“NDTV will be a credible, independent, global network with a clear lakshman rekha between management and editorial,” said Adani Group owner Gautam Adani, in his first television interview since his conglomerate acquired NDTV.

In an exclusive interview with India Today editorial director Raj Chengappa, the industrialist touched upon his company’s achievements and the challenges he faced in 2022 – the year he became the world’s third-richest person.

“On editorial independence, let me say categorically that NDTV will be a credible, independent, global network with a clear lakshman rekha between management and editorial. You can endlessly debate and interpret each and every word of what I am saying, as has been done by many. But my fundamental point is that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So please allow us some time before you start judging us,” Adani said when Chengappa asked if the industrialist will follow the “same principle of non-interference” applied to his other companies.

Watch the full interview here.

The interview comes days after NDTV founders Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy said that they will sell 27.26 percent of their remaining 32.26 percent shareholding to the Adani Group. The Adani Group had earlier emerged as the largest shareholder in NDTV after an open offer, which came after the media arm of Adani Enterprises acquired nearly 30 percent of NDTV shares through an indirect deal.

The Roys had resigned as directors of the board of NDTV promoter RRPR on November 29. Subsequently, Sudipta Bhattacharya, the chief technology officer of Adani Group; Sanjay Pugalia, senior journalist and CEO of Adani's AMG Media Network; and journalist Senthil Sinniah Chengalvarayan took over as directors of the board.