On the final episode of The Note with Mahrukh Inayet, Chetan Bhagat talks about being trolled on social media, about his varied opinions about the current political scenario, and provides a quick insight into his latest release - 400 Days. You can follow Mahrukh on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mahrukhinayet You can follow Chetan Bhagat on Twitter…

In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to senior journalist & author Kaveree Bamzai on her latest book The Three Khans and The Emergence of New India in which she has deftly charted their journeys juxtaposing their lives with the socio-political developments in the country. Among other things, Mahrukh Inayet asks Kaveree about the Musli…

In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to senior political journalist and author Coomi Kapoor on her latest book - which is "An Intimate History of the Parsis in India". Coomi talks about the ugly spat between Ratan Tata and Cyrus Mistry among other things. And why the Parsis - which are all of 50,000 left in India are such an extraordi…

At a time when the government refuses to acknowledge the real numbers of how many died from COVID-19. At a time when an Oxfam India report suggests that the health budget has actually been reduced, the demand for making Right to Health, a fundamental right has been raised again. In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet talks about why the time i…

Ahead of state elections next year, Uttar Pradesh CM, Yogi Adityanath's government has proposed a population control bill that disincentivizes those who have more than two children and seeks to ban them for contesting elections. In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet tells you why this proposed bill is a solution to a non-existent problem. Inc…

It can only be described as a dramatic cabinet rejig. 12 ministers asked to resign, 43 new ones inducted, 15 ministers now from U.P. alone; Narendra Modi's moves are all about symbolism with an eye of state assembly elections and Lok Sabha 2024. In this episode of The Note, @mahrukhinayet deciphers the reasons why the Modi-Shah made these dramatic …

India's oldest political party, Congress is at crossroads. Is Congress a worthy opponent to Modi's BJP? Will it be a relevant political force in 2024? Why is it losing its young brigade? And is Rahul Gandhi the best choice to lead the grand old party? In this episode of The Note, author and Congress watcher Rasheed Kidwai speaks to Mahrukh Inayet o…

Kabir Bedi is undoubtedly one of India's first true crossover stars enjoying cult status in Europe and becoming the first Indian actor to play a significant role in a James Bond movie. In this episode of #TheNote, Kabir Bedi talks about his memoir, his relationships and his phenomenal success as an actor abroad. Follow Kabir Bedi on Twitter: https:…

Microblogging site Twitter is in the eye of a storm over non compliance of IT guidelines set out by the government. Why is Twitter defying the Indian state? Is this an ideological fight? What does Twitter stand to lose? In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet looks at the genesis of the problem. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhi…

As India continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most heartwrenching stories is that of young children orphaned by it. Government gives the figure of 577, experts say the real figures are far higher. In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Prabhat Kumar - the man leading Child Protection at one of India's lea…

The 2nd wave of Covid-19 in India has had a devastating impact on life, our health infrastructure and the economy. But with new complications arising every day, there is more anxiety among people. On this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, USA- Dr. Vincent Rajkumar on the way forward, the possibility…

During the debilitating 2nd wave of COVID-19, the one silver lining has the humanitarian effort by individuals helping out others in distress. In this episode of The Note, @mahrukhinayet speaks to TV personality & activist Tehseen Poonawalla who has been saving countless lives through The Poonawalla Foundation. At The Note, we celebrate & salute th…

In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Bollywood insider & Trade analyst Komal Nahta on the impact of COVID 2nd wave on the Hindi film industry. Nahta talks about Salman Khan's 'Radhe' and the experiment that didn't go as planned because of the nationwide lockdown and unabated piracy. You can find Komal Nahta on Twitter: https://twit…

In this episode of #TheNote, @mahrukhinayet speaks to Ghazala Wahab - author of the bestseller "Born A Muslim". From the problems that beset the Indian Muslim to the evolution of Islam in India, Ghazala gives wonderful insights into the factors that have shaped the community in India. Ghazala says it is very tough to radicalize the Indian Muslim of…

At the heart of the international media’s reporting on India’s COVID-19 crisis has been a scathing indictment of the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. In this episode of The Note @mahrukhinayet speaks to one of India’s leading intellectuals Amitabh Mattoo on what PM Modi will have to do in order to better India’s image in the eyes of the world. Websi…

Survivor guilt? Covid anxiety? Doomscrolling all the time? On this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to one of India’s leading clinical psychologist, Sonali Gupta on this sense of lethargy that most of us are feeling as the second wave of COVID-19 has hit the country. Sonali has some valuable advice including tips on how to get rid of that…

Distressing calls from hospitals saying they are running out of oxygen. Patients sharing videos that they can't breathe. A journalist putting up a photograph minutes before he passed away appealing for oxygen till his last breath. In this episode of The note, Mahrukh Inayet talks about why are COVID patients dont have oxygen to breathe. Talk to Mah…

