Cyrus Says

From the Cyrus Says archives: we’re revisiting this 2023 conversation with actor, writer and filmmaker Kunal Kemmu.

Kunal and Cyrus go back years, from an old Surf Ultra ad and an unforgettable MTV Bakra prank to working together on 99. Naturally, that means this episode comes packed with embarrassing stories before they get anywhere near the serious questions.

Kunal looks back at becoming a child actor, working with Aamir Khan at a young age, choosing acting over a conventional academic path, and making the difficult transition from child performer to adult actor.

He also talks about breaking out of typecasting, moving between comedy and darker roles, the making of Go Goa Gone, and how conversations around that cult film helped spark his interest in writing and filmmaking.

Recorded in 2023, Kunal was also in the middle of editing his directorial debut at the time, and he opens up about stepping behind the camera, managing actors and crews, and discovering a very different side of himself as a director.

Plus: motorcycles, Ladakh rides, Saif Ali Khan’s blonde Go Goa Gone look, marriage, fatherhood and plenty of classic Cyrus chaos.

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, Harleen Sethi joins Cyrus Broacha to talk about her new kidnapping thriller called, 'Shaque: Trust No One', which is now available on Netflix.
She also talks about her unconventional journey into acting, and everything that happened before Broken But Beautiful made her a familiar face. Harleen talks about being among the top students at Mumbai University, paying for MBA classes and then leaving that path after receiving a dance scholarship. What started with ballet and dance eventually led to advertisements, including major campaigns, before an audition for Salman Khan’s Sultan at YRF made her realise she needed to properly train as an actor.

She also opens up about her breakthrough with 'Broken But Beautiful', working with Vikrant Massey, her long struggle with acne and PCOD, and why she was more nervous about how she would look on screen than how audiences would judge her acting.Harleen also talks about the pressure to get married, dating as a known actor, driving herself around Mumbai, shooting 'Shaque: Trust No One' in the hills, and what she wants to do next.

Listen to the full episode for Harleen Sethi, Shaque: Trust No One, Broken But Beautiful, Sultan, Salman Khan, Vikrant Massey, acting auditions, PCOD, dating, Bollywood and plenty of Cyrus Says madness.

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, Rajeev Masand joins Cyrus Broacha for a conversation about his journey from being one of India’s best-known film critics to working on the other side of Bollywood with Dharma and helping actors navigate scripts, films and their careers.Rajeev talks about why he walked away from film criticism, how Karan Johar convinced him to make the switch, what really goes into choosing scripts for actors, and some of the bizarre requests and realities that come with managing major stars.  

The conversation also goes into how Bollywood has changed, from the more unfiltered stars of the past to today’s carefully managed social-media era. Rajeev shares stories involving Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Rekha and more, while talking about influencers, celebrity culture and whether Bollywood can still create stars with the same mystery and impact.  

Listen to the full episode for Rajeev Masand, Bollywood stories, Dharma, Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, film criticism and plenty of Cyrus Says madness.

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Comedian Punit Pania joins Cyrus Broacha for another chaotic edition of Cock & Bull, where Mumbai life, festivals, relationships, politics and the week’s strangest stories collide.

The conversation kicks off with Ganpati season, Mumbai’s ever-expanding traffic hierarchy and the idea of Lalbaugcha Raja getting a Delhi “franchise.” Cyrus and Punit then get into crackers, Mumbai’s trains and metros, marriage, reality TV, comedians and the dangers of spending three uninterrupted days with your spouse.

Things get even stranger when they discover a man offering himself as a Garba partner for rent, with packages starting at ₹1,000 and increasingly elaborate benefits. There’s also the episode’s running “national birthday” gag, plus conversations around stray dogs and animal welfare, CBFC rules, artists and political expression, UPI, petrol payments and the absurdities of everyday Indian life.

And, naturally, Train Ka Pain makes its inevitable return.

Follow Punit Pania: @‌punitpania
Follow Cyrus Broacha: @‌cyrus_broacha

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, actor Aksharaa Haasan, daughter of Kamal Haasan, joins Cyrus Broacha to talk about her film Simulacra, her journey in the entertainment industry, and how technology is changing the way we live and connect.Aksharaa explains the idea behind 'Simulacra', a world where technology, artificial intelligence, reality and fantasy begin to blur. She also talks about growing up in a famous film family, finding her own creative path, starting out as a dancer and choreographer, and eventually moving into acting.

