In this episode, Pooja sits down with Afroz Shah — lawyer, activist, UN Champion of the Earth, and friend — whose quiet determination transformed a one-man beach clean-up into a global movement for change. Shah has led what the UN calls the world’s largest beach clean-up, steering it with unwavering commitment for over 550 weeks and counting.

Afroz shares why action matters more than compassion, how our lives of convenience are harming the planet, and the small but powerful steps we can take to heal it. From cleaning alongside Amitabh Bachchan, to discussing marine pollution with Vladimir Putin, being introduced by Mark Ruffalo to a New York audience, and mourning the loss of friends like actor Irrfan Khan, Shah reflects on the grit, grief, and grace that have fuelled his journey — a story of community, patriotism, and finding purpose — and love — even in garbage.

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In this episode, Pooja has a heartfelt conversation with Anu Malik, one of the most prolific music composers of the Hindi film industry, a man with nearly 300 Hindi films and a National Award under his belt. In an industry where you are crowned one day and crucified the next, Anu has relentlessly pursued his craft for over nearly five decades and is the genius behind the music of films like Border, Baazigar, Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayi, Refugee among countless others. Yet, this episode isn’t about his films, it’s the story of how he got here. From poignant childhood memories of his family’s struggles to heartbreaking recollections of his musician father Sardar Malik, to his own setbacks. Along the way, Anu also reveals why he once got his own hoardings taken down.

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In this episode, film-maker and writer Tanuja Chandra takes Pooja through the many lives she’s lived in cinema and beyond it. From facing down a mob to creating films that broke new ground, she opens up about the making of Tamanna and Zakhm, sharing behind-the-scenes stories with MM Kreem, Anand Bakshi, and Kajol. She reflects on the lessons learned from failure, making Dushman, the quiet wisdom of Irrfan Khan, the soulful making of Sur with Lucky Ali and the learnings from Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha. Along the way, Pooja and she concur that longevity matters more than going viral and laugh over the time a bartender ducked at the sight of Sanjay Dutt.

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