Best Vishal Kumar Podcasts (2025)

1
Phyx44 & the happy cow: the recombinant milk based protein alternative for a sustainable future 19:31

Play Pause

1d ago19:31

19:31

In this episode Ideaspring Capital's founder Naganand talks with Bharath Bakkaraju, the founder of Phyx44, a company manufacturing recombinant protein. They are a deep tech company that is figuring out the alternative to milk and the emission caused by dairy cattle. The numbers are stark and you have to listen to this conversation to understand why…

1
Ep 427: The Boy Who Loved Cricket -- The Vijay Lokapally Story 3:41:11

2d ago3:41:11

3:41:11

Cricket isn't just what happens across 22 yards, and great cricket writers always go beyond the boundary. Vijay Lokapally joins Amit Varma in episode 427 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the joys and heartbreaks of a lifetime of writing about cricket -- and much else. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Vijay …

1
Why this tech investor wants to make farmers his partners while acquiring land for development 29:48

5d ago29:48

29:48

In this episode I talk with Bhavdeep Reddy, angel investor in several companies and founder of Access Developers. In this four decade career he has seen it all - from the rise of #ITservices to #cloudcomputing to #ai. What has remained constant in this rise is the growth of cities and development. Bhavdeep, also known as Bobby, talks about growth t…

1
From Labs to Laws: How Science Can Shape India’s Climate Future | ft. Dr. Jai Asundi 1:03:00

9d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Solving the climate crisis—whether by scaling renewable energy or phasing down fossil fuels—requires rigorous, science-based policy that delivers win-win solutions for stakeholders. In this episode, Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), shares how to navigate India’s complex energy and…

1
War to deploy LLMs in enterprises is wide open, adoption of GPTs require experts - Arun of Articul8 58:42

11d ago58:42

58:42

In this episode we talk to Arun, the founder of Articul8, an LLM company that focuses on building models specifically trained for enterprise scale and security. Learn a lot more about the AI wars in this episode, which is similar to the cloud wars that began more than a decade ago between AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. This time around star…

1
Ep 426: The Life and Music of Shubha Mudgal 4:45:55

16d ago4:45:55

4:45:55

She's straddled the worlds of Hindustani classical and popular music, and is a legend in both spaces. Shubha Mudgal joins Amit Varma in episode 426 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss her life, her music and this changing world. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Shubha Mudgal on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter, Wik…

1
The leaking pipe: Fixing India's Discoms | ft. Alok Kumar 1:05:10

20d ago1:05:10

1:05:10

If there is one common issue that all electricity reforms face in India it is the state of power distribution segment. State owned power distribution companies (discoms) while being marred with financial and operational inefficiencies also plague the rest of the electricity supply chain. Multiple bailout packages and reform schemes have moved the n…

1
Ep 425: The Life and Times of Gurcharan Das 7:54:14

1M ago7:54:14

7:54:14

He reached the top of the corporate world -- and then gave it up to become a writer, with books that probed our deepest questions, and influenced millions of people. Gurcharan Das joins Amit Varma in episode 425 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss his life and learnings. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Gurcha…

1
Hard to Abate, Harder to Ignore: Decarbonizing India’s Heavy Industry | ft. Girish Sethi 1:00:21

1M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

As India moves to reduce its coal dependence and reach its climate goals, the spotlight is turning to hard-to-abate sectors that are both energy-intensive and vital to economic growth. What would a realistic transition look like for these industries? And how can finance, policy, and innovation come together to drive change? In this episode, we spea…

1
Ep 424: Gitanjali Babbar and the Didis of GB Road 3:55:28

1M ago3:55:28

3:55:28

Trained as a journalist, but driven by a desire to make a difference, she spent over a decade working with sex workers in Delhi to understand and improve their lives. Gitanjali Babbar joins Amit Varma in episode 424 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss her learnings about GB Road -- and our strange and twisted society. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES,…

