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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This episode features the versatile and talented Denzil Smith, a theatre stalwart and screen actor who has featured in Paap, Lunchbox, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Delhi Crime and most recently, Ba***ds of Bollywood, among many others.

In this bare and heartfelt conversation, Pooja and Denzil talk openly about addiction, recovery, processing pain, navigating sobriety and reminiscing about the Bandra that was and how it shaped them.

Along the way, Denzil talks about Bombay’s vibrant jazz scene, and the unsung heroes behind some of India’s biggest musical hits, including a man named Anthony Gonsalves, immortalised in the Amar Akbar Anthony song.

But beyond all this, Denzil talks about dealing with the loss of a parent late in life, about the masterclass in acting that he received from the legendary Jagdeep, and why the Hindi film industry’s liberal character might now be changing.

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In this episode we continue the unfiltered and heartfelt conversation with acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter and author, Mahesh Bhatt.

Enduring intoxicating success and belittling failures.

The blooming and withering of love.

Acknowledging and fighting alcoholism.

Meeting one’s idols.

Holding onto the capacity to gamble it all away, and hilarious insights on how to deal with critics.

The conclusion of this two-part special is both deeply personal and equally relatable.

Come for the honesty, stay for the fire.

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The first guest on The Pooja Bhatt Show is none other than her father - acclaimed filmmaker, screenwriter and author, Mahesh Bhatt. This rare and intimate conversation between a daughter and her father, is searingly honest, sparklingly insightful, irreverent, and hilarious in turn. In this first of a two-part special, Mahesh Bhatt opens up like never before. Deeply personal revelations and a walk down memory lane, with inside stories about some of the Indian film industry's greatest legends. Nothing is off limits; come for the honesty, stay for the fire.

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Join iconic actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt as she takes you behind the scenes of the Indian film industry. A new weekly podcast, where she sits down with some of the most remarkable people from Bollywood and beyond, sharing inspiring stories and rare insights, through conversations with directors, actors, musicians, producers, stylists, singers and more.
From the highs and lows of her journey to the remarkable tales of those shaping Indian cinema, this show offers an authentic glimpse into the heart of the entertainment industry culture and her life - reflections, both reel and real.
Nothing is off-limits. Love. Loss. Addiction. Healing. Fame. Failure. Everything will be on the table. She and her guests will talk about it all, with honesty and vulnerability, stories you’ve never heard before. Listen to new episodes of The Pooja Bhatt Show starting on September 20th on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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