The BarberShop with Shantanu

This episode is a personal one. Kuldeep Jain, Founder and MD at CleanMax | Former Partner at McKinsey & Company, was Shantanu Deshpande’s senior at McKinsey. They share a close bond, and Kuldeep has also invested in Bombay Shaving Company. That trust makes this conversation unusually honest.

Kuldeep talks about leaving the safe path, early mistakes, and the phase where he lost 80–90% of his savings. He explains how CleanMax found its direction, how he thinks about hiring and culture, and what the IPO journey really looks like, including roadshows and pricing.

What you’ll get from this e...

What happens when two people realise India isn’t lacking luxury, but starving for togetherness?

They walked away from stable careers and built a ₹120 CR hospitality brand that proves ‘luxury’ isn’t always required to succeed!

In this episode of The Barbershop, Shantanu sits down with Deven Parulekar (Founder of SaffronStays), who built his brand on one simple belief: where families bond. From a honeymoon dream many years ago to a reality in 2015, this vision has expanded into a network of 425 villas, each designed to bring people closer.

But here’s the part that sets th...

Men are breaking silently, and most people do not notice until it is too late.

This Men’s Day conversation brings Shantanu together with Chirag Taneja and the GoKwik team to talk about the quiet struggles that shape a man’s life.

Men live shorter, visit doctors less, hide pain behind work, and carry pressure they never learned to talk about.

Many grow up without strong male role models. Many lose friendships after marriage.

Many feel responsible for everyone but themselves.

Most of this remains unspoken because men are taug...

Scared of interviews? Maybe you're following the wrong rulebook.

In this episode, Shantanu sits with a group of students to break down what interviews actually are. Not tests. Not interrogations. But human conversations where trust, honesty and connection matter far more than memorised answers.

Shantanu pulls apart the fear, the overthinking, the nervousness that students walk in with, and reveals the real strategy: show up as someone your interviewer will genuinely enjoy working with.

From decoding the classic McKinsey-style interview model to understanding why fun, clarity and natural communication create the strongest impression...

In the chaos of laughter, how does a comedian think of conquering the unpredictable world of business?

In this exciting episode of Barbershop, Shantanu sits down with Kenny Sebastian, who is stepping into the world of entrepreneurship with his own perfume brand, The Stage. But the twist is he’s not just launching a fragrance, but is ready to challenge big players in the market with a daring entrepreneurial debut.

Kenny, known for his sharp wit and stage presence, reveals how he’s blending his passion for comedy with the art of perfume-making. Mic Check and...

What’s it really like to work inside one of India’s most loved D2C brands?

In this episode, Shantanu visits Ashoka University to talk to students about the journey of Bombay Shaving Company - how it started, why it was built, and the values that continue to guide its growth story.

From startup stories and brand-building lessons to honest conversations about risk, purpose, and culture, it’s a peek into what goes behind building a D2C brand that people truly love.

Two interns also share their experiences while working at Bombay...

No matter where you are with money, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Shantanu’s college best friend Anuj takes us through his journey - from the pressures of corporate banking and quarterly targets to building My Fundbox, a financial services platform helping people like us manage, invest, and grow our money smarter.

Along the way, he’s experienced all the highs and lows, cleared the mutual fund distribution exam, and is now empowering people to take control of their finances.

On the pod, they talk about corporate fraud, credit card trap...

How to become a great salesperson?

Confidence? Product knowledge? Or the courage to face rejection again and again?

In this final episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu dives deep into the art of selling, live at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.

From breaking the ice to breaking records, this one is packed with hustle, wit, and raw energy.

And in classic Shantanu style, it all comes down to action. A 45-minute campus challenge where students sell trimmers, face rejections, crack pitches, and learn on the go.

The message...

What if a simple idea could start a trend?

What if one spark could change the way people live, shop, and even groom themselves?

In this episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu takes us on a journey through the last decade of Indian entrepreneurship at Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Pune. He exhibit how investing in different brands transformed sellers, shaped trends, and set the stage for India’s future.

He shares the story of how the beard trend took over India, and why that sparked the idea to start Bombay Shaving Company.

Th...

Every career is built on selling. Especially an entrepreneur’s!

That’s what Shantanu and Ankush (Co-Founder and CEO at Rebel Foods) suggested at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai, and we couldn’t agree more.

In this episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu teams up with Ankush to bring the hustle as well as their friendship alive on campus. They kick off with a power-packed masterclass on the art of selling, showing why sales isn’t just for salespeople, but the backbone of every profession.

The challenge? Students step out to sell as much...

“Sell like your life depends upon it.”

We can’t agree more with Kiran Shah!

In the second episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu teams up with Kiran Shah, Razorpreneur and founder of Go Zero. From his early days at Apsara Ice Creams to building Go Zero, Kiran shows how every big idea begins with the art of selling.

At Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, the challenge heats up. Shantanu announces a one-hour contest, and students step out to sell trimmers, while Shantanu and Kiran take on the same test themselves. The campus buzzes with pitches, reject...

Some journeys begin at home.

For the first episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, mine does too. This time, I don’t bring a founder, VC, or CEO. I bring my mom – the best salesperson I know!

In this episode shot in Pune, Aai visits her everyday kirana shops and steps into the world of sales for the first time. From friendly local stores to the chaos of FC Road, she convinces complete strangers to try the Omni Blade instead of the trimmers they usually buy. She has no sales experience, feels nervous, and faces rejection. But with ever...

Some journeys begin at home.

For the first episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, mine does too. This time, I don’t bring a founder, VC, or CEO. I bring my mom – the best salesperson I know!

