The Pooja Bhatt Show

In this episode, Pooja Bhatt sits down with film archivist S. M. M. Ausaja for a conversation that traces the fragile, often forgotten journey of Indian cinema’s memory. From wandering through dusty godowns and discarded collections to building one of the largest private archives of film memorabilia, Ausaja reflects on a life spent rescuing fragments that the film industry - and time - have quietly left behind.What begins with a story about a lost photograph soon unfolds into a deeper conversation on erasure and recovery. Ausaja speaks of the archivist not as a collector, but as a custodian of emotion - someone who restores not just images, but identities. Posters, lobby cards, glass slides, and song booklets become more than artifacts; they become evidence of a cultural past that risks disappearing with every passing year.As the conversation moves through the evolution of cinema, they reflect on a time when film imagery carried a sense of distance and devotion - when stars felt mythical, and posters were treated like shrines. In contrast, today’s digital saturation has made cinema more accessible, but perhaps less magical. Between them lies a shared concern: that in gaining immediacy, cinema may have lost some of its soul.They revisit the legacy of Amitabh Bachchan and the rise of the ‘angry young man,’ connecting his persona to the social unrest of his time. It becomes a lens to examine how cinema once mirrored reality - and how, in many ways, it has drifted from it.As the discussion deepens, Ausaja reflects on the growing dominance of commercial pressures, the shifting nature of audiences, and the quiet neglect of cinematic history. He speaks of preservation not as nostalgia, but as resistance - and of the urgent need for filmmakers and the industry to look back, in order to move forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A chest cut open, a heart repaired, and a bottle left behind. Does a taste of death ignite a passion for life? In this episode Pooja sits across Kaustav Narayan Niyogi, a man who lived the fast-paced life of an advertising "alchemist" before life forced him to slow down. From becoming India’s youngest creative director at age 29 to becoming one of its "oldest debutant" film directors at 50 with Cabaret, Kaustav’s path has been anything but linear. Beyond the director’s chair, Kaustav possesses a rare, haunting gift for song writing, crafting lyrics and melodies that served as the pulse of Cabaret. Life has knocked on his door twice: first with a battle with the bottle that he conquered to finish his debut film, Cabaret, and later with a hammer-blow to his physical heart. Having stood at the threshold where his chest was literally cut open for repair, he now answers the starkest of questions: will this brush with mortality hurl him into the spring of his life where he finally blooms? Or will he continue to seek out the exit points?   Join us for a raw, profound conversation about recovery, the weight of the "almost," and the delicate art of surviving oneself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja Bhatt sits down with Aadhya Anand for a conversation that traces the journey of a young actor coming of age in the glare of an industry that rarely pauses. From her early years in Singapore to stepping into the volatile, demanding world of Indian cinema, Aadhya reflects on the experiences that shaped her instinct, resilience, and sense of self.Thrust into the deep end with Bombay Begums, Aadhya speaks about portraying Shai, a character layered with rebellion, confusion, and quiet fragility. What the audience saw as performance, she experienced as immersion - navigating themes far heavier than her years, while learning to hold her ground amid the noise of attention and expectation. For Pooja, it marked a return after decades; for Aadhya, it was an initiation. Between them lies a shared understanding of what it means to grow under scrutiny. As the two relive the controversy that followed Bombay Begum, Aadhya explains how important having a supportive family to fall back on has been for her. She admits that not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system around them and sometimes outside noise can really get under the skin. As the conversation deepens, Aadhya opens up about the pressures of social media, the illusion of validation, and the quiet discipline required to remain authentic. She speaks of mental health not as a trend but as a necessity, and of learning to trust her own voice in a world that constantly projects alternatives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja Bhatt sits down with producer Ronnie Lahiri for a conversation that traces the journey of a true cinematic nomad. From his early years in Shillong - surrounded by music, nature, and quiet observation - to navigating the dynamic landscape of Indian filmmaking, Lahiri reflects on the experiences that shaped both his worldview and his storytelling voice.They trace Lahiri’s upbringing in the Northeast - where nature, sound, and solitude created a language of observation that continues to define his cinematic lens. Raised in an army household, he reflects on a childhood of shifting landscapes and perspectives, where real-world experience became his greatest education. From football fields to film sets, he speaks about the unlikely threads that connect discipline, collaboration, and creativity.Pooja and Ronnie revisit his early years in advertising, where the