Is the healthcare system in India broken, or just evolving? In the latest episode of Barbershop, Shantanu is joined by Viren Shetty, Vice Chairperson of Narayana Health (NH), to explore how the pandemic reshaped global healthcare and how, despite the changes, NH is committed to staying true to its values while introducing its new inpatient care services. Viren proudly reflects on the incredible legacy of his father, Dr. Devi Shetty, one of India’s most renowned cardiac surgeons. He shares how Na...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Is mental health just a buzzword for Gen Z or is it a genuine crisis? In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu leads a candid, cross-generational debate on one of the most misunderstood workplace questions today: Is mental health struggle real for Gen Z? One side, the seasoned professionals, Revant Bhate (Co-Founder & CEO at Mosaic Wellness) and Kaushik Mukherjee (Co-founder & COO at SUGAR Cosmetics), question if the regular hustle is being mistaken for crisis. While the Gen Z voices Vidi...
Jul 11, 2025•20 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Are phones killing brains or just replacing boredom with a dopamine hit? In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu dives into a no-filter conversation with guests from different tech eras to explore the real impact of smartphones on human brains, behaviours, and boundaries. Joining him are Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO, SBFC Finance Ltd) and Damodar Mall [CEO(Grocery Retail ), Reliance Retail] who are amazed to see WhatsApp being the most powerful medium of business, while on the other side, Gauri Bans...
Jul 04, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Is owning a home still the ultimate goal, or are there smarter, more flexible alternatives in today’s fast-changing world? This week on The Bridge , the guests debate about one of the most talked-about life decisions in a GenZ’s life today: to buy a home or rent, with perspectives from seasoned business leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs. On one side, we have industry veterans Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO of SBFC Finance Ltd.), and Luis Miranda (Former Bank Treasurer at HDFC and Ex-CEO...
Jul 01, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Is going to college still the best way to succeed, or is it time to rethink the traditional career routes? In this week’s episode of The Bridge, Shantanu sits down with a diverse group of leaders to explore one of today’s most debated topics: The true value of college education in a fast-evolving world. On one side, we have seasoned entrepreneurs who have led the way in shaping businesses and brands. Abhijeet Dabas, Executive VP & Business Head at Nykaafashion, and Ankush Grover, Co-Founder ...
Jun 27, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Is consumerism in India really making our lives better? Or is it a trend everyone is chasing because of FOMO? From the latest gadgets to fashion trends, the young generation is bombarded by ads, influencers and social media. But at what cost? Are they even thinking about the consequences of overconsumption? This week, the roundtable isn’t here to judge, it only unpacks how Gen Z deals with the pressure of staying on top of trends with the mindset of "buy now, pay later". In the new episode of ‘T...
Jun 24, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Is Startup a real problem-solver or just a way out of toxic jobs? For next-gen, it’s the real escape from 9-to-5s and societal expectations. But as startup culture grows louder, are the deeper motivations being overlooked? In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu hosts a multi-generational roundtable with industry veterans, Abhijeet Dabas (Nykaafashion Executive VP & Business Head - Fashion) and Ankush Grover (Rebel Foods - Co-Founder & CEO), who unpack what decades in finance and leaders...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Is organisational loyalty outdated, or are we asking the wrong questions? This week, on the latest episode of ‘The Bridge’, Shantanu engages in a thought-provoking discussion with leaders from both sides of the generational spectrum. On the one hand, Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO at SBFC Finance Ltd.) and Luis Miranda (Former Bank Treasurer at HDFC and Ex-CEO at IDFC) share valuable insights on why internal promotions, career patience, and organisational commitment remain the bedrock of professional ...
Jun 14, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Thank you for the overwhelming response to Episode 1 of The Bridge! We absolutely loved reading your comments, your thoughts, reflections, and even disagreements made it clear: We need more conversations like these. So, here we are back with Episode 2. This time, we’re asking: IS PERSONAL BRANDING NECESSARY? Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with “being seen”? Why does every Gen Z feel the need to show up online all the time? And is that visibility actually translating to value? Joining Shantanu...
Jun 10, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Is hustle culture quietly killing India’s next generation? Is Gen Z actually giving up at their jobs for reasons evident but often unsaid? Where really is this gap and why is it important to fill it? Next season of the Barbershop is not a season, it’s a completely different story. A whole new setup, a mix of old and new voices, unfiltered views, and debates that often make it out of these leaders’ LinkedIn's, onto the news! 😂 Only this time, we don’t have a 1:1 setup, we have a round table. Joi...
