Wired In with Saanand Warrier

On this episode of Wired In, Saanand Warrier is joined by Vidhu Ravinath (Founder, Scroll Stop) and Sindhu Biswal (Founder, BuzzLab).Together, they pull back the curtain on the battles playing out in today’s marketing world. - Why performance marketing is losing its edge- The rise of organic and creator-driven strategies- How brands are (mis)using YouTube and podcasts- The influencer economy’s new power dynamics- Where AI is reshaping creative workIf you want to understand where marketing in India is really headed and how brands, creators, and agencies can win the next cycle, this conversation is a masterclass.

In this thought-provoking episode of Wired In with Saananad Warrier, we sit down with the acclaimed actor, director, and activist Prakash Belawadi. Known for his versatile roles in films like Madras Café and Airlift, and his strong opinions on culture and cinema, Prakash shares unparalleled insights into the world of storytelling, identity, and the evolution of Indian cinema.Prakash Belawadi delves into the rise and challenges of Kannada cinema, exploring why it struggles to compete with Malayalam and Tamil industries. He highlights Bollywood's identity crisis and how Hindi cinema is losing cultural roots and audience trust. Prakash emphasizes the power of local stories and the importance of authenticity in storytelling, offering insights on how Kannada films can reclaim their narrative. He also shares his journey from backstage lighting to becoming a respected actor and offers valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers on breaking into the industry and the significance of mentorship. He does not shy away from giving his opinions on the outsider vs local debate that is prevailing in Bangalore and what we can do to make it better. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: 0:00 - Intro1:24 - The Evolution his Career in Acting10:31 - Challenges in the Film Industry 19:01 - Cultural Identity in Regional Cinema 28:31 - The Role of Authenticity in Storytelling 36:01 - Lessons from Malayalam and Tamil Cinema 43:31 - OTT Platforms and the Change in Storytelling 50:01 - Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 58:31 - Reviving Regional cinema 01:06:16 - The Intersection of Technology and Media 01:12:30 - Political Opinions01:20:31 - Thoughts on Kerala 01:26:01 - Purpose of language 01:35:01 - principles of right & left wing 01:39:41 - Being communal in India 01:49:21 - Citizens of Bengaluru 02:10:01 - Reflections on Legacy and the Future of Indian Cinema Don’t miss this engaging conversation as he gives his invaluable perspectives on storytelling, cultural identity, and the evolving film industry.Follow Prakash Belawadi on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grumpyoldbelawadi/?hl=enWant to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD

What happens when a former Australian fast bowler swaps the pitch for the boardroom?Join Saanand Warrier in this revealing conversation with Michael Kasprowicz, where they trace his journey from test cricket to global business. Kaspa opens up about his highs and lows on the field, why he chose an MBA over the commentary box, and how he's now building bridges between India and Australia through sport and enterprise.Topics we cover:- How elite sport prepares you for the boardroom- Why Australia got India wrong. and how that’s changing- Cricket in the Olympics and the future of sports infrastructure- The reality of getting dropped from the national team and how to keep bouncing back- What most recruiters get completely wrong about athletes- Building trust across borders: Australia-India business storiesSubscribe for more such conversations!Follow Michael Kasprowicz Here:LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/michaelkasprowiczTwitter: https://x.com/kaspa369For business inquiries with Michael Kasprowicz, reach out at📩 hello@wirality.coTo know more about WiredIn Podcast? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiredin.culture/---------------Watch Previous Episodes of WiredIn Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK2tN_CsHZ8&list=PLiR54yKq9kGivFHJMRgybu4k4meClPOht---------------About Saanand WarrierSaanand Warrier is the founder and CEO of Wirality, a new media advertising agency based in Bangalore. Over the past decade, he's co-founded organisations that have collectively done an ARR upwards of INR 100 crores. Outside of his entrepreneurial ventures, Saanand is an investor in the startup ecosystem. When Saanand is not running his businesses, he hosts Wired In and Other World, his podcasts. Over time, these shows have become platforms for some of the most accomplished personalities across media, business, sport, and culture. More importantly, they’ve becomes spaces for a burgeoning audience to get to know thought leaders and high-performers in a way they haven’t before.Follow Saanand Warrier Here:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saanandwarrier/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saanandwarrier/Twitter: https://x.com/SaanandWarrier---------------Timestamps: 0:00 – 1:48 Highlights1:48 – 7:36 Early Life and Cricketing Journey7:36 – 9:55 International Career & Perspectives9:55 – 12:51 Transition to Business and Administration12:51 – 19:51 Sports Administration and Its Evolution19:51 – 29:29 Global Growth of Cricket43:29 – 49:25 Australia–India Economic and Cultural Bridge1:15:33 – 1:18:34 Reflections, Personal Advice, and the Business of Sport1:07:49 – 1:11:53 Broader Views on the Game and Society---------------About WiredIn Podcast: WiredIn Culture is a podcast where Saanand Warrier goes deep into the worlds of business, marketing, and advertising. Each episode spotlights a specific niche, from performance marketing and brand strategy to marketing communications and the fast-changing digital media landscape.Through candid conversations with industry leaders, the show surfaces actionable insights and unpacks the subtle dynamics that shape success across these fields.

