IGNITION
Lawyers J Sai Deepak & Saurabh Kirpal argue same-sex marriage
Two high profile Supreme Court lawyers debate a crucial question: who has the right to change a society’s norms? Governments or courts? Can societies claim red lines on how we eat, pray, love?
Read MoreENQUIRY
Political savant Prashant Kishor shares sharp insights on India 2024
Read More
ABOUT SHOMA CHAUDHURY
Shoma Chaudhury is an award-winning journalist, editor, curator. And founder of Lucid Lines, an independent ideas, events, and intellectual properties company. Currently hosts a podcast called ENQUIRY, and a live conversation series called IGNITION.
She was picked by Newsweek in 2011 as one of “150 women who shake the world”. Was invited to deliver the Gandhi Oration in Sydney in 2018, the first Indian to do so. Has been awarded the prestigious Ernest Hemingway Award for Political Journalism, the Ramnath Goenka award and the Chameli Devi Award for Best Woman Journalist for — in the words of the citation — “going where angels fear to tread”.
Combines entrepreneurial and leadership skills with sharp editorial acumen, and a gift for communication across print, TV, and digital mediums. Has built a large body of work in defence of an open and free society. Has helmed several media outfits and has a track record for curating distinctive, high-quality thought leadership events.
Conversations @ IGNITION
Lawyers J Sai Deepak & Saurabh Kirpal argue same-sex marriage
Two high profile Supreme Court lawyers debate a crucial question: who has the right to change a society’s norms? Governments or courts? Can societies claim red lines on how we eat, pray, love?
Read More
Photographer Rohit Chawla on people, places and prisoners of hair
From the politics of hair & women resisting the most fundamental of imprisonments to pictures of the mighty & the maverick. Watch star photographer, ROHIT CHAWLA — the first Indian to win the Golden Lion at Cannes — share his arresting body of work.
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Linguist GN Devy takes us through 12000 years of India
An unprecedented kaleidoscope. Master linguist G. N. DEVY — who’s tracked India’s 780 languages — on his staggering new undertaking – The Indians: Histories of a civilisation.
Read MoreConversations On ENQUIRY
Political savant Prashant Kishor shares sharp insights on India 2024
Read More
Piercing insight. Legend Garry Kasparov on Putin, Russian psyche, why we’re at war
The language of war has changed, and unlike chess, there's no possibility for a tie. Kasparov explains how the free world's response to Russia's invasion fell short. And why dictators play geopolitics like poker, not chess.
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Actress Sonali Bendre on Broken News, fighting cancer, mind shifts, & loving life
Making her OTT debut on Zee 5's "Broken News", Bendre speaks about her resurrection as an artist. Her re-evaluation of beauty and self-perception. And what means to be more truthful in her craft and life.
Read MoreTestimonials
Best kind of interviewer
THOMAS FREIDMAN
3-time Pulitzer winner
Indomitable spirit. Formidable knowledge
NASEERUDDIN SHAH
Actor
Gifted communicator. Intelligent. Fearless. Am a fan!
ANANT GOENKA
Director, Indian Express
Unfailingly thoughtful
ROSHNI NADAR
CEO, HCL
Superb! We need your kind of dialogue based on data and facts
MOHANDAS PAI
Co-founder, Infosys
Always informed!
HARSH NEOTIA
Chairman, Ambuja Neotia
Such a hallmark of excellence
ABHINAV BINDRA
Olympic gold winner
Amazing platform! Felt fortunate to be on it
NEERJA BIRLA
Philanthropist
Mind-opening & insightful!
SONALI BENDRE
Actor, Cancer Survivor
Incisive conversations
PTR THIAGARAJAN
Tamil Nadu, Finance Minister
Fascinating. Love the fresh perspectives
IAN JACOBS
Chancellor, University of New South Wales
Heartfelt. And thought-provoking
SHEKHAR KAPOOR
Director
These conversations are wonderful. You are such a pro!