grammar of filmmaking first took shape, and the leap of faith that led him toward independent cinema. Together, they examine the challenge of representing Northeast India with authenticity, and the responsibility of telling stories that hold emotional truth over commercial expectation.As the conversation deepens, Lahiri reflects on risk, patience, and the cyclical nature of both cinema and life itself. Films like Vicky Donor, Pink, October, and Sardar Udham emerge not as milestones, but as expressions of conviction. Ronnie confesses that for him it’s not the film collection that determines success but it’s the number of lives it touched. With a character forged on the football field, Lahiri brings a sportsman’s grit to the producer’s chair. He is a man who remains remarkably unaffected by success, staying grounded even when his films soar. He understands that a producer's true power lies in the capacity to claim both the hit and the flop with equal composure—backed by a radical faith that says, “If it doesn't work, I’ll sell my house.”In this episode, Pooja Bhatt doesn’t tell the story of a nomad, she simply travels with him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja sits down with acclaimed cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi, the visual force behind Company and Maqbool, for a conversation that unfolds as a profound meditation on memory, loss, and preservation.They trace Hemant’s epic 70,000-kilometre ‘pilgrimage’ across 21 states - an unwavering race against time to document over 1,300 single-screen theatres before they crumble into oblivion. This journey unearths the vanishing ritual of cinema-going, mourning the shift from the vibrant collective spirit of "dreaming in the dark" to the fragmented, digital consumption of the modern age.Pooja recalls the magic of seeing her own films, such as Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin  and Sadak, play to packed houses in an era when projectionists were the high priests of a communal sanctuary. Hemant also recounts shooting for Company in Hong Kong, where they found unexpected common ground through the legacy of Bruce Lee. As they confront the inevitable erasure of these landmarks, from fading facades to the charred legacy of the Uphaar Cinema fire, it is Hemant’s extraordinary gift for storytelling that breathes life back into the silence, resurrecting the stories embedded in these dying walls.This episode is a stark, moving tribute to India’s cinematic soul and its emotional landscape, serving as a final call to honour these sacred spaces before they fade forever into the shadows.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features a deeply personal conversation between Pooja and filmmaker Mohit Suri, moving beyond the mechanics of cinema to explore memory, loss, and the unspoken family bonds that shape their lives.They revisit their shared legacy and discuss how the early loss of his mother acted as the silent engine behind the melancholic, high-emotion tone and texture of his films. They dive into the industry's pressure for "scale" and the brave choice of casting fresh faces in Saiyaara, establishing that a director's vision, a producer’s faith, and raw performance outweigh star power.Mohit emphasizes that you don’t need big studios or the usual trappings to create a great song; he reminds us that a soulful melody that stands the test of time can only come from a place of genuine feeling. The conversation shifts from commercial success to the necessity of failure and the courage required to prioritize personal truth over box-office expectations.Being family, their easy rapport allows for a level of vulnerability that typical press junkets rarely reach. The episode offers a unique view into the making of cult hits and box-office successes, ending with a refreshing reflection from the director on his own evolving journey: "I still don’t know."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Pooja Bhatt and seasoned journalist Vickey Lalwani deconstruct the glamour to expose the friction between Bollywood, the nature of fame and tough reporting. A warhorse of the industry, Lalwani operates on a singular, blunt principle: real news is exactly what the industry wants to hide. Together, they critique how modern celebrity culture has traded grit for sanitized, PR-controlled narratives, contrasting today’s scripted image-making with an era that treated entertainment coverage as a fight for the truth. The episode offers a fascinating insight into what truly makes news and the high-stakes game of how it is broken. Beyond the headlines, Lalwani reflects on his lifelong passion for his first love - cricket and how those early memories still anchor him today. From a career forged in the wake of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination to a debut interview with Dev Anand, Lalwani details the persistence required to interrogate an industry built on secrets. The conversation cuts through the shifting power dynamics with icons like Shah Rukh Khan and the stubborn refusal to stop asking the questions everyone else is paid to ignore. It is a look at a man who remains guided by the conviction that journalism only matters when it makes people uncomfortable. His mantra is simple: love him or hate him, you simply cannot ignore him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this vibrant episode that radiates sun-drenched energy and laughter, Pooja Bhatt and Zareen Khan wipe away the greasepaint to