Cricket isn’t just a sport, it’s emotion, chaos, and community. In this episode of Other World, I sat down with cricket journalist Avanish Hegde to relive RCB’s historic title win, the unforgettable highs of Indian cricket, and the heartbreaking tragedy that struck during the victory parade in Bengaluru.From the inside stories of auctions, dressing rooms, and player mindsets, to the darker side of sports fandom and stadium culture in India, this conversation goes deep into what makes cricket such a powerful, complicated force.If you’re an RCB fan, a cricket romantic, or someone curious about how sport shapes culture in India, this one is unmissable.Here are some of the topics we covered: RCB’s title run and team rebuildThe culture of fandom and loyalty in Indian cricketBehind-the-scenes stories of cricketers and coachesThe Bengaluru parade tragedy and its aftermathWhat Indian stadiums and fan experiences need to changeTimestamps:00:00 – Highlights01:30 – Intro: Meet Avanish (Sports Anchor & Video Content Lead, Cricket.com)03:40 – IPL 2025: RCB's IPL Victory07:50 – Cricket fans: The emotion, the madness & the global following13:15 – Inside RCB’s rebuild: Key decisions that worked18:00 – Player insights: fitness, preparation & mindset 21:45 – The Bengaluru parade : What went wrong28:10 – Crowd control & fan safety in Indian sports34:30 – How India should improve the live stadium experience41:55 – Team India's transition : Ashwin & Rohit's retirements47:45 – Virat Kohli’s retirement & what it means for Indian cricket52:20 – Who are India’s next-gen stars to watch?56:40 – Lessons from IPL for India’s cricketing future01:00:10 – Final thoughts: The good, bad & ugly of Indian cricketSubscribe for more such conversations!Follow Avanish Hegde Here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegdeeveryday/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/avanish-hegde-a111a6113 To know more about WiredIn Culture Podcast? Instagram: / wiredin.culture ---------------About Saanand WarrierSaanand Warrier is the founder and CEO of Wirality, a new media advertising agency based in Bangalore. Over the past decade, he's co-founded organisations that have collectively done an ARR upwards of INR 100 crores. Outside of his entrepreneurial ventures, Saanand is an investor in the startup ecosystem. When Saanand is not running his businesses, he hosts Wired In and Other World, his podcasts. Over time, these shows have become platforms for some of the most accomplished personalities across media, business, sport, and culture. More importantly, they’ve becomes spaces for a burgeoning audience to get to know thought leaders and high-performers in a way they haven’t before.Follow Saanand Warrier Here:LinkedIn: / saanandwarrier Instagram: / saanandwarrier Twitter: https://x.com/SaanandWarrier---------------

What’s the smartest way for brands to get the most out of their agency partners?Do young marketers really grow faster on the agency side, or is the brand side where the action is?What does the interview process actually look like when India’s top CMOs are hiring marketing talent?We sat down with Manvi Shah, Head of Brand Marketing at HomeLane, and Harneet Bhalla, CMO at 1000Farmacie, to dig into all of that and more. This episode is a front-row seat to how two of India’s sharpest marketing minds think, hire, and build brands that last.Follow Manvi on LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/manvishahFollow Harneet on LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/harneetbhallaWant to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

On this episode of Wired In, we sit down with two of India’s sharpest minds in performance marketing. Deepan Siddhu is the Senior Director of Growth Marketing at JustCall and Ashwin Palo is Associate Vice President of Data & Analytics at HSBC.Together, they break down the real reasons most Meta and Google ads aren’t working in 2025, and what marketers need to do differently.In this episode:- Why ROAS is one of the most misleading metrics out there- The slow death of dashboard-driven decision-making- How automation is reshaping the marketer’s role- Why great creative now matters more than media spend- Why virality doesn’t always lead to growth- And what the smartest brands are doing to actually drive resultsIf you run ads, manage marketing budgets, or work at an agency — you need to hear this.Follow Deepan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepansiddhu/Follow Ashwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwin-palo-55a6a123/Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

