

Inside Forbes India
Forbes India
Forbes India in association with TheIndicast.com bring you conversations with the people behind the Forbes India Magazine. Listen to what went in developing the cover story and special reports in the latest issue of the Forbes India Magazine along with expert insights on the top news from one of the most vibrant world economies
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2025 • 17min
How Startups are Disrupting Indian Healthcare
Naini Thaker, a journalist from Forbes India with a focus on innovative solutions, discusses the transformative role of startups in Indian healthcare. She highlights how technology is tackling accessibility and affordability, with examples of AI-driven diagnostics and remote critical care. The conversation unveils the shift towards outcome-based evaluations, emphasizing the importance of standardization and investment in health tech. Thaker illustrates how these innovations are shaping a more efficient and inclusive healthcare landscape in India.

Aug 26, 2025 • 9min
From Auto Components to Cannons: Inside Bharat Forge’s transformation
Manu And Balachandran, a Forbes India cover story writer, dives into Bharat Forge's remarkable journey from auto components to a key player in India's defense sector. He discusses how Baba Kalyani's vision and military interest are reshaping the company's future. The conversation reveals insights into their innovative R&D investments, growing capabilities in artillery and UAVs, and the impact of supportive government policies. With new defense verticals emerging and exports underway, Bharat Forge is strategically positioning itself for a transformative role in national security.

Aug 11, 2025 • 17min
From solar to healthcare, how startups are solving for Bharat
Naini Thaker, a Forbes India journalist who covers startups revolutionizing rural markets, discusses the innovative ways entrepreneurs are addressing the needs of Bharat. She highlights how e-grocers are mapping villages and CureBay's hybrid e-clinics are improving healthcare access. The podcast delves into challenges like antibiotic resistance and cultural diversity, while emphasizing the importance of trust in building successful startups. With a focus on solar energy and community engagement, the conversation reveals the immense potential for growth in India's rural landscape.

5 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 12min
Demystifying India's Cabs War
Naini Thaker, a Forbes India reporter specializing in transportation, dives into the evolving landscape of India's ride-hailing sector. She discusses the shift from traditional commission models to subscription-based systems prioritizing driver welfare. The competitive tensions between major players like Ola, Uber, and Rapido are explored, highlighting the need for strategies that meet both driver needs and market demands. Naini also sheds light on innovative pricing models aimed at establishing a sustainable future for drivers in this dynamic industry.

4 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 9min
From China’s Grip to Made in India: The rare earth magnet dilemma
Manu Balachandran, an expert in the automotive industry, dives deep into the global shortage of rare earth magnets and its significant impact on India's auto sector. He discusses the heavy reliance on China for these critical materials and the resulting geopolitical tensions. Balachandran outlines potential solutions, including India's push for a domestic rare earth ecosystem. He highlights challenges within the EV market, from consumer hesitance due to limited charging infrastructure to the need for robust government initiatives. It's a crucial conversation on self-reliance and innovation.

Jun 20, 2025 • 14min
From Consumer Tech to Deep Tech: India’s startup evolution
Naini Thaker, a Forbes India journalist, dives into India's evolving startup scene, showcasing a shift from consumer tech to deep tech. She highlights how startups are tackling unique challenges, with innovative examples like InMobi's AI pivot and Moonrider's EV tractors. The discussion emphasizes the role of optimism and patient capital in nurturing ambitious entrepreneurs. Additionally, Thaker explores the potential of integrating new technologies with traditional practices, positioning India as a future global tech leader.

Jun 5, 2025 • 15min
On the promise of AI beyond the hype
Homegrown innovators, policymakers, and startups are laying the groundwork for an AI future where Indian languages, datasets and social context will shape the future of AI. Forbes India's Naini Thaker unpacks our AI special which has identified 30 Indians who are leading the revolution in their own fields

May 29, 2025 • 8min
16 Essays, One Future: Forbes India's anniversary special on disruption
In this special edition of the Inside Forbes India Podcast, Kunal Purandare discusses the magazine's 16th anniversary issue, themed around disruption. The episode explores essays on India's resilience to global shocks, the rise of longevity science, AI's evolving role in work, why sport matters beyond medals and much more. The edition takes stock of India's present and future potential with insights from leaders like Abhinav Bindra, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, and Rohan Murty.

May 15, 2025 • 10min
Leadership, Risk, and Reinvention: Amitabh Chaudhry's new playbook for Axis Bank
In the latest episode of the Inside Forbes India podcast, Salil Panchal discusses Axis Bank's transformation under CEO Amitabh Chaudhry. From bold leadership shifts to the pivotal acquisition of Citibank's India consumer business, Axis Bank is now scaling up in credit cards and wealth management. Chaudhry's hands-on yet non-micromanaging style, focus on tech, and clear sector priorities are driving growth. With his term running till 2027, the bank has time to sharpen its edge.

Apr 30, 2025 • 14min
Sun Pharma's Quiet Architect: Inside Dilip Shanghvi's vision
In the latest episode of Inside Forbes India Podcast, Naini Thaker discusses her deep-dive profile on Dilip Shanghvi, the low-key founder of Sun Pharma, India's largest pharmaceutical company. Starting with just $200, Shanghvi's strategic focus on chronic therapies and high-value acquisitions—most notably Ranbaxy—helped shape Sun Pharma into a global force. The conversation explores how the company weathered challenges, such as price erosion, by doubling down on R&D and pivoting toward complex speciality drugs. It also highlights that Shanghvi's leadership is marked by humility, passion for his work, and a focus on patient care rather than wealth accumulation.