reveal the bare-faced realities of stardom. The duo dives deep into the industry’s obsession with the next big thing, a volatile cycle that demands a luminous, unshakeable spirit. They candidly call out the film Industry and a relentless media for enforcing narrow beauty standards and failing to celebrate diverse body types, challenging the status quo of female representation.Together, they trace their journey towards self-acceptance after exhausting every fad diet in the book, and finding their power through weight training. They advocate for a shift from the aesthetic of looking thin to the utility of strength, viewing physical discipline as a vital mental anchor that provides grounding amidst professional chaos. Crucially, Zareen demystifies the fear that many women harbor about bulking up, explaining that lifting is the key to vitality and functional empowerment.Beyond the gym, Zareen opens up about the necessity of mothering herself, a practice of nurturing her inner child through reading, a deep love for travel, and finding her own sense of peace. This protective instinct extends to the next generation where she expresses a heartfelt desire to be the mentor she never had growing up for her niece, guiding her with the wisdom she gained the hard way. This philosophy of simplification also inspired her skincare brand, Happy Hippie, which she launched to strip away the overwhelming complexity of modern beauty routines for herself and her consumers.The conversation takes a sharp turn as they debunk the perceived glamour of love scenes, reframing them as tedious, choreographed labor. Pooja likens the highly technical process governed by rigid lighting and camera angles to "watching paint dry." They agree that these moments are often the most difficult to film because they require emotional detachment and mechanical precision, performed in front of a full crew rather than in a space of genuine intimacy.Despite never sharing screen space, the conversation is marked by genuine warmth and deep mutual respect. This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to stay authentic in an industry that demands perfection, summed up in Zareen's stark ultimatum "Judge me for my work, not my weight."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Sometimes you laugh because you cannot cry. Sometimes you laugh so you don't go mad." In this deeply honest episode, Pooja Bhatt and Nitinn R Miranni peel back the mask of the 'funny man' to reveal the quiet storm behind the laughter. Despite a global career alongside icons like Trevor Noah and Eddie Griffin, Nitinn shares that his most defining act of bravery was not a punchline, but a determined inward journey toward healing. The conversation offers an unflinching look at surviving sexual abuse and the resilience required to dismantle the taboos that keep survivors in the dark. They reflect on the defiant levity used to stave off the darkness, and the liberation found in finally breaking the silence imposed on us culturally and through the family unit.  By speaking openly about dyslexia, abuse, and the transformative power of therapy, this dialogue honours the difficult path of trading performance for the sanctuary of authentic truth. It serves as a reminder that opening our hearts to love, learning to listen and holding onto our vulnerability is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. Ultimately it is a conversation where truth, laughter, and grace converge to celebrate the resilience and vitality of the human spirit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja Bhatt speaks with Samara Tijori about identity - what it’s like to grow up with a known name, step into the spotlight, and still find your own voice. It’s a conversation about being seen not just for where you come from, but for who you truly are.Samara traces her journey from a childhood shaped by cinema to the quiet, uncertain years of auditions and near-misses that followed. Together, they examine the paradox of legacy: how it can open doors, yet never walk you through them. Pooja reflects on the industry’s obsession with polish and predictability, and why true empathy - on screen and off - requires edges, risk, and the courage to stand apart.They speak candidly about self-doubt and the bravery of waiting for the right role rather than chasing visibility. As the two discuss Samara’s latest release, Daldal, Samara shares the emotional cost of immersing herself in a psychologically complex character, confronting darker shades of human nature, and emerging changed. A symbolic haircut becomes a turning point - an outward shift that marked an inward shedding of expectation.As recognition arrives, so does disorientation. The conversation turns to the weight of being watched, the fear of not meeting expectations, and the discipline required to stay grounded when success feels overwhelming. And the pillar of emotional support that is her father, Deepak Tijori. At its heart, this is a conversation about vulnerability as strength, choosing depth over surface, and slowly growing into yourself—one choice, one step at a time, until you finally feel at home in who you are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this revealing episode of The Pooja Bhatt Show, Dino Morea strips away the 'heartthrob' veneer to reveal the grit and vulnerability behind the glamour.He retraces his roots to his childhood in Bengaluru, where his foundation was built on discipline, etiquette and the importance of being a team player.  