In this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to top Mumbai physician Dr. Bipin Doshi who calls the second COVID wave nothing short of World War 3. Mahrukh asks him 20 pertinent questions. Listen to his sound, medical advice as corona explodes across the country. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhinayet (https://twitter.com/mahru…

As five states go to the polls, it is West Bengal that will be the one keenly watched. The BJP has been working tirelessly to build it's base. On this episode of #TheNote Mahrukh Inayet contends that it is advantage Mamata Banerjee and for the two-time Chief Minister it will clearly be a hat-trick. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhin…

With five states going to the polls, Rahul Gandhi faces his biggest test. Growing dissent within the Congress with senior leadership questioning his decision-making, Rahul is desperate for a win at the hustings. On this episode of #TheNote, Mahrukh Inayet opines that if May 2nd does not go Rahul's way, it is not just his political future but that o…

What is independent media? How does a news organisation fight fake news? What is India consuming when it comes to news? Even as the government is busy drafting guidelines for digital news organisations, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to the Editor of The News Minute, Dhanya Rajendran on The Note on how tough it is to 'sell' the truth in an era of fake news.…

The Narendra Modi Government is close to completing two years of its second term in power. Where do things stand? Is India more polarised than before? What has been Modi's biggest achievement? Can the opposition get it's act together to defeat the Modi-Shah combine in 2024? Has people's faith in the judiciary been eroded? On this episode of TheNote…

Once allies and friends, the Shiv Sena now seems to be a key opponent of the BJP. On this episode of #TheNote, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, MP- Rajya Sabha on Sena's New Brand of Politics, how an alliance with the BJP is an impossibility in the future, farm protests and how Bollywood is never shifting out of Mumbai. You can…

As the new POTUS Joe Biden is sworn in, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Wall Street Journal columnist Sadanand Dhume on whether we have seen the last of Trump and what does a Biden presidency mean for India? You can talk to Sadanand Dhume on Twitter: @dhume Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhinayet You can listen to this show and other awesom…

Gul Panag has stood by the thousands of farmers protesting against the three farm laws recently passed by the Centre. Calling these protests a watershed moment for Indian democracy, Gul tells Mahrukh Inayet why these laws are against the very essence of democratic debate and legislation. On TheNote, Gul Panag says reforms are needed but not without…

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has tasted success in Bihar and has started making inroads into West Bengal. His brand of politics makes the BJP uneasy but hurts secular parties even more. On this episode of The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks to Asaduddin Owaisi to understand what the Indian Muslim voter wants and how is his party any different from the…

On the 13th anniversary of Benazir Bhutto's assassination Mahrukh Inayet remembers the former Pakistan Prime Minister and how she managed to interview her. A special one on #TheNote. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhinayet You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://…

2020 ended with historic elections in Jammu & Kashmir. Was it a celebration of democracy? After all we saw hefty polling across. Was it a thumbs up to the Centre's move to abrogate Article 370? BJP claims it is. Is it a win for the Gupkar alliance? Kashmiri parties say it is a victory for their opposition to the abrogation of Article 370. On #TheNo…

As TheNote completes a quarter of a century, Mahrukh Inayet chats with the award winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta on his webseries Scam 1992: The Story of Harshad Mehta which is a runaway success and being touted as the best Indian web series ever. You can talk to Hansal Mehta on Twitter: @mehtahansal Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhi…

Petrol and diesel prices are at an all time high. BJP MP says it's wrong. Instead of Rs 90/litre it should be less than half. Why is it then that the Government is still increasing fuel prices? On this episode of #TheNote, @MahrukhInayet tells you why the 'aam admi' is facing the brunt. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter & Instagram: @mahrukhinayet You can…

Why did Diljit Dosanjh refuse to let Kangana Ranaut get away with her fake tweet? As the images of protesting farmers being tear gassed and water cannoned flash on our screens, @MahrukhInayet dissects the lessons to be learnt from these protests on this episode of #TheNote. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter @mahrukhinayet You can listen to this show and o…

At a time when we should be legislating on better healthcare, we are intent on attacking love. In this episode of #TheNote, @MahrukhInayet talks about how the #LoveJihad Law hurts the idea of India. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter @mahrukhinayet You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https…

It's been 12 years to 26/11. Mahrukh Inayet recounts what happened on the night of the terror attack and thereafter. The lessons learnt. Listen on this special episode of #TheNote Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter @mahrukhinayet. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/andro…

It's been close to one hundred and fifty days since Sushant Singh Rajput died but it seems to have changed a lot for the Hindi film industry. On TheNote @mahrukhinayet speaks with independent journalist @kavereeb who says it like no one else does. From the silence by the Bollywood 'biggies' to the alleged drug mafia to the much debated nepotism ang…