1
Transformation of India’s Power Grid. Part 2: A New Era beckons | ft. Vishal Pandya 1:09:12

2M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

The evolution of India’s electricity grid reflects the ever-changing dynamics of the country’s economic and infrastructure growth. Built as a backbone to coal-based power, the grid is now upgrading itself to handle green electricity, give space to energy storage and be flexible to fluctuating demand-supply scenarios. The India Energy Hour brings a …

1
Story of consumption & Indian brands until 2040 - conversation with Vinay Singh of Fireside Ventures 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

In this episode we talk to Vinay Singh, the co-founder and Partner at Fireside Ventures. Vinay's Venture Capital firm has bet on Indian brands even before the world believed that India can be capable of building long term brands. They got their thesis right by betting on companies that defined India's aspiring consumers. India is ripe for growth, i…

1
Deep tech's success is a key to a sustainable future - Social Alpha's founder Manoj Kumar 1:02:20

2M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

In this episode we talk with Manoj Kumar, the founder of deep tech venture building foundation Social Alpha. This venture development platform started as a passion project but overtime it has helped over 350 startups. The model of Social Alphas unique as in it works with foundations to achieve their deep tech goals. Enjoy the interview. 00:00 - Int…

1
Ep 423: Minar Pimple's Life in Social Work 9:24:54

2M ago9:24:54

9:24:54

He founded the iconic organisation Yuva 50 years ago when he was in his early 20s, pioneered social work in India, and went on to drive change for the UN and Amnesty. Minar Pimple joins Amit Varma in episode 423 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his life, his learnings and the ceaseless tumult in our society. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO …

1
Transformation of India’s Power Grid. Part 1: The Building Blocks | ft. S K Soonee 1:04:58

2M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

The evolution of India’s electricity grid reflects the ever-changing dynamics of the country’s economic and infrastructure growth. Built as a backbone to coal-based power, the grid is now upgrading itself to handle green electricity, give space to energy storage and be flexible to fluctuating demand-supply scenarios. The India Energy Hour brings a …

1
Ep 422: The Past and Present of Cricket 3:00:19

2M ago3:00:19

3:00:19

Cricket is the most unusual of games with the most unusual of histories -- which can reveal so much about our society and our times. Tim Wigmore joins Amit Varma in episode 422 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss the history of Test cricket -- and how the game is changing today. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1…

1
India's fastest growing chronic pain management device, the journey of Litemed and its founders 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

In this episode Naganand Doraswamy of Ideaspring Capital talks to Litemed founders about pain management devices and their efficacy. 00:00 - Introduction to Litemed 00:33 - What does Litemed do? 02:58 - Building a device for pain management and the science of it. 08:14 - Litemed's go-to-market strategy. 12:39 - Innovative marketing of Litemed. 15:5…

1
The journey of Jay Modh's "Intuitive" - AI led business in North America & startup investments 43:18

2M ago43:18

43:18

In this episode of theUpStreamLife we talk with Jay Modh, serial entrepreneur and startup investor. 00:00 - Introduction 01:35 - Transformation with Intuitive 04:44 - Companies that need to innovate fast. 09:40 - Acceleration versus stagnation. 14:47 - Buying habits from clients and what is changing. 23:00 - Why India is changing fast 25:00 - Kids …

1
Slips and Hits of India’s Oil & Gas Story | ft. Jyoti Mukul 1:03:33

3M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

The oil and gas sector in India has been a story of evolution from once private entities turning into nationalised companies and then again the entry of private sector in 1990s. Initially, the upstream oil exploration sector witnessed a lot of private investment but then it slowed down. The downstream oil sector simultaneously saw a variety of soci…

1
Ep 421: Ira Mukhoty's Quest for Unseen Histories 6:04:22

3M ago6:04:22

6:04:22

Too much of our history is looked at through either a colonial lens or a patriarchal one. Ira Mukhoty joins Amit Varma in episode 421 of The Seen and the Unseen to share her gaze on India's history, and all that it has taught her. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Ira Mukhoty on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads and …