Early lessons that served as the anchor that kept him steady through the later turbulence of the film industry.He candidly discusses finding his feet in the world of modelling and landing his first acting break, only to be met with a crushing silence afterward. In an industry where stalled momentum is often considered a 'death sentence,' Dino talks about navigating the quiet until the phenomenon of Raaz exploded, forever rewriting his destiny.Dino describes the disorientation of being reduced to a public 'fantasy' at the peak of his fame. He reflects on the profound loneliness of that pedestal and the disquieting moment when the image began to crack, finally forcing him to look at the man underneath the stardom.He discusses the intense physical training he underwent during Holiday to set a new standard for dance in the industry, showcasing a level of dedication that defines his work ethic.Reminiscing on their time as co-producers, Pooja and Dino discuss their defiant decision to cast Sunny Leone - not a mere business move, but  a deliberate act of rebellion intended to break the rules of a rigid industry. Dino expresses deep gratitude for this 'Hands On' education, where he learned how to handle people and manage the chaos of a set, transforming from an actor into a seasoned professional.He details a period of  'ego stripping' by  going back to acting school, dropping the nice guy facade and finally stopping the exhausting pursuit of wanting to be liked by everyone. This internal shift and return to basics paved the way for his powerhouse resurgence in heavy-hitting roles like Tandav and The Empire.The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Dino discusses the passing of his father - the charismatic Ronnie Morea. He reframes the loss not as a tragedy, but as a friendship that has evolved into its most profound, spiritual form. Amidst this reflection on legacy and connection, Dino opens up about a deep personal longing to start a family, seeking roots and a future beyond the screen.Listen to this episode to discover a new, authentic dimension of Dino Morea - a rare autopsy of fame, self-discovery, and the power or re-invention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja unpicks the seams of cinematic style with Theia Tekchandaney - a quiet powerhouse whose understated brilliance has shaped the iconic aesthetics of Jism, Paap and Neerja, to name a few.Theia joins Pooja to reveal how she uses fabric and fit to broadcast a character's soul before they ever speak a line of dialogue.They journey through the creation of Bipasha Basu's sultry, noir elegance, and the bold style risks that birthed John Abraham’s signature 'suits-and-chappals' look in Jism. From there she maps the transition to the 'Ethereal Himalayan' spirit of Paap where all her technical expertise garnered in NIFT came to the fore.Theia also shares the high-stakes reality of life on set - from the grit of aging costumes for 120 Bahadur to the adrenaline of crafting Arshad Warsi's Munna Bhai M.B.B.S wardrobe overnight, and recounts literally stapling herself to Priyanka Chopra to save a live performance.Beyond the glamour, Theia opens up about the discipline behind the craft, emphasizing a work ethic rooted in humility and a restless curiosity.  She discusses why she insists her assistants approach every job with a beginner's mind, ensuring that ego never gets in the way of discovery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does cinema sound like when we truly listen? In this episode of The Pooja Bhatt Show, Pooja talks to sound maestro Gunjan Augustine Sah who pulls back the curtain on the invisible force that shapes our movie-going experience. From his nomadic childhood as an army kid where a life on the move taught him to listen to India’s unique rhythm to the high-stakes sets of Gully Boy and A Suitable Boy, Gunjan traces a journey defined by the discovery that the best sound is often the kind you don't hear, but deeply feel. Pooja and Gunjan dive deep into the evolution of Indian soundscapes, the technical battle for "clean" audio in a noisy world, and why silence is often the most powerful tool in a filmmaker's kit. As AI begins to reshape the industry, Gunjan reflects on why the human ear - and the human heart - remains the ultimate storyteller. It’s a conversation about the soul of cinema, the profound power of listening to your own Inner Voice and simply paying attention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens to a writer when the Film Industry stops listening? In this stark & achingly honest episode, Pooja sits down with screenwriter Shagufta Rafique, whose words once powered some of Hindi cinema’s most successful films - Aashiqui 2, Murder 2, Jannat 2, Raaz 2 & 3, Jism 2, Awarapan, and many more.  This is not a victory lap. It is a survival story. Shagufta speaks of a life built from lived experience - of wanting to be the 'good daughter' and supporting her mother by becoming a bar dancer. Of learning the language of pain early and of writing not from theory, but from the body. She reflects on what it means to be labeled “Irrelevant” and a "Has Been" in a system that constantly replaces memory with speed, instinct with metrics, and listening with noise. The conversation moves through the quiet erasures of the modern film Industry: how corporate gatekeeping reshapes classic storytelling, how female writers are sidelined, how simplicity is mistaken for weakness, and how algorithms now decide what deserves to be heard. What remains constant is her refusal to be silenced or disappear.This is a conversation about dignity and endurance.It is about the cost of speaking your truth when the room grows deaf. About writing - not to be celebrated, or even be read, but to simply remain alive.