SYNAPSE
“AI is one more proof of the uniqueness of consciousness”
Just what is consciousness? Does ancient thought provide insights? How far has science come? And can self-awareness be modelled into machines?
WatchIGNITION
Director Kabir Khan and Paralympian Murlikant Petkar on biopics, spy epics and Chandu Champion
Watch director KABIR KHAN and Paralympian MURLIKANT PETKAR on what it takes to go from Chandu to Champion, how to depict an epic life and straddle hot action with intimate heart.
WatchENQUIRY
Political savant Prashant Kishor shares sharp insights on India 2024
Watch India’s most astute & high profile political savant PRASHANT KISHOR & award winning journalist SHOMA CHAUDHURY in an exclusive & riveting conversation of political insight, personal anecdote & sharp prediction.
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ABOUT SHOMA CHAUDHURY
Shoma Chaudhury is an award-winning journalist, and founder of Lucid Lines, an independent intellectual properties company, committed to expanding democratic space and creating platforms for debate, dialogue, and discovery.
Was picked by Newsweek as one of “150 women who shake the world”. Invited to deliver the Gandhi Oration in Sydney in 2018. 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”.
Has helmed several media outfits and has a track record for curating distinctive, high-quality thought leadership events. Has hosted more than 500 conversations on stage, interviewing the most cutting-edge minds globally.
Conversations @ SYNAPSE
“AI is one more proof of the uniqueness of consciousness”
Just what is consciousness? Does ancient thought provide insights? How far has science come? And can self-awareness be modelled into machines?
Watch
“If I create something on Sora, does it belong to me or does it belong to Sora?”
Art with endeavour – or a means to an end, the next technological leap, an evolving landscape?
Watch
Conversations @ IGNITION
Director Kabir Khan and Paralympian Murlikant Petkar on biopics, spy epics and Chandu Champion
Watch director KABIR KHAN and Paralympian MURLIKANT PETKAR on what it takes to go from Chandu to Champion, how to depict an epic life and straddle hot action with intimate heart.
Watch
Three Former Diplomats on How to Read a World on Fire
Listen to veteran diplomats who’ve served in the hot seats: PS RAGHAVAN, Chairman, National Security Advisory Board; PANKAJ SARAN, Former Dy National Security Adviser, and TALMIZ AHMAD. Former ambassadors to Russia, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia.
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Hindutva Pop-stars, Fans, Funders with Journalist & Author Kunal Purohit
Meet journalist KUNAL PUROHIT who dives us closer home in H-Pop, his disturbing book on the little known world of Hindutva pop-culture. How is music, poetry, books weaponised? Meet stars & fans.
WatchConversations On ENQUIRY
Political savant Prashant Kishor shares sharp insights on India 2024
Watch India’s most astute & high profile political savant PRASHANT KISHOR & award winning journalist SHOMA CHAUDHURY in an exclusive & riveting conversation of political insight, personal anecdote & sharp prediction.
Watch
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.
WatchConversations @ ALGEBRA | © Thinkworks Pvt Ltd
Swamy like never before: Subramanian Swamy explains why revenge drives his politics
The Hindu Right wing’s most articulate spokesperson, Subramanian Swamy, discuss his ideas about India, Hindus, Muslims, tolerance and what shaped him to become the man he is. | © Thinkworks Pvt Ltd
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Karan Johar’s most candid interview on Bollywood, depression, homosexuality and having kids
Funny, witty and candid, Karan Johar discusses his book, “An Suitable Boy”, his journey from being a costume designer to a director and much more with Shoma Chaudhury.
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Ram Jethmalani’s most candid interview on Modi, BJP and his sole ambition in life at 94
Ram Jethmalani talks about controversial cases, his career, personal life and Narendra Modi with Shoma Chaudhury
WatchConversations @ THiNK | © Thinkworks Pvt Ltd
‘The Solitude of a Superstar: The Public-Private Journey of a Dream Catcher’
In the Green Room with Shah Rukh Khan. In conversation with Shoma Chaudhury at Tehelka's THiNK 2012 session.
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An Afghan Date with Mullah Zaeef and Robert Grenier
The CIA talks to the Taliban. Mullah Zaeef and Robert Grenier in conversation with Shoma Chaudhury
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Five Star Fixes? Ancient Technologies for the Modern Mind
Faith, Reason and Inner Engineering: Jaggi Vasudev and Javed Akhtar in conversation with Shoma Chaudhury
WatchTestimonials
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