Desi Dreamers

I am joined by Nikita Ladwa, founder of The Naked Laundry and Auri. Through her work in fashion and entrepreneurship, Nikita explores how South Asian occasionwear can become more versatile, modern and accessible. We talk about the wardrobe problem that sparked The Naked Laundry, the creative thinking behind the brand new venture Auri, and how diaspora life often involves adapting what already exis...

I speak with Gaia Ahuja, a DJ, creative and member of Girls Don’t Sync. Gaia’s work sits at the intersection of music, nightlife, community and belonging. We explore how dancefloors can become spaces of freedom, how collective creativity can challenge who gets access to music culture, and what it means to feel represented rather than simply visible. This episode looks at nightlife as community, ba...

This special episode was recorded live at Roundhouse 360, where I hosted Aditya Narayan’s show My Name is a Two-Person Sport. Aditya is a poet based in Edinburgh and winner of the 2025 Roundhouse Poetry Slam. We discuss his journey to the UK, his return to spoken word, and the creative process behind his debut pamphlet. Through themes of language, migration, love and grief, this episode explores p...

In this special fashion roundtable, I speak with Sapna Patel, Nidhi Uppal and Uma Shah about clothing, textiles and identity. Together, they explore how fashion can carry stories of heritage, memory, celebration and belonging. From diaspora design and sari styling to streetwear and cultural storytelling, we discuss how South Asian fashion is being reimagined by a new generation of creatives. This...

I am joined by Preeti, creator and host of It’s Preeti Personal, a podcast about navigating your 20s and 30s, from careers and money to relationships and self-development. When she did not see her experiences reflected in mainstream media, Preeti built the community she wished existed. We talk about vulnerability, podcasting, building trust with an audience, and creating space for the conversation...

I sit down with Saloni, a singer known for blending classical South Asian sounds with contemporary Western influences. With a soulful voice, genre-hopping collaborations and the ability to sing in 10 different languages, Saloni reflects on her musical roots, creative process and the artists who have shaped her journey. We explore what it means to carry cultural legacy through sound, how she balanc...

Nikhita is joined by Rohan Rakhit: a dynamic DJ, actor, and creative director behind the vibrant Mehfil event series. As a key member of the Daytimers collective, Rohan is helping reshape South Asian representation across music and the arts. From festival stages like Lost Village and We Out Here to performances at the Old Vic, his work spans genres and platforms. We dive into his creative journey,...

Nikhita chats to Tabitha Mary: a Tamil beauty content creator and model whose work is redefining beauty standards for the young South Asian community. From her beginnings in a small German city to building a career in London, Tabitha shares her powerful journey of resilience, self-expression, and confronting colourism. We discuss how she turned her passion for beauty into a full-time career, and h...

Nikhita is joined by Anisha Parmar: UK-based jewellery designer and multidisciplinary creative whose work celebrates the richness of hybrid heritage. Through her brand, Anisha Parmar London, she crafts bold, empowering pieces that fuse South Asian traditions with contemporary design. We explore how she uses adornment as a form of storytelling, her journey from product design to creative entreprene...

Nikhita speaks with Dhruva Balram—Indian-Canadian writer, editor, and creative producer based in London. As co-founder of Dialled In, Dhruva has been at the forefront of celebrating South Asian creativity through music, culture, and community. With bylines in The Guardian, NPR, and NME, his work spotlights underrepresented voices and explores the complexities of identity. Join us as we discuss his...

Nikhita is joined by the incredibly talented photographer and visual artist, Mathushaa Sagthidas. Through powerful imagery and thoughtful storytelling, Mathushaa explores identity, heritage, and the immigrant experience, drawing deeply from her Tamil Sri Lankan roots. Her work, featured in platforms like the British Journal of Photography, challenges stereotypes and highlights the rich diversity w...

Nikhita sits down with Nila Varman, an award-winning entertainment reporter, radio host and youth activist. Known for her platform The Nila Extract, Nila is on a mission to challenge stereotypes and open up bold conversations about South Asian culture. They explore how cultural roots, faith and heritage have shaped her journey through education and into the media spotlight. Tune in for an honest,...