She was born into oppression. She rose in defiance. Phoolan Devi was not just a woman—she was a storm. Branded a criminal, hailed as a warrior, she walked the razor’s edge between vengeance and justice, fear and reverence. 

From a child bride to a feared dacoit, from a prison cell to the Indian Parliament—Phoolan’s life was a tale of survival, rebellion, and an unbreakable will. They called her the ‘Bandit Queen,’ but she was far more than that. She was a woman who refused to be erased, a force that demanded to be reckoned with. 

In this gripping dramatized episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Phoolan Devi speaks. 

Through the voice of an artist, she tells her own story—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. Alternating between her words and the anchor’s narration, we relive a saga that shook the nation. 

Step into the legend of Phoolan Devi and uncover: 

Was Phoolan Devi a criminal or a revolutionary? A bandit or a queen? 

Her story isn’t just history—it’s a legend carved in blood and fire. 

Anchor & Script: Athar Rather

Voice of Phoolan Devi: Shelly Walia

Sound Design: Athar Rather

Executive Producers: Ritu Kapur, Shelly Walia

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Some artists perform. Safdar Hashmi provoked. A playwright, poet, and activist, he didn’t just tell stories—he fought battles with them. As the founder of Jana Natya Manch (JANAM), he wielded theatre as a weapon, crafting bold, politically charged performances that laid bare corruption, inequality, and exploitation during Indira Gandhi's era.

His art was defiant. And on January 1, 1989, he paid the ultimate price for it—murdered mid-performance for daring to speak truth to power. 

In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, the spirit of Safdar Hashmi returns—his voice, his struggle, his unwavering fire—brought to life through a powerful performance.

As Safdar narrates his story alternating with Alif's storytelling, we trace the journey of a man who never backed down.

Was Safdar Hashmi merely a playwright, or the voice of a revolution?

His words ignited minds, his stage was the streets, and his legacy still echoes.

Tune in to hear his story.

Anchor & Script: Athar Rather

Voice of Safdar Hashmi: Siddharth Sarathe

Sound Design: Athar Rather

Executive Producers: Ritu Kapur, Shelly Walia

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In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Shiv Kumar Batalvi returns through the voice of an artist, narrating his own life. Blending poetic melancholy with an anchor’s narration, the episode takes you on a journey through his celebrated yet turbulent existence. A rebellious spirit, he defied societal norms, challenging conventions with his impassioned and often controversial themes. But behind his literary brilliance lay an inner turmoil—an anguish that ultimately led to his untimely demise, cementing his legacy as an immortal voice in Punjabi literature.

His meteoric rise to fame was driven by Loona, the epic verse play that captivated readers and earned him the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. Was Shiv Kumar Batalvi a poet cursed by love, or a misunderstood dreamer chasing the unattainable?

Tune in to experience his story—raw, poetic, and unforgettable.

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Few artists have shaped modern Indian art like Maqbool Fida Husain (M.F. Husain)—a painter whose bold strokes told stories of beauty, culture, and controversy. Known as the ‘Picasso of India’, Husain’s life was a canvas filled with triumphs and trials, adored by some and criticised by others. 

In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, we bring Husain’s voice to life through a skilled artist, letting him narrate his own journey.  

Step into the world of M.F. Husain and discover: 

His rise from painting Bollywood posters to becoming India’s most celebrated modern artist. 

The vibrant and thought-provoking artworks that made him a legend. 

The controversies that led to legal battles, protests, and eventual exile. 

His journey from India to Qatar, and the unbreakable spirit of an artist who refused to be silenced. 

Was M.F. Husain a fearless visionary, a misunderstood genius, or both? Hear his story—raw, unfiltered, and as colourful as his art. 

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Step into the world of Saadat Hasan Manto, the literary genius whose stories stirred hearts and sparked debates. In this episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Manto, brought to life by a talented voice artist, narrates his own story—his rise to fame, the controversies that defined his life, and the legacy that endures. 

Alternating between Manto’s evocative voice and the anchor’s compelling narration, this dramatised podcast takes you on an unforgettable journey: 

Was Manto a rebel, a genius, or both? Hear his story, told the way only he could tell it—raw, unfiltered, and profoundly human. 

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices