The Mohua Show

This episode of The Mohua Show is a powerful conversation about storytelling as civic action—and why entertainment, when done right, can move people to remember, feel, and act. Filmmaker and producer, Anushka Shah , Founder of Civic Studios speaks about building stories that travel across borders while staying rooted in purpose. From India–UK collaborations and global co-productions to climate sto...

This episode of The Mohua Show is a thoughtful exploration of leadership, technology, and what it means to stay human in an age of constant change.. As the Managing Director of Planview India, Shalini Sankarshana reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, mentorship, and the courage to say yes. From navigating global work cultures to rethinking leadership in an AI-driven world, she shares why adapt...

This episode of The Mohua Show is a vibrant reclamation of identity and tradition. Drag artist and expressionist Patruni Chidananda Sastry dismantles Western imports to reveal the deep, ancient Indian roots of drag—from spiritual rituals to folk theatre—arguing that this art of gender expression was born here, stylised abroad, and is now coming home. A conversation about the masks we wear to tell...

This episode of The Mohua Show is a masterclass in raw entrepreneurial grit. Creator Panasha Siotia shares her journey from a 10,000-rupee salary to building a thriving live-commerce business, powered by relentless consistency and a refusal to settle. A conversation about the fuel of ambition and the daily discipline that turns a side hustle into a legacy. What this episode is REALLY about Not an...

This episode of The Mohua Show is a reality check to the core. Dr. Ruby Makhija , an environmental scientist and waste management expert, dissects the invisible psychology of our throwaway culture and the systems that sustain it. A conversation about the lies we tell ourselves to feel good, and the hard truths we must face to do good. What this episode is REALLY about Not just recycling. Not just...

This episode of The Mohua Show is a quiet earthquake under the foundations of modern love. Actor Priyanka Bose confronts the invisible cages of partnership, power, and gaze, asking how we build relationships where no one feels suffocated by the past. A raw conversation about the claustrophobia of patriarchy, the failures of female solidarity, and the unexpected safety found in a truly present man....

This episode of The Mohua Show is a generational punch to the heart. Author Aarti Narayan , a former MNC executive , tells the story behind her debut novel, The Lives She Carried , inspired by her grandmother, a woman from pre-Independence Kerala who turned pain into power and raised nine children against impossible odds. A conversation about what women are taught to endure and what they choose to...

In this powerful episode, host Mohua Chinappa sits down with K. J. Alphons — former IAS officer, politician, best-selling author and one of India’s most respected change-makers . From being labelled “ an idiot ” in school and scoring 42% in his board exam **, to becoming a topper in the IAS , India’s global face in governance, and author of The Winning Formula — Alphonse’s journey is a living test...

Why do men's mental health and domestic abuse cases often go unheard? How can we move beyond gender stereotypes in relationships and mental health? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of TMS, we sit down with Dr. Aninda Sidhana, who shares her journey of rebuilding her life multiple times while challenging societal norms. As a voice against gender stereotypes, Dr. Aninda Sidhana discusses...

What does it take to build a career in publishing? How is technology changing the world of books? And why is vulnerability the secret weapon for creative professionals? In this insightful episode of TMS, we sit down with Sudheshna, a publishing professional and writer who started her journey by writing randomly, never expecting her work would find an audience. She pulls back the curtain on the pub...

What does it mean to be a man when your childhood was stolen by abuse? How can we create a world where male survivors are heard, believed, and healed? In this profoundly courageous episode, we sit down with Robert H. Marshall Jr.—a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, advocate, and a voice for the countless men silenced by trauma and stigma. He shares his harrowing journey of survival, the heavy cl...

What does it take to become a documentary photographer when you come from a place where art isn't considered a "real career"? How does one capture the soul of communities through a lens? In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Mrityunjay - documentary photographer, filmmaker, and multidisciplinary storyteller. He shares his extraordinary journey of breaking away from the typical "enginee...

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...