption = | birth_place = Kodungallur, Thrissur district, Travancore–Cochin<br />(present-day Kerala), India | other_names = | known_for = Media Development Foundation and Asian College of Journalism | alma_mater = {{Unbulleted_list|Loyola College, Chennai|Madras Christian College}} | occupation = {{hlist|Journalist|TV Anchor|Film maker|, Media Development Foundation and Asian College of Journalism}} }}
'''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.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":1" />
== Career ==
=== As filmmaker === In 2004, he scripted and directed a full length feature film in Hindi titled ''Kaya Taran'' (Chrysalis).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Timesofindia > 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots |url=http://www1.info.indiatimes.com/1984/5.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115091456/http://www1.info.indiatimes.com/1984/5.html |archive-date=15 November 2017 }}</ref> The film is based on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and 2002 Gujarat riots.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-09-27 |title=The Hindu : When the big tree fell |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/08/23/stories/2004082302930400.htm |access-date=2024-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927144303/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/08/23/stories/2004082302930400.htm |archive-date=27 September 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-27 |title=Kaya Taran to Punjab1984: Indian cinema's tryst with anti-sikh riots |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/kaya-taran-to-punjab1984-indian-cinema-s-tryst-with-anti-sikh-riots/story-g9atOKG6ALBchNjMoYWpJL.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board of Trustees & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust, Chennai |url=http://www.meatrust.in/trustees/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.meatrust.in}}</ref> He is the chairman of the Asian College of Journalism.<ref name=":1" />
In July 2021, along with N. Ram, he approached the Supreme Court and sought a probe into the Pegasus scandal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-27 |title=Journalists N Ram, Sashi Kumar petition SC to set up probe into Pegasus snooping scandal – The Leaflet |url=https://theleaflet.in/journalists-n-ram-sashi-kumar-petition-sc-to-set-up-probe-into-pegasus-snooping-scandal/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=theleaflet.in |language=en-US}}</ref> He also sought the Court to look into the Constitutional validity of the offence of sedition.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=2021-07-11 |title=Senior journalist Sashi Kumar approaches SC against sedition offence |url=https://madhyamamonline.com/india/senior-journalist-sashi-kumar-approaches-sc-against-sedition-offence-822115 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=madhyamamonline.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Digital platform, Asiaville === In April 2019, he launched Asiaville, a multi-platform digital media venture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETBrandEquity.com |title=Sashi Kumar launches a new digital venture Asiaville - ET BrandEquity |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/media/sashi-kumar-launches-a-new-digital-venture-asiaville/68735352 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=ETBrandEquity.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Dahiya |first=Surbhi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WSnFEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Sashi+Kumar%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA383 |title=Digital First: Entrepreneurial Journalism in India |date=2023-06-14 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-887973-2 |language=en}}</ref> Asiaville partnered with Twitter (now X.com) and IIT Madras.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-04 |title=New multi-lingual digital venture Asiaville launched |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/new-digital-venture-asiaville-launched/article26733884.ece |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref> In August 2022, Spotify announced a collaboration with Asiaville.that is expected to enable 1000 language podcast creators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-04 |title=Spotify Collaborates with Asiaville to Launch 'Create with Anchor' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/spotify-collaborates-with-asiaville-to-launch-create-with-anchor/articleshow/93346723.cms |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In December 2022, Asiaville launched a 20-episode podcast on a 2017 book, Veerappan: Chasing a brigand.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-20 |title=Asiaville launches podcast on capturing Veerappan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/asiaville-launches-podcast-on-capturing-veerappan/article66285149.ece |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 1980 | ''Iniyum Marichittillatha Nammal'' | | |- | 2004 | ''Kaya Taran'' | | Directorial debut |- | 2009 | ''Loudspeaker'' | Anand Menon | |- | 2014 | ''Balyakalasakhi'' | Ameen Sahib | |- | 2015 | ''Love 24x7'' | Dr. Satheesh | |- | 2015 | ''Ennu Ninte Moideen'' | Kottatil Madhavan | |- | 2020 | ''Death, Lies & Cyanide'' | Narrator | Podcast<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/spotify-india-podcast-true-crime-death-lies-cyanide-sashi-kumar-journalist-interview/article32540044.ece|title=A journalistic podcast on the infamous ‘cyanide woman’ of Kerala|website=The Hindu}}</ref> |}
==Awards== *2007: Viayaraghavan Memorial Award for his contribution to journalism by Kerala government.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-07-29 |title=First TV lifetime achievement award for Sashi Kumar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/first-tv-lifetime-achievement-award-for-sashi-kumar/article35609150.ece |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> *2005: G. Aravindan Award for Best Debut Filmmaker for ''Kaya Taran.''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2019-01-30 |title=Sashi Kumar |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/mbifl2019/speakers/sashi-kumar-mbifl-2019-1.3525798 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=MBIFL 2019 |language=en}}</ref> *He received the Swadeshabhimani Award by the Government of Kerala in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-16 |title=Swadesabhimani-Kesari award to Sashikumar |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2011/Dec/20/swadesabhimani-kesari-award-to-sashikumar-322122.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Sashi Kumar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Sashi}} Category:Malayali people Category:Journalists from Kerala Category:People from Thrissur district Category:Living people Category:Indian male journalists Category:Indian television journalists Category:Hindi-language film directors Category:Writers from Kerala Category:Malayalam-language journalists Category:University of Madras alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)