The chaotic scene begins with Shivshankar berating his Ukrainian guest while mistakenly referring to him as Daniel McAdams, the second guest on the show and the executive director of the American Ron Paul Institute.
The two minute exchange gets more heated, with Shivshankar telling the Ukrainian chief editor to 'take a bit of a chill pill' and telling him that President Biden “who flashes around his fancy credentials to get off the fence, [should] send his forces and put boots on the ground".
The Indian news anchor continues his ranting until the real McAdams blurts out 'I am Mr McAdams!', prompting Shivshankar to say "Oh," as he realizes his mistake.
The news garnered international attention, with many poking fun at the frenzied interview.
"Hands down, this is THE funniest 'news' video I have seen in recent times... perhaps the funniest of 2022," wrote one commentator.
https://twitter.com/beastoftraal/status/1499333017180901379
BBC India journalist Geeta Pandey called the video, an "absolute masterpiece."
https://twitter.com/geetapandeyBBC/status/1499660896657805313
Author Ajit Datta joked, "Shivshankar can put an end to this by saying all whites look alike."
https://twitter.com/ajitdatta/status/1499453233621716994
Referring to previous blunders in the Indian press, a satirical Indian account wrote, "Humbly request the international community not to judge Indian media on the basis of 1 Rahul Shivshankar clip. Please take into account Arnab's 5th floor in Serena Hotel, Amish's B&D moment, Chaurasia's painkiller, Sweta's chip, Rubika's tonic [and] Navika's matchmaking skills also."
https://twitter.com/Pun_Starr/status/1499548554238771200