What does it take to leave legends like MS Dhoni and Shah Rukh Khan speechless? Narpath Raman is one of the few people who knows. A mentalist who’s wowed India’s biggest celebrities, Narpath is now distilling his craft into a course that teaches the art of charisma and how to make unforgettable first impressions.Joining him on this episode is Vidhu Ravinath, founder of Scroll Stop, who’s leading the marketing efforts for Narpath’s course. Vidhu also breaks down how global icons like Joe Rogan and Donald Trump build die-hard fanbases, and what creators can learn from them.Link Between Cryptocurrency & Human Behaviour 00:00 - 0:06:04How to Avoid Getting Rugpulled Trading Crypto 0:06:49 - 0:08:59Getting Hired by The Ambanis to Perform for SRK 0:09:00 - 0:16:22Was Hitler A Charismatic Leader 0:16:23 - 0:20:39Why Joe Rogan Has Risen to Cult Status 0:20:40 - 0:23:08Is Good Looks A Requirement for Charisma 0:24:00 - 0:26:10The Foundational Traits Required to Be Charismatic 0:26:11 - 0:29:01Everybody Is A Salesperson 0:29:02 - 0:33:03Rating The Sky Sports Broadcasting Team 0:33:04 - 0:34:04Different Types of Charisma 0:34:05 - 0:38:05How to Sell A Course on Charisma 0:38:06 - 0:41:03How do Introverts Learn to Be Charismatic 0:41:04 - 0:45:45Image Consultants vs Life Coaches 0:45:46 - 0:48:17Narpath's Experience Working WIth Gen Z 0:48:18 - 0:50:01Is The Offline World Also Built on The Attention Economy 0:50:02 - 0:53:41Creating A Logline for Yourself 0:53:43 - 0:57:31CIA Techniques to Build A Rapport With People 0:57:32 - 1:03:56Teaching Bollywood Star Kids How to Make Eye Contact 1:03:57 - 1:06:53Giving Dhoni A Jump Scare 1:06:54 - 1:09:22Is There A Paucity of Social Contact Today 1:09:23 - 1:16:07The Emergence of Run Clubs 1:16:08 - 1:17:46Cricketers, Charisma, Media Training 1:17:47 - 1:19:10The Most Famous Un-charismatic People 1:19:11 - 1:28:15Is Narpath A Dating Coach 1:28:16 - 1:30:56Live Mentalist Trick 1:30:57 - 1:35:07Follow Narpath on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narpathndmr/Follow Vidhu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vidhuravinath/Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

Niki Prasad is one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket right now. She captained India to the U19 T20 World Cup title earlier this year, which came on the heels of an U19 Asia Cup victory in 2024. Not long after, she was snapped up by the Delhi Capitals in the WPL and made an immediate impact, bagging a Player of the Match award on debut. It’s the kind of start most athletes only dream of, and yet, Niki sees it as just the beginning.In this episode, I sit down with her to unpack the mindset behind that early success. I dug into what it takes to lead on the big stage, how confidence is built over time, and the moments that shape elite athletes. If you’re curious about what drives someone to perform at the highest level (and keep aiming higher), this one’s worth a listen.00:00 - 07:18 Getting started in cricket 07:19 - 09:31 Mother’s role in supporting cricket career09:32 - 12:16 First coach and cricket academy 12:17 - 14:14 Shift in gender ratio at cricket academies 14:15 - 16:08 Why she admires Rahul Dravid 16:09 - 17:09 Training under the tutelage of VVS Laxman 17:10 - 19:02 Admiration for Virat Kohli 19:03 - 20:04 Increased emphasis on fitness in contemporary cricket 20:05 - 25:39 Debuting for the Karnataka U23 team at 1225:40 - 27:53 A game that changed her career27:54 - 29:43 Figuring out what type of player she wants to be29:44 - 34:08 Not getting picked for the 2023 U19 T20 World Cup34:09 - 35:42 Reaction to getting named captain for the India U19 World Cup team35:43 - 37:24 Enjoying being underestimated37:25 - 39:57 Nisarg Naik’s role and the extended support system 39:58 - 42:58 On managing egos when leading a team42:59 - 44:49 Did she believe India were favourites going into the World Cup?44:50 - 46:00 What it was like lifting the World Cup46:01 - 49:37 The U19 World Cup being just a stepping stone49:38 - 54:15 Getting picked up by the Delhi Capitals54:16 - 56:46 Day 1 in the Delhi Capitals camp56:47 - 57:38 Differences between international cricket and franchise cricket 57:39 - 1:00:15 Why Australia dominates women’s cricket 1:00:16 - 1:02:03 Popularizing cricket in more countries through the women’s game1:02:04 - 1:04:34 Winning Player of the Match in a thrilling win against Mumbai Indians1:04:35 - 1:06:15 Working towards getting picked for the 2025 Women’s World Cup 1:06:16 - 1:09:54 Lack of red ball cricket for women 1:09:55 - 1:10:49 Advice for young cricketersFollow Niki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikiprasad19/Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