1
From Declarations to Delivery: How Climate Diplomacy Works | ft. Madhura Joshi 54:00

3M ago54:00

54:00

As the impacts of climate change intensify and clean energy deployment becomes crucial, energy and climate diplomacy have emerged as powerful tools to drive international cooperation and unlock finance, technology, and ambition. From global summits like COP, G7, and G20, to bilateral and multilateral partnerships, countries are negotiating entire f…

1
Ep 420: Siddhartha Basu Is in the Hot Seat 4:10:06

3M ago4:10:06

4:10:06

Circumstance made him a legend of the quizzing world, but Siddhartha Basu is a man of many parts. He joins Amit Varma in episode 420 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about life, India, the art of asking questions and the answers he has found. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Siddhartha Basu on Wikipedia, Twitt…

1
From Mines to Markets: Unpacking India’s Critical Mineral Strategy | ft. Abhinav Sengupta 51:50

4M ago51:50

51:50

Like other peers, India has increasingly started focusing on securing critical minerals for its energy and industrial sectors. From lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, these minerals are essential for clean technologies like batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines. As the world races to secure these resources, India is looking to position…

1
Indian equities, India's rise, Trumpeting Empire, future - thoughts from Bruce Keith of InvestorAi 1:23:54

4M ago1:23:54

1:23:54

In this episode we talk to Bruce Keith, the co-founder of InvestorAi, a systematic investing platform. 00:00 - Introduction to the episode. 01:00 - Bruce Keith and India. 02:00 - India's demographic dividend and its advantage. 03:00 - Fund management globally and in India. 05:00 - Indian mindset and the U.S mindset in equities investment. 07:00 - I…

1
The way we drink water, subscription & access to clean H2O for working India: the DrinkPrime Story 56:34

4M ago56:34

56:34

In this episode we catch up with Manas Ranjan, the co-founder of DrinkPrime, who tells us about how India is subscribing to his company's services. The access to clean drinking water and its narrative is something that he explains to us eloquently. Lets us find out India's working class and water narratives mean for us. 00:00 - Introduction. 01:54 …

1
Ep 419: India's MSME Landscape -- Some Useful Frameworks 4:40:23

4M ago4:40:23

4:40:23

Firms are the means of economic progress. India's micro, small and medium enterprises have been hobbled for decades, and flounder even today. Sudhir Sarnobat and Narendra Shenoy join Amit Varma in episode 419 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss this landscape -- and Sudhir's brilliant new venture that aims to tackle this. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NO…

1
The Art of Cinematic Disruption with Anurag Kashyap & Ram Gopal Verma 1:22:51

4M ago1:22:51

1:22:51

In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Anurag Kashyap and Ram Gopal Verma get real about the art of writing and filmmaking. From twisted plots to breaking all the rules, they spill the secrets behind creating some of the most unconventional films in Indian cinema. Get ready for a rollercoaster conversation with two legends who’ve redefined storytelling! …

1
From cow burps to garbage mounds: The Methane Fix | ft. Hisham Mundol 54:09

4M ago54:09

54:09

Methane is often overlooked in the climate change discourse, as against carbon. Methane is over 80 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period. Released from sources like livestock, landfills, and leaky oil and gas infrastructure, methane is a tricky problem to solve. In this episode we understand what methane emissio…

1
A platform for creators to own their data & monetise their videos: the story of Skara 35:40

4M ago35:40

35:40

In this episode we talk with Udippta Das, the founding team member and head of product development at Skara. The startup is founded in Guwahati, Assam. Udippta talks about why this technology enables Indian creators to make more money than share it with third party distribution apps. 00:00 - Introduction 02:20 - The inspiration behind Skara 07:04 -…

1
The Real Deal on Content Marketing with Gautam Thakker & Mandavi Sharma 47:37

4M ago47:37

47:37

In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Gautam Thakker and Mandavi Sharma share their behind-the-scenes experiences in the world of content marketing. From the challenges of crafting viral campaigns to the triumphs of creating stories that connect, they reveal the real journey of building impactful content. Get ready for an engaging conversation about the…