ESTHER PEREL
Psychotherapist, Author
Excellent interview with Vikram Sampath. Have shared it
MONTEK SINGH AHLUWALIA
Economist
Excellent interview with Sir Malcolm Grant
AMITABH KANT
CEO, Niti Aayog
Need more thought-provoking conversations like yours!
VS SAMPATH
Former Chief Election Commissioner
You’ve taken the art of interviews to a higher level. Congratulations. Other interviewers are mostly mediocre
RAM MADHAV
RSS ideologue
Just brilliant Shoma! I’ve been waxing eloquent about Enquiry
SUHEL SETH
Director
I watch your interviews with great interest. Amazing work
CHINTA BHAGAT
L Catterton, Singapore
Excellent interview with Tom. You had me hooked, Shoma!
SHARMILA TAGORE
Actor
Congratulations, Shoma. A fascinating & insightful series
IAN JACOBS
Chancellor, Univ New South Wales, Sydney
Lots of good talks and interesting topics, Shoma. Kudos
VIKRAM PAHWA
CEO, BMW
You’re a star on earth! You always outdo yourself!
UDAY PUNJ
Founder, Chimes Group
You are unstoppable, Shoma! As always, great work!
HS NARULA
DS Constructions
Excellent interview with the Taliban. What a coup! Kudos!
RAJAN ANANDAN
MD, Sequoia Capital
Excellent interviews. I shall always remain a fan of yours
ASHIS NANDY
Clinical psychologist, Director, CSDS
I learn so much from your interviews. The one with Robi Damelin was truly remarkable. Congratulations!
ANU AGA
Founder, Thermax
Your interviews are very absorbing. Kara Swisher is superb
NALINI SINGH
Journalist
I enjoy your high-class interviews very much! You should be interviewed for your fine mind (and politics)
ARUN MAIRA
Former Chairman, Boston Consulting Group
Shoma , your interviews should be in every language!
RAKEYSH OMPRAKASH MEHRA
Director
Excellent interview with Tom Friedman, Shoma
VIKRAM LAL
Founder, Eicher
Your interview with Tom was brilliant! Nicely argued!
JAY OBEROI
CEO, Synergy Asset Management, Geneva
Shoma, loved your conversation with Jairam on the Buddha!
MAHESH BHATT
Director
My compliments on a wonderful exchange with Jairam
ARUN SHOURIE
Political leader, polymath
Each interview outdoes the last! The Fareed one is a class act!
RAJIV VERMA
Former CEO, The Hindustan Times
Excellent conversation on Ukraine. Must compliment you
NAVTEJ SARNA
diplomat, ambassador to the US
Shoma, you’re simply fascinating. Always have the most sensational topics!
TARINA PATEL
Model, South Africa
Your interviews are gripping! You have the makings of a great teacher! Powerful, incisive, and brilliant!
DEBASHIS CHATTERJI
Director, IIM, Kozhikode
You’re truly the finest in conversations. Fearless. Intelligent. Feisty
AMBREEN KHAN
Head, Corp Comm, The Indian Express
Shoma, I have an idol! You explode my mind! Brilliant!
DOLLY THAKORE
Theatre person
Outstanding. Excellent conversation with PS Raghavan!
ANISH BEHL
Head, Wealth Management, IndusInd Bank
Shoma, you are rocking it! From Taliban to Naomi Klein!
VENKATESH KINI
Former CEO, Asia, Coke
The diversity & intelligence of your interviews are unparalleled
PREETI DAWRA
Brand Strategist, NTU, Singapore
Big fan of your interviewing style, Shoma
SADANAND DHUME
journalist, Wall Street Journal
Wonderful work, Shoma. Truly, we need journalists like you!
BALKI
Director
Outstanding interviews, Shoma! Thanks for keeping the conversations at a cerebral & thoughtful level
JYOTI GREWAL
Dean, American University, UAE
Your Interviews are excellent. More power to you
RITU KUMAR
Designer