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  • Why Des Mattered: Anirudh Pisharody on Never Have I Ever | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    Why Des Mattered: Anirudh Pisharody on Never Have I Ever | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/09/16
    On this episode of Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™, Anirudh Pisharody, Des from Netflix's Never Have I Ever, joins Sujatha Padmanabhan to talk about the role that unexpectedly turned him into a global internet boyfriend and changed how a brown leading man could be seen on American television. Anirudh discusses why audiences connected so strongly with Des, and what it meant to see a South Asian man portrayed as both intelligent and desirable on Never Have I Ever. They also talk about growing up Indian in Texas, choosing acting over the pre-med path, the realities of building a career in Hollywood, and why Anirudh eventually decided to create stories himself through Black Velvet Films. All of this, and more, on this episode of Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:40 Early Years and Career Choices 08:19 Passion vs Risks 12:45 Playing ‘Des’ in Never Have I Ever 19:50 The Des and Devi Arc 23:35 On The Reductive ‘Indian Stereotype’ 30:04 On His Relationship with Jill 36:03 Playing ‘Ravi’ on 9-1-1 39:16 Starting Black Velvet Films 43:26 Dream Roles and Rapidfire Questions 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati https://tinyurl.com/LAXMIFOODSBRAND Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    52 分
  • 10,000-Person Waitlist, One Restaurant & The Price of Success | Vikas Khanna on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    10,000-Person Waitlist, One Restaurant & The Price of Success | Vikas Khanna on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/09/02
    A restaurant with a nine-second sellout and a 10,000-person waitlist doesn't happen by accident — it's the result of a much longer story. Sujatha Padmanabhan sits down with Vikas Khanna to talk about building Bungalow, growing up in Amritsar, and the two-decade journey of bringing Indian food to the world stage. He opens up about the sacrifices behind the success, the loneliness of building a life abroad, and why his connection to India has only grown stronger with distance. From his mother's influence to his belief in the diaspora's role in shaping how the world sees Indian food, this is a conversation about ambition, identity, and what it really costs to build something the world lines up for. All of this, and more, on this episode of Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 03:15 - Making it to Time 100 and ‘Vikas Khanna 2.0’ 08:56 - On Patriotism and Sacrifice 15:52 - The ‘Chicken Tikka Masala’ Stereotype 18:02 - On Bungalow and Vikas Khanna’s Journey 26:17 - Entrepreneurship and Investing in Indian Entrepreneurs 33:08 - Vikas Khanna on Companionship and Loneliness 36:41 - On Books, Films and Creative Process 45:19 - Finding a Perfect Balance and ‘Shahrukh Khan Moment’ 50:53 - What’s Next for Vikas Khanna? 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati https://tinyurl.com/LAXMIFOODSBRAND Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    57 分
  • They Changed My Name to 'Roger' | Raj Mathai on the Future of News

    They Changed My Name to 'Roger' | Raj Mathai on the Future of News
    2026/08/19
    He was told his name was too difficult for American television. For nearly four years, Raj Mathai became "Roger." Sujatha Padmanabhan sits down with Raj Mathai, the first Indian sportscaster in the United States and a 12-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, for a conversation about identity, journalism, and adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape. Beyond the story behind his name change, Raj dives into the future of journalism and how media trends are being reshaped by artificial intelligence and social media. As someone who built a journalism career in one of the world's most competitive markets, Raj shares his perspective on the rise of citizen journalism , the challenges of fake news , and why cultivating media literacy is critical for the next generation of storytellers. This conversation is an essential look at the evolving media landscape -a truly inspiring immigrant success story about adapting, maintaining credibility, and finding your voice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:45 The Journalism vs Content Debate 06:15 Credibility and Ethics in Modern Journalism 14:01 Has Reporting News Become Harder? 20:30 Editorial Integrity vs Virality 25:54 From Sports Journalism to Daily News 30:17 Raj’s First Night on Live TV 37:24 On Changing His Name to ‘Roger’ for TV 41:31 Family, Kerala, and Early Years 46:39 On Late Nights and a Journalist’s Schedule 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati ⁠https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    51 分
