Episode 127 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Sahiba Bali, a rising talent in Indian cinema and OTT. Known for Laila Majnu and Bard of Blood, she brings a rare mix of acting depth and creative vision. Beyond the screen, Sahiba has worked in marketing with Zomato and with Cricbuzz on Criclytics, blending storytelling with data and strategy. She also co-hosted Shark Tank India, adding a new dimension to her creative journey.Recording Date: August 20, 2025

This is what we talked about:0:00 - Intro0:55 - Why Successful Women Are Hated6:43 - Overachiever Sahiba9:30 - Will Sahiba ever do Bigg Boss?12:45 - Bonding Over Love Island15:18 - Sahiba Learns WWE Is Fake18:27 - Is Prakhar Going To a Reality Show20:07 - Favourite Roadies Season23:43 - Sahiba's Guilty Pleasure25:24 - Shoutout To The Short Kings28:56 - Sahiba Is Attracted To...32:56 - 1 Breakup = 1 Tattoo37:50 - Sahiba's New Boyfriend41:48 - Juvenile Prison Experience43:53 - Sahiba's First Language47:14 - Why Sahiba Hates USA49:59 - Zakir Khan Is Not A Comedian51:25 - Music Is Dead57:54 - Are Travis Scott's Concert Satanic?1:02:18 - Metro Is Love1:08:17 - Struggle Of Not Being Taken Seriously1:09:17 - Suffering From Imposter Syndrome1:22:35 - Listening To Bhajan1:27:43 - Losing Nani and Dadi1:31:30 - Exploring Delhi With Friends1:32:28 - Question For Prakhar1:40:24 - Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana1:42:46 - Final Words

Episode 126 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Munawar Faruqui, one of India’s most acclaimed stand-up comedians, rappers, and reality TV stars. Rising from a challenging childhood in Junagadh, Gujarat, Munawar has won major shows like Lock Upp (2022) and Bigg Boss 17 (2023), captivating millions with his sharp wit, bold humor, and honest storytelling. Beyond comedy, he is known for his resilience, overcoming personal hardships and legal battles, making him a powerful voice of perseverance and creativity in India’s entertainment scene.Recording Date: August 10, 2025

This is what we talked about:0:00 - Intro 00:49 - Are Reality Shows Real or Scripted?06:33 - Munawar on What True Love Means10:42 - The Best Therapist He Ever Had12:47 - Childhood Struggles That Shaped Him19:17 - Losing His Mother23:14 - His Biggest Regret in Life24:58 - Facing Loss for the First Time33:40 - What Keeps Munawar Going42:40 - Lessons From His Wife44:21 - How Fatherhood Changed Him45:31 - What’s Next for Munawar?48:40 - Shayaris Straight From the Heart52:42 - His Take on Haters & Trolls54:15 - The Moment That Changed His Life56:54 - Final Words

Episode 125 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Dr. Ravi Sharma, one of India’s top neurosurgeons trained entirely at AIIMS, New Delhi. With over 15 years of experience and 120+ research papers, he has handled some of the toughest brain and spine surgeries with exceptional results. Awarded the Institute Medal by the Prime Minister as AIIMS’ best MBBS graduate, Dr. Sharma now leads at Paras Health, Gurugram, specializing in brain tumors, skull base surgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and complex head injuries.Recording Date: August 4, 2025

This is what we talked about:0:00 - Scrolling Is Destroying Your Sleep01:28 - Vaping Is Making You Dumb05:08 - Dopamine Detox08:34 - New Disorder Discovered09:53 - Awareness Paradox11:50 - Porn Ruining Intimacy14:15 - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy18:47 - How He Topped NEET By Sleeping Well22:18 - Side Effects Of Melatonin23:18 - How To Unlock Super Intelligence28:02 - Can Neuralink Cure Blindness30:12 - What Is Parkinson's Disease33:32 - Humans Becoming Cyborgs35:12 - Do Dreams Have Meaning39:48 - What Is Personality Made Of42:37 - Real Life Aparichit49:48 - Causes Of PTSD54:24 - Trauma Response is Genetic55:55 - Delulu Is 'Not' The Solulu59:05 - The Pink Hippopotamus1:00:58 - Frontal Lobe Depression1:04:12 - Some Fascinating Cases1:08:40 - Most Common Issues1:16:12 - Headaches and Their Types1:17:52 - Migraine and Its Triggers1:23:33 - Left Brain vs. Right Brain Theory1:27:37 - What Does It Mean to Be Brain Dead?1:30:17 - Difference Between Coma and Brain Death1:31:42 - Consciousness and Its Origin1:34:47 - Meditation and Neuroscience1:37:46 - Supplements for the Brain1:40:32 - The Future of Neuroscience in 20 Years