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this forthright and informative episode of The Pooja Bhatt Show, Pooja sits down with Meet Ashar - lawyer, animal rights advocate, Legal Advisor & Director of Cruelty Response at PETA India. Ashar reminds us of something very basic: life matters. Not just human life - all life.He emphasizes that animals are not problems to be managed, but lives to be protected, and why the manner in which we treat animals is the clearest mirror of who we are.Ashar breaks down the ramifications of the honourable Supreme Court's orders and reinstates why sterilisation, vaccination, and adoption - not removal - are the only humane solutions going forward.Pooja and Meet highlight the undeniable link between animal abuse and human violence, and how cruelty rarely stays contained.This conversation is not only about animals. It is about justice. About responsibility. It is about who we have been.And who, we still have a chance to become.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human suffering is the womb of great art.And sometimes, grace arrives disguised as grief. This conversation between Pooja Bhatt and award-winning filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari is not assembled for comfort. Not shaped to soothe. But to awaken. What unfolds on this episode of The Pooja Bhatt Show is not grief revisited, but life awakened—a meeting where pain has already done its work. Where loss no longer numbs, but sharpens perception. Where silence is allowed to speak before language intervenes. There is love here without possession.Faith without certainty.Identity without defence.Art not as expression, but as responsibility. Faraz believes that stories change the world—not loudly, not instantly, but by altering the inner weather of those who listen. By making us more available to truth. Every pause carries weight.Every word knows where it comes from. This conversation understands something essential: suffering is not an interruption to life—it is the moment life becomes conscious of itself. Empathy is not softness, but courage. To stay awake in a fractured world is itself an ethical act. Nothing is resolved.Nothing is softened. And yet, something opens. Don’t listen to this episode to feel better.Listen to feel truer. Some conversations don’t offer answers.They alter your posture toward living.This is one of them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some conversations don’t leave you impressed. They leave you nourished. This episode of 'The Pooja Bhatt Show' feels like coming home — to a warm meal, familiar aromas, and stories that sit gently with you long after they’re told. Pooja sits down with Chef Vicky Ratnani — chef, author, television personality — not to dazzle, but to listen, remember, and reflect. The journey begins in a Sindhi home in Shivaji Park, with the comforting tang of Sindhi Kadhi — food as memory, as belonging. From there, it travels quietly to the decks of the Queen Elizabeth 2, where Vicky once cooked for Nelson Mandela — a moment held not as spectacle, but as gratitude. They talk about the unseen heart of food: service as care, kitchens as communities, and why simplicity often carries the deepest flavour. Vicky speaks with honesty about choosing sobriety, about clarity and discipline, and how that inner alignment reshaped his work and life. There is space too for the harder truths — the toll the hospitality world takes on bodies, relationships, and time. The conversation widens to the evolution of Indian cuisine on the global stage, the responsibility that comes with representation, and the quiet worry of traditions slipping away under the weight of trends. And, as all meaningful conversations do, it circles back home — to nostalgia, to memory, to the food that shapes who we are. Like the best meals, this conversation doesn’t try to impress — it simply stays with you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this intimate conversation, Pooja Bhatt sits down with producer Marijke Desouza to explore a career shaped as much by mentorship as by quiet perseverance. What emerges is the portrait of a filmmaker who learned her craft from the ground up—by observing, absorbing, and carrying forward knowledge passed down through experience rather than formal instruction.Marijke reflects on her journey from prop shopping as a production design assistant and being production manager on films with tight budgets to producing large-scale films like Brahmastra, offering insight into how guidance, trust, and responsibility move organically across film sets. The conversation sheds light on the industry’s most unseen labour: the delicate balance between creative ambition and financial reality, the changing scale of crews, and why production—often mistaken for mere logistics—is, in fact, central to bringing stories to life.Alongside these professional reflections are moments of personal vulnerability—navigating grief, learning from loss, and understanding when to lead, when to lean on others, and when to step back. It becomes a conversation about staying aligned with one’s inner compass while quietly supporting those around you—reminding us