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In this candid and heartwarming episode of Pehla Pehla, host Gopal Datt welcomes his close friend, acclaimed actor and writer Sharib Hashmi, for a nostalgic trip tracing the roots of his remarkable Bollywood journey. Sharib opens up about his humble beginnings growing up in Malad, Malvani, sharing laugh-out-loud childhood memories ranging from dramatic ploys to skip school to earning his very first performance fee of ₹20 singing Kishore Kumar classics at a local bus stop. From visiting film sets where legend Dilip Kumar scooped him into his arms to navigating life as an extreme introvert who found confidence through theatre and music, the conversation highlights the quirks and foundational moments that quietly shaped his creative soul. The discussion shifts behind the camera as Sharib recounts his unplanned transition into television writing for MTV, sharing hysterical behind-the-scenes escapades from the cult-favorite MTV Bakra and early directing assistant gigs. He reflects on the resilience required across years of struggling and auditioning, touching upon his breakthrough opportunity with Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire and the battle fought by director Nitin Kakkar to cast him as the lead in Filmistaan despite industry resistance. Packed with warmth, self-deprecating humor, and deep personal insight, this episode offers an intimate masterclass in staying passionate and persevering against the odds in Indian cinema.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a serious film critic is asked to defend the movies he loves for all the “wrong” reasons? Rahul Desai joins Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma on Cine5 to rank their top five guilty-pleasure Hindi films, although none of them feels particularly guilty. The conversation travels from Hrithik Roshan’s face vibrations in Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage and the fake Undertaker in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi to Sridevi selling Anil Kapoor for two crores in Judaai. The lists get wilder with Koyla, Karzzzz, Naseeb Apna Apna, Swarg, Garam Masala, No Entry, Raaz, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, What’s Your Raashee?, Kites, Kaante, Mujhse Dosti Karoge! and Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge. Expect copied soundtracks, questionable heroes, iconic wigs, reincarnation, domestic chaos, football melodrama, ghosts, sad pole dancing and films that are impossible to defend—but even harder to stop watching. Tell us your own Top 5 guilty-pleasure films in the comments. Cine5 is hosted by Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma. Watch the full episode on IVM Pop. Listen on all major audio platforms. Watch the full episode on IVM Pop YouTube and stream it on all audio streaming platforms. Follow: Shreemi Verma → @‌shreemiverma https://www.instagram.com/shreemiverma/ Karan Mirchandani → @‌karan_mir https://www.instagram.com/karan_mir/ IVM Pop → @‌ivmpop https://www.instagram.com/ivmpop/ IVM Podcasts → @‌ivmpodcasts https://www.instagram.com/ivmpodcasts/ #Cine5 #RahulDesai #Bollywood #GuiltyPleasureMovies #HindiCinema #IVMPop See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most broad spanning careers in the digital and theatrical space, Prajakta Koli has many firsts that are the first of that genre. She was in Youtube as a content creator before the influx of influencers, she was acting before content creators were being cast as actors and now ahs written a book of her own. This is a career of Pehla Pehlas that we are able to see in this conversation with Gopal Datt In this chat, Gopal and Prajakta go through her early memories as a kid, her supportive parents, her early days as a radio jockey, switching to content creation, and the global recognition that that got her. Her transition into acting and writing to the point where now she has her own production studio! Of course these are just the highlights and the milestones but the true gold of this conversation lies in the in betweens. The moments of self doubt and hurdles that come your way, like hating your dream job or not being sure about Youtube - but all of it works out brilliantly. Let us know when you became a Prajakta Koli fan and your Pehla Pehla time coming across her work Watch Pehla Pehla with Gopal Datt, featuring Prajakta Koli. Full episode coming soon on the IVM Pop YouTube channel. Follow:Prajakta Koli: https://www.instagram.com/mostlysane/Gopal Datt: https://www.instagram.com/gopaldatt/IVM Pop: https://www.instagram.com/ivmpop/IVM Podcasts: https://www.instagram.com/ivmpodcasts/ #PrajaktaKoli #Mismatched #MostlySane #PehlaPehla #GopalDatt #DimpleAhuja See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Munawar Faruqui aur Gopal Datt ek saath baithe hain, toh conversation serious interview se zyada do artists ki mast baithak ban jaati hai. Iss Pehla Pehla ke episode mein Munawar le jaate hain humein Junagadh ki childhood memories se lekar Mumbai ke pehle trips, Habitat ke disastrous first open mic aur uss third performance tak jahan unhe laga, haan, main funny hoon. Phir baat pahunchti hai stand-up comedy ke craft tak, live audiences ke pyaar tak, aur uss moment tak jab Munawar ko realise hua ki log sirf unki comedy nahi, unki personality ko bhi connect karte hain. Munawar khulke baat karte hain Lock Upp, Bigg Boss, reality show dynamics, international stand-up tours, London audiences aur music ke unexpected start ke baare mein. COVID ke beech Spectra ke saath bana unka pehla rap track? Total budget: around ₹30,000. Aur haan, Munawar ko travelling, tourist