Episode 124 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Maj Gen Ashok Kumar, a distinguished Indian Army veteran and Kargil War hero. He offers invaluable insights on counterinsurgency, India’s Pakistan-China relations, border security, and evolving national defense challenges.Recording Date: June 7, 2025

This is what we talked about: 00:00 - Intro00:58 - How India Won Kargil War08:52 - Why the Ceasefire Was Violated11:39 - Why India Didn't Capture PoK18:30 - Was Pakistan Unprepared?19:55 - Why Indian Army Didn’t Cross the LoC30:07 - Pakistan’s Siachen Blunder35:04 - Inside Pakistan's Military Dictatorship37:24 - 2016 Surgical Strike39:22 - India's Response to Pulwama40:55 - Pakistan-China Alliance46:06 - China's Role in Pahalgam51:18 - Timing of Operation Sindoor56:23 - Were Turkish Drones Aiding Pakistan?1:00:03 - Targeting Pakistan’s Nuclear Sites1:03:18 - Gathering Intel for Operation Sindoor1:14:08 - Inside the War Room1:21:55 - Untold Stories from PoK1:32:54 PoK v/s J&K1:37:59 - Truth About Surveillance in PoK1:39:02 - Questions for Prakhar

Episode 123 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Colonel Ranveer Singh Jamwal, a distinguished Indian Army officer and accomplished mountaineer. With three successful ascents of Mount Everest and completion of the Seven Summits challenge, he has led over 70 expeditions globally. As the Director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS), he successfully initiated the Har Shikhar Tiranga mission, which involved raising the national flag atop the highest peaks of all Indian states.Recording Date: June 5, 2025

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Why Kanchenjunga is so deadly04:03 - Dead Bodies in the Himalayas06:14 - Facing Fear in the Mountains09:53 - Tough Decisions on Expeditions14:51 - Dangers of Rafting24:21 - What is NIMAS?27:07 - Adventure Sports & Nature33:05 - Losing a Finger to Frostbite41:57 - Climbing the Seven Summits45:25 - Nepal Earthquake Rescue59:31 - Spiritual Tales of Nanda Devi01:02:41 - Who was Malli Mastan Babu?01:14:32 - Spirituality in the Mountains

Episode 122 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Aakash “Sky” Malhotra, adventure athlete and founder of Wander with Sky. With 2M+ followers, Sky has explored 53 countries and all of India, turning wanderlust into a digital empire. A digital marketing and entrepreneurship expert, he inspires young Indians to embrace transformative travel. Founder of AWRA, an athleisure brand tested in the Himalayas, he shares insights on building location-independent businesses, evolving travel content, and taking calculated risks..Recording Date: July 15, 2025
This is what we talked about:00:00 - Intro00:50 - Story he’s never told anyone03:17 - What happens before the jump07:40 - What happens in mid-air?13:57 - His First skydive experience22:30 - How he broke his back27:07 - Skydiving 187 times34:12 - His near-death experience41:10 - Why Aakash loves adventure sports45:15 - His best skiing experience48:28 - Best skiing destinations55:44 - How he escaped a shootout01:00:14 - Traveling across India01:08:00 - Hidden gems of India01:12:45 - Traveling in India vs. abroad01:15:10 - Experiencing the Northern Lights01:21:00 - What’s next for Akash

Disclaimer: The opinions of the guest speaker are his personal views and not any form of investment advice or recommendation. Please reach out to a professional advisor for any form of advice before investing in any security. The speaker has discussed their personal journey and profession, and this must not be considered as any recommendation or advice to follow the same ideas and principles as the speaker has followed.Episode 121 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Ajinkya Kulkarni, co-founder of Wint Wealth, a fintech platform making investing and financial planning simple for young Indians. With a strong background in finance and technology, Ajinkya is passionate about empowering the next generation of investors to build long-term wealth through smart, accessible investment strategies. He shares insights on the future of fintech, financial literacy, and the importance of starting early with investing.
This is what we talked about:00:00 - Intro 00:39 - How to Make More Money06:54 - When to Start Investing09:52 - What Financial Freedom Really Means13:28 - How to Organize Your Finances19:14 - Are FDs & Real Estate Worth It?21:54 - Best Investments for 2025–2625:54 - Diff. b/w Equities & Bonds31:04 - How to Invest Your Money Smartly34:30 - Is Gold a Bad Investment37:09 - How Compounding Actually Works42:54 - Spending Habits & Instant Gratification44:14 - Lessons from Rich Dad Poor Dad46:42 - The Psychology of Financial Discipline48:04 - Can Money buy freedom?51:24 - Biggest Money Mistakes55:14 - Spend your Money Wisely59:49 - Best Resources for Financial Wisdom01:03:49 - Books Ajinkya Recommends

