Three founders leading India’s skincare wave – Bhakti Modi (Tira), Shantanu Deshpande (Bombay Shaving Company), and Diipa Khosla (Inde Wild) join me to share the highs and lows of building beauty and skincare brands and the trends shaping this booming industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

02:39 - Bhakti’s journey & love story

05:14 - Diipa’s road to Inde Wild

10:34 - Persona’s role in brand building

15:07 - How Shantanu started

20:48 - Valuations & industry secrets

27:30 - Decoding the salon industry

34:58 - How Inde Wild made Champi cool again

38:01 - Market size & shifting narratives

45:14 - Marketing quality & building a community

52:41 - Why fragrance is exploding

1:00:42 - Community’s role in branding

1:08:04 - Cracking the BPC industry

1:22:26 - Omnichannel: A must-have?

1:27:15 - Tariffs, growth & social selling

1:31:00 - Can Indian brands go global?

1:34:51 - Cracking influencer marketing

1:42:15 - Sampling, distribution & minis

1:48:07 - Sustainability: Do founders still care?

1:52:54 - What’s the next wave?

2:04:39 - How the world perceives India

2:09:48 - Tech’s role in customising

2:16:10 - Nikhil’s & Diipa’s tattoos

2:18:14 - Why founders need grit

2:19:47 - Bhakti & Tira’s origin story

2:34:10 - Inside Tira: From concept to customer

2:38:34 - Do celebrity brands work?

2:44:51 - Why Diipa started Inde Wild

2:48:25 - Mass, premium, prestige: Which segment is winning?

3:05:45 - Quick commerce & Tier 2 markets

3:11:11 - Ayurveda: Still a novelty?

3:14:43 - The making of Bombay Shaving Company

3:21:39 - From idea to product: Manufacturing & patents

3:30:14 - Advice to aspiring skincare founders

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: [https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio] (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?even...)

Bhakti Modi - CEO, Tira

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhaktim679/...

LinkedIn: / bhakti-modi-98a32293 

Diipa Khosla - Founder, Inde Wild

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diipakhosla...

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/diipa-khos....

Website: https://india.indewild.com/?utm_campa...

Shantanu Deshpande - Founder, Bombay Shaving Company

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantanudes...

LinkedIn: / shantanudeshpandebsc  

Bhakti Modi (Tira), Shantanu Deshpande (Bombay Shaving Company), and Diipa Khosla (Inde Wild) joined forces to answer one question:

What should 25-year-old Dilip build next?

Bhakti Modi

CEO, Tira

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhaktim679/...

LinkedIn: / bhakti-modi-98a32293 

Diipa Khosla

Founder, Inde Wild

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diipakhosla...

LinkedIn : https://in.linkedin.com/in/diipa-khos....

Shantanu Deshpande

Founder, Bombay Shaving Company

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/shantanudes...

LinkedIn : / shantanudeshpandebsc 

In this unfiltered conversation, we discuss bad bets, overhyped markets, and where VCs should actually put their money. I sat down with Deedy Das (Principal, Menlo Ventures), Nikunj Kothari (Partner, FPV Ventures), and Niko Bonatsos (Early-Stage Venture Capitalist) to get their hot takes on industries.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:58 - Deedy’s journey & the Anthropic story

05:10 - Nikunj’s background

11:32 - Niko’s story

13:31 - Sectors to avoid as an investor

23:17 - Today’s hottest sectors

27:31 - Emerging AI trends

38:37 - Declining birth rates + AI’s role

48:19 - Abundance & capitalism

53:19 - Raising kids in an Instagram world

55:39 - No tech: the next big business?

1:00:55 - The future of dating apps

1:06:52 - Key predictions for the next frontier

1:10:14 - Will urbanisation continue?

1:13:51 - Longevity & wellness industry

1:16:01 - Which sector will boom by 2035?

1:25:59 - Rethinking senior living

1:32:52 - Content vs. product: what builds a brand?

1:43:50 - Individual vs. legacy brands

1:47:30 - EVs & mobility: the road ahead

1:58:03 - Opportunities in beauty & luxury

2:02:17 - Where live events are headed

2:06:14 - Climate tech & its impact

2:11:49 - Data centers: the best bet?

