Datar started working at the BBC as a trainee radio journalist following his university education. He then trained in production/directing in television at the corporation.[3]
In the early 1990s, Datar presented Rough Guide to the World on BBC Two. He also reported for BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat in the mid-1990s.[4] In 1994, he presented The People's Parliament on Channel 4and he reported for Newsnight in 1996 and 1997.[1]
As of 2001, Datar presented The Money Programme on BBC Two.[5] As of 2005, he remained a presenter of the programme.[6] In 2010, he reported for How to Beat Tough Times: Money Watch on BBC Two.[7]
As of 2022, Datar also presented The Forum on the BBC World Service.[1] Until 2024, Datar co-presented with Sally Gray MBE PresenterPod, a programme offering advice and information to aspiring and current television and radio presenters.[8] From at least 2009[9] to the present,[10] he has presented Over to You, the BBC World Service programme allowing listeners to share their feedback about the station's programmes. He has presented the Travel Show on BBC News;[11] he also presented the programme's predecessor, fast:track. In 2012, Datar was named the Broadcast Travel Journalist of the Year 2012 at the Business Travel Awards.[12] By 2015, Datar had visited more than 50 countries for fast:track and the Travel Show.[3]
In 2023, Datar MCd the closing and opening sessions at the Global Leaders Summit presented by the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage.[13] He is a regular moderator for major organisations' conferences.[14]
Datar contributed to Saturday Review on BBC Radio 4, prior to the programme stopping being broadcast.[15] Datar also presented The Strand, an arts programme on the BBC World Service which stopped being broadcast in 2013.[16]