MUMBAI: India TV director -- news Hemant Sharma has decided to take a sabbatical from his career.

Confirming the news, India TV chairman Rajat Sharma said, "Hemant has had a long journey with India TV, and our best wishes are with him -- always."

Sharma said, "I have decided to take a sabbatical for my first love -- writing, but I will always be available to India TV."

According to BARC India data, India TV retained its fourth position in the Top 5 Hindi news channels list in week 29 and the latest week 30 with 80764 and 85316 Impressions (000s) sum, respectively.