The Sketch

Starting with India’s first multiplex—PVR Anupam in Saket in 1997—Ajay Bijli has built an exhibition and lifestyle brand that is now merging with Inox to create India’s largest multiplex firm by a big margin. In this episode, Mint editor-in-chief Sruthijith KK talks to the PVR founder about riding out the Covid disruption, the evolution of cinema-going experience in the country, the technologies he has seen come and go in the last 25 years, and the changes he has witnessed in the dynamics of the film industry. Grab the popcorn!

In this episode, Mint editor-in-chief Sruthijith KK discusses with Mensa Brands founder Ananth Narayanan, the rise of direct-to-consumer brands and the investment scrum around aggregators of such digital-first brands. How is Mensa brands, which became a unicorn within six months of founding, navigating this new and exciting turf, and what lies ahead for the D2C revolution! Tune in to know more!

In this episode, Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan, founding trustees of Ashoka University, are in conversation with Mint editor-in-chief Sruthijith KK about the challenges plaguing higher education, building a world-class university in India, liberating students from a narrow pedagogical framework and the role of philanthropy in institution-building. This is the second in a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Pramath Raj Sinha and Ashish Dhawan, founding trustees of Ashoka University, are in conversation with Mint editor-in-chief Sruthijith KK about the challenges plaguing higher education, building a world-class university in India, liberating students from a narrow pedagogical framework and the role of philanthropy in institution-building. This is the first in a two-part conversation.

Vidit Aatrey, Co-founder and CEO of Meesho, a homegrown e-commerce platform, features in the latest episode of The Sketch with Mint editor-in-chief Sruthijith KK. They discuss the origins of the firm, which has grown popular among users in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, allowing users to resell using their social media networks, the hurdles, and the future of Indian e-commerce. Tune in to this insightful conversation now!

In this episode, Mint editor in chief Sruthijith KK is in conversation with renowned investment banker and CEO of Moelis India, Manisha Girotra, about the art of deal-making, Ms Girotra’s three-decade-long career in which she has had a ringside view of the evolution of Indian businesses, and battle scars from the rough and tumble of balancing it all.

Rich Lesser, global chair of one of the big three management consultancy businesses BCG, discusses with Mint editor in chief Sruthijith KK the evolution of the consultancy business, the changes he's seen among business leaders' attitude, the talent crunch that everyone's facing and making a case for decarbonisation being a great business opportunity in the coming decade.

Piyush Pandey, Chairman of Global Creative at Ogilvy, features in a freewheeling chat with Mint editor in chief Sruthijith KK in this episode of The Sketch. He talks about his creative process, how the advertising industry is adapting to digitisation, and why he's not afraid of making ads on sensitive topics.

Anil Agarwal is the chairman of Vedanta Resources, the multi-national mining and commodities company with large interests in India across aluminium, zinc, copper, oil, iron ore and steel. He also has an extraordinary life story, having achieved business success from modest beginnings as a scrap metal trader in Mumbai in the 1970s. In this episode, Agarwal speaks about his upcoming semiconductor project in partnership with Taiwan’s Foxconn, his desire to see India become self-sufficient in natural resources, and how he fought depression at a stage in his life when odds were stacked against him and the succession plan at Vedanta. Listen now!