that mentorship is rarely announced; it is practiced.The episode is less about spectacle and more about substance—a thoughtful reflection on growth, resilience, and the quiet grace of those who hold the framework steady, allowing others the freedom to dream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this intimate conversation, Pooja Bhatt sits down with Kunal Kapoor to trace the living legacy of Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre—not as an institution, but as a home shaped by memory, ritual, and artistic discipline. What emerges is a portrait of a family for whom theatre was never merely performance, but a way of life.Kapoor reflects on deeply personal traditions—from legendary Christmas lunches to memories of a Goa that existed before it became a destination—and on the quiet resilience behind Prithvi’s enduring ethos: the show must go on. That belief was tested most profoundly after the loss of his mother, Jennifer Kendal, yet it remains the moral spine of the theatre she helped build.The conversation moves fluidly across questions that matter today: the fragility of true patronage in a culture increasingly governed by commerce, the challenge of funding theatre without hollowing its soul, and the responsibility of preserving memory in an age that forgets too easily. Anecdotes like the now-mythic “Chamcha Room” sit alongside reflections on books, paintings, and archival labour—acts of care that reveal Kapoor as both custodian and chronicler.This episode is less an interview than a meditation—on legacy without nostalgia, on art sustained by discipline rather than spectacle, and on the quiet truth that legacy is not preserved here; it is practiced.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja sits down with actor and voice artist Mohan Kapur, a performer who has mastered his craft by simply living life. The episode sees the two friends trace Mohan’s journey: from being paid ₹500 an episode on Saanp Seedi - money he jokingly refers to as for “cigarettes and booze” - to finding himself inside the Marvel universe. He laughs about being “a man everyone loved to hate,” recalls the time a co-actor on the sets of Angaaray got so carried away that he hurled real rocks at Mohan and Pooja ended up getting punched, and the time Samuel L Jackson complained to him about being scratched by a cat named Thor. The conversation moves fluidly between humour and heartbreak. Mohan opens up about losing both parents, caring for his mother through her final months, and refusing to enter his home after the death of his beloved cat, Ladoo Singh. Mohan also reflects on the question of nepotism in the industry, and of film casting being dictated by social media following. This is an intimate, funny, often disarming exchange between two friends who have unknowingly shaped each other’s lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja meets Abbas Ali Moghul, the award-winning action director behind more than 300 films and shows, and the son of actor Habib, who fled Iran at seventeen to chase his dream of working in Hindi cinema. Habib went on to appear in more than 150 films, yet passed away with little recognition. Abbas carries that legacy forward with quiet pride, and has become one of India’s most respected action directors, known for crafting iconic sequences in films like Ghulam, Josh and Agneepath.In this conversation, Abbas reflects on performing death-defying stunts long before VFX and modern safety gear. He shares what it means to stand in for stars when things turn dangerous: jumping off an eleven-storey building without ropes, crashing through glass walls, even setting himself ablaze.Abbas takes Pooja behind the scenes of some of Bollywood’s most unforgettable moments: Aamir Khan’s legendary train stunt in Ghulam, Akshay Kumar’s daring leap onto an aircraft’s wings, and the thoughtful lesson Hrithik Roshan once offered his son, Arbaaz.The discussion traces Abbas’s extraordinary arc—from acting in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi to witnessing his father’s struggles and isolation within the industry.This episode shines a light on the grit behind the glamour: the underpaid stunt performers who risk everything, the moments Abbas worked while wheelchair-bound, and the sleepless nights that still precede every dangerous shoot, even after forty years in the business. It’s a heartfelt reminder of the invisible backbone of cinema, and the passion that keeps it alive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this moving conversation, Pooja meets Amruta Subhash, a National Award-winning actor and theatre director. This conversation is one between soulmates: it starts with tears, ends with tears and wanders through many worlds that have shaped Amruta’s life.Amruta speaks with candour and vulnerability: about directing and acting in her brilliant play, Asen Me Nasen Me — a gift from her husband and playwright Sandesh Kulkarni, based on her father’s descent into Alzheimer’s — and about grappling with her grandmother’s death and the guilt and desperation that followed.Amruta recounts the time theatre legend Satyadev Dubey threatened to slap her, even as Pooja likens her to a dragon unleashed when the camera rolls.Beyond this, the conversation is also a meditation in resilience and healing. Amruta talks about her transformation--being confined to a wheelchair at 23 to rebuilding her life piece by piece; about finding an unexpected father figure in playwright Vijay Tendulkar, who quietly nudged her toward therapy and healing. The two look back at Amruta’s acting journey, and how she grew up seeing her mother Jyoti Subhash transform from a bhakri-cooking homemaker to a force on stage — a metamorphosis that left her spellbound.Along the way, Amruta laughs about receiving a postcard from Aamir Khan that convinced her, as a young girl, she was meant to marry him; and how her first words weren’t speech at all, but song.