spots aur adventure sports kitne pasand hain… woh answer shayad aap expect nahi kar rahe. Ek chill conversation about firsts, failures, fame, comedy, music, acting aur woh weird moments jo baad mein great stories ban jaate hain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh off The Traitors Season 2, Kullu takes us back to where it all began from Bhopal. From growing up surrounded by comedy and literature to becoming a sharp film commentator, content creator, and successful stand-up comedian, he reflects on the influences that shaped his journey and helped him carve out a unique space in entertainment. In this episode Kullu talks about his childhood, his brush with failures with laughter challenge and ComicStaan and finding his niche and his success with Farzi Mushaira through  ‪@ZakirKhan‬ and how he reached to ‪@tanmaybhat‬ reacts and his own standup Gopal Datt and Kullu’s personal relationship sparkles throughout as they have a hilarious conversation that stays with you  Watch the full clip and share with us your own stories from your childhood home that still stay with you.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor and writer Gopal Datt joins Cine5 for a celebration of memorable firsts. The conversation begins with Gopal’s own new beginning hosting his first-ever podcast, Pehla Pehla With Gopal Datt before turning into a freewheeling countdown of unforgettable acting debuts and Bollywood launches. The gang revisits the frenzy around Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Amjad Khan’s Gabbar in Sholay, Ranveer Singh in Band Baaja Baaraat, Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om, Vidya Balan in Parineeta, Preity Zinta in Dil Se.., Vivek Oberoi in Company and more. They also debate the difference between a genuine debut and a star “launch”, why some actors feel completely formed from their first major film, and why a spectacular beginning doesn’t always guarantee a spectacular career. Plus: A.R. Rahman, Irrfan Khan, Imran Khan, Rahul Roy, Kumar Gaurav and a very special Himesh Reshammiya mention. Catch Cine5 and Pehla Pehla With Gopal Datt on IVM Pop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahsaas’ journey in the industry is a singular one. Her firsts, her Pehlas are often people’s lives after 30 years of experience. From acting as a boy for years in films, to making the adjustment to the changing landscape with TVF and becoming one of its consistent leads - her journey is one that needs to be told  Through this podcast Gopal and Ahsaas tread through her incredible unbeaten path as she recounts stories to document one of the most unique stories in the industry  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zakir Khan’s story is one that we all know - from Indore to Madison Square Garden, it’s an aspirational journey that many look up to. But with Pehla Pehla we dive deeper into things that lie underneath the achievements - a myriad of firsts that go beyond that  In this episode Zakir talks about his connection to his childhood home, his relationship with music and what it was like growing up surrounded by it, the first brushes with comedy and failure, the low points that informed the successes, his evolution as a comedian. We even get to delve into the AIB connection he had with Gopal Datt and the unique equation that they share - having been good friends and constant collaborators on lauded projects.  Zakir’s penchant for storytelling isn’t limited to the stage as he captures our attention with his trademark humour and knack for painting a picture - all the while dropping little nuggets of wisdom. With Pehla Pehla we get to dive into these talented brilliant people and the firsts in their journey so far - and starting the show with Zakir a pioneer of firsts, felt like the best way to kick things off See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Were Bollywood’s villains actually wrong or were we simply watching the story from the hero’s perspective? In Episode 14 of Cine5, Karan Mirchandani and Shreemi Verma defend some of Hindi cinema’s most misunderstood characters. They revisit Fida, Kaun?, Baghban, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Hera Pheri, Yaadein, 8 x 10 Tasveer, Biwi No. 1 and Jaani Dushman to ask who the real villains were. Along the way, they unpack stalking disguised as romance, parental guilt, relationship gaslighting, suspicious fisheries, abandoned twins and why Sushmita Sen deserved far better. A spoiler-heavy, deeply unserious examination of Bollywood morality, featuring strong opinions, chaotic theories and several fictional crimes that the hosts do not legally endorse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Bollywood classics are sacred. This episode is not. Karan Mirchandani & Shreemi Verma put nostalgia on trial and ask the question nobody wants in the family group chat: are these movies genuinely timeless or have TV reruns, memes and childhood memories done the heavy lifting? From Three Idiots, Welcome and Andaz Apna Apna to 12th Fail, Sanju, Bajirao Mastani, Maine Pyar Kiya, Trishul and Animal, the panel debates what still works, what aged badly and which films accidentally inspired years of weaker copies. Expect spicy takes on Rajkumar Hirani’s emotional formula, Welcome’s meme-powered legacy, exam-struggle cinema, Sanju’s biopic whitewashing, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s visual grandeur, Sooraj Barjatya’s wedding universe and Animal’s influence on modern Bollywood. Now it’s your turn: comment one movie you would defend with your life and one “classic” you think is fully mid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.