  • How to Scale a South Indian Restaurant Chain: The Chipotle Model | Jay Jayaraman on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    How to Scale a South Indian Restaurant Chain: The Chipotle Model | Jay Jayaraman on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/08/05
    How do you scale a South Indian restaurant chain without losing authenticity? Jay Jayaraman, founder of the Mylapore brand, reveals how he applied software engineering principles to revolutionize restaurant operations in the USA. In this episode of Diaspora Dialogues, we break down his systems-first approach, moving away from chef-centric models toward centralized kitchens and standardized processes. If you are an NRI entrepreneur looking to build or scale a business in North America, this is a masterclass in operational excellence. We discuss: Scaling South Indian food concepts in the US & Canada. The "Chipotle" model for Indian cuisine. Using automation and standardization for consistency. Overcoming operational challenges for Desi business owners. Subscribe for more insights for the diaspora community. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:20 Early Days in the Restaurant Business 08:01 How Covid Helped the Business Grow 13:07 Why Mylapore Food Tastes the Same Across Locations 15:13 On Mylapore’s Atlanta Expansion 24:32 On Diaspora Food Habits and Airlifting Food 29:40 Why Storytelling is Important for Restaurant Business 34:52 On Women in the Workforce 38:42 Bengaluru: The Capital of South Indian Veg Food? 41:44 On Mylapore’s Business and Pricing Model 47:51 Jay Jayaraman’s Pet Peeves About the Diaspora 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati ⁠https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    52 分
  • Her Father's Death Led to a Global Bhangra Workout | Sarina Jain on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    Her Father's Death Led to a Global Bhangra Workout | Sarina Jain on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/07/22
    "I didn't want to just create a workout — I wanted to create a movement that made people proud of where they came from." 🧡 Sarina Jain's journey from personal loss to building a global fitness brand is one of the most powerful stories we've featured on Diaspora Dialogues. Watch the full episode and let us know — what's a moment in your life that changed everything? 👇 Her father died suddenly, of a heart attack. What came after changed how millions of people work out. Sujatha Padmanabhan speaks with Sarina Jain about creating Masala Bhangra, the Bhangra workout that turned grief into one of the world's most recognized Indian fitness movements. From losing her father to collaborating with Jane Fonda and building a community that stretches from New York to Japan, Sarina shares the highs, setbacks, and purpose behind her 25-year journey. They discuss diaspora identity, entrepreneurship, cultural criticism, food, fitness, and why making people move has always been about much more than exercise. All of this, and more, on this episode of Diaspora Dialogues. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:21 How a Personal Loss Led to Masala Bhangra09:35 What Masala Bhangra is All About13:23 Why Bhangra can be a Form of Exercise17:15 Sarina’s Thoughts on Masala Bhangra Critics 22:43 Appearing on the Jane Fonda Documentary 24:54 Why Sarina’s Videos Don’t Feature Too Many Desis 31:11 Global Impact: Masala Bhangra in Japan 36:50 What’s Next for Sarina Jain 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati ⁠https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    40 分
  • The Indian American Mind Behind the World's Biggest CEOs | Dr. Ram Charan on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    The Indian American Mind Behind the World's Biggest CEOs | Dr. Ram Charan on Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/07/08
    Dr. Ram Charan — advisor to the world's biggest CEOs — reveals why business strategy execution, not strategy alone, is what separates winning companies from failing ones. In this episode of Diaspora Dialogues, we break down the real CEO challenges nobody talks about: how China is playing a different economic game entirely, what business schools get wrong about global leadership, and why execution is the only differentiator that matters in today's AI-driven economy. In this episode: Why business strategy execution is where most companies fail The CEO challenges that business schools never prepare you for How to compete in an era of global competition and AI Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 3:43 Understanding ‘The 90% Model’ 8:47 What China Does Better Than the Rest of the World 13:11 Rise of Assertive Leadership Across the Globe 18:40 Why Top CEOs are Stepping Down 22:51 Is the CEO’s Role Fundamentally Changing? 28:03 Dr Ram on Strategy vs Execution 31:09 On Microsoft and Satya Nadella 35:49 Learnings from the Indian Trade Arithmetic 43:28 Leadership in the times of AI 48:40 Dr Ram on What Makes a Great Leader 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati ⁠https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    56 分
