How I Masaba

In this episode, Masaba Gupta sits down with the legendary filmmaker Mira Nair—known for masterpieces like Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay, and Mississippi Masala—to explore the artistry, inspiration, and instinct behind her globally celebrated work. From drawing cinematic magic out of real-life stories to discovering talent in unexpected places, Nair reflects, in this 2022 conversation, on how her journey has been shaped by India’s vibrancy, the truth of cinema verité, and how she works with talent--from big names like Denzel Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Uma Thurman to people she discovered and cast based on instinct. In fact, preserving one's instinct is a distinct value of Nair's, and is a throughline to this conversation.

Actor and comedian Mallika Dua talks with Masaba Gupta about her training as an actor, and why she calls herself an accidental comedian. The duo compare notes on the perils of creating content for social media platforms, and the future of the Internet. Plus Mallika shares the importance of mental health in her life, including her approach to dealing with personal loss.

Masaba Gupta sits down with Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan to discuss navigating fame, embracing her cultural identity, and Hollywood’s evolving approach to diversity and representation. An actor who champions inclusivity—especially for South Asian voices—and inspires audiences worldwide, Maitreyi talks about the lasting influences Hermione Granger has had on her, and shares insights on staying grounded. Plus, a funny a tip for keeping your cool around celebrities. "My job has made me mature faster... but I still cherish being young and carefree." This conversation was recorded in 2023.

Encore episode! Masaba Gupta sits down with Dr. Neerja Birla—educator, philanthropist, and business leader—for an inspiring conversation about balancing personal and professional roles, her love for exploring India on two wheels, and her thoughtful approach to parenting. Dr. Birla shares her unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy and the transformative work of her organizations in creating widespread awareness. With wisdom passed down from her family, she reflects on the profound importance of building and nurturing relationships, the challenges of maintaining them, and the lasting value of bridges built with care and intention.

Masaba Gupta talks to the iconic lawyer Mrinalini Deshmukh, who has handled the divorce cases of multiple Bollywood celebrities, as well as multiple other family law cases. She and Masaba take some deep dives on topics such as: navigating one’s emotions while practicing law, changing familial trends of the Indian society, the burden of her perception of being a tough taskmaster, the importance of sensitivity in practicing family law, and her abiding interest in studying politics.

['Best of' Episode] Masaba Gupta talks to her mother and co-star (in the series Masaba, Masaba), Neena Gupta. The iconic actor talks about the journey of her career–from humble beginnings in theatre, to her breakout roles, to succeeding in the film industry without mentors. She reflects on creating a strong sense of purpose in life, and the difference between popularity and success. Plus: Neena Gupta gives her take on the hot button issue of nepotism in Bollywood.

[REPLAY: In honor of the legendary player's birthday, listen back to this inspiriing episode.] Masaba Gupta talks to the Indian cricketer Mithali Raj about her philosophy on leadership, and why being an empathetic leader is so important. The accomplished athlete describes her admiration for cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and cricket coach Ricky Ponting. Plus, she reflects on the timely topic of equal pay for men and women cricketers. Raj also reveals what she does to calm her nerves in tense moments during a match.

In this encore episode from 2022, the now former Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, Megha Kapoor spoke with Masaba Gupta about how she chose to navigate the intertwined worlds of fashion and Bollywood while contributing vision and energy to an amazing media brand. They talk about Megha’s passion for being a champion of young creatives, welcoming diverse voices to the table of collaboration, and the myth of networking. Plus: what it was like working with Anna Wintour (and the seemingly rare expression Megha was able to elicit from her iconic mentor and boss).

Award-winning journalist Faye D’Souza joins Masaba to reflect on the journey of launching an independent news portal, and on her unique relationship with the news. From her thoughts on trigger warnings to strategies for safeguarding her mental well-being while covering distressing stories, Faye offers candid insights. The respected journalist also reveals her top tips for conducting meaningful interviews and shares her most memorable interview experiences. Recorded in 2022, this engaging conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about journalism, entrepreneurship, and forging one's own path.