Masoud Mohamed is the driving force behind EasyBites, a homegrown QSR brand quickly gaining ground against global fried chicken giants in India. As a third-generation director of the Empire Group of Restaurants, Masoud understands scaling food businesses like few people do.EasyBites has become a local favourite in Bangalore not just for its crispy fried chicken, but also for its standout burgers and the cult-favourite chilly cheese fries.Masoud’s work extends beyond his successful forays in the food business. He's the co-founder of LoudChilli, a branding and design agency, and plays a key role in India's fast-growing pickleball scene as the Treasurer of the Karnataka Pickleball Association. He also runs Empire FC, a football team currently competing in the BDFA C Division. 00:00 – Family, Roots & Early Lessons07:10 – 'Cooking Was Always In My DNA' 08:44 – Gaining A Formal Education In Hospitality09:47 – Interning At Ritz Carlton21:43 – Venturing Into QSR With EasyBites26:58 – Origins Of The Empire Restaurant Chain28:14 – The Growth Strategy For EasyBites42:14 – Will Empire Ever Become A Franchise50:00 – Starting A Football Club - Empire FC58:51 – Is The Bangalore Food Scene Thriving Because of Government Support?1:05:15 – How The Empire Group Survived COVID1:07:07 – Dynamic With Food Delivery Apps Like Swiggy and Zomato1:15:15 – Starting His Design Agency, LoudChilli1:26:26 – Implementing AI In The Restaurant Business1:35:39 – Upcoming Menu Items, New Category Plans1:39:08 – His Role As Karnataka Pickleball Association Treasurer1:43:16 – Advice For Young Entrepreneurs#RestaurantBusiness #BangaloreFoodScene #IndianStartups Follow Masoud on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelefthanderCheck out EasyBites: https://www.instagram.com/easybites.blr/Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

What does it take to leave legends like MS Dhoni and Shah Rukh Khan speechless? Narpath Raman is one of the few people who knows. A mentalist who’s wowed India’s biggest celebrities, Narpath is now distilling his craft into a course that teaches the art of charisma and how to make unforgettable first impressions.Joining him on this episode is Vidhu Ravinath, founder of Scroll Stop, who’s leading the marketing efforts for Narpath’s course. Vidhu also breaks down how global icons like Joe Rogan and Donald Trump build die-hard fanbases, and what creators can learn from them.Link Between Cryptocurrency & Human Behaviour 00:00 - 0:06:04How to Avoid Getting Rugpulled Trading Crypto 0:06:49 - 0:08:59Getting Hired by The Ambanis to Perform for SRK 0:09:00 - 0:16:22Was Hitler A Charismatic Leader 0:16:23 - 0:20:39Why Joe Rogan Has Risen to Cult Status 0:20:40 - 0:23:08Is Good Looks A Requirement for Charisma 0:24:00 - 0:26:10The Foundational Traits Required to Be Charismatic 0:26:11 - 0:29:01Everybody Is A Salesperson 0:29:02 - 0:33:03Rating The Sky Sports Broadcasting Team 0:33:04 - 0:34:04Different Types of Charisma 0:34:05 - 0:38:05How to Sell A Course on Charisma 0:38:06 - 0:41:03How do Introverts Learn to Be Charismatic 0:41:04 - 0:45:45Image Consultants vs Life Coaches 0:45:46 - 0:48:17Narpath's Experience Working WIth Gen Z 0:48:18 - 0:50:01Is The Offline World Also Built on The Attention Economy 0:50:02 - 0:53:41Creating A Logline for Yourself 0:53:43 - 0:57:31CIA Techniques to Build A Rapport With People 0:57:32 - 1:03:56Teaching Bollywood Star Kids How to Make Eye Contact 1:03:57 - 1:06:53Giving Dhoni A Jump Scare 1:06:54 - 1:09:22Is There A Paucity of Social Contact Today 1:09:23 - 1:16:07The Emergence of Run Clubs 1:16:08 - 1:17:46Cricketers, Charisma, Media Training 1:17:47 - 1:19:10The Most Famous Un-charismatic People 1:19:11 - 1:28:15Is Narpath A Dating Coach 1:28:16 - 1:30:56Live Mentalist Trick 1:30:57 - 1:35:07Follow Narpath on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narpathndmr/Follow Vidhu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vidhuravinath/Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