1
Numocity - India's leading EV network management startup wins big with global contracts 30:09

4M ago30:09

30:09

In this episode of theUpStreamLife we talk with the founders of Numocity. Ideaspring's founder Naganand Doraswamy talks to the Numocity founders Ravi and Siddharth about their global play. 00:00 - Introduction 00:52 - From early stage to success. 02:50 - EV is mainstream. 06:02 - EV market in five years. 10:22 - Robustness of the Numocity tech stac…

1
Ep 418: What Just Happened Between India & Pakistan? 2:29:46

4M ago2:29:46

2:29:46

Why did the attacks in Pahalgam happen? What took place in the skirmishes after that? What have we learnt about geopolitics and our military preparedness? Pranay Kotasthane and Aditya Ramanathan join Amit Varma in episode 418 of The Seen and the Unseen to try to clear some of the fog of war. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also c…

1
Managing Stardom with Rajeev Masand & Kim Sharma 50:45

4M ago50:45

50:45

In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Rajeev Masand and Kim Sharma pull back the curtain on the world of talent management. From spotting fresh talent to handling the ups and downs of fame, they share the real deal behind managing stars. Get ready for a fun, no-holds-barred conversation on what it takes to shape and shine the careers of the next big thi…

1
Can Green Hydrogen Drive India’s Clean Energy Future? | ft. Vijay Shekhawat 51:16

4M ago51:16

51:16

Hydrogen is gaining significant traction as a key element in the global and Indian transition to clean energy. However, with different types of hydrogen production—green, grey, and blue—there’s much to unpack. Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources, is widely regarded as the most sustainable option but is very expensive to produce. …

1
The OTT Shift with Monica Shergill 52:07

5M ago52:07

52:07

In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Monica Shergill breaks down how the streaming revolution has flipped the entertainment world on its head. From binge-watching marathons to on-demand access anytime, Monica reveals how OTT platforms have redefined how we consume content. Tune in for an exciting conversation about the future of entertainment! Listen n…

1
Ep 417: Caste and the Census 2:15:39

5M ago2:15:39

2:15:39

Data is apolitical and always useful, right? Then why is the caste census so controversial? Pranay Kotasthane and Raghu S Jaitley join Amit Varma in episode 417 of The Seen and the Unseen to discuss its history, context and implications. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Pranay Kotasthane on Twitter, LinkedIn, Am…

1
Directing Magic with Kabir Khan on Filmy Hustle 1:31:23

5M ago1:31:23

1:31:23

Ever wondered what goes into turning a script into a blockbuster? In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Kabir Khan spills the secrets of film direction, from the spark of an idea to the thrill of seeing it on the big screen. Get ready for an insider’s tour of filmmaking with one of Bollywood’s most dynamic directors! Listen now! Show Credits : Rosepod P…

1
Catching the Carbon: India's baby steps in CCUS | ft. Atanu Mukherjee 1:05:00

5M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

As India eyes its net zero targets, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is becoming central to decarbonizing core industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. While the technology holds immense promise, its adoption in India remains limited—hindered by cost concerns and lack of policy clarity. To understand the road ahead, we spok…

1
Ep 416: Kavitha Rao Chases Chatto and Roy 2:55:15

5M ago2:55:15

2:55:15

The most astonishing men lie in the far, forgotten corners of history. Kavitha Rao joins Amit Varma in episode 416 of The Seen and the Unseen to shed light on the life and times of two magnificent failures, Chatto and Roy. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Kavitha Rao on Twitter, Instagram, Amazon and her own web…

1
Shekhar Ravjiani and the hustle behind Music for Films 59:07

5M ago59:07

59:07

Bollywood music has changed, and so has the way we experience it. In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Shekhar Ravjiani talks about the shifting landscape of the music industry, the new sounds shaping cinema, and what it takes to stay relevant in a constantly moving world. Tune in for a fascinating look at how times have changed in film music! Listen n…

1
Bringing Movies to the Masses with Devang Sampath, Vishek Chauhan, and Amit Sharma 1:14:54

5M ago1:14:54

1:14:54

What keeps the magic of the big screen alive? In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Devang Sampath, Vishek Chauhan, and Amit Sharma take us inside the world of film exhibition—from the thrill of full-house Fridays to the future of theaters in the streaming era. If you love the cinematic experience, this one’s for you! Listen now! Show Credits : Rosepod …