Jun 06, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 18
What if playing it safe is the real courage in entrepreneurship? In Barbershop’s latest episode, Shantanu sits down with Alok Sama (Writer & Investor) to explore what truly makes a CEO great. It’s not just about flashy risks, but staying humble and adapting as things change. How Alok brought his first book ‘The Money Trap’ to life, and how getting a degree in Master of Fine Arts, from NYU at 58 proves that growth has no age. Key Takeaways: - Leadership is as much about humility and adaptabil...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 17
What if you could build your epic career without the fear of failing? In a world chasing speed, Warikoo advises people to try everything, experience it all, until the path becomes clear. In Barbershop’s latest episode, Shantanu chats with Ankur Warikoo (Entrepreneur and Bestselling Author), who deeply talks about personal growth and mindset shifts on career development. He shares his journey about scaling a 70 Cr education empire, ‘WebVeda’, with 100% refundable courses, and yet, it’s thriving e...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 4Ep. 16
To build a business, you should always have your feet on the ground and eyes on the stars. A mindset Manish Taneja has carried from the narrow lanes of Faridabad to build a ₹10,000 Cr beauty giant. In this episode, Shantanu sits down with Manish Taneja (CEO & MD of Purplle.com ) for a raw conversation about the unseen side of entrepreneurship. Growing up in Tier 2 India, Manish never had the blueprint but just a dream to build big. And in 13 years, he turned that fascination into Purplle, a ...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 4Ep. 15
If there’s no existential doubt, it’s not an early-stage business. Because you're just figuring it out, one bold risk at a time. In this episode Shantanu is joined by Vedang Patel (Co-Founder of The Souled Store) and Yogesh Kabra, (Founder of XYXX Apparels) for a raw and honest conversation on what it really takes to start up. As a bootstrapped company, Vedang started with just ₹5 lakhs and a big dream. On the other hand, Yogesh started up in a 250 sq. ft. room in Surat. But Now? These founders ...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Some companies almost don’t make it, until they do. MakeMyTrip could’ve been one of them. In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande is joined by Deep Kalra (Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited) and Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum, Helion and Daksh), one of MMT’s early investors. Kalra and Aggarwal uncover the real behind-the-scenes of building one of India’s most iconic travel companies. This Investor-Founder bond isn’t just about travel. It’s about the courage to stick around when th...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Some companies almost don’t make it, until they do. MakeMyTrip could’ve been one of them. In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande is joined by Deep Kalra (Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited) and Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum, Helion and Daksh), one of MMT’s early investors. Kalra and Aggarwal uncover the real behind-the-scenes of building one of India’s most iconic travel companies. This Investor-Founder bond isn’t just about travel. It’s about the courage to stick around when th...
Apr 19, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Some Founders wait for the “Right time.” Others just CREATE IT! Based in Bangalore, this company has been developing an app since March 2021, and it has already been installed by 105 million users. We’re super excited to have Saurabh Pandey (Founder and CEO, Eloelo) on the pod this time. From leaving Flipkart just before the pandemic to building Eloelo after, one of India’s largest Live Social Entertainment Platform, his story is a masterclass in courage, conviction, and community building. Key ...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Not every founder finds the right investor. Not every investor bets on the right founder. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome a BarberShop veteran, Kapil Chopra (Founder - EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel). But this time, he is not alone. Joining him is his first ever investor and his very good friend, Deepak Shahdadpuri (Managing Director, DSG Consumer Partners). Why did Kapil and Deepak take 8 years to finally start a business together? Find out in this episode. This isn’t just an entr...
Mar 28, 2025•2 hr 29 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Not every founder finds the right investor. Not every investor bets on the right founder. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome a BarberShop veteran, Kapil Chopra (Founder - EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel). But this time, he is not alone. Joining him is his first ever investor and his very good friend, Deepak Shahdadpuri (Managing Director, DSG Consumer Partners). Why did Kapil and Deepak take 8 years to finally start a business together? Find out in this episode. This isn’t just an entr...
Mar 28, 2025•2 hr 29 min
Mokobara was rejected 33 times. And now they’ll beat legacy brands in their own game within 6 years. Something the biggest brands took 44 years to do! That’s the thing about great entrepreneurs. They don’t give up. In this episode, we are joined by three of Shantanu’s closest friends. Sangeet Agrawal, Founder at Mokobara, Navin Parwal, Co-Founder & CMO at Mokobara, and Manu Chandra, Founder and Managing Partner at Sauce.vc came together to uncover the power of aspirational hungry India. Moko...