The conversation also gets personal as Aksharaa opens up about ADHD, dyslexia, brain fog and hyperfocus, while she and Cyrus discuss education, AI, human connection and our growing dependence on technology.She also shares her interest in directing and her dream of building a stronger community for artists.

Listen to the full episode for Aksharaa Haasan, Simulacra, AI, ADHD, acting, filmmaking and Cyrus Says madness.

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, actor Mihir Ahuja joins Cyrus Broacha after the success of Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar.Mihir talks about playing Baldy, a real-life Indian Air Force officer, and how he was locked for the role just 48 hours before shooting. He also shares what it was like sitting inside actual MiGs connected to the Kargil War, learning the technical side of a fighter pilot’s world, and taking on the responsibility of playing a real person.  

The conversation also goes back to his journey from Jamshedpur to Mumbai, living in a 12-sharing room, doing auditions from day one, his first ad with Virat Kohli, his roles in Made in Heaven and The Archies, and how Zoya Akhtar saw him as Jughead.   

Listen to this full episode for Mihir Ahuja, Operation Safed Sagar, The Archies, Kargil War stories, Virat Kohli, acting struggles and plenty of Cyrus madness.

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Joel D’Souza came to promote Dear Diary and accidentally gave us enough material for a financial investigation.

He tells Cyrus how he became a TCS employee without bothering with the minor formality of actually working at TCS, performed on a boat while his audience slowly disappeared, and watched Bumrah take over his show during an India–Pakistan match. Honestly, the projector had a stronger set.

They also discuss Baba Ramdev, Freddie Mercury, terrible gigs, credit cards, India–Pakistan sportsmanship and Joel’s suspicious enthusiasm for solo holidays.

Watch the full episode on the Cyrus Says YouTube channel. No comedians, credit cards or boats were financially secure during this recording.

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, Tigmanshu Dhulia and Pratik Gandhi join Cyrus Broacha to talk about their new film Ghamasaan, an action-packed crime drama set around the rugged world of Chitrakoot and Bundelkhand.

Tigmanshu talks about giving Ghamasaan the feel of a classic Western, why he didn’t want a stereotypical muscular cop as his hero, and how Arshad Warsi ended up playing one of the film’s most menacing characters. Pratik opens up about playing a gun-wielding STF officer for the first time and a character who slowly realizes that he may be fighting the very system he belongs to.

The conversation also goes beyond the film as Pratik talks about leaving his corporate career, where he was earning ₹28 lakh a year, and the unusual jobs he did along the way, from cleaning water tanks to hosting birthday parties. Tigmanshu also looks back at his journey from Allahabad, drama school and Bandit Queen to becoming a filmmaker.

Listen to this full episode for Ghamasaan, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Pratik Gandhi, Arshad Warsi, Indian cinema, action films, acting stories and plenty of Cyrus-style madness.

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Welcome to Cyrus Says!

On this episode of Cyrus Says, author Akshay Chavan joins Cyrus Broacha to talk about his new book, The Wealth Networks, and a side of Indian history shaped by trade, geography and commerce.
Akshay talks about how ancient India was connected to the world through spices, cotton, gold, silver, horses and major trade routes.
He also gets into the Golconda diamond mines, Bihar’s role in the global saltpeter and gunpowder trade, and how places like Paithan, Bharuch, Sopara, Hormuz and Mangalore became important trading centres.
The conversation also covers Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, India’s horse trade, the wealth of the Jagat Seths, and how coffee, cotton and silver connected India to Yemen and Europe.

Listen to the full episode for a fascinating look at The Wealth Networks, ancient Indian trade, Indian history, Golconda diamonds, Harappa and how geography shaped India’s wealth.

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Shamik Chakrabarti returns to Cyrus Says after performing across Europe and Australia, with stories about international comedy audiences, Melbourne’s little penguins and life on tour.

Cyrus and Shamik then move through a suitably unpredictable collection of stories: AI replacing workers and potentially CEOs, Bengal and Durga Puja, Navratri memories, Indian politics, population numbers, restaurant inspections, Liverpool fandom, unusual international competitions and Cyrus’ story about working with Preity Zinta.

Shamik also plugs his upcoming India tour before Cyrus ends the episode by turning the interview into an interrogation about his dating life.

It’s travel, current affairs, football, technology and complete studio chaos, in other words, another episode of Cock and Bull.

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