In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind. They discuss how artificial intelligence is evolving, what it means to build truly inclusive AI, and why India must aim higher in research, innovation, and ambition.
Manish shares DeepMind’s vision of solving “root node problems,” fundamental scientific challenges that unlock breakthroughs across fields, and how AI is already accelerating discovery in areas like biology, materials, and medicine.
They talk about:
What AGI really means and how close we are to it.
Why India needs to move from using AI to creating it.
The missing research culture in Indian industry, and how to fix it.
How AI can transform healthcare, learning, and agriculture in India.
Why ambition, courage, and willingness to fail are essential to deep innovation.
Manish also shares insights from his career across the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center and now DeepMind, two of the world’s most iconic research environments, and what it will take for India to build its own.
If you care about India’s AI journey, research, and the future of innovation, this conversation is a masterclass in what it takes to move from incremental progress to world-changing breakthroughs.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Roopa Kudva, former head of CRISIL and Omidyar Network India, to discuss her new book Leadership Beyond the Playbook and her powerful reflections on leadership.
Roopa shares why leadership is not about following fixed frameworks but about writing your own playbook, shaped by values, lived experiences, and conscious choices. They explore:
The toughest transition from middle to top management and why so few make it
How leaders can build breadth of experience and step out of silos
Why authenticity and developing your unique leadership identity matter more than copying styles
The barriers that hold women back from leadership roles and what it will take for India to change that
Why mental health is a critical leadership issue and how leaders can normalize conversations around it
The role of reflection, sponsors, and executive coaches in accelerating leadership growth
Roopa also shares stories from her own journey, from pioneering credit ratings in India, to asking for the Chief Ratings Officer role at CRISIL, to driving impact investing at scale, and why she believes leadership is both deeply personal and a national imperative.
If you are curious about how leaders are made, the challenges of growing into bigger roles, and what it takes to build an authentic leadership path in today’s world, this episode is a must watch.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal takes a hard look at the state of India’s deep tech ecosystem. While the world races ahead with AI, semiconductors, and frontier science, India is at a crossroads: will we be creators of technology, or just consumers?
Mukesh argues that true deep tech is only possible when rooted in deep science, a culture of research, curiosity, and discovery. He unpacks why India risks being left behind if we don’t invest in science the way the US, Europe, and China have, and what it will take for India to build original IP, Nobel-worthy science, and globally competitive deep tech companies.
He explores:
Why India’s dependence on foreign tech poses a strategic risk.
The looming threats to IT services and startup ecosystems.
How India can move from “Make in India” to “Discover in India, Invent in India, then Make in India.”
Lessons from history: how breakthroughs in physics, AI, and the internet all started with curiosity-driven science.
What it will take for India to aspire to Nobel Prizes, original IP, and world-class innovation.
This is not just about technology, it's about India’s future. If you care about Viksit Bharat, scientific ambition, and the next wave of innovation, this video is a must-watch.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Rana Adhikari, experimental physicist at Caltech and leading voice in gravitational-wave research. From doubting Einstein as a student to helping build the LIGO detectors that confirmed his theories, Rana has been honoured with the Breakthrough Prize, Gruber Prize, and the New Horizons in Physics Prize.
They dive into:
What gravitational waves really are, and how LIGO measures distortions smaller than an atom.
The story behind LIGO’s breakthrough detections which is now catching 2–3 black hole mergers every week.
Why LIGO-India, now approved and funded, could be the world’s most precise detector and even test Einstein’s theory of relativity itself.
The cutting-edge role of quantum entanglement and AI in pushing measurement beyond classical limits.
Building a thriving science ecosystem in India focused on mentorship, risk-taking, and the path to future Nobel Prizes.
Rana also shares his personal journey from tinkering as an auto mechanic in Florida, to becoming one of the world’s foremost experimental physicists, and now working closely with India to bring world-class science infrastructure to life.
If you’re curious about black holes, the true nature of reality, or India’s chance to lead in fundamental science, this conversation is a must-watch.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Raghuram Rajan (Former RBI Governor) on India’s economic crossroads, tariff wars, shifting geopolitics, AI disruption, and the urgent need for jobs and human capital investment.
They discuss:
India’s position between the U.S. and China.
The real impact of tariffs on trade, GDP, and livelihoods.
Why 7.8% GDP growth isn’t the full story.
The jobs crisis and AI’s disruption of tech roles.
Building human capital: world-class universities, R&D, and upskilling.