This week on WiredIn, I’m joined by Ashok Lalla and Karthik Srinivasan, two of the sharpest minds in advertising and communications in India. These gentlemen have got decades of experience spanning agencies, in-house leadership, and consulting. That breadth of experience gives them a unique perspective on where the industry is headed. In this episode, we dive into some of the biggest challenges shaping marketing today–from the talent crisis in advertising to the ways in which agencies have devalued themselves in their relationship with clients.Here are some of the other things we got around to discussing in our 3-hour conversation: The changing dynamics of marketing & advertising: Why agencies today are often treated as vendors rather than strategic partners, and how this shift is reshaping the industry.The role of personal branding vs. influencer marketing: Understanding the distinction between real influence and visibility, and why many founders unknowingly market to investors rather than consumers.How brands can move beyond short-term tactics: Why marketing leaders should focus on long-term brand-building rather than optimizing for immediate performance metrics.If you want to understand the future of advertising and marketing beyond just trends and tactics, you don’t want to miss this one.

When I attended a Meta event last December, it became clear to me that UGC was becoming not just a buzzword, but a format that marketers were putting both thought and marketing dollars into. So I decided to bring together the only three people who I knew were immersed in developing UGC content - Vidhu Ravinath, Sindhu Biswal, and Aman Singh. Here’s a quick introduction to the panel: Aman Singh is the founder of Insane Marketers, an agency that helped MamaEarth scale from 2 lakh to 2.6 crores in monthly revenue. His agency’s client list also includes such names as Ankur Warikoo and Dev Gadhvi. Sindhu Biswal has played a key role in the early-stage growth of homegrown industry-leading brands like Paytm Insider, Pocket Aces, and Wakefit. Following a career as a growth consultant to the country’s top brands, he’s now building Buzzlab, a content-led growth agency. The third member of the panel is Vidhu Ravinath, the founder of Scroll Stop. Vidhu is uniquely positioned to talk about UGC because his agency is geared exclusively towards creating content that drives up ROAS using performance creatives. Talk about a loaded lineup. In our marathon 2-hour conversation, we did, of course, do a deep dive into UGC: what it is, how companies can leverage it, and some examples of great content in the niche. But we also got around to talking about some other key developments influencing marketing today. Things like artificial intelligence influencers, vertical video, and short content formats. You don’t want to miss this one if you’re in any way part of the Indian marketing ecosystem in 2025. #usergeneratedcontent#ugc#marketing#socialmediamarketing#branding Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram:https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X:https://bit.ly/45oC8eDLinkedin:https://bit.ly/4aV20ByFollow Aman Singh on: Instagram:  / insane.aman   Linkedin:  / insaneaman   Follow Sindhu Biswal on: Instagram:  / sindhu.biswal   X:https://x.com/sindhubiswalLinkedin:  / sindhubiswal   Follow Vidhu Ravinath on: Instagram:  / vidhuravinath   X:https://x.com/vidhuravinath Linkedin:  / vidhuravinath  

Say hello to Abhinav Arora, a marketing consultant who co-founded a startup that was acquired by Unacademy. He’s also worked with some of India’s top FMCG and B2B companies. Here’s why I was excited to have him on my podcast. Abhinav is a true practitioner; the content that he creates online has amassed a following of over 250,000 across different social platforms Avalon Scenes, the community management product startup at which he was co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, was acquired by ed-tech giant Unacademy in 2021 He now consults with some of the top D2C and B2B startups in India Given that background, the conversation we had on my podcast covered a lot of ground, including: What software startups can learn from the way FMCG companies do sales and growth How India’s heterogeneity affects brands’ ability to realize true multi-region national dominance The reasons some startups and brands SHOULD NOT invest in organic social media content creation If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to the channel so that you’re in the know when new episodes drop! Follow Abhinav Arora on: Instagram:   / abhinav.aurora   X: https://x.com/abhinavxarora Linkedin:   / abhinavxarora   Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD Linkedin: https://bit.ly/4aV20By

