The Literature Lounge

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with the incredible Sandhya Mridul, a celebrated Bollywood actor and now author of the book, Untamed. Sandhya opens up about her deeply personal journey as a writer, sharing the inspiration behind her debut book and the experiences that shaped it. She takes us through the raw and tender themes of healing, grief, and self-discovery, speaking candidly about how...

*Episode Summary* In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Aruna Kalra, acclaimed author of I Want a Boy, joins us to discuss the complex realities of gender bias. Drawing from her personal experiences, Dr. Kalra delves into the societal and healthcare impacts of gender preferences, exploring how socio-economic factors and safety concerns perpetuate these biases. She opens up about the challenges sh...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, we have an enlightening conversation with Shyamlal Yadav, a leading investigative journalist and RTI expert, as he dives into his latest book, At the Heart of Power: The Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh. Shyamlal takes us through the political evolution of Uttar Pradesh, detailing its formation, the influence of its chief ministers, and the prominent role...

On this episode of The Literature Lounge, we welcome the renowned NDTV host and wildlife advocate, Gargi Rawat. Gargi takes us on a captivating journey through her experiences, sharing personal stories with tigers and the inspiration behind her book, Tiger Season. She dives deep into the complexities of man-animal conflict and its impact on conservation, emphasizing the vital role of community inv...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, we’re excited to have author and film critic Roshmila Bhattacharya talk about her book Bad Men: Bollywood's Iconic Villains. Roshmila takes us through the fascinating journey of Bollywood villains, from classic bad guys to today’s complex characters that make us think twice about good and evil. She talks about iconic “Gentlemen Villains” like Pran and Amri...

In this episode of The Mohua Show, we sit down with Gita Balakrishnan, author of 1700 in 70: A Walk for a Cause, to explore her extraordinary journey of walking 1,700 kilometers over 70 days from Kolkata to Delhi. At fifty-three, Gita embarked on this ambitious trek to uncover India's design sensibilities, initiate a dialogue on design literacy, and highlight the power of architecture in shaping c...

*Episode Summary* In this episode of The Literature Lounge, Arvind Wable, author of Culture Eats Creativity for Lunch: The Ulkaway, dives into the fascinating world of advertising and organizational culture. He begins by sharing the inspiration behind his latest book, reflecting on his experiences with mentors and quirky bosses in the dynamic advertising industry. Arvind delves into "The Ulka Way,...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, we are joined by the dynamic Dr. Shamoly Khera to explore her latest book, Letters to Daughters of Tomorrow. Shamoly opens up about the book’s powerful message of breaking free from stereotypes and societal conditioning, sharing how deeply the chapters resonate with her own life. She discusses the importance of women uplifting one another, the transformati...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge, author Nirmala Nayak discusses her book Menstruation: Moon, Men and More, shedding light on the vital role of parents in educating children about menstruation. She emphasizes the importance of breaking taboos through open conversations and education, both about menstruation and menopause. Nirmala explores the relationship between yoga and menstruation, hig...

In this episode, we sit down with Sandeep Nulkar, renowned author of Mind it!: A Tongue-in-Cheek Look at How Indian English Can Amuse and Even Confuse and a pioneering figure in the translation industry. Sandeep shares his fascinating journey, from his early days in the world of language to becoming the first Asian to receive the prestigious "Outstanding Contribution to the Language Industry" awar...

In this insightful episode, Alpana Killawala, author of A Fly on the RBI Wall: An Insider’s View of the Central Bank, dives into the inspiration behind her book, drawing from her rich experience as the former Chief General Manager at the Reserve Bank of India. She unpacks the evolution of the RBI, discussing its pivotal role in shaping India's financial landscape. Alpana Killawala sheds light on t...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed author Kaushik Ganguli to explore his fascinating journey as a writer. Kaushik Ganguli takes us through the evolution of his craft, discussing the highs and lows of his career, including the experiences that shaped his best-selling books and his collaborative ventures as a co-author. He delves into the intricacies of his work Rhyme of the Modern Mariner,...