Strategic autonomy in AI and reducing vulnerabilities.
Dr. Rajan’s message to India’s youth on ambition, learning, and opportunity.
If you want to understand the choices shaping India’s economic future, this is a must-watch conversation.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Sharad Sharma, one of the key minds behind Aadhaar and UPI. Sharad shares why he left a successful corporate career to focus on nation building, and how India can avoid becoming a trade colony of China or a tech colony of the US by doubling down on deep tech and research-driven innovation.
They discuss:
- The origins of India Stack and Digital Public Infrastructure.
- How UPI really scaled and the lessons for entrepreneurs.
- Why India must build a strong R&D and product innovation ecosystem.
- The urgent need for new research institutions, mid-career researchers, and long-term thinking.
- How India can carve its own path in AI through health, education, and data-driven use cases.
If you want to understand India’s deep-tech playbook and the roadmap to Viksit Bharat, this is a must-watch conversation.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal speaks with Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). India’s biggest push yet to fund science, research, and deep tech.
Shiv explains why India needs to build its own technologies instead of only buying them, and how ANRF will unlock ₹50,000 crore in research grants and ₹1 lakh crore in patient capital to power innovation.
They talk about:
- How research moves from a basic idea to real products.- Why India spends less on R&D than other nations and how that can change.
- How startups, industry, and researchers can work with ANRF.
- The big focus areas: AI, medical tech, EVs, quantum, biotech, energy, and more.
Shiv also shares his own journey from researcher to industry leader with 75+ patents, and now stepping into government to shape India’s research future.
If you’re curious about India’s innovation story and where the next big breakthroughs will come from, this conversation is a must-watch.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank, to unpack the chaos behind Trump’s tariff wars and what it means for the global order.
They explore why these moves aren’t just about trade, but about four bigger objectives. Covering various topics from stagnant U.S. wages and life expectancy gaps to America’s renewed manufacturing drive for national security, this episode talks about the forces influencing today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
They discuss whether tariffs can deliver on revenue goals, the risks of a trade war, and how a “might is right” continues to dominate global economics. Neelkanth dives into why a dollar devaluation may be inevitable, what history teaches us, and why China as a near-equal opposer changes the game.
Whether you’re an investor, policy enthusiast, or curious about the future of money, power, and global stability, this episode offers a lens into the economic strategies that could rewrite the world order.
In this episode of Sparx, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Tejasvi Surya, one of India’s youngest Members of Parliament for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, purpose, and building a stronger nation. From his early days as a student activist to becoming a Member of Parliament at 28, Tejasvi shares the defining moments, risks, and unwavering convictions that shaped his journey.
They dive deep into themes of taking initiative without waiting for permission, the power of youth in nation-building and lessons from icons like Swami Vivekananda on mental strength, physical fitness, and resilience. Tejasvi reveals how a grassroots campaign over coffee shop meetings grew into a statewide movement, why consistency beats intensity in every pursuit, and how a 14-day solo trip to Bhutan helped him rediscover his purpose.
The conversation also spans fitness, governance reforms, Bengaluru’s urban challenges, the future of public transport, and the disruptive force of AI along with a bold vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal dives deep into something that we do all the time - breathing - one of the most integral part of our lives. He explores all the different styles of breathing and shares actionable steps to master breathing.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Naresh Krishnaswamy, CEO of Cult and longtime business partner, to explore the future of fitness, health, and AI-powered transformation in India.
They reflect on Cult’s near-death experiences, why crisis builds culture, and how fitness in India remains massively under-penetrated. Naresh shares behind-the-scenes stories on the explosive popularity of dance workouts, building India’s largest gym network, and why your job should help you lose kilos, not gain them.
Mukesh and Naresh dive into how AI will redefine fitness with intelligent coaches, meeting copilots, productized employee wellness, and data-backed decisions across operations. They also unpack why the biggest disruption may come from outside the industry, including GLP-1 drugs and corporate giants entering the space.
Whether you're a founder, leader, builder, or simply someone who cares about health and performance, this episode will change how you think about fitness, technology, and culture at scale.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Shamik Sharma, SVP Product at Atlassian and former Head of Technology at Myntra, to explore how AI is radically transforming software development, programming, and enterprise workflows.
They unpack how natural language is becoming the new code, how tools like Lovable are reshaping developer productivity, and why the future of software engineering may not need traditional programmers at all.