Mar 21, 2025•2 hr•Season 4Ep. 9
In this conversation with Shinjini Kumar, Co-Founder of SALT-mysaltapp, we talk to her about her diverse professional journey, something you don’t see in many founders. Coming from Bihar, she started as a journalist at the Times of India and then shifted to the Reserve Bank of India in the early ‘90s. At the heart of the action, she was responsible for handling Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this episode, she discusses exactly how she landed every job she did in her early days. Shinjini eve...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this conversation with Amit Jain (Co-Founder & CEO, CarDekho) and Anurag Jain (Co-Founder & COO, CarDekho) we learn why every founder should consider building in a small town like Jaipur—and do it with family. Amit and Anurag turned what started as a small-town dream (announced on LinkedIn - true story) into a billion-dollar reality. If that doesn’t make you believe in manifestation, we don’t know what will. 😏 CarDekho’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From a bootstrapped comp...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 58 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Shantanu sitting down with Rajan Anandan, MD of Peak XV and Surge, and Prachi Pawar, Founder of Anandi Schools, is everything you need to watch today to visualise the future of the startup ecosystem in India. You also get a glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship in the ecosystem! Rajan Anandan is one of the most influential voices in India’s Venture Capital space. On the other hand, Prachi is just starting out in the world of entrepreneurship. With Anandi Schools, she aims to help students st...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Shantanu sits down with Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titan’s Jewellery Division, for a masterclass in brand building and leadership. Ajoy’s role in transforming Tanishq into a household name and reshaping India’s jewellery market is nothing short of remarkable. In this candid conversation, he shares insights on Titan’s failures and learnings from them, differentiation, quality, and staying ahead of shifting consumer trends. Tune in for a deep dive into: - The evolution of Titan’s marketing strategy. - In...
Feb 15, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this episode, Shantanu is absolutely thrilled to sit down with Luis Miranda—Founding Member of HDFC, Ex-CEO of IDFC, and the founder of the Indian School of Public Policy. This one is packed with wisdom, laughter, and invaluable insights for anyone interested in leadership, impact, and the startup ecosystem! Luis is the kind of person who doesn’t take himself too seriously—despite having built some of India’s most iconic institutions. He’s an incredible storyteller, effortlessly blending high...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode, Shantanu is clearly thrilled to welcome back Shantanu Khosla, the former MD of Procter & Gamble, back to the Barbershop. This one is a masterclass for all consumer brands in India! There’s so much wisdom in Shantanu Khosla’s words, that of course comes with his fair share of experience in brand building across the globe. He talks candidly about new channels and technologies that are emerging, and how all it takes for a brand to be a hit in front of the masses is an idea that...
Jan 31, 2025•2 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode, Shantanu and Deep - two curious minds met over a fun and insightful conversation. Deep Bajaj is the visionary Founder of Sirona—a brand that has redefined women's hygiene in India and was recently acquired by the Good Glam Group in a 450 Cr acquisition. Deep shares his incredible journey, starting from a ₹6,000 salary as a salesperson to building a brand in women’s hygiene. He in the most hilarious yet vulnerable way, talks about his first job, his first business, and starting o...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In our first ever episode in front of a live audience, Shantanu and Abhishek - both IIM Lucknow alumni - visited their beloved campus to shoot this special Barbershop conversation in front of a curious and welcoming student audience. Abhishek is a storied CEO, joining Puma on day 1 in India in 2004 and then leading it to be bigger than Nike and Adidas combined! He then left to found Agilitas - a wildly courageous move with a 600 Cr seed round to acquire India’s largest shoe making factory. This ...
Jan 17, 2025•2 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this engaging episode of Shantanu’s podcast, we’re joined by @VarunMayya, a visionary entrepreneur, tech innovator, and author known for his cutting-edge insights on technology and content creation. Together, Varun and Shantanu discuss a variety of compelling topics, from the potential of AI avatars and deepfake technology to the evolving relationship between AI and content creation. Varun offers his unique perspective on how to build long-term intellectual property, and develop personal bran...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Revant Himatsingka, aka Foodpharmer known for his innovative approach towards content, shares his journey in this insightful episode. With topics ranging from monetising content to the future of @Foodpharmer , Revant offers valuable advice for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs alike. The episode opens with an introduction to Revant’s background in content creation, highlighting his path and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Delving into the essentials of how he monetises his content, Rev...
Nov 14, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 7