Disclaimer: This conversation with Mr. Ajay Bisaria was recorded on August 6, 2025 and reflects the information available to us at that time. Any developments that occurred after the recording date have not been covered by the guest or the host.Episode 120 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Ajay Bisaria.Ajay Bisaria is a former Indian diplomat who served as High Commissioner to Canada (2020–2022) and Pakistan (2017–2020), and as Ambassador to Poland and Lithuania. He was an aide to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1999 to 2004, contributing to major policy initiatives. Over his 35-year career in the Indian Foreign Service, he specialized in India’s relations with Eurasia, including Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia. Academically, he holds degrees from St. Stephen’s College, the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, and Princeton University. Currently, he is a strategic advisor and Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, advising global businesses on geopolitics, governance, and international strategy.

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Intro00:53 - Trump calls India a "Dead Economy"09:21 - Are We in a Tariff War?12:11 - India–U.S. Relations History15:14 - Is Pakistan a New Ally?24:25 - Failures of Indian Media28:17 - Impact of 50% Tariff31:12 - Ambassador vs High Commissioner35:26 - Pakistan as a Paradox38:31 - Collapse of Diplomacy Talks42:25 - Why Pakistan is Different47:28 - Pakistan’s Denial of Terrorism50:42 - Indus Water Treaty Basics1:04:09 - Trump’s Issue with BRICS1:06:22 - China’s Global Rise1:10:39 - Could Bangladesh Betray India?1:14:21 - Complexity of Global Diplomacy1:17:12 - India–Russia Friendship1:18:54 - India’s Non-Alignment Advantage1:19:18 - Final Question for Prakhar

Episode 119 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Farhan Akhtar, one of the most versatile talents in Indian cinema. He made his directorial debut with the iconic Dil Chahta Hai and went on to build a successful career as a filmmaker, actor, writer, and singer. From Rock On!! to Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Farhan has consistently pushed creative boundaries and left a lasting impact on Indian storytelling.Recording Date: July 31, 2025

00:00 - Intro0:01:06 - Kavi Kehna Chahate Hain Ki..0:10:49 - Farhan on Dil Chahta Hai0:17:16 - Why Sholay Is So Special0:22:32 - ZNMD's Core Emotion0:27:46 - The Story of 120 Bahadurs0:38:14 - Growing Up with an Intellectual Father0:41:56 - What He Likes to Read0:52:07 - Relationship with His Mother0:54:50 - Founding MARD1:02:00 - Men’s Issue with Masculinity1:05:53 - Farhan’s First Heartbreak1:10:12 - Learnings from His Spouse1:20:33 - Being Raised by a Successful Father1:22:33 - Directing Aamir Khan vs Shah Rukh Khan1:23:43 - Advice to the Young Generation1:27:08 - Getting Kicked Out of College1:34:38 - Question for Prakhar

Episode 118 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Viswanathan Anand, one of the greatest chess players of all time. He is a five-time World Champion and was the first Grandmaster from India. His journey has inspired millions and helped make chess popular across the country. Known for his calm mind and sharp thinking, Anand has received many top honours, including the Padma Vibhushan.Beyond the board, Anand is a proud father to 12-year-old Akhil, a prodigious talent in art and mathematics. Akhil has a deep fascination with patterns and often blends his love for both subjects by spotting mathematical beauty in the world around him. He has written a book titled The Heart of Math: A Young Boy’s Passion for Art, Math and Pattern, which showcases his unique way of seeing the world.

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Intro01:06 - Gukesh vs Magnus06:46 - Cheating in Chess

16:22 - Samay’s Impact on Indian Chess

20:15 - Vishy’s Impact on Indian Chess

26:24 - Rating His Juniors

31:58 - Why South India Dominates Chess

33:17 - Arjun vs Gukesh vs Prag

33:34 - Vishy’s Favourite Rivalry

35:48 - Vishy vs Magnus

41:12 - Computers in Chess

48:12 - Kasparov vs Deep Blue

53:16 - How the Mind of a Grandmaster Works

56:19 - Levon vs Vishy (2013)

01:16:20 - Vishy on Mikhail Tal

01:22:05 - Who Was Paul Morphy?