2:15:13 - Vices as an industry

2:24:18 - Wrapping it all together

2:29:02 - Legal AI: opportunities & challenges

2:32:29 - India in the global AI race

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: [https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)

LinkedIN: [](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/

#DeedyDas - Principal, Menlo Ventures

Twitter: https://x.com/deedydas

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/

#NikunjKothari - Partner, FPV Ventures

Twitter: https://x.com/nikunj

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/

#NikoBonatsos - Early-Stage Venture Capitalist

Twitter: https://x.com/bonatsos

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/

What industries will die out in the next decade? I sat down with three venture capitalists from Silicon Valley to decode.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: [https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm9WZVh3cHVTX3JEeGptVjlOZ1R3cW5rVkZJUXxBQ3Jtc0tuekFjWnRXME9XUUVLcDNCTk9YcHd5OU1MV1NMamE0cWE1T25meGJ4VWRMa21OY3VYLWM2T05iOUJtYTNWbWRSLW5YUXNzTTRHUUpjOGdZSGJzNEYxMkt2Y2hmWVNUeU51Nk5MRFVieVNtSTJwMkFXZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g)

LinkedIN: [](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGNsNjlxS2NyU3VxOUNIQU1VUmczaWNobmtJd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVmczaDdwdkpMZWlNaVdISk1mQUFfbmhZNVB2al9OU1hwbF9rYTFoMFJGN2FKRnFreXFEaXZhRGttd2xLRHBpQVhIS19XaW5wQTZ3UjB6bm5vazVmdUkwSEdsU0MxS1lXYmJvVnhlekVRczc0RmdTRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnikhilkamathcio&v=wHQiewz8k9g) https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/

#DeedyDas - Principal, Menlo Ventures

Twitter: https://x.com/deedydas

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debarghyadas/

#NikunjKothari - Partner, FPV Ventures

Twitter: https://x.com/nikunj

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/

#NikoBonatsos - Early-Stage Venture Capitalist

Twitter: https://x.com/bonatsos

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonatsos/

As someone from Bangalore, I’ve been a bit bothered by how much flak we get, especially about traffic. So I set out to see if the criticism is fair, and what’s actually being done about it.In this episode, I spend the day with two of Bengaluru’s top police officers — B. Dayananda, IPS (Commissioner of Police) and M.N. Anucheth, IPS (Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic) — to understand what’s really happening in the city.We get to know how the police are using AI and other technology to manage traffic more effectively, and what’s the future of urban transport. But this episode isn’t just about traffic. We delve into the reality of being a police officer, how they’re portrayed in movies, and the push-pull between politics and policing. We also discuss the rise in cybercrime and how you can protect yourself online.If you’ve ever complained about traffic, considered joining the force, or just want a closer look at how the system works, this episode is for you.Timestamps:⁠00:00⁠ - Intro & visit to the Office of the Commissioner of Police⁠2:31⁠ - Tracking calls at the Integrated Command & Control Centre⁠5:57⁠ - What police medals & uniforms represent⁠07:07⁠ - Police hierarchy & recruitment exams⁠12:36⁠ - Why is Bengaluru criticised & what’s the future of transport?⁠15:40⁠ - Are traffic fines a deterrent or government revenue?⁠17:41⁠ - How does Bengaluru use AI & data to improve traffic flow?⁠23:13⁠ - How cameras catch traffic violations⁠26:41⁠ - Combating bribery⁠29:35⁠ - Exploring the traffic police museum⁠31:26⁠ - The push-pull between politicians & police⁠33:00⁠ - B. Dayananda’s journey to policing⁠35:28⁠ - Should VIPs be above traffic rules?⁠38:47⁠ - Challenges & rewards of becoming a policeman⁠43:45⁠ - How MN Anucheth decided to enter the force⁠45:41⁠ - The sacrifices of policing & balancing family⁠48:32⁠ - How policemen cope with retirement⁠51:23⁠ - Kannadiga representation in government⁠53:48⁠ - Can policemen transition to politics?⁠55:39⁠ - Skills & talents of a good policeman⁠57:19⁠ - So low budgets force police to accept bribes?⁠58:31⁠ - Is there a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic problem?⁠1:02:22⁠ - What needs to change in India?⁠1:06:57⁠ - Nikhil's focus on building an Indian-first brand ecosystem⁠1:07:56⁠ - How accurately do movies depict police realities?⁠1:10:40⁠ - B. Dayananda’s love for bike rides: redefining the policeman’s image⁠1:14:05⁠ - Bangalore police’s growing social media presence⁠1:15:00⁠ - Advice for youth considering a career in policing⁠1:17:16⁠ - The rise of cybercrimes⁠1:21:35⁠ - Final thoughts: A message to aspiring policemen⁠#NikhilKamath⁠ - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: ⁠https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio⁠LinkedIN: ⁠  / nikhilkamathcio  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠  / nikhilkamathcio  ⁠ Facebook: ⁠  / nikhilkamathcio  ⁠ Bengaluru City PoliceTwitter: ⁠https://x.com/BlrCityPolice⁠ Facebook: ⁠  / blrcitypolice  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠  / blrcitypolice  ⁠ YouTube: ⁠   / @bengalurucitypolice3253  ⁠LinkedIN: ⁠  / blrcitypolice  ⁠Bengaluru Traffic PoliceTwitter: ⁠https://x.com/blrcitytraffic⁠ Facebook: ⁠  / bangaloretrafficpolice  ⁠Instagram: ⁠  / bengalurutrafficpolice  ⁠YouTube: ⁠   / @bengalurutrafficpolice  ⁠LinkedIN: ⁠  / bengalurutrafficpolice  ⁠⁠#wtfiswithnikhilkamath

