IVM Pop

Ali Fazal has had a unique career that honestly is hard to quantify in just a headline. He has played several iconic roles in Indian cinema, whether its Joy Lobo in 3 idiots, Zafar in Fukrey or now, Guddu Bhaiya in Mirzapur. But that doesn’t capture the expanse of his career. His work abroad, whether its playing Abdul opposite Dame Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul or being in Fast and Furious or Death in the Nile - Ali has pulled off this incredible balancing act. On this episode we start from the beginning, his early influences, mentors and everyone that helped him along the way and the takeaways from the journey.
WIth his partner Richa Chadda, the two have combined forces to start their own production houses to tell stories that shape the landscape of Indian cinema for the better and provide and alternative to the mainstream. A truly unique career and an incredibly insightful man in different fronts - his conversation with Gopal Datt ranges from theatre, schooling life, early start in his career, navigating failure and the lessons he learnt along the way.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What makes a truly great movie twist?
In this episode, the hosts rank their favourite plot twists from Bollywood and Hindi cinema, including Jewel Thief, Don, Table No. 21, Madhumati, Being Cyrus, Talaash, Gupt and Khakee.
They debate classics versus modern thrillers, revisit unforgettable reveals, discuss why some movies demand an immediate rewatch and celebrate Hindi cinema’s long-standing obsession with pulling the rug out from under the audience.
There’s also Rajeev Khandelwal nostalgia, some Om Shanti Om–Madhumati genealogy and a completely necessary argument about alternate versions of Bollywood songs.
Warning: major spoilers ahead.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a truly unique career - Jitendra Kumar started off realizing he’s a performer in IIT of all places. In the pressure cooker environment, Jtiendra outlines how he’s quest to learn English led him to Al Pacino and the world of acting. Gopal Datt and Jitendra talk about the highs and lows of that competitive environment, how struggling there helped him find TVF and he outlines those early days
Gopal Datt and Jitendra sit down to have a conversation about how being from different backgrounds cannot stop you from pursuing your dreams. How making a video with former engineers trying to make it can sometimes means you’re in one of the biggest films in the year a decade or so later. A truly fascinating journey, one filled with hilarity and life lessons!
Make sure you tune in to the episode and let us know in the comments your favourite part
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gajraj Rao ki journey sirf acting tak limited nahi hai. Delhi ke railway quarters se theatre, Bandit Queen, advertising films, TVF aur finally mainstream cinema tak, har mod par ek naya “pehla” unka intezaar kar raha tha.
Iss episode mein Gajraj Rao aur Gopal Datt baat karte hain unki bachpan ki cinema memories, pehle bade theatre role, candlelight mein perform kiye gaye play, Mumbai ke शुरुआती heartbreaks aur advertising director banne ke safar ke baare mein. Woh Bandit Queen ke audition, TVF ko pehli nazar mein underestimate karne aur Akshay Kumar ke saath kaam karne ke baad badle apne opinion ki stories bhi share karte hain.
Saath hi, Gajraj Rao batate hain ki mentors sirf industry ke legends nahi hote, kabhi ek young director, driver, lobby manager ya spot boy bhi aapko zindagi ka sabse important lesson sikha sakta hai.
Ek honest, funny aur inspiring conversation about staying prepared, learning from everyone and never letting pessimism take over.
Watch Gajraj Rao on Pehla Pehla with Gopal Datt.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean for a movie to be truly ahead of its time?
Karan and Shreemi dig through Hindi cinema history to pick films whose ideas, themes or formats feel even more relevant today than when they first appeared.
Their selections include Samay: When Time Strikes, Fan, Khamosh, No Smoking, Julie, Darna Mana Hai, Lajja, Gangaajal, Ajnabee and Maachis.
The conversation moves from parasocial fandom and censorship to feminism, political violence, vigilante justice, unconventional relationships and anthology storytelling. Along the way, they revisit cult performances, forgotten Bollywood experiments, songs, strange plot twists and the eternal question: Could some of these movies even be made today?
Listen to the episode and decide which films deserve to be rediscovered.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.