Bollywood, Propaganda & Box Office Madness | Shamik Chakrabarti | Cock and Bull

Welcome to Cyrus Says! In this episode, Cyrus Broacha hangs out with actor, producer, and pro Panja evangelist Parvin Dabbas… and what starts as a normal conversation quickly turns into a deep dive into Bollywood chaos, sports leagues, and the strange art of surviving the entertainment industry. They jump from Parvin’s acting journey and behind-the-scenes Bollywood stories to building the Pro Panja League, the business of sports in India, and why panja might just be cooler than cricket (controversial, we know). Along the way, expect detours into fitness, discipline, industry struggles, and the kind of practical wisdom that only comes from doing everything yourself. It’s insightful, funny, slightly chaotic, and occasionally feels like a TED Talk that forgot to stay serious. This episode covers: Parvin Dabbas’ Bollywood journey & acting career The rise of Pro Panja League & Indian sports business Behind-the-scenes film industry stories Fitness, discipline & mental toughness Entrepreneurship in entertainment & sports Random Cyrus-level chaos you didn’t see coming If you’re looking for structured interviews and safe answers, this is not it.If you enjoy honest conversations, industry insights, and a little madness along the way, welcome home. And to our regular listeners… welcome back home!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when Cyrus Broacha sits down with Shamik Chakrabarti? Zero structure. Maximum chaos. In this episode of Cock & Bull, things spiral (fast) from stand-up comedy to Bollywood propaganda, box office logic, internet algorithms, and everything in between. One minute it’s comedy insights, the next it’s cricket, politics, or a completely random tangent that somehow still makes sense. Expect: Brutally honest takes on Bollywood & pop culture The reality of stand-up comedy & writing Social media, algorithms & why we’re all slightly doomed  Generational quirks like the infamous “millennial pause” And classic Cyrus-style chaos that refuses to stay on topic Also featuring Shamik’s stand-up special “Despite Appearances” a story-driven set told across 7 chapters, blending personal stories with sharp observational humour. If you like conversations that feel like a funny group chat come to life, you’re in the right place.’s for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Cyrus Says, Cyrus is joined by producer, writer and showrunner Adi Shankar for a conversation that goes from Kolkata to Hollywood, anime, identity, accents, and the future of animation. Adi talks about growing up across countries, how constantly moving shaped the way he sees people and storytelling, and how he went from a credit card job to building a career in film and animation. He also gets into why anime for adults felt like a missing space in the West, how he spotted that gap early, and what it took to help push that format forward. The conversation also dives into Devil May Cry, adapting video game worlds into their own screen universes, and how he thinks about storytelling in a time when everyone’s attention span is fighting for survival. It’s funny, chaotic and full of unexpected detours, which is exactly how Cyrus Says works. And to our regular listeners, welcome back home!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Cyrus Says! In this episode, Cyrus is joined by Swanand Kirkire - writer, lyricist, singer, actor, National Award winner, and basically one of those people who seem to be good at everything. They talk about his journey from Indore to NSD to Mumbai, the early struggle years, writing for film and theatre, working with people like Sudhir Mishra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani, and how singing happened almost by accident. There’s also a lot on acting, getting typecast as the father, his new OTT show Band Wale, and the strange, funny, unpredictable route his career has taken over the years. And yes, Swanand also sings live in the episode, which is reason enough to watch. It’s warm, funny, slightly chaotic, and full of stories you’ll want to stay for. If you enjoy hearing creative people talk about the long road behind the work, this one’s for you. And to our regular listeners, welcome back home!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Cyrus Says! This Cock & Bull episode turns into a full-blown father vs son situation as Mikhaail Broacha joins Cyrus and immediately starts challenging him on everything. There’s gym arguments, random tech unboxing, unsolicited life advice, and just enough roasting to make this feel less like a podcast and more like something that should’ve stayed at home. Cyrus tries to stay in control.That doesn’t last very long!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Cyrus Says! In this episode, Cyrus is joined by Anupam Kher and debut actor Shubhangi Dutt to talk about ‘Tanvi The Great', a film directed by Anupam Kher and inspired by his real-life niece, Tanvi, who is autistic. They talk about how Shubhangi was discovered for the lead role, how she prepared for the part, and why this story means so much to Anupam Kher. The conversation also gets into the response the film has received from audiences, students, families, and even names like the President of India and Robert De Niro. Anupam also shares how Boman Irani and Jackie Shroff joined the film purely for the love of the story and didn’t charge a penny for it. It’s a warm, funny, and heartfelt conversation about filmmaking, hope, and telling stories that truly connect. And to our regular listeners, welcome back home!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Cyrus Says!In this episode, Cyrus is joined by Jonty Rhodes and Dr. Marcus Ranney for a lively chat about fitness, aging well, recovery, stress, and building healthy habits that actually last.They talk about staying active as life changes, the link between body and mind, why community matters in fitness, and how small daily choices can make a big difference over time. Along the way, Cyrus does what he does best and turns the conversation into something far more chaotic, funny, and unpredictable than planned.They’re also here to introduce their brand new show, Jonty and the Doc, streaming on the IVM Podcasts YouTube channel, with new episodes every Thursday.If you’ve been thinking about health, fitness, or just how to feel better as you get older, this one’s for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Cyrus Says! In this episode of Cyrus Says Cock & Bull, Cyrus Broacha is joined by Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma, the hosts of Cine5, and the conversation goes completely off track almost immediately. What starts with Mumbai cab prices and the pain of getting across the city quickly turns into a full-blown spiral through Bollywood, cricket, AI, actors, awkward sets, strange industry stories, and some truly questionable detours. If you’re looking for structure, discipline, or clean transitions, this is not that episode.If you enjoy film talk, random opinions, and conversations that keep getting worse in the funniest way possible, you’re in the right place. And to our regular listeners, welcome back home!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Cyrus Says, Cyrus Broacha sits down with Devraj Sanyal - Chairman & CEO  India and South Asia, Universal Music Group and one of the most influential figures in the global music industry. But before running one of the biggest music companies in the world, Devraj was the frontman of the legendary Indian heavy metal band Brahma that dominated the Indian rock scene in the 90s. Devraj shares the fascinating journey from performing live gigs and selling 77,000 cassette albums in the 90s to shaping the careers of some of the biggest artists in India and globally. They discuss: • The early days of Indian rock bands like Parikrama & Pentagram• How artists actually make money today through streaming• Why India still struggles to pay for music• The future of Bollywood music and independent artists• Universal Music’s role in building artists like AP Dhillon, Badshah and Anuv Jain• The rise of live concerts and global touring• Why mental wellness music is the next big industry Devraj also explains how Universal Music focuses on artists and creativity first, and why understanding musicians is his biggest advantage as a CEO. If you've ever wondered how the music industry really works, this episode is a must-watch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna joins Cyrus Broacha for a fascinating conversation about music, culture, and breaking traditions. Known for challenging the conventions of classical music, TM Krishna explains why Carnatic music should not be limited to elite spaces — and why art must constantly evolve. In this episode we discuss: What Carnatic music really is Why classical music often feels inaccessible The role of improvisation in Indian classical music Music, caste and social hierarchies Whether art and politics can ever be separated Why audiences misunderstand classical music How tradition and innovation can coexist A thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion on music, culture and the future of classical art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.