  • Growing Up Desi in America: Kal Penn on Defying Expectations | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    Growing Up Desi in America: Kal Penn on Defying Expectations | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/06/24
    Growing up in North America with South Asian roots often means living between two worlds. Kal Penn sits down with Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ to break down the real pressures of balancing Indian American identity with professional success. Whether it was navigating the stereotypical roles in Hollywood or finding his voice in the White House, Kal’s story is the story of so many in our community. In this episode, we dive into: The reality of the South Asian American experience in mainstream media. Defying the "model minority" myth. How the diaspora is reclaiming the narrative. This is a space for our community. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced navigating your own path as a first-gen or second-gen immigrant? Let us know in the comments below. 👇 Time stamps: 0:00 Introduction 4:36 Story of the ‘Kal Penn’ Screen Name 9:53 Stories from The Namesake 14:50 Growing up as a Diaspora kid 20:44 Kal Penn on his Gujarati heritage 21:54 Kal Penn on the Harold and Kumar film series 28:53 Kal Penn’s experience working with the Government 34:16 Kal Penn on his relationship with social media 36:10 Has the Media Landscape changed? 38:05 Kal Penn on Zohran Mamdani 44:35 Will Kal Penn ever run for a public office? 46:13 Kal Penn on his Podcast 48:40 Kal Penn on trying his hand at stand-up comedy 52:34 What’s next for Kal Penn? 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesbytoi/ Facebook : ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784⁠ 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Are you part of the Indian diaspora? Drop your story in the comments - we read every one. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati ⁠https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. ⁠⁠https://sistarmortgage.com/ and Remitly Trusted by millions to move money worldwide https://www.remitly.com/us/en
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    55 分
  • Chef Vijay Kumar on Why He Refused to Simplify Indian Food for the West | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™

    Chef Vijay Kumar on Why He Refused to Simplify Indian Food for the West | Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™
    2026/06/10
    Why is Indian food always expected to be affordable? Chef Vijay Kumar has been asking that question for years, and Semma is his answer. Sujatha Padmanabhan speaks with one of the most celebrated South Indian chefs in the world about food racism, diaspora identity, and the restaurant that made New York rethink Tamil cuisine entirely. From his grandmother's snail curry to a James Beard Award, Vijay breaks down what it took to get here and why none of it came easy. All of this, and more, on this episode of Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:38 - What does ‘Semma’ mean? 4:48 - Chef Vijay Kumar's Story 6:07 - Growing Up & His Parents' Reaction 9:28 - Facing Racism & Bullying as a Chef 10:40 - Why He Chose to Become a Chef 14:46 - How Semma Became NYC's Hottest Restaurant 16:56 - Rich food vs poor food 24:01 - Food, Identity & Being Unapologetically Indian 28:50 - The Emotional Connection to Food 30:19 - Winning the James Beard Award 36:30 - Is Indian food too spicy? 41:12 - How to make Idli batter? 43:05 - His Advice for Aspiring Indian Chefs 📸 Follow us on: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/diasporadialoguesshow/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563158002784 🎧Listen to us on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/diaspora-dialogues Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/diasporadialogues-applepodcast Subscribe for more conversations with Indian-American artists, musicians, chefs, and achievers from all walks of life shaping the NRI experience. Are you part of the Indian diaspora? Drop your story in the comments - we read every one. Diaspora Dialogues by TOI™ is sponsored by Laxmi Basmati, the most consistent Basmati https://tinyurl.com/45vvtebh and Sistar Mortgage, offering tailored mortgage solutions. https://sistarmortgage.com/
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    47 分