In this thought-provoking episode of Wired In with Saananad Warrier, we sit down with the acclaimed actor, director, and activist Prakash Belawadi. Known for his versatile roles in films like Madras Café and Airlift, and his strong opinions on culture and cinema, Prakash shares unparalleled insights into the world of storytelling, identity, and the evolution of Indian cinema. Prakash Belawadi delves into the rise and challenges of Kannada cinema, exploring why it struggles to compete with Malayalam and Tamil industries. He highlights Bollywood's identity crisis and how Hindi cinema is losing cultural roots and audience trust. Prakash emphasizes the power of local stories and the importance of authenticity in storytelling, offering insights on how Kannada films can reclaim their narrative. He also shares his journey from backstage lighting to becoming a respected actor and offers valuable advice for aspiring filmmakers on breaking into the industry and the significance of mentorship. He does not shy away from giving his opinions on the outsider vs local debate that is prevailing in Bangalore and what we can do to make it better. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - The Evolution his Career in Acting 10:31 - Challenges in the Film Industry 19:01 - Cultural Identity in Regional Cinema 28:31 - The Role of Authenticity in Storytelling 36:01 - Lessons from Malayalam and Tamil Cinema 43:31 - OTT Platforms and the Change in Storytelling 50:01 - Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 58:31 - Reviving Regional cinema 01:06:16 - The Intersection of Technology and Media 01:12:30 - Political Opinions 01:20:31 - Thoughts on Kerala 01:26:01 - Purpose of language 01:35:01 - principles of right & left wing 01:39:41 - Being communal in India 01:49:21 - Citizens of Bengaluru 02:10:01 - Reflections on Legacy and the Future of Indian Cinema Don’t miss this engaging conversation as he gives his invaluable perspectives on storytelling, cultural identity, and the evolving film industry. Follow Prakash Belawadi on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grumpyoldbelawadi/?hl=en Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg X: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD

In this episode, I sat down with Vyom Bhatia, a young entrepreneur whose journey truly blew me away. From figuring out machine learning on a broken laptop to building a business that thrives on storytelling, personal branding, and content marketing, his story is nothing short of inspiring. We dove into the highs and lows of his journey — the moments of uncertainty, the lessons from failure, and the wins that made it all worthwhile. What stood out to me most was his ability to constantly adapt, pivot, and scale ideas. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode: 01:03 - Introduction and Origins 17:00 - Starting and building Marty Martin 31:06 - Evolving Social Media algorithms and organic reach 38:04 - Building and scaling communities 42:17 - Reinventing yourself 45:22 - Stresses of running an agency 51:12 - Working with Gen-Z and Millennials 1:02:36 - Taking care of your employees 1:10:44 - Creators working in an agency 1:21:00 - Inspirations & learnings 1:29:17 - Working with difficult clients 1:35:59 - Opinions on young professionals 1:44:41 - Are Brand Guidelines necessary? 2:05:08 - Learning marketing from courses 2:12:58 - Maturing with age & experience 2:22:53 - Advice to young entrepreneurs This conversation is packed with real, no-fluff advice for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, content creation, or marketing. Whether you’re just starting out as a content creator or looking to be a young entrepreneur, this episode has something for you. I can’t wait for you to hear the practical insights and personal stories that came out of this conversation.  Follow Vyom Bhatia on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vyombhatia/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vyombh/ Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg Twitter: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD

In this episode of WiredIN Podcast, I sit down with Shahbaaz Mohammad, Former Head of Brand Marketing at CultFit, and Sindhu Biswal the founder of Buzz Labs, to talk about the shifting dynamics of modern day marketing. We dive into the challenges brands face today—balancing creativity with data, building lasting consumer loyalty, and staying ahead in a fast-paced, competitive landscape. Shahbaaz and Sindhu bring in their firsthand experiences, sharing insights on performance marketing, product-led growth, and the importance of getting creative execution right. We also explore how brands can build genuine connections with consumers while navigating the pressure of short-term results and long-term brand building. Whether you're a marketer, a brand enthusiast, or just curious about how successful campaigns come together, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples.

