The Mohua Show

Where did the name "The Great Bong" come from? Can satire thrive in a pre-social media world? And how does a writer reconcile personal philosophy with ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita? In this insightful episode, Mohua Chinappa engages in a free-wheeling conversation with Arnab Ray, the celebrated author, better known as The Great Bong. Arnab, one of India's pioneering bloggers, opens up about...

Why are more young girls hitting puberty early? How do hormones, stress, and diet shape a woman’s body, and her mind? In this empowering episode, Mohua Chinappa speaks with Khyati Rupani, Founder & Chief Nutritionist at Balance Nutrition, about the real science behind PCOS, hormonal health, menopause, and sustainable weight loss. Khyati, a clinical dietitian and former Chief Dietitian at Lilav...

What does it take to make a city nearly rabies-free without harming a single stray dog? How can compassion transform centuries-old practices of animal exploitation into humane alternatives? In this powerful episode we sit down with Timmie Kumar , Managing Trustee of Help in Suffering and a pioneer in India’s animal welfare movement. Why This Episode Matters: Animal welfare in India is often oversh...

What if temples were managed like professional organizations? In this episode, we sit down with Giresh Vasudev Kulkarni , founder of Temple Connect and the International Temples Convention and Expo , to explore how tradition, spirituality, and modern management intersect in the evolving landscape of temple culture. Why This Episode Matters: This episode is about the future of cultural heritage in...

In this episode, we speak with Rashi Ray , Director at Response India and co-founder of the fearless Zero Budget Agency . One of the youngest women leaders in Indian advertising, Rashi has carved her own path in a male-dominated industry, bringing bold ideas, Bengali storytelling, and a fresh perspective to brand building. Why This Episode Matters: The world of advertising is changing fast, from t...

What does it mean to rise as a first-generation lawyer in India’s complex legal corridors, working under legends like Ram Jethmalani, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Aman Lekhi? In this episode, we sit down with Supreme Court Advocate Nipun Katyal, who has represented clients in some of India’s most high-profile cases—from corporate giants and political controversies to debates on rape laws, LGBTQ+ rig...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Amrit Ahuja — a trailblazing communication consultant, transformational coach, and the first Indian woman on the Cannes Lions Jury for Tech in PR. With over 30 years of experience across marketing, PR, digital media, and social impact, Amrit shares her remarkable journey from starting late in her career, leading roles at Meta, UNICEF, and the Michael &am...

In this episode we are in conversation with Tanushree Das — actor and social advocate who blends art and activism in powerful ways. Known for her compelling role in Sector 36 , the crime thriller starring Vikrant Massey, Tanushree has also carved a unique space in theatre and performance art. From working behind the camera as an assistant director to building her voice as an actor, she reflects on...

In this episode Mohua sits down with Deepa Chauhan — MasterChef finalist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate of Sindhi cuisine. From entering MasterChef at the age of 52 to redefining food through memory, culture, and emotion, Deepa shares her remarkable journey. She opens up about the philosophy behind Sindhi cooking, the layered complexity of Indian flavors compared to Western cuisines, and h...

Introduction: Once a child living on the streets of Delhi, to being named in Forbes 30 under 30 , photographer Vicky Roy’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, Vicky opens up about running away from home at the age of 11, working at a roadside dhaba , and finding a family and purpose at a shelter home. Why This Episode Matters: Vicky’s story is proof that your past does not...

In this powerful episode, Dalit Christian poet Aleena opens up about navigating caste discrimination in Christianity, growing up in rural Kerala, and reclaiming identity through poetry and activism. We dive deep into uncomfortable truths: Why caste isn’t just a Hindu problem How Christianity in India mirrors Brahminical hierarchies The Christian caste structure and the erasure of Dalit converts Th...

Can wisdom be shared in a minute? In this profound and thought-provoking conversation, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee—author, philosopher, and Director of IIM Kozhikode—challenges our conventional notions of time, knowledge, and reality. Drawing from his new book One Minute Wisdom, he explores how life’s most transformative insights often strike in seconds—not through theory, but through lived experien...