This episode is a playbook for any curious 20-something in India dreaming of building the next big consumer electronics brand. Whether it’s smartphones, earbuds, AI-powered glasses or health wearables, we dig into what it really takes to break into, and survive, this highly competitive space.

I sat down with three brilliant minds in the game who’ve actually done it: Carl Pei (Co-Founder, Nothing), Rahul Sharma (Co-Founder, Micromax), and Amit Khatri (Co-Founder, Noise). We tried to decode the what, how, and WTF of this industry—from regulations and the fairness of trade tariffs, to startup realities and what disruption might look like next.

You might just spot the next big idea as they share some untapped opportunities waiting to be built in this sector.

Resource Document: https://iridescent-party-a15.notion.site/Consumer-Electronics-Resource-Document-1e1aef3ec3e980f29b86dd9bae34410d

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:12 - How Apple sparked Carl’s love for tech

05:05 - The reason for Y Combinator’s success

07:28 - Carl’s ‘lazy genius’ approach towards his career

15:05 - How Nothing differentiated itself

16:36 - US tariff’s impact on China, India & the industry (Note: Since this episode was recorded before recent changes to global trade & tariff policies, some views may not reflect current regulations.)

22:10 - Carl’s philosophical views on life

24:23 - Rahul’s journey & the roots of his entrepreneurial spirit

29:30 - Micromax’s early days: From payphones to GSM innovation

38:23 - How traveling to villages led to Micromax’s success

50:47 - Competing with China & Micomax’s manufacturing pivot

1:00:00 - Apple’s vertical integration strategy: Lessons for companies & governments

1:05:00 - Learnings from Rahul’s risk-taking & resilience

1:09:00 - Amit’s journey from education to building Noise

1:23:34 - Roadmap for 20-somethings entering the electronics industry

01:41:47 - Identifying gaps in the commodity market

1:48:02 - Disruption in smartphones through design and AI opportunities

1:57:40 - Today’s youth vs. yesterday’s corporations

2:01:13 - Building India’s supply chain & unlocking its market opportunity

2:07:21 - An electronics launchpad for young entrepreneurs

2:16:45 - India’s semiconductor push & restarting efforts

2:22:26 - Future of TV: One UI for all streaming apps?

2:25:41 - Can India build a global ecosystem in electronics?

2:35:58 - Health wearables & EdTech opportunities

2:42:44 - Advice for 20-somethings who want to break into this industry

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/

#CarlPei - CEO & Co-Founder, Nothing

Twitter: https://x.com/getpeid

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/getpeid/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getpeid/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getpeid/

#RahulSharma - Co-Founder, Micromax

Twitter: https://x.com/rahulsharma

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-sharma-83038634a/

#AmitKhatri - Co-Founder, Noise

Twitter: https://x.com/iamamitkhatri

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamamitkhatri/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamitkhatri/

India’s craft beverage industry is on the rise, with brands redefining the way the country drinks. Specialty coffee, kombucha, and premium mixers are no longer just niche products—they’re part of a larger shift toward quality and innovation. As global trends in artisanal drinks take hold, Indian consumers are becoming more curious and willing to experiment. But building a brand in this space comes with unique challenges. In this episode, Nikhil Kamath sits down with Rahul Reddy (Subko), Matt Chitharanjan (Blue Tokai), Aneesh Bhasin (Svami), and Adithya Kidambi (Mossant) to explore the challenges and opportunities in India’s evolving beverage space.From sourcing the best beans to disrupting the beverage industry, they break down the art of brand-building, competition in this industry, and what lies next for craft beverages in India. #NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon and GruhasTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcioInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio#MattChitharanjan Co-founder of Blue Tokai LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/mchitharanjan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_chit #AdithyaKidambi Co-founder of Mossant Fermentary LinkedIN - https://in.linkedin.com/in/adithya-kidambi-8866b1269 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kidambiadithya/ #AneeshBhasin Co-founder of Svami Twitter: https://x.com/aneeshb LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneesh-bhasin-252b661/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aneeshb/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gentlemenlisten/ #RahulReddy Co-founder of Subko Coffee Twitter - https://x.com/rahulreddysc LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulgreddy/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raah_hool Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rahul.gurram.reddy/