01:24:06 - Can Chess Make You Insane?

01:30:37 - How chess players make money?

01:38:46 - Learning from His Spouse

01:40:26 - What’s Next for Vishy

01:43:28 - Vishy’s Question for Prakhar

Episode 117 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features C. Sivasankaran, a fearless visionary entrepreneur who transformed India’s telecom landscape with Aircel and Sterling Cellular. His latest venture AIWO offers preventive healthcare solutions targeting physical, mental and cellular-level rejuvenation.

Recording Date: July 14, 2025

Episode 116 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Balaji Srinivasan, a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and author known for his influential ideas on technology, decentralization, and the future of society. Based in Silicon Valley, CA, he’s the former CTO of Coinbase, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz-backed startups like 21 Inc., and author of The Network State, a groundbreaking book on building digital-first nations.Recording Date: May 28, 2025

This is what we talked about:00:00 - How Global Power is Shifting?07:16 - The US, China and the Internet 24:00 - How Powerful is China?53:45 - What China is NOT01:00:00 - The Internet Century 01:38:00 - What is Internet Place?01:40:00 - Concept of Network States01:47:10 - How can India Play to Win?02:19:45 - Are Dangers of AI Understated?02:26:54 - The Ignored Global Conspiracy.02:29:33 - The Truth about Human Psychology 02:35:00 - About Network School02:37:35 - Prakhar's Reflections

Episode 114 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Akaash Singh, an Indian-American stand-up comedian, actor, and podcaster. He’s known for his work on MTV’s Guy Code and Wild ‘N Out, and co-hosts the Flagrant podcast with Andrew Schulz.Recording Date: July 18, 2025

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Virat Kohli's controversy07:28 - Akaash on Andrew Tate 09:48 - His Take on Donald Trump14:44 - Favorite podcasts16:07 - “How can she slap?”18:28 - What he learnt from people 22:00 - Dark side of Fame 25:48 - India’s Got Latent27:28 - His Experience on Joe Rogan's podcast31:10 - Thoughts on Bollywood Movies37:02 - He loves Shah Rukh Khan39:08 - Relationship with his wife41:29 - Is he a People pleaser?46:30 - What is love for him?49:42 - His Relationship with God52:22 - Questions for Prakhar

Episode 113 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Namit Malhotra, Founder of Prime Focus and Global CEO of DNEG - the VFX powerhouse behind global hits like Inception, Interstellar, Dune, Avatar, Oppenheimer, and major Marvel & DC films.

Starting Prime Focus from a garage in Mumbai, Namit has gone on to work with top directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve. His companies have also shaped Indian cinema - with Prime Focus handling the Digital Intermediate (DI) on Bajirao Mastani, and DNEG contributing to blockbusters like Baahubali.

He is now producing India’s biggest epic - Ramayana, with music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.Recording Date: July 1, 2025

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Introduction03:50 - His Vision of Ramayana12:50 - The Pressure of Making Ramayana23:44 - Working w/ AR Rahman & Hans Zimmer32:14 - Why India Still Hasn’t Won an Oscar46:44 - Working w/ Christopher Nolan55:44 - Working w/ Denis Villeneuve58:01 - What Does the Future Look Like1:02:46 - Namit's Biggest Fear1:14:39 - Questions for Prakhar

Episode 112 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features India’s top mental health experts in a round table discussion on depression.Dr. Annie BaxiDr. Annie Baxi is a psychologist and academic with over 7 years of teaching experience. She is currently a visiting faculty member at Ashoka University, where she teaches courses such as Qualitative Research Methods and Psychology of Health and Illness. Her research focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of mental health, with a particular emphasis on gender.Dr. Praveen TripathiDr. Praveen Tripathi is a leading psychiatrist, sexologist, and addiction specialist with 17 years of clinical experience. He has worked extensively in the fields of neuropsychiatry and behavioral medicine. Notably, he is one of the few Indian doctors to have cleared the United States Clinical Skills Exam, bringing an international standard to his practice.Dr. Siddharth WarrierDr. Siddharth Warrier is a Mumbai-based neurologist with a passion for science communication. He is widely known for his YouTube channel, where he educates over 400,000 subscribers on topics related to the brain, human behavior, and mental health.Recording Date: February 18, 2025

