When you think geek, who do you think of? Is it one of the boys from The Big Bang Theory? Or is they rom-com stereotype of a star (wars/trek) fanatic? No matter which one of these comes to mind…what we don’t think of is truly dangerous individuals.  In reality, geeks might just be less adorably awkward and a lot more all-powerful overlords! Watch Anurag and Soumya explore this nerdy conundrum with the help of a whole lotta movies, shows and villains!  On the podcast: Ramanujan and...

For eons the only to career option presented to Indian kids was Doctor ya Engineer. No scope to be anything else. As a country we pour resources into Engineering colleges and proudly co-opt all the Indian origin engineers that make it to the top rungs of Microsoft and Google. For a country so Engineering obsessed, do we really put it the effort to teach it well? Do our colleges create an environment of innovation? Do we inspire greatness or are we aiming for mediocrity. Follow Ramanujan as he...

Govinda is synonymous with one thing – Good Times! When you watched a Govinda movie it was never about the plot or performance. It was always about Govinda. As we laughed along with his hilarious antics on screen, one thing was certain, he may not be eye candy but he was freaking entertaining. And isn’t that what Bollywood is all about? But what made him so awesome? Would you watch a Govinda movie today? It’s time to jump into the world of Govinda with Ramanujan and Soumya. Let the bizarro...

Indian magician and magic were once considered the best in the world, so when did the focus shift from the Indian street Jadugaar to Chris Angel and Hogwarts? While the limelight may have swerved West, we still have a very strong magical tradition in India. It’s a part of our lives, watch Ramanujan and Akanksha walk down memory lane and even find a few brand new route to explore in this magic adventure of an episode. Let us know what you think about our the episode in the comments and...

Why are artists in India looked down upon?  We see rich art but not every artist is as rich as Kanye West, right? If you are one of the "Rebels" who almost gave your parents a heart attack by choosing arts, this podcast is for you! And if you thought about choosing it... this one’s for you too. In this episode Soumya and Anurag talk, debate, laugh and rant about the art culture of India. By history, we are known as a country with rich art heritage but are we still respecting it the same...

No money for medical school? No problem. Indian career options include roadside doctors and a whole bunch of highly specialized stuff that we take for granted! Right from ancient scroll keepers to daredevils, these career choices are as legit as our desire to be good podcasters. Watch Soumya and Akanksha talk about the strangest jobs they have encountered and why these jobs are something we should treasure. Let us know what you think about our the episode in the comments and don’t forget...

Remember confession pages? The best place to get that intense high school or tuition crush off your chest. God knows whether we have Gossip Girl to thank for all that entertainment or it was just a natural outcome social media. But we do know this much, there is something amazing about confessions that has us hooked. But does something more sinister lurk behind them? Watch Soumya and Ramanujan walk down memory lane and talk about why confession pages may not yet be a thing of the past. Maybe...

Whether you live in a tiny flat, a swanky apartment or a giant bungalow, have you ever wondered if this space made you want to do something more or connect with people? Our traditional architecture kept community in mind, is losing that really the best idea for us Indians? Explore these questions and a whole lot more as Soumya and Anurag really get into Indian home architecture and the ideology behind what good design can achieve. On the podcast: Soumya and Anurag!  Twitter:...

Karan Johar's movies make for a great escape. All the fancy homes, giant family's, private choppers, and emotional realizations about family and love. But is there more to these worlds? Is it, in fact a whole universe with its own set of rules and its own God? Join Anurag and Soumya as they find out what's up!  What do you think of this hypothesis? Let us know in the comments. . . . . #KaranJohar #K3G, #Kuchkuchhotahai #AeDilHaiMuskil #MyNameisKhan #SRK #BollywoodBreakdown...

While cards, palms and stars may not be able to tell us our future as accurately as we'd like...Why are we kinda obsessed with them? What's so fun about reading your horoscope in the paper and what is so compelling that people can't get enough of adding K's in front of serials and names. Maybe in the midst of a lot of show there are some things that are telling...telling of the human condition. Join Anurag and Ramanujan as the explore the signs! Follow us on  @PadhakuPanda on...

Getting ripped off is a right of passage in India, whether it's the auto guy telling you 4km is 400 rupees or someone mailing you for your bank account details. But then there are the exceptions. Scams so good you can't help but tip your hat to the con artists.  Join panda peers Soumya and Anurag as they reveal some truly amazing trickery. Whether you want to avoid scams or deviously take notes, you gotta tune in to nerd out! Twitter: @padhakupanda  Facebook:...

Remember when Raj dangled a bra in Simran’s face to hit on her? And Raj (SRK) is still considered one of the most romantic heroes of all time. We discuss him and whole bunch of other romantic leads to figure out once and for all, if these are romantic movies or actually well disguised horror films whose heroes belong in jail. Jail seems too harsh? let’s just ask our awesome Panda Pal Namrata. A lawyer and lover of Bollywood, she brings the facts to our general sense of disbelief!...

Vicco Turmeric. Nahi Cosmetic. Vicco Turmeric, Ayurvedic Cream!    The commercials we remember seem to follow no logic. We remember some for their over the top emotionality, some for the laughs, others for the visuals but most of all for the Jingles. But are there any other commonalities here? Were the 90s a golden era for advertising in India? Find out with us on this rather strange sing-along episode about ads!    On the podcast: Soumya and Akanksha  Twitter: @padhakupanda  Facebook:...