A 20-year old Dalit woman was gang-raped by four upper caste men in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. So heinous was the crime that the victim's legs and arms were paralysed, her tongue cut and she was nearly strangulated. Two weeks after the brutality she died in a Delhi hospital. On The Note, Mahrukh Inayet talks about how and why we collectively failed he…

TV News seems to have done several somersaults in its investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. From frenzied coverage to a casual attitude towards facts, at best. On The Note, Mahrukh Inayet talks about some of the news' favourite terms that seem to have lost all meaning. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter @mahrukhinayet. You can listen to th…

On The Note, Mahrukh Inayet speaks with National Conference leader Devender S Rana on the controversial Domicile Law that has been passed in J&K. Rana argues how there was no need for such a law since it reduces the chances of employment for the local population. He calls it a design to further inconvenience the people of J&K and create a greater s…

Mahrukh Inayet speaks to former National Spokesperson of the Congress Party, Sanjay Jha who was recently removed from the position after he wrote a series of articles critical of the inner workings of the grand old party. Sanjay Jha speaks of the impending crisis with Sachin Pilot, the urgent need for a non-Gandhi to lead the Congress for 2024 and …

Mahrukh Inayet speaks to respected Film Trade Analyst and TV show host on the future of the Hindi film industry. Komal Nahta says that the industry foresees major challenges but adds that it will be temporary. He believes audiences will return to the theatres once this is over. Also sees October as the deadline for the bigger films like 83, Coolie …

On TheNote Mahrukh Inayet has started a special series Titled Unlocking India 1.0. In this episode she speaks to Sports Historian Boria Majumdar on the future of cricket, hockey and India's Olympics chances. What is the path of recovery for Indian Sports? Boria has some answers. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitter @mahrukhinayet. You can listen to this show…

On The Note with Mahrukh Inayet, Mayor of Srinagar city Junaid Mattu talks about how Srinagar was the first city to implement social distancing and how it helped. He says it is the pandemic of the stranded now with hundreds stuck outside the city trying to get back home. And for this Eid, everyone will have to stay indoors. Talk to Mahrukh on Twitt…

In this episode, Mahrukh Inayet talks about the ugly truth that this pandemic has exposed - the discrimination in the Govt's approach towards dealing with migrant workers versus the country's affluent. Eight reasons why the images of migrant workers walking hundreds of kilometres to their homes in other states should be the one image that never lea…

This week, Mahrukh is joined by Independent Journalist, Anubha Bhosle who gives her unbiased and scary account of what happened in North East Delhi. Anubha discusses the role of the Delhi Police, whether they abdicated their responsibility and also questions the response from the recently elected government. Was this a communal riot or a pogrom? Is…

On this special episode, Mahrukh is joined by popular Kashmiri RJ Nasir Ali Khan to talk about the restoration of the internet in Jammu & Kashmir. Nasir talks about the struggles faced in the valley and discusses what happened during the 7 months J&K was without the internet. Are people able to recover from the damage that has already been done? Wh…

In this episode, Mahrukh talks to senior journalist, Javed Ansari about the man who positions himself at the right of centre and attempts to portray himself as the messiah of the downtrodden, Arvind Kejriwal. What factors should we attribute to Arvind Kejriwal's strong victory in the Delhi elections? Why has he decided to take a back seat towards t…

At a time where three former Chief Ministers of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have been charged under the public safety act, there's one uprising voice coming from the valley. The daughter of former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija Mufti. In this episode, Iltija talks to Mahrukh about the status and condition of …

In this episode, Mahrukh talks about the lessons learnt from the high octane campaign leading to the Delhi elections. Why are the issues like housing, congestion, rape, & pollution not discussed in primetime debates? Why did Congress not invest much in their campaign? And what will happen if AAP loses the elections? Tune in. Talk to Mahrukh on Twit…

6 months after the abrogation of Article 370 and with its key political leadership detained, what is the road ahead for Jammu & Kashmir? In this episode, Mahrukh speaks to the journalist who has his ear to the ground, Ahmed Ali Fayyaz on where things stand. Why are politicians still detained? What does the common man think? Does the Centre have a p…

Mahrukh speaks to a renowned journalist, author of several highly acclaimed books and a writer for a soon to release film, 'Shikara the untold story of Kashmiri Pandits', Rahul Pandita. In this episode, Rahul discusses Why did he write Shikara? What personal journey he's brought to this film and what is his dream to achieve for the Kasmiri Pandits …

On the first post election results episode of 'The Note', Mahrukh Inayet talks about why the Congress party failed miserably in the polls. Was Rahul Gandhi ever a viable alternative to Modi? What are the gaps between the Congress, its political messaging and the masses? And 5 reasons why Rahul Gandhi stepping down from the Congress party president'…