1
Future-Proofing Indian Businesses: The ESG & Sustainability Imperative | ft. Prarthana Borah 1:02:14

5M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

As India transitions toward a low-carbon future, the private sector’s role in embracing sustainability and ESG is paramount. While top corporations lead with ambitious net-zero goals, many small and mid-sized firms are yet to begin their sustainability and ESG journey — held back by data challenges, lack of awareness, and complex disclosure framewo…

1
Ep 415: Ramki and the Ocean of Stories 4:49:24

5M ago4:49:24

4:49:24

He observed our society from up close as an advertising man -- and then became an iconic storyteller on Twitter. Ramakrishna Desiraju aka Ramki joins Amit Varma in episode 415 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his journey, and all that it taught him. (FOR FULL LINKED SHOW NOTES, GO TO SEENUNSEEN.IN.) Also check out: 1. Ramakrishna Desiraju a…

1
Anupama Chopra on Journalism in the Film World 57:04

5M ago57:04

57:04

In this episode of Filmy Hustle, Anupama Chopra takes us behind the scenes of entertainment journalism. From shaping critical reviews to navigating the world of cinema, she shares her journey and insights into what it takes to be a voice in the industry. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of film criticism and storytelling! Listen now! Show Cre…

1
Algorithms, AI & technology buying in Indian banks: in conversation with Scienaptic Systems 58:44

6M ago58:44

58:44

In this episode we speak with Joydip Gupta who is the APAC head of Scienaptic Systems. Joydip talks about the evolution of the business rule engine in banking and how algorithms today are intelligent to understand an individual's banking needs faster than in the past. Algorithms today allow a risk officer's team to look at the credit history of an …

1
Inside Film Production with Siddharth Roy and Murad Khetani 1:06:21

6M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Get ready for a masterclass in film production with Siddharth Roy and Murad Khetani! In this episode of Filmy Hustle, they break down the magic behind the scenes — from managing chaos to creating cinematic gold. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes into making a movie, this one’s for you! Listen now! Show Credits : Rosepod Presents (A Division …

1
Role of State Owned Enterprises in the Energy Transition | ft. Mr. Deepak Tandon 51:17

6M ago51:17

51:17

State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) in the Oil & Gas sector play a critical role in ensuring energy security for the country. They are among the most diversified entities, spanning the entire oil & gas value chain—from upstream to downstream operations. But as India moves toward its net zero goals, the question arises: Can oil & gas SoEs diversify into …

1
Ep 414 : The Spectacular Life of Prahlad Kakar 3:37:11

6M ago3:37:11

3:37:11

He learnt his craft from Shyam Benegal, became a pioneer & a legend of advertising filmmaking, learnt & taught scuba diving, started the Prithvi Cafe, and lived every moment to the full in a million different ways. Prahlad Kakar joins Amit Varma in episode 414 of The Seen and the Unseen to talk about his long and wondrous life. (FOR FULL LINKED SHO…

1
The Multifaceted R Madhavan on The Filmy Hustle! 1:45:53

6M ago1:45:53

1:45:53

The Filmy Hustle premieres today! In our first episode, R. Madhavan takes us beyond the spotlight, sharing his experience wearing multiple hats in filmmaking—actor, writer, director, and producer. It’s all about the hard work behind the glitz. Listen now! Show Credits : Rosepod Presents (A Division Of Roseaudio Visuals Pvt.Ltd.) The Filmy Hustle Pr…

1
The Filmy Hustle Trailer 1:00

6M ago1:00

1:00

Welcome to 'The Filmy Hustle', A show where we deep dive into the various facets of Filmmaking. Show Credits : Rosepod Presents (A Division Of Roseaudio Visuals Pvt.Ltd.) The Filmy Hustle Produced By: Rosepod (A Division Of Rose Audio Visuals Pvt Ltd) In Association With: Ashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd Guests: R. Madhavan,Siddharth Roy Kapoor,Murad Khet…