The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma

Sanjiv Sharma, a veteran in Indian entertainment, shares his journey from advertising to pioneering ad filmmaking and television production. Topics include embracing life's journey, family relationships, creativity in filmmaking, adapting international formats for Indian television, and reflections on fame in the industry.

Bhargavi Zaveri-Shah discusses navigating the regulatory state at the intersection of law & economics. Topics include gender dynamics in workplaces, governance and regulation comparisons, central bank independence, challenges in regulatory agencies, childhood in Bombay, interdisciplinary law and economics, bureaucratic process in India, court reforms, and academia-policy expertise.

Niranjan Rajadhyaksha shares insights on embracing the bystander role in journalism and policy, navigating evolving perspectives with age, and exploring multilingual upbringing. He discusses regional identities, feminist literature, childhood memories, and passion for economics. The conversation covers financial journalism in India, mentorship values, editorial vision, and driving reforms through understanding incentives. Rajadhyaksha reflects on the evolving landscape of journalism, impact of regional languages on entertainment and economy, and shares book, film, and music preferences. He offers advice for young economists and journalists.

Rajeswari Sengupta, a renowned economist specializing in the Indian economy, dives into the complex landscape of India's economic journey over the past 75 years. She explores the challenges of poverty, critiques government welfare schemes, and discusses the contrasting economic philosophies of Nehru and Ambedkar. Rajeswari emphasizes the importance of learning from past missteps, the impact of central planning, and the urgent need for reforms in agriculture and the informal sector. Her insights shed light on the intricate connections between policy choices and economic realities in India.

Urban transport pioneer Shashi Verma discusses reshaping urban transport, London's post-war challenges, navigating dual commitments, and revolutionizing London's transportation with contactless payments in an insightful and engaging conversation.

Historian Vinayak Chaturvedi discusses Hindutva's history, complexities, and controversies with host Amit Varma. They explore Savarkar's legacy, Gandhi's influence, and the evolving concept of Hindutva beyond Hinduism. From academic challenges to personal anecdotes, they shed light on the importance of understanding historical behaviors and identity politics in shaping modern India.

Narayan Ramachandran, a former top banker, discusses stimulating change, building institutions, and making ideas come together. They explore the importance of long-term thinking, the Maharashtra Renaissance, leadership qualities, personalized learning approaches, and the power of hunger and initiative. The conversation also touches on writing for critical thinking, intersecting economic and sociological ideas, and navigating success and self-reflection.

Arati Kumar-Rao discusses self-discovery through travel and writing, navigating the digital age, family influences on ethical choices, balancing truth-telling in storytelling, observation in photography and writing, and unexpected discoveries in Calcutta. She also explores environmental themes, creative growth through new experiences, government intervention in environmental matters, challenges of urban migration, and unintended consequences of the Farakka Barrage.

Kushal Mehra, a dharmik skeptic, discusses his intellectual evolution and podcast journey with Amit Varma. They explore atheism in Hindu philosophy, contrasting Western and Indian secular thought, moral relativism, Hindutva origins, BJP's stance on markets, challenges in Indian democracy, and the impact of technology on societal values.

V Vinay, creator of the iconic Simputer, discusses his journey from scientist to entrepreneur, exploring topics like time travel, language evolution, childhood memories, non-traditional education, science applications, and the power of loyalty in relationships. He also delves into astrology, practical impact in science, teaching methods, financial hurdles in innovation, and the revolution of Simpute technology.