Began his career with Patriot in 1991, moved to India Today after a short stint. He worked there as a news coordinator for five years before joining The Indian Express in 1996. Has held various editorial responsibilities in the newspaper—from leading the Express News Service, the newspaper's network of correspondents, to heading the edition in Mumbai, before taking over as Assistant Executive Editor in 2002. Was Executive Editor and Managing Editor before becoming the Editor in 2014. Unni graduated in Economics from Calicut University and has done his Masters in English Language and Literature from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala. He has a PG Diploma in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. He was awarded the Harry Brittain Fellowship of the Commonwealth Press Union in 1999.