In this conversation, we seem to be headed towards more questions than answers.. but perhaps questions that need to be asked. Most importantly... Where is Health headed?

In this episode of WTF is Podcast, we have Nithin, Prashanth, Jitendra, Seema and Bryan uncover many such questions/concerns, trying to determine what is next in this space of Heath & Longevity.

As AI progresses, I wonder if tomorrow, an algorithm is built to tell us how to live our life the best... would we accept that integration? How far are we willing to go to live longer or perhaps "forever"?

#NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha and Gruhas Host of 'WTF is' & 'People By WTF' Podcast Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/

#NithinKamath - Founder, CEO Zerodha, RainmatterInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nithinkamath/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nithin.kamath/Twitter - https://x.com/Nithin0dhaLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nithin-kamath

#BryanJohnson - Founder & CEO of BlueprintInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/bryanjohnson_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089952947799Twitter - https://x.com/bryan_johnsonLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanrjohnson/

#PrashanthPrakash - Founding Partner of Accel India, Founder BioPeak & Longevity India Twitter - https://x.com/prashanthpLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakashprashanth

#JitendraChouksey - Founder, FITTR

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fittrwithjc/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jitendra.chouksey.7/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jitendrachouksey/

Special Appearance - #SeemaKamath, Director at Zerodha

00:00 - Introduction 00:56 - Air Quality & Blue Zones 5:39 - Bryan’s Lifestyle 09:20 - Roundtable Introductions 12:14 - Future of Medical Innovations 16:25 - Understanding Bio Transformations, Enzymatic Reactions 19:03 - Bryan’s Early Days 27:20 - Bryan’s journey into understanding Longevity 32:18 - Understanding Health Supplements 43:10 - Thought experiment 1: the algorithm 46:13 - Thought experiment 2: the 25th century 54:30 - Thought experiment 3: enabling an intelligence 1:03:00 - WTF is ‘Don’t Die’? 1:20:28 - Testing & Supplementation 1:26:50 - Business Opps in Testing & Supplementation 1:35:17 - 10 years from now, what’s Bryan's goal? 1:38:37 - Food Break! 1:39:35 - Air Quality Index (AQI) - Massive Opportunities 1:46:05 - Lifestyle Management Opps | Fittr 1:50:00 - Consumer Diagnostics Opps | BioPeak 1:59:16 - Building India Focused Datasets 2:13:33 - Influencers in the Longevity space 2:20:53 - Cancer Recurrence Detection 2:34:12 - Health Gadgets 2:39:40 - Longevity Supplements Opps & Growth Hormones 3:06:55 - Regenerative Medicine 3:10:30 - Where’s the next big opportunity? 3:15:13 - Bonus Round: Women’s Reproductive Health 3:21:28 - If men live forever and women can't give birth beyond 35 - Where's the future? #WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF

How far are we all willing to go for Good Health & Longevity? Is technology & AGI closer to figuring it all out? Can an algorithm tell us how to live our best life? Stay Tuned!

#NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha and Gruhas 

Host of 'WTF is' & 'People By WTF' Podcast 

Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/

#NithinKamath - Founder, CEO Zerodha, Rainmatter

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nithinkamath/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nithin.kamath/

Twitter - https://x.com/Nithin0dha

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nithin-kamath

#BryanJohnson - Founder & CEO of BlueprintInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/bryanjohnson_/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089952947799Twitter - https://x.com/bryan_johnsonLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanrjohnson/#PrashanthPrakash - Founding Partner of Accel India, Founder BioPeak & Longevity India 

Twitter - https://x.com/prashanthp

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prakashprashanth#JitendraChouksey - Founder, FITTR

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fittrwithjc/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jitendra.chouksey.7/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jitendrachouksey/

Special Appearance - #SeemaKamath, Director at Zerodha 

#wtfiswithnikhilkamath #PeoplebyWTF