Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio show, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, where he talks directly to the countrymen, highlighting topical issues and spotlighting unsung heroes, amongst other matters, has earned Rs. 34.13 crore in revenues since its inception in October 2014, the government revealed yesterday.

Elucidating various aspects of this now iconic show, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan yesterday informed Rajya Sabha that ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program is produced by Akashvani (All India Radio) leveraging existing in-house resources without additional expenditure and has “earned a revenue of Rs 34.13 cr. since its inception”.

Replying to a query from a fellow parliamentarian on various aspects of the show, which started as a radio programme initially, Murugan highlighted that the audience engagement with the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme takes multiple forms across traditional and digital platforms.

A large segment of the audience engages by listening to the programme on Akashvani, which broadcasts it live across its national and regional network. Regional language versions are also broadcast to reach vernacular audiences, the Minister explained.

Through these monthly radio episodes, the Prime Minister shares inspiring stories of Indians doing impactful work in areas such as education, health, environment, innovation and social service. He highlights grassroots initiatives and community-led efforts driven by youth, farmers, women, artisans, entrepreneurs, sportspersons and self-help groups. The stories often come from remote and diverse regions, reflecting the rich and inclusive spirit of the nation. ‘Mann ki Baat’ also brings attention to the country’s milestones and the contributions of unsung heroes from history.

Over time, the show has evolved into a soft tool of nation-building, shaping public discourse through stories that celebrate India’s diversity, resilience and social commitment, the Minister added.

As the programme is popular, it is also telecast on various Doordarshan national and regional language TV channels. In addition to Doordarshan channels, 48 Akashvani radio channels and 92 private television channels on DD FreeDish make it accessible to viewers across the country, including those in rural and remote areas.

The visual format of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ enhances audience engagement by enabling shared viewing experiences, fostering collective reflection and discussion, Murugan said, according to an official statement put out by the government.

On digital platforms, audience engagement has expanded significantly. The programme is live-streamed and archived on YouTube channels (such as PMO India, AIR, etc.), and on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform WAVES, as well as through the NewsOnAIR mobile app, which offers over 260 Akashvani channels. It is also made available on the news feed service of Prasar Bharati, PB SHABD, to facilitate wider dissemination across affiliated platforms and channels.

The programme is also widely accessed by audiences in India and globally, through social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram, the government stated.