GUNJAN HANDA
Journalist & Talk Show Presenter
Curiosity shaped my childhood in Punjab, a state where trauma, resilience and empathy run deep, rooted in memories of decades of immense suffering and the spirit of sarbat da bhala (welfare for all). My instinct to ask questions, especially the difficult ones, often unsettled those around me, but I never stopped wanting to understand the world, both at its edges and at its heart.
My ability to connect with people and truly listen drew me towards storytelling. Every conversation sparks new questions for me, and each encounter reveals fresh layers of humanity, something I’ve always wanted to keep exploring. Early on, empathy helped me recognise my own privileges and inspired me to use my voice for the greater good.
I pursued a Master’s degree in Journalism at the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune. My time in mainstream Indian media as an anchor, and desk producer before joining Newsreel Asia, was a steep learning curve, but my true passion lies in bearing witness to untold stories and reflecting lived realities from the ground. Documentary work allows me to bridge perspectives and shine a light where it’s needed most, and where I feel most inspired.
At Newsreel Asia, I aspire to bring honesty and sensitivity to every story I tell. I believe we are all shaped by the stories we encounter, and through my work, I hope to spark understanding and create impact, one story at a time.
I can be contacted at gunjan@newsreel.asia.
In this interview, Newsreel Asia's producer Gunjan Handa speaks to a former Naxal who once lived under multiple identities — Asan, Asin, Anil, Rajaram — names that were all part of his life inside the movement. As the Indian government claims major success in its mission to end Naxalism, this conversation goes beyond the headlines and statistics to explore the people behind the conflict. Why do individuals join such movements? What does life inside these groups actually look like? And what happens after surrender? From ideology and survival to state operations and rehabilitation, this interview offers a rare glimpse into one of India’s longest-running internal conflicts through the eyes of someone who experienced it from within.