What does it take to leave a stable corporate job and dive into filmmaking, without a studio, budget, or backing? In this compelling episode, Ananyabrata Chakravorty, writer-director of Kaisi Ye Paheli , shares his courageous journey from Bangalore’s tech corridors to Mumbai’s indie film sets. From managing bands and writing lyrics in college to sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman...

In this episode, social entrepreneur Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization, shares how he turned a global taboo into a movement. From starting the Restroom Association of Singapore to launching the first World Toilet Summit in Delhi with support from leaders like Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Jack has helped bring toilets to 2.5 billion people. He discusses India's Swachh Bharat Missio...

In this powerful episode, author, activist, and festival curator Sharif D. Rangnekar joins Mohua Chinappa for a deeply personal and political conversation on queer rights in India. They discuss the slow implementation of the NALSA verdict, the stigma behind the blood donation ban, and the challenges queer communities face in accessing public spaces. Sharif reflects on his own journey of surviving...

Celebrated actor and activist Kalki Koechlin joins us to share her journey across cultures and art forms—from growing up in Tamil Nadu with French parents to making bold creative choices in theatre, film, and digital media. She opens up about navigating identity, overcoming rejection, and redefining motherhood and feminism. From Margarita with a Straw to Made in Heaven, Kalki reflects on storytell...

In this enlightening podcast episode, Sonal Giani, a prominent LGBTQIA+ advocate, delves into the complex landscape of queer activism. The discussion opens with the impact of global political backlash, exemplified by figures like Donald Trump, on LGBTQIA+ initiatives, highlighting funding cuts and safety challenges in India. Giani shares poignant insights into the evolving visibility of lesbian re...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Dr. Nighat Arif, GP, women’s health expert, and author of The Knowledge: Your Guide to Female Health , takes us on a journey through the often-overlooked landscape of women’s health. With warmth and clarity, she unpacks the biological changes women experience throughout their lives and calls out the cultural taboos that too often silence these essential co...

In this conversation, Mohua and Trauma counselor Renee Chopping delve into the alarming realities of digital exploitation, particularly focusing on the safety of children in a hypersexualized online environment. They discuss the troubling influence of social media platforms like Instagram & Spotify, the radicalization of young boys through toxic ideologies, and the pervasive myths surrounding...

In this engaging conversation, Anuradha Gupta, a pioneering woman entrepreneur, shares her journey in the matchmaking industry and the challenges she faced as a woman in business. She discusses the evolution of relationships, the importance of financial independence for women, and the need for emotional wellness in the workplace. Anuradha emphasizes the significance of humility in leadership and t...

What if the journey of parenting began long before your baby is even born? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Dr. Sonal Jain Jayaswal takes us through the practice of Garbh Sanskar—a timeless tradition that combines ancient Indian wisdom with the latest in medical science to nurture babies right from the womb. Drawing from her own emotional journey with conception, she opens up about the c...

In this warm and reflective episode of The Mohua Show , Dr. Saroj Dubey—gastroenterologist and author of Rx for Resilience —shares the deeply personal journey that led him to write his book. Born from heartbreak and emotional upheaval, his story is one of growth, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from living in the present moment. Dr. Dubey speaks about acceptance as an active, empowering...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we sit down with the multi-faceted Amrutha Dongray—a poet, author, and jewellery designer—who shares the winding path she’s taken to find her voice, both on the page and in life. Amrutha opens up about growing up with strong parental influences, how early leadership roles shaped her, and the big move from Bombay to Bangalore that changed everything. She tal...

In this episode of The Mohua Show, we celebrate the legacy of one of India’s most iconic textile businesses, Mysore Saree Udyog. In conversation with co-founder Dinesh Talera, we explore the fascinating journey of a family business that has stood the test of time.  Dinesh talks about what it takes to run a decades-old family business, the beauty of zari work and handcrafted sarees, and why integri...

What makes a nuclear physicist leave science to transform millions of lives? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kalpana Sankar shares her extraordinary journey—from working in cutting-edge research to building Hand in Hand India, an organization that has uplifted millions of women through microfinance, education, and entrepreneurship. She dives into the game-changing five-pillar approach that tack...