How I Masaba

In honor of the upcoming release of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Vidya Balan's return to the franchise, listen back to this inspiring conversation with Masaba Gupta. The two discussed Vidya’s unique career path, her early. days of navigating fame ("I want to be invisible, but I'm an actor" she remembers thinking); how she prepares for a role, the three questions she asks herself when considering whether or not to do a project and how she feels about regret. Plus, why she thinks movement is life.

[Encore episode] Legendary publisher Chiki Sarkar, whose dynamic career has shaped the literary landscape in India. From her role as Editor-in-Chief at Random House India to her time as Publisher at Penguin, and now a founder of Juggernaut Books, Chiki has been at the forefront of the industry, bringing groundbreaking authors and stories to readers worldwide. She shares her thoughts on the evolving reading trends in India, the careful decision-making process behind selecting books to publish, and the comfort novel she finds herself returning to every few years. We also get an inside look at her favorite author collaborations and the behind-the-scenes magic of publishing.

[Encore] Chef Garima Aurora recently became the first female Indian chef to have earned two Michelin stars--at her Bangkok restaurant Gaa. (She was also the first female Indian chef to earn one Michelin star.) In this deep and wide-ranging conversation from 2022, Masaba talks to Chef Garima about her forever love of nachos--sometimes washed down with champagne--about her experience working at Noma, and about the specific ways she approaches leadership and culture-building.

Masaba Gupta, who once played professional tennis herself, talks to Sania Mirza about Sania's amazing tennis career, including the sacrifices it took to become the world's number one. Sania muses about her impending retirement, and how motherhood has affected her personal life and her tennis career. She also talks about the life-changing match she played with Serena Williams.

Activism! Sports! Women! Introducing Hoops Off, a show that looks at the latest ways sports is intersecting with women’s issues, culture and society. Liz Lapp and Karen Uyenco are savvy sports fans, keen analysts, and, like Masaba and her mother, hilarious co-hosts with a surplus of hot takes. Sports journalists, athletes, activists, agents, talent, comedians, and more join them to bring additional perspectives to the rollicking discussion. New episodes weekly. Listen at https://luminary.link/hoops

Masaba Gupta talks to Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan about watching the TV she wants to watch despite what everyone thinks, Hollywood's issue of diversity and representation—and how that's starting to change, an unforgettable "tip" on how to keep your cool when meeting celebrities, and why Hermione Granger was her childhood hero.

Masaba Gupta talks to the legendary publisher Chiki Sarkar about her long and storied career (which included time as editor-in-chief at Random House India, and publisher at Penguin), and about everything from her view on the evolving reading trends in India, her process of deciding which books to publish, her comfort novel, and her favorite writer to collaborate with.

Masaba Gupta talks to the iconic lawyer Mrinalini Deshmukh on 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 desire to join politics.

Masaba Gupta talks to the globally acclaimed filmmaker, Mira Nair about her path as an artist–including the inspiration she gets from India, how cinema verité informed her filmmaking, and what drives her choice of subjects and actors. On her eye for spotting, and working with, world-class talent, she says she surrenders to people, which gets them to do what she wants them to do, but “using their spirit that I saw in them.”Nair also talks about her upcoming film about the artist Amrita Sher-gill, who Nair describes as “a bit like me. She has straddled two worlds to make a unique vocabulary of her painting.”

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 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.

Masaba Gupta talks to the educator, philanthropist, and businesswoman Dr. Neerja Birla about juggling multiple personal and professional roles, her penchant for exploring India by bicycle, her perspectives on raising children, and the important work she does to raise awareness about mental health.

Masaba Gupta talks to the legendary 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.

The Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India, Megha Kapoor, sits down with Masaba Gupta to discuss how she has been navigating the intertwined worlds of fashion and Bollywood while contributing vision and energy to an amazing 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’s like working with Anna Wintour (and the seemingly rare expression Megha is able to elicit from her iconic mentor and boss).

Her designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé and Priyanka Chopra. Anita Dongre talks shop with fellow designer Masaba Gupta about everything from balancing the exercise of one’s creative muscles with running a business, as well as the unique way her family fits into her career, and the things that simply can’t be learned in Fashion School. Plus, what the moment was like when she learned Kate Middleton would be wearing her design. Anita also shares the nightly life hack that keeps her sane. 

Masaba Gupta talks to the award-winning journalist Faye D’Souza about what it has been like to start an independent news portal, as well as what her relationship with news is–for example her take on trigger warnings, and how she protects herself in the face of disturbing news. She also shares her best practice for getting the most out of an interviewee, and who she has had the most fun interviewing.

Masaba Gupta talks to the sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar about her long and storied career in music, including the thrill of performing live--especially after the pandemic. She also describes what she considers the secret sauce of collaborating with great artists. and recounts a memorable moment and lesson from “Uncle George”, a.k.a The Beatles’ George Harrison.

Vidya Balan is living proof that conventions can be broken. When the Bollywood superstar sat down with Masaba Gupta, the two discussed Vidya’s unique career path, as well as how she prepares for, and brings emotional authenticity to, the characters she plays. Vidya also spoke candidly about body positivity in the face of public scrutiny, and how her relationship with her body and fashion (Vidya is one of the first few actresses to take the traditional Indian garment, the sari, international) has evolved. 

Masaba Gupta talks to Chef Garima Arora, the first Indian woman to win a Michelin star for her Bangkok restaurant, GAA. Garima speaks about her newfound love of working out (and forever love of nachos), experience working at Noma, and philosophies on leadership and culture-building.

Masaba Gupta talks to Sania Mirza about her glorious tennis career--how it all began, and the sacrifices it took to become the world's number one. Sania muses about her impending retirement, and how motherhood has affected her personal life and her tennis career. She also talks about the life-changing match she played with Serena Williams.

Designer and actress Masaba Gupta sits down with fellow badass femmes to learn how they do them. These are the inspirational mindsets, necessary daily practices, and only-funny-in-hindsight experiences that have defined, and continue to drive, some of our culture’s most talented people.