In this episode, we sit down with Radhika Oberoi , a talented author known for her compelling storytelling . Radhika shares insights into her personal background, detailing the journey that shaped her as a writer. She delves into the inspiration behind her poignant novel, Of Mothers and Other Perishables, a deeply emotional exploration of loss and memory. Radhika discusses her unique choice to nar...

In this episode, we sit down with Shivani Gupta, renowned accessibility consultant, author, and advocate for disability rights in India. After a life-altering car accident left her paralyzed, Shivani's journey of resilience deepened when a second tragedy struck. She shares the emotional challenges of her recovery, finding strength in adversity, and the life lessons learned from love and loss. Shi...

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Sandeep Hasurkar —an accomplished author, seasoned investment banker, and respected policy advisor with a wealth of experience in the financial and policy-making sectors. Sandeep offers a deep dive into some of today's most critical global issues, starting with a thought-provoking discussion on climate change and how it's shaping economic and policy de...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , Rochelle Potkar — poet, fiction writer and author of The D’Costa Family — reflects on the creative journey that led her from a corporate career into the world of storytelling. She speaks about the moment she realised that writing was the only thing that truly brought her joy — a discovery that pushed her to leave the safety of a steady corporate life and...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew — author of the debut novel The Remnants of Rebellion — shares the remarkable journey behind a story that stayed with her family for decades before becoming a book. Inspired by a real-life incident from the late 1960s in Kerala, when the Naxal movement and labour unrest shaped plantation life, the novel explores the intersection of...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , Anisha Motwani — a leader and co-author of the book, She Storms the Norm , reflects on her journey of more than three decades in marketing and brand building in India.  From an accidental entry into advertising to becoming a leading voice in the industry, she shares insights on leadership, women’s empowerment, and why global marketing frameworks ofte...

In this powerful episode of The Literature Lounge, Dr. Shalini Mullick — author of One More Chapter, pathologist, and mentor — explores the intersection of literature, medicine, feminism, and womanhood. This isn’t just a conversation about books. It’s about how stories are shaped in hospital corridors, within marriages, through motherhood, and inside the quiet resilience women carry home each day....

In this powerful episode of The Literature Lounge , legendary Bollywood lyricist Sameer Anjaan reveals the real story behind the songs that defined a generation. Before the fame… before Dil … before Aashiqui … there were nights of hunger, doubt, and uncertainty in Mumbai. Sameer shares how he arrived in the city with nothing but belief — writing poetry without direction, struggling to survive, que...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , journalist and author Dan Morrison explores one of colonial India’s most disturbing and forgotten true crime cases — a carefully planned murder carried out using plague bacteria. In a deeply researched conversation, Dan traces how the story found him by accident while researching early medical experiments in India. What began as an investigation into chol...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , journalist and author Herjinder Singh Sahni unpacks how technology quietly rewired Indian politics — long before most of us realised what was happening. Through a sharp, deeply observed conversation, Herjinder traces his early encounters with the Anna Movement, street protests, and newsroom reporting — moments when he first sensed that smartphones were do...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , Mohit Batra , third-generation bookseller and the mind behind Jaipur’s iconic Rajat Book Corner , speaks about what it really takes to keep an independent bookstore alive in a world driven by discounts, algorithms, and digital convenience . Through a deeply personal and reflective conversation, Mohit shares how a single request for a book set his family’s...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , author, disability rights activist, and changemaker Preeti Monga shares her extraordinary journey of survival, self-discovery, and resilience — from losing her eyesight as a child to rebuilding her life after rejection, abuse, and repeated failures. Through a deeply honest and moving conversation, Preeti reflects on what it means to grow up blind in India...

In this episode of The Literature Lounge , children’s author Aanchal Bedi , author of A Day Full of Possibilities , speaks about why children’s stories need to do more than entertain — they need to empower. Through a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation, Aanchal reflects on how a simple 15-page story about an ordinary school day can help children step out of fear, boredom, and helplessness,...