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+ rights, and the value of unpaid labour. Why This Episode Matters: The Indian legal system is not j...
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 & Susan Dell Foundation, to reinventing herself as a gig worker at 60. Why This Episode Matters:...
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 what it takes to survive and thrive in Bollywood and Indian theatre as an outsider. Why This Epis...
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 her belief that food is more than presentation — it’s about connection, nostalgia, and home. This ...
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 define your future—your perspective does. From documenting shelter homes and street children to bei...
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 problemHow Christianity in India mirrors Brahminical hierarchiesThe Christian caste structure and the erasure of Dalit convertsThe caste census and what it reveals about Savarna overrepresentation in institutionsWhy upper castes ...
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 experience. From near-death moments to simple acts of integrity, Prof. Chatterjee shares powerful real-...
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 Khan, Ananyabrata has carved a path that defies convention. In this episode, he opens up about the...
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 Mission, films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, and partnerships with Reckitt’s Harpic World Toilet College. With...
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 sexual assault, the importance of creating inclusive literary platforms like the Rainbow Lit Fest...
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 storytelling, resilience, and the evolving landscape of cinema in the OTT era. With honesty and insight, s...
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 relationships, emphasizing historical struggles and the burgeoning hope for acceptance. The e...
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 conversations. From navigating the challenges of menopause to understanding why cervical cancer scre...
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 human trafficking. The conversation debunks myths about human trafficking, focusing on psyc...
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 the changing dynamics of gender roles in modern relationships. The conversation also touches on th...
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 challenges, hopes, and lessons that shaped her path. Dr. Sonal reminds us that pregnancy isn’t mor...
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 choice, and how saying “yes” to life even in its messiest moments can transform our inner world. H...
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 talks about how adopting pets helped her face fears and feel love in a new way, and how writing poet...
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 integrity in pricing and exceptional customer service still lie at the heart of their success. We a...
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 tackles poverty at its roots and explains why financial independence is the ultimate tool for empower...