Who Was Sarla Maheshwari? Veteran Doordarshan Anchor Dies At The Age Of 71

Veteran news anchor Sarla Maheshwari, one of the biggest names of Indian television from the 1980s to the 1990s, passed away on 12th February 2026, at the age of 71. Her passing away has been confirmed by the Doordarshan National Channel, as well as her longtime friend and colleague, Shammi Narang.

Who Was Sarla Maheshwari?

Sarla Maheshwari was among the pioneering few newsreaders for Doordarshan, the public service broadcaster of India. She was a part of the organisation from 1976 to 2005, a period covering almost three decades. She was characterised by several distinctive features that made her a household name.

She, along with her contemporaries Salma Sultan and Neethi Ravindran, was an icon of the retro era of Indian TV, known for her soft voice, correct Hindi pronunciation, and perfect saree-wearing grace. Her career spanned the great technological change in Indian broadcasting, from the black-and-white era to the introduction of colour television.

She moved to the UK in the mid-1980s and worked as a newsreader with the BBC between 1984 and 1986, before returning to India and rejoining Doordarshan in 1988. She was famous for her poise under pressure; she once famously recalled the time she had to be on air with composure because a lizard had wandered into the studio.

Sarla Maheshwari Educational Qualification

Maheshwari was also recognised for being highly academic, which ultimately led to her fluency in language and knowledge. She possesses a Doctorate from Delhi University. Notably, she joined Doordarshan in 1976 by successfully auditioning for the role of news announcer when she was pursuing her doctoral degree. Apart from her broadcasting career, she also worked as a lecturer in Hansraj College, Delhi University.

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Sarla Maheshwari Personal Life

Sarla Maheshwari’s personal life was also characterised by simplicity and elegance, similar to what she portrayed on screen.

She was a mother of both a son and a daughter. She took a brief hiatus from broadcast journalism after giving birth to her son in the late 1980s before returning to television news. Though she was offered opportunities to feature in various movies and advertisements during the peak of her popularity in TV shows, she refused, choosing instead to focus on journalism and academics. Even after her retirement, she remained an active member of the media industry. She went on to establish Careers Smart, a career advisory company, alongside a film production company, Insight Productions.

Her last rites were performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat, New Delhi, at 4 PM on the day of her passing. Her colleagues and fans have referred to her as the ‘embodiment of grace and courtesy’ who had the ability to elevate every place she walked into.

Image credits: Twitter

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