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pooja sits down with the ever-unassuming yet endlessly fascinating Avtar Gill—a man who insists he’s “ordinary” despite a career spanning 350 films. In this episode, filled with sardonic humour and candid reflections, Avtar looks back at the quiet strength of his truck driver father, jokes about being labelled Mahesh Bhatt’s third wife, and reflects on the lessons he has absorbed from greats like Dilip Kumar, Pran and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.Along the way, he regales Pooja with stories—of the time Rishi Kapoor pranked him at midnight by pretending to be Steven Spielberg, why Sanjay Dutt pushed for a Sadak remake, when he wrote his own dialogues in Rangeela and the time he witnessed Mithun Chakraborty eat rice and salt water in a hotel suite in Malaysia.Avtar also reveals how he has managed to look the same for decades, why he calls himself an also-ran, why he has no ego in asking for work and how, despite nearly five decades of work in the industry, he remains a labourer at heart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja sits down with Rahul Bose - actor, director, writer, activist, sportsman, sports administrator and dear friend. In a conversation marked by candid admissions, warm banter and thoughtful reflections, the two revisit the Bombay they grew up in and what it means to embrace singledom. Rahul speaks openly about the arc of his life: the early hunger for money, success and fame, and the slow shift toward quieter pursuit of service and cutting out negativity. He recalls the night Anurag Kashyap phoned him at 2 AM to praise his directorial debut, Everybody Says I Am Fine; his overwhelming encounter with the generosity of Zakir Hussain; and why he believes the lines between arthouse and mainstream cinema have largely dissolved. Along the way, the two remember a series of moments from their shared past—Rahul scribbling poetry for Pooja on a tissue in the middle of the 'Ghetto' and breaking a traffic signal for a shot. Rahul also reflects on why marriage holds no particular fascination for him and why he’s content being an eternal bachelor. He talks about the time he kissed Pooja on screen, the bewilderment he felt when he saw his friends’ mothers cooking instead of their fathers, and the deep sense of gratitude that anchors him today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja talks with Jayesh Sheth, who has spent over four decades chronicling the industry and its stars by bringing his sense of spontaneity and soul into his photographs.From being a wedding photographer to being chosen to shoot Richard Gere, Jayesh takes Pooja through his journey marked by vivid encounters with India’s biggest stars. He recalls Rishi Kapoor’s first lesson to him in showbiz, why Zeenat Aman was as fierce as a ‘tigress’ in their first photoshoot after her eye injury, how a laughter-filled accident got him an iconic shoot of Rekha, and the time he coaxed Jagjit Singh into donning a pair of jeans for a photo shoot. From napping while Shahrukh Khan waited in his studio, to why he thinks actor Raj Kumar was the toughest actor to shoot with, Jayesh shares what it was like to capture an industry over decades, where every star had their own aura.Together, Pooja and Jayesh look back on a time before filters and followers and why Jayesh wants young artists to “chase the light and not the likes.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja meets Shreya Dhanwanthary, actor, author and someone who believes in seeking validation within, and holding onto your true self. Shreya, best-known for her roles in Scam 1992, The Family Man and Chup, opens up about how she navigates lean times and keeps the fire burning, despite it all. Shreya tells Pooja why travel keeps her rooted, and why failure still scares her. The two crack up about the time a director assumed Shreya’s wit came from ChatGPT, which she calls “the plastic surgery of vocabulary”. They both discuss embracing singledom in an age where the fear of loneliness is driving people into loveless relationships, with Pooja noting that slavery comes in attractive packages. An episode that will nudge you to own your journey, be true to yourself and stand up for your choices. Honest, funny and fiercely real—episode has it all. Listen to it now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pooja sits with writer-filmmaker Suhrita Das, a woman who had to lose everything she was before she could finally become who she is. Das, the director of Tu Meri Poori Kahaani, and Pooja speak of the price of awakening —a motherhood lived in absence, a marriage left behind, a body changing before the world was ready to see her, and a film born through fire instead of applause. Two women —no masks, no posturing —holding space for the truth that: sometimes a life is not built, it is survived into. Not achievement. Rebirth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja sits down with Afroz Shah — lawyer, activist, UN Champion of the Earth, and