On this episode of the WiredIN Podcast, Akshay Kingar is back!In our last conversation, Akshay and I couldn’t wrap up our engaging AI vs human debate, so we got a chance to set the record straight. We also dive deep into the essential skills every product manager needs—empathy, strategic problem-solving, and user-centric design—to build impactful products that stand the test of time. Akshay shares how companies like Amazon develop their product managers, combining time-based evaluations with outcome-focused growth paths to foster both skills and success. We also dig into why so many product launches—about 70%—struggle to make a lasting impact and explore how learning from those experiences can lead to transformative strategies. Akshay opens up about his own entrepreneurial journey, reflecting on valuable lessons learned from navigating India’s distributor and retail landscape. He reveals how building relationships, fostering empathy, and gaining trust can be key to unlocking a product’s market success. For aspiring product managers and entrepreneurs, Akshay emphasizes the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and developing a problem-solving mindset. He even shares his go-to productivity tools—like Notion, Arc Browser, and Speechify—that help him stay efficient and focused. Join me as I uncover Akshay’s journey and his hard-earned insights, packed with advice for product managers, entrepreneurs, and leaders eager to make a meaningful impact in their careers and industries. Follow Akshay Kingar on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akshay_kingar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshaykingar/ X: https://x.com/talktokingar You can watch the other episodes of WiredIn with Saanand Warrier on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms. Wanna know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg Twitter: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD Follow Wirality to stay up-to-date with the latest advertising campaigns, solutions, hacks and much more: Youtube: https://bit.ly/3OTK8P9 Instagram: https://bit.ly/459QiR2 Twitter: https://bit.ly/3scO6tt

In this episode, I sit down with Roshan Cariappa for a candid and thought-provoking conversation that spans his incredible journey—from working in a refinery in Jamnagar to becoming a key player in the startup world. We dive deep into how AI is reshaping the job market and what that means for all of us, tackling the burning question: Is AI going to take our jobs? We explore why uniquely human skills like judgment, creativity, and empathy are more important than ever in an age dominated by technology. Roshan shares his insights on the real impact of AI across industries and offers practical advice on how to adapt and thrive amidst these changes. Beyond the tech talk, we delve into personal stories about overcoming challenges, finding meaning, and the pursuit of happiness beyond material wealth. We discuss the realities of greed, gratitude, and growth—questioning what true wealth means and how to find balance in a fast-paced world. We also touch on inspiring figures like Sridhar Vembu and Elon Musk, examining how their approaches can guide us in navigating this rapidly evolving landscape. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by societal pressures or curious about how to stay relevant in the future of work, this episode offers some down-to-earth perspectives and valuable insights. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation packed with real talk about AI, startups, and the human experience. It's a must-watch for anyone trying to navigate the noise and find meaning in a tech-driven world. Follow Roshan Cariappa on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cariappack/ X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa You can watch the other episodes of WiredIN on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms. Wanna know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg Twitter: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD Follow Wirality to stay up-to-date with the latest advertising campaigns, solutions, hacks and much more: Youtube: https://bit.ly/3OTK8P9 Instagram: https://bit.ly/459QiR2 Twitter: https://bit.ly/3scO6tt #podcast #artificialintelligence #ai #machinelearning #deeplearning #datascience #neuralnetworks #automation #techjobs #jobsearch #employment #careergrowth #startup #entrepreneurship #innovationinmarketing #techstartups #businessgrowth #agi #futureofwork #airevolution #robotics #airesearch #aistartup #techentrepreneurs #entrepreneurlife #startuplife #smallbusiness #businesstips #leadership #success #motivation #digitaltransformation #bigdata #aiapplications #aicommunity #aiinnovation #aiinbusiness #aitrends #techinnovation #futuretech #coding #programming #softwaredevelopment #itjobs #careerdevelopment #jobopportunity #hiring #resumetips #jobinterview #worklifebalance #professionaldevelopment #wiredin