This is what we talked about:

00:00 - Introduction02:50 - First Experience with Depression08:31 - Is Sadness the Beginning of Depression27:11 - Is Depression a Real Disease33:56 - The Brain Science Behind Depression52:01 - How Society Impacts the Mind1:00:31 - Is Modern Life Making Us Depressed1:04:38 - Can Anger Help You Heal1:12:15 - How Doctors Decide Prescriptions1:14:02 - The Role of Childhood in Depression1:23:00 - How to Identify the Root Cause1:32:35 - Body vs. Mind What’s Really Wrong1:38:57 - The Rise of Antipsychotic Drugs1:42:30 - Experts on Depression and Anxiety1:43:17 - Can Fear Lead to Depression1:49:35 - What Healing with a Psychologist Looks Like2:02:12 - The Limitations of Therapy2:07:00 - Is the Mental Health System Actually Helping2:14:31 - Are We Overdiagnosing Mental Illness2:18:11 - Why People Avoid Psychiatric Medication2:26:30 - Beyond CBT What Else Can Help2:29:16 - What Are ACT and CBT2:30:24 - The Bhagavad Gita and Mental Health2:34:44 - How CBT Actually Works2:45:13 - Can Psychedelics Treat Depression

Episode 111 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Arjun Vajpai, India’s youngest mountaineer to scale Mt. Everest at the age of 16. Since then, he has climbed some of the world’s most dangerous peaks, including Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Manaslu, and Mt. Makalu, surviving avalanches, extreme altitudes, and multiple near-death experiences.

Recording Date: June 3, 2025

This is what we talked about

0:00 - Intro8:14 - The Psychology of a Mountaineer16:57 - Climbing as a Spiritual Journey26:24 - Scenery from the Peak32:46 - Why South Asian Mountaineers Need a Voice39:23 - Hardest Mountains to Climb50:01 - Why No One Has Ever Climbed Mount Kailash56:09 - India’s Rise in Global Sports1:00:06 - The Real Risks of Mountaineering

Episode 110 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Madan Gowri, one of South India’s top content creators. He has crossed a billion views by explaining difficult topics in a clear and simple way. His videos cover culture, news, and social issues, making him one of the most trusted voices in Indian digital media.Recording Date: May 17, 2025

This is what we talked about:00:00 - Introduction01:07 - Three Things Madan Would Change in India05:09 - The Reality of Indian Media15:17 - How Madan Makes Videos Daily23:39 - How India Can Move Forward28:15 - What Is TFR?30:29 - Language Debate: North vs. South45:54 - Madan’s Influencers50:10 - Caste in India53:53 - Politics and Identity1:01:29 - Success and Failure1:04:59 - ’90s Parents vs. Today’s Kids1:16:32 - Parenting differences in South & North India1:19:56 - Neem Karoli Baba’s Story

Episode 109 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Taksh Gupta. Taksh Gupta is the founder and CEO of IITIIMShaadi.com, a private matchmaking platform for IIT and IIM alumni. He started the company at 19 to offer a more secure, refined, and trusted way for high-achieving individuals to find life partners. The platform provides personalized services, verified profiles, and curated matches for serious, like-minded professionals.Recording Date: June 5, 2025
This is what we talked about:00:00 - Introduction01:31 - The Dark Side of Matrimonial Sites07:31 - Which IIT/IIM Grads Are Most in Demand?10:08 - How Highly Educated People Choose Partners12:07 - What Men and Women Look for in a Partner15:54 - Unrealistic Expectations in Indian Matchmaking22:06 - Family Pressure27:48 - Taksh on True Love35:59 - What Exactly Is IITIIMShaadi.com?38:03 - Why Divorces Are Rising in India41:24 - Building IITIIMShaadi53:51 - Questions for Prakhar

Episode 108 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra is a senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies with a focus on military strategy and foreign policy. Known for his candid and often provocative commentary, he offers unique insights on topics ranging from defense and international relations to regional conflicts. With extensive experience in analyzing geopolitical dynamics, Abhijit is a respected voice in discussions on India's security and global positioning.Recording Date: June 27, 2025

Episode 107 of The Prakhar Gupta Xperience features Gaurav Taneja, also known as Flying Beast - a licensed commercial pilot, IIT Kharagpur graduate, professional bodybuilder, and one of India’s most successful content creators. He runs multiple YouTube channels spanning fitness, vlogging, and gaming.Recording Date: June 23, 2025