Saurabh Dwivedi Biography: The Journey of the Voice of Digital India
"नमस्ते, मैं हूँ सौरभ द्विवेदी और आप देख रहे हैं द लल्लनटॉप।"
If you have spent any time on Indian YouTube, this greeting is unmistakable. Saurabh Dwivedi, the founding editor of The Lallantop, has fundamentally changed how news is consumed in India. He replaced the loud, studio-bound debates of traditional TV with earthy storytelling, deep-dive research, and a language that resonates with the common man.
📅 Quick Bio & Personal Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saurabh Dwivedi |
| Date of Birth | November 10 (Born in Orai, Jalaun, UP) |
| Education | PhD from JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) |
| Current Role | Founding Editor, The Lallantop |
| Known For | Political Kissa, Netaji Kahin, and Ground Reporting |
🏫 Early Life and Education
Saurabh Dwivedi hails from Orai, a small town in the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh. His upbringing in the heartland of India is the secret behind his mastery of Hindi and his understanding of rural politics.
He moved to Delhi for higher education and joined the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He completed his Masters, M.Phil, and PhD in Hindi Literature. It was at JNU that his perspective on politics, history, and social issues was sharpened, preparing him for a career in serious journalism.
💼 Professional Career: Before The Lallantop
Before becoming a digital sensation, Saurabh worked in traditional media for several years. His journey included stints at:
- Aaj Tak (India Today Group)
- Star News (now ABP News)
- Dainik Bhaskar
He worked as a reporter and sub-editor, learning the ropes of news production. However, he felt that traditional news was missing the "flavor" of the common people and the depth of historical context.
🚀 The Birth of "The Lallantop" (2016)
In 2016, under the umbrella of the India Today Group, Saurabh launched The Lallantop. The name itself was a stroke of genius—"Lallantop" is a colloquial North Indian word meaning "Excellent" or "Top Notch."
What made it different?
- The Language: Instead of formal "Shuddh Hindi," he used the language of the streets—mixing Awadhi, Bundelkhandi, and Hinglish.
- Political Kissa: He introduced a storytelling format where he explained complex political histories as "Kissas" (stories).
- Ground Reporting: During elections, his team travels thousands of kilometers in his famous "Lallantop" branded vehicles to talk to real voters in tea stalls and villages.
📺 Famous Shows and Impact
Saurabh Dwivedi is not just a journalist; he is a digital educator. Some of his most popular segments include:
- Netaji Kahin: A ground-reporting series during elections.
- Political Kissa: Deep dives into historical political events.
- The Guest House: Long-form interviews with celebrities and politicians.
- Zamanat Zapt: A show focusing on forgotten political candidates.
💡 Lessons from His Journey
For students and aspiring journalists (like many of you reading this), Saurabh Dwivedi’s life offers great lessons:
- Stay Rooted: Don't be ashamed of your local language or background. It is your biggest strength.
- Deep Research: Behind every 10-minute video of his, there are hours of reading.
- Adaptability: He saw the decline of TV and moved to Digital/YouTube early, which made him a pioneer.
What is your favorite 'Political Kissa' by Saurabh Dwivedi? Let us know in the comments below!