Shamik shares bold ideas on the rise of vibe coding, why SaaS as we know it is dying, and the untapped potential of multi-agent collaboration, AI-powered IT services, and humanoid robots in the next decade. Mukesh and Shamik also dive into India’s opportunity in this AI wave and what students, engineers, and entrepreneurs must learn now to stay ahead.
Whether you're a founder, developer, product leader, or just AI-curious, this conversation will change how you think about technology, work, and learning in the age of AI.
In this powerful solo episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal - founder of Myntra, CureFit, and Nurix breaks down the seismic shifts AI is bringing to our world. From exponential improvements in capability and cost, to real-world demos of voice AI and autonomous enterprise workflows, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone still on the sidelines of the AI revolution.
Mukesh shares:
Why AI is underhyped, not overhyped
How Nurix is building 24x7 AI-powered voice agents
The rise of “vibe coding” and how anyone can now build apps
The dawn of the autopilot enterprise and infinite scale
What massive investments from OpenAI, Apple really mean?
The golden window for AI-native startups and how to build real moats
Opportunities in health, education, robotics, IT services, and more
How you can stay ahead: prompt engineering, learning, and daily practice
If you’re a founder, operator, technologist or simply curious about the future you cannot afford to miss this episode.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal explores the fast-growing world of Pilates with Rishabh Telang, Business Head at CULT, and Kavitha Srinivasan, one of India’s foremost Pilates educators. Together, they dive into how this century-old practice is becoming a modern-day fitness essential.
Rishabh shares why CULT is going all-in on Pilates, the incredible reception from users, and how the brand plans to scale from a single studio to 100+ across India. Kavitha breaks down the science and history of Pilates.
They discuss how Pilates improves posture, builds deep core strength, prevents injury, and helps people move better for life. Whether you’re a gym-goer, a fitness beginner, or someone struggling with back pain or burnout, this conversation will make you rethink how you train.
A refreshing take on movement, longevity, and India's evolving fitness culture.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Subrata Mitra, legendary venture capitalist and Partner at Accel, to unpack what it really takes to back iconic startups from day zero. From being the first institutional investor in Flipkart to shaping India’s startup DNA over two decades, Subrata shares rare insights on pattern recognition, founder-market fit, and why ambition often matters more than pedigree.
They talk about the evolution of the Indian VC ecosystem, how to spot high-agency founders, and the art of building trust at the earliest stages of company building.
For founders, operators, or anyone interested in the mindset behind India’s startup revolution, this episode offers a masterclass in long-term thinking, conviction-led investing, and the human side of venture capital.
n this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal dives deep into the science of fasting - one of the most powerful tools for improving health, focus and longevity. Drawing from personal experience and cutting-edge research, Mukesh shares how a 10-week fasting journey transformed his energy, blood markers and mental clarity.
He explores the benefits of intermittent fasting, ketosis, and autophagy, while also connecting fasting to ancient practices across cultures of the world. Backed by scientific studies and evolutionary biology, this episode breaks down how fasting works, why it matters, and how you can safely build it into your lifestyle.
Whether you're curious about how to start fasting, weight loss, metabolic health, or boosting productivity, this episode is packed with practical insights and timeless wisdom. A must-listen for anyone serious about wellness, performance, and personal transformation.
Resource List:-
HbA1c - https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/hemoglobin-a1c-hba1c-test/
Fat storage in Men and Women Article - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11706283/
What are Ketone - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketone
Fasting Cancer Book by Valter Longo - https://www.amazon.in/Fasting-Cancer-Nutritechnology-Revolution-Prevention/dp/059354532X
What is Autophagy? - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autophagy
Lanserhof Wellness Clinic in Germany - https://lanserhof.com/en/
What is Panchakarma Treatment - https://www.dabur.com/blog/detoxification/what-panchakarma-treatment
Jindal Naturecure Institute - https://jindalnaturecure.in
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India, to unpack what it takes to build for a diverse and complex market like India. From theater to tech, Prabhjeet shares how empathy, culture, and hands-on leadership have shaped his journey. They dive into Uber's driver ecosystem, AI innovations, and the future of mobility. A conversation filled with real stories and sharp insights.
Resource List:-
Handicap - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicap_(golf)
Second Order Thinking - https://www.processexcellencenetwork.com/business-transformation/articles/what-is-second-order-thinking#:~:text=Second%2Dorder%20thinking%20is%20an,strategic%20and%20effective%20problem%2Dsolving.