If you haven't smuggled a Raj Comic in your school bag or pleaded your sibling to get you one on the DL, are you even a comic book fan bro? Be it our boy Nagraj or a very handsome super commando Dhruv, Raj comics delivered to us our very own, desi masala flavoured comic book madness. Watch Panda Pal Anurag talk to our Padhaku friends Karthik and Vishal about what Raj comics meant to them and why they will always be special.  Who is your favourite OG Indian Superhero? Let us know in the...

What do you need to be recognized as an inventor. A brave heat (yes), an idea (sure), an invention (duh) and I guess you need to survive the interaction with your invention too. Turns out there are a number of inventors across history who didn’t pass that last bit. Some of these inventions have incredible promise and to be honest, this rather grim sounding subject is actually quite inspirational! Well we definitely enjoyed this one, hope you did too!   Let us know what you think about our...

Bal Hanuman, Chhota Bheem, Bal Ganesh… Animation is a limitless, fluid and beautiful medium used across time to tell incredible stories, somehow in India, we seem to have only one kind of story to tell. How did this happen and is there a way out? As animators themselves, Anurag and Soumya take us on an honest journey of what it's like out there for our desi animators and who is responsible for our animation obsession with Mythology! This is deep panda dive so gear up and buckle down! Let...

TV time was so magical as kids, literally! There was Son Pari, Shararat, Hatim and a whole range of strange adventures and cringy romances. A whole buffet of stuff that was made just for us across channels running in the same time. Have you ever felt so wanted? But there is more to them than we realized! They are cooler, weirded and edgier than you remember and that’s a panda promise. Follow Soumya and Ramanujan down this glorious rabbit hole to find out… how did Son Pari actually end!? On...

None of us could have predicted what the year 2020 had in store for us, but futurists, scientists and general optimists have made predictions for this year throughout history! Explore what the great minds of the past had expected 2020 to be so that we can all escape its reality together. Here is to hoping for a far better 2021! All the Panda Pals wish you a great new year! See you guys on the other side.   If you would like us to talk about anything in particular in the year to come please...

What’s it like to study in one of India’s best Indian convent schools for girls? We learnt to regurgitate our textbooks, remove chewing gum from our hair, how to be ladies while showing of our bloomers, and of course culture shock! There is way more violent action, rumours and downright drama in this episode than you would expect in bachpan ke kahaniya!   Let us know what you think about our the episode in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe!  On the podcast: Soumya and...

The question that has plagued us since the beginning of time: Are we alone in the Universe? Now we don’t know the answer to that, we may find out in a random disclaimer before they end our world, but what we DO know is that we can’t stop thinking about it. Follow Anurag and Ramanujan as they explore the depths of the Alien lore in India and their own minds. We promise no answers but full entertainment! And remember #SwpeRightonAliens! Let us know what you think about our whole new set up in...

The 90s was a golden era for the Indian Pop music scene, now whether you agree with the panda crew or not, you will be singing with them. Tune in to the most infectious tunes of an iconic decade with the most unapologetic pop nerds ever. There will be assured crooning, incessant earworms, just scroll on down for the most EPIC sing-along list.   BONUS! Check out our Ultimate 90s playlist RIGHT HERE: https://tinyurl.com/y5fasszg   Let us know what you think about our whole new set up in...

“Mere paas Maa Hai” This iconic dialogue from Deewar should tell you all you want to know about the value system of Ravi, a cop played by Shashi Kapoor. But turns out there is lot more to him and the entire Bollywood cop universe. Exactly, “universe”. Check out what is up with the SuperBops in our new Padhaku Panda episode! There is action, there is drama and there is a whole lotta “WTF!” Let us know what you think about our whole new set up in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe! On...

A stroll down the history of our beloved Indian cuisine led us to some harsh realities. Jise humne apna samjha who toh paraya nikala! Well that’s enough drama. Join us in this recipe for laughter (and disappointment) to find out whether your favourite desi food is actually Indian! Also included is the incredible-rebellious journey of a humble veggie. On the podcast: Soumya, Akanksha and Ramanujan Twitter: @padhakupanda Facebook: @padhakupandapod Instagram: @padhakupanda Also available on...

We love to rock and roll, especially when it’s about wonky alien theories and obscure information. In this Padhaku Panda episode, we are about to reveal some FACTS about India’s monolithical history that are as bizarre as they are useless. But damn it if they aren’t freaking hilarious! Do you know why Indian statues have erect penises? We do. And we are dying to tell you! Tune in to Nerd out! On the podcast: Soumya, Anurag and Ramanujan Twitter: @padhakupanda Facebook:...

Ever wondered if animals plot our doom. After today’s Padhaku Panda episode you may never look at Sparrows, Goats, Mongoose, Emus, or Cats the same way. These seemingly harmless animals have humiliated armies, destroyed populations, shamed governments and just overall had a jolly good time rubbing our faces in the fact that if we really went to war with them… we are probably gonna lose. And that fact is as hilarious as it is horrifying! On the podcast: Soumya, Akanksha and...