In this episode of the WiredIN Podcast, I sit down with Akshay Kingar, an innovative startup founder who shares how he built 100+ products and scaled his team from 3 to 45 employees—all without an office! We explore the ups and downs of building a startup, the power of transparency in leadership, and how coffee shops became the launchpad for his success. You’ll learn how he navigated the challenges of scaling a business, the impact of a strong team culture, and why agile development was a game-changer in building products quickly. If you’re a startup founder or entrepreneur looking for actionable insights, this episode is packed with tips on growing a business and overcoming startup hurdles. Follow Akshay Kingar on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akshay_kingar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshaykingar/ X: https://x.com/talktokingar You can watch the other episodes of WiredIn with Saanand Warrier on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms. Wanna know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg Twitter: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD Follow Wirality to stay up-to-date with the latest advertising campaigns, solutions, hacks and much more: Youtube: https://bit.ly/3OTK8P9 Instagram: https://bit.ly/459QiR2 Twitter: https://bit.ly/3scO6tt Chapters: 00:00 - 00:58 - Introduction 00:58 - 02:00 - Costa Coffee and Bangalore start-up culture 02:00 - 05:49 - The story of "Foofys" 05:49 - 07:17 - Transparency in Entrepreneurship & Team Building 07:17 - 09:24 - Pivoting Foofys from a product based company to a service based company and picking the right clients 09:24 - 11:30 - Maturing as an entrepreneur, structuring the organization and policy making 11:30 - 13:42 - Factors that drove Bangalore's startup culture to it's peak 13:42 - 17:33 - Success stories at "Foofys" 17:33 - 19:16 - early days at the consulting firm 19:16 - 23:00 - Early stage learnings that will make you a good founder 23:00 - 25:02 - What helps make better decisions 25:02 - 26:33 - Character persona and targeting in advertising 26:33 - 29:55 - Products should have the ability to serve an audience and be flexible: The story of "Tabify" 29:55 - 31:26 - Life is a compounding game 31:26 - 33:24 - Entrepreneurship is a function of compounded good decisions 33:24 - 49:23 - Sports culture and entrepreneurship 49:23 - 54:30 - Sub-standard construction is a barrier to utilizing rooftops for doubling up initiatives. 54:30 - 56:22 - The design of everyday things 56:22 - 58:56 - Hierarchy of hospitality chain is flawed. 58:56 - 1:01:31 - Trusting employees without thinking twice creates better experiences for everyone 1:01:31 - 1:06:48 - Pessimism and lack of trust as an entrepreneur is an outcome of broken trust 1:06:48 - 1:08:28 - 1:08:28 - 1:16:05 - Appslack: Solving the problem of contextual commerce. 1:16:05 - 1:18:49 - Transitioning from a Founder to an Employee 1:18:49 - 1:23:14 - Founder mode, Brian Chesky, Steve Jobs 1:23:14 - 1:28:23 - Tech culture and what can make it better 1:28:23 - 1:31:25 - The value of an impression and tracking impact of a marketing campaign 1:31:25 - 1:42:00 - Branding marketing, brand positioning & brand philosophy 1:42:00 - 1:44:33 - Working with Johnny Lever, launching OnePlus mobiles & working with Cred 1:44:33 - 1:47:02 - How to apply for a job 1:47:02 - 1:50:28 - AI and it's impact on employment 1:50:28 - 1:54:22 - Predicting the future of AI 1:54:22 - 1:58:35 - AI regulations and the future of careers 1:58:35 - 1:59:04 - Outro #podcast #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #startup #employment #culture #bangalore

On this episode of Wired In, I sit down with Nisha Millet, an Olympic swimmer and pioneering sports coach, where we dive deep into the world of Olympic swimming, the challenges faced by women in sports, and the future of athletes in India. Nisha Millet is celebrated for being the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics, having represented India at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. With numerous national and international accolades, Nisha's journey from overcoming hydrophobia to becoming an Olympic athlete is nothing short of inspiring. Her story is one of perseverance, determination, and breaking barriers, particularly for women in Indian sports. In this episode, we explore the beginning of her swimming journey, her transition from an athlete to a coach, and the establishment of her own academy. Nisha shares insights into the struggles she faced, including dealing with injuries and the financial challenges that ultimately led her to retire from competitive swimming. We also discuss the evolution of sports culture in India, particularly for women, and the role of family support in shaping an athlete's career. We also touch on the future of Indian sports, with Nisha providing her perspective on the potential for upcoming athletes and the importance of fostering a love for sports in young children. Join us as we uncover the layers of Nisha Millet's incredible journey, offering inspiration and valuable lessons for athletes, coaches, and anyone passionate about sports and its impact on life. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to catch more such conversations where I talk to people from different walks of life, digging deep into their journeys and decoding what keeps them Wired_IN. Follow Nisha Millet on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nishamillet4462 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishamillet/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-millet-b061405/ Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3XGMfL2 Want to know more about me? Follow me on: Instagram: https://bit.ly/45sMvhg Twitter: https://bit.ly/45oC8eD #Olympics #Swimming #WomenInSports #India #AthleteJourney #WiredIn #Podcast #SportsCoaching