In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with tech veteran and former Google and Flipkart leader Peeyush Ranjan to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping work, expertise, and entrepreneurship. From replacing human expertise in fields like medicine, law, and education to building AI-native startups, Peeyush dives deep into the promises and pitfalls of the AI revolution. They discuss the rise of coding, AI tutors, and what it means to be an engineer or student in a world dominated by large language models. If you’re a founder, student, or knowledge worker wondering how to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with clarity, wit, and hard truths.
Resource List:-
What are LLM’s - https://www.cloudflare.com/en-gb/learning/ai/what-is-large-language-model/
AI Hallucination - https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-are-ai-hallucinations
Thick and Thin Wrapper Applications - https://www.command.ai/blog/gpt-wrapper/
Y2K movement - https://medium.com/thevou/what-is-y2k-561c8bffbf98
What does Vibe coding mean - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibe_coding
What are AGI’s - https://cloud.google.com/discover/what-is-artificial-general-intelligence
In this deeply moving episode of SparX, Dr. Devi Shetty—renowned cardiac surgeon and founder of Narayana Health—opens up about his life, purpose, and groundbreaking journey in making healthcare accessible for all. From treating Mother Teresa early in his career to pioneering India’s most affordable heart surgeries, Dr. Shetty shares how simplicity, spirituality, and a relentless focus on purpose shaped his path.
He recounts powerful stories, from performing over 20,000 surgeries to launching the revolutionary Yeshashwini health insurance scheme that covered millions of farmers at just ₹5 a month. Dr. Shetty also speaks about India's potential to become the first country to dissociate healthcare from wealth, and how technology, digitization, and AI are transforming the future of medicine.
Whether you're an aspiring doctor, a policymaker, an entrepreneur, or someone passionate about health equity, this episode is packed with insights on leadership, impact, and India's healthcare revolution. A must-watch conversation between Dr. Shetty and your host, Mukesh Bansal.
Resource List:-
Narayana Health - https://www.narayanahealth.org
“Good to Great” by Jim Collins - https://www.amazon.in/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
The Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme - https://www.bajajallianz.com/blog/health-insurance-articles/yeshasvini-health-insurance-scheme.html#:~:text=The%20Yeshasvini%20Health%20Insurance%20Scheme%20is%20a%20community%2Ddriven%20health,medical%20procedures%20at%20network%20hospitals.
“The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid” by C.K. Prahalad - https://www.amazon.in/Fortune-Bottom-Pyramid-Eradicating-Poverty/dp/8177587765
Narayana Health Insurance Plan - https://www.narayanahealth.insurance
History of Cataract Surgery - https://eyewiki.org/History_of_Cataract_Surgery
Article on “Govt will add 75K medical seats in next 5 years” - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/govt-will-add-75k-medical-seats-in-next-5-years-nadda/articleshow/121606966.cms
Increasing risks of heart attacks in Young Adults - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/are-young-adults-in-india-facing-an-unprecedented-heart-attack-epidemic/articleshow/118121982.cms#:~:text=Heart%20attack%20rates%20are%20rising,face%20rising%20heart%20attack%20rates.
About SparX by Mukesh Bansal
SparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth.
We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us.
In a new episode every Saturday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career.
This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.
Follow us on our Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal
Also check out our website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com
You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms!
Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com
In this thought-provoking episode of SparX, we speak with Pratyush Kumar, co-founder of Sarvam AI, about India's bold journey to build its own large language models (LLMs) and establish true AI sovereignty. Pratyush shares insights into the launch of Sarvam, a homegrown multilingual model capable of handling math, programming, and Indic languages with impressive accuracy. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of creating smaller, cost-efficient models that can be run locally, the importance of Indian-origin data, and how AI must be made accessible across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. Pratyush also reflects on his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the urgency of building open-source tools, and how Indian voices, culture, and context can shape the global AI narrative. The episode touches on:
– How Sarvam AI is built differently for India’s needs
– The importance of voice-to-voice and cross-language translation
– Why domain-specific AI could unlock India's full digital potential
– What true AI-first organizations and nations should prioritize now
This is a must-watch for anyone curious about the future of AI, India’s place in it, and how we can build a technological ecosystem that reflects and serves our unique context.
About SparX by Mukesh BansalSparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth. We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us. In a new episode every Saturday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career. This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.Follow us on our Instagram: / sparxbymukeshbansal Also check out our website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms!Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com