friend — whose quiet determination transformed a one-man beach clean-up into a global movement for change. Shah has led what the UN calls the world’s largest beach clean-up, steering it with unwavering commitment for over 550 weeks and counting.Afroz shares why action matters more than compassion, how our lives of convenience are harming the planet, and the small but powerful steps we can take to heal it. From cleaning alongside Amitabh Bachchan, to discussing marine pollution with Vladimir Putin, being introduced by Mark Ruffalo to a New York audience, and mourning the loss of friends like actor Irrfan Khan, Shah reflects on the grit, grief, and grace that have fuelled his journey — a story of community, patriotism, and finding purpose — and love — even in garbage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pooja has a heartfelt conversation with Anu Malik, one of the most prolific music composers of the Hindi film industry, a man with nearly 300 Hindi films and a National Award under his belt. In an industry where you are crowned one day and crucified the next, Anu has relentlessly pursued his craft for over nearly five decades and is the genius behind the music of films like Border, Baazigar, Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayi, Refugee among countless others. Yet, this episode isn’t about his films, it’s the story of how he got here. From poignant childhood memories of his family’s struggles to heartbreaking recollections of his musician father Sardar Malik, to his own setbacks. Along the way, Anu also reveals why he once got his own hoardings taken down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, film-maker and writer Tanuja Chandra takes Pooja through the many lives she’s lived in cinema and beyond it. From facing down a mob to creating films that broke new ground, she opens up about the making of Tamanna and Zakhm, sharing behind-the-scenes stories with MM Kreem, Anand Bakshi, and Kajol. She reflects on the lessons learned from failure, making Dushman, the quiet wisdom of Irrfan Khan, the soulful making of Sur with Lucky Ali and the learnings from Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha. Along the way, Pooja and she concur that longevity matters more than going viral and laugh over the time a bartender ducked at the sight of Sanjay Dutt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features the versatile and talented Denzil Smith, a theatre stalwart and screen actor who has featured in Paap, Lunchbox, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Delhi Crime and most recently, Ba***ds of Bollywood, among many others. In this bare and heartfelt conversation, Pooja and Denzil talk openly about addiction, recovery, processing pain, navigating sobriety and reminiscing about the Bandra that was and how it shaped them.  Along the way, Denzil talks about Bombay’s vibrant jazz scene, and the unsung heroes behind some of India’s biggest musical hits, including a man named Anthony Gonsalves, immortalised in the Amar Akbar Anthony song. But beyond all this, Denzil talks about dealing with the loss of a parent late in life, about the masterclass in acting that he received from the legendary Jagdeep, and why the Hindi film industry’s liberal character might now be changing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we continue the unfiltered and heartfelt conversation with acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter and author, Mahesh Bhatt. Enduring intoxicating success and belittling failures. The blooming and withering of love. Acknowledging and fighting alcoholism. Meeting one’s idols. Holding onto the capacity to gamble it all away, and hilarious insights on how to deal with critics. The conclusion of this two-part special is both deeply personal and equally relatable. Come for the honesty, stay for the fire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first guest on The Pooja Bhatt Show is none other than her father - acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter and author, Mahesh Bhatt. This rare and intimate conversation between a daughter and her father, is searingly honest, sparklingly insightful, irreverent, and hilarious in turn. In this first of a two-part special, Mahesh Bhatt opens up like never before. Deeply personal revelations and a walk down memory lane, with inside stories about some of the Indian film industry's greatest legends. Nothing is off limits; come for the honesty, stay for the fire.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join iconic actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt as she takes you behind the scenes of the Indian film industry. A new weekly podcast, where she sits down with some of the most remarkable people from Bollywood and beyond, sharing inspiring stories and rare insights, through conversations with directors, actors, musicians, producers, stylists, singers and more. From the highs and lows of her journey to the remarkable tales of those shaping Indian cinema, this show offers an authentic glimpse into the heart of the entertainment industry culture and her life - reflections, both reel and real. Nothing is off-limits. Love. Loss. Addiction. Healing. Fame. Failure. Everything will be on the table. She and her guests will talk about it all, with honesty and vulnerability, stories you’ve never heard before. Listen to new episodes of The Pooja Bhatt Show starting on September 20th on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.