In this episode shot in Pune, Aai visits her everyday kirana shops and steps into the world of sales for the first time. From friendly local stores to the chaos of FC Road, she convinces complete strangers to try the Omni Blade instead of the trimmers they usually buy. She has no sales experience, feels nervous, and faces rejection. But with ever...

Can you scale fast without falling into legal traps?

In this episode of The BarberShop with Shantanu, we are joined by Archana Rajaram (Managing Partner, River Law) and Anup Agarwal (Co-Founder & CEO, Mintifi) to decode a side of entrepreneurship that’s often left behind and what really happens when capital, compliance, and chaos collide.

From helping founders steer clear of costly mistakes to making sense of India’s tricky legal systems, Archana breaks down how "good lawyering should never come in the way of business". And Anup shares how Mintifi is not just simplifying credit for...

Some episodes are personal.

This one is family.

I had the privilege of sitting down with two people who’ve shaped the way I think, live, and lead: Dr. Pravin Bhagwat (Founder of 14 Trees Foundation) and my father, Kiran Deshpande (Former CEO, Tech Mahindra. Founder, Mojo Networks. Board Member, 14Trees Foundation) two entrepreneurial men I've had the privilege of learning from since I was a child.

They built a company together. Exited it with grace. And then, Pravin uncle did something most people wouldn’t, he walked away from the tech world to plan...

Is the healthcare system in India broken, or just evolving?

In the latest episode of Barbershop, Shantanu is joined by Viren Shetty, Vice Chairperson of Narayana Health (NH), to explore how the pandemic reshaped global healthcare and how, despite the changes, NH is committed to staying true to its values while introducing its new inpatient care services.

Viren proudly reflects on the incredible legacy of his father, Dr. Devi Shetty, one of India’s most renowned cardiac surgeons. He shares how Narayana Health has emerged as a leading healthcare provider in th...

Is mental health just a buzzword for Gen Z or is it a genuine crisis?

In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu leads a candid, cross-generational debate on one of the most misunderstood workplace questions today: Is mental health struggle real for Gen Z?

One side, the seasoned professionals, Revant Bhate (Co-Founder & CEO at Mosaic Wellness) and Kaushik Mukherjee (Co-founder & COO at SUGAR Cosmetics), question if the regular hustle is being mistaken for crisis.

While the Gen Z voices Vidit Dugar (Chief of Staff at Bombay Shaving Company) and Gauri Bansal (Strategy Manager...

Are phones killing brains or just replacing boredom with a dopamine hit?

In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu dives into a no-filter conversation with guests from different tech eras to explore the real impact of smartphones on human brains, behaviours, and boundaries. Joining him are Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO, SBFC Finance Ltd) and Damodar Mall [CEO(Grocery Retail ), Reliance Retail] who are amazed to see WhatsApp being the most powerful medium of business, while on the other side, Gauri Bansal (Strategy Manager, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Spotify) and Avi Anurag (Business Analyst at...

Is owning a home still the ultimate goal, or are there smarter, more flexible alternatives in today’s fast-changing world?

This week on The Bridge, the guests debate about one of the most talked-about life decisions in a GenZ’s life today: to buy a home or rent, with perspectives from seasoned business leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs.

On one side, we have industry veterans Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO of SBFC Finance Ltd.), and Luis Miranda (Former Bank Treasurer at HDFC and Ex-CEO of IDFC), who share their views on the financial and emot...

Is going to college still the best way to succeed, or is it time to rethink the traditional career routes?

In this week’s episode of The Bridge, Shantanu sits down with a diverse group of leaders to explore one of today’s most debated topics: The true value of college education in a fast-evolving world.

On one side, we have seasoned entrepreneurs who have led the way in shaping businesses and brands. Abhijeet Dabas, Executive VP & Business Head at Nykaafashion, and Ankush Grover, Co-Founder & CEO at Rebel Foods, share their insights on how formal educ...

Is consumerism in India really making our lives better?

Or is it a trend everyone is chasing because of FOMO?

From the latest gadgets to fashion trends, the young generation is bombarded by ads, influencers and social media. But at what cost? Are they even thinking about the consequences of overconsumption?

This week, the roundtable isn’t here to judge, it only unpacks how Gen Z deals with the pressure of staying on top of trends with the mindset of "buy now, pay later".

In the new episode of ‘The Bridge’, Shanta...

Is Startup a real problem-solver or just a way out of toxic jobs?

For next-gen, it’s the real escape from 9-to-5s and societal expectations. But as startup culture grows louder, are the deeper motivations being overlooked?

In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu hosts a multi-generational roundtable with industry veterans, Abhijeet Dabas (Nykaafashion Executive VP & Business Head - Fashion) and Ankush Grover (Rebel Foods - Co-Founder & CEO), who unpack what decades in finance and leadership have taught them. From the other side, Vidit Dugar (Chief of Staff at Bombay Shaving Company), and Akansha Pa...

Is organisational loyalty outdated, or are we asking the wrong questions?

This week, on the latest episode of ‘The Bridge’, Shantanu engages in a thought-provoking discussion with leaders from both sides of the generational spectrum.

On the one hand, Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO at SBFC Finance Ltd.) and Luis Miranda (Former Bank Treasurer at HDFC and Ex-CEO at IDFC) share valuable insights on why internal promotions, career patience, and organisational commitment remain the bedrock of professional success.

On the other hand, Ishaan Gulati (Chief of Staff to CEO at Rebel Food) and Arshi Gupt...

Thank you for the overwhelming response to Episode 1 of The Bridge!

We absolutely loved reading your comments, your thoughts, reflections, and even disagreements made it clear: We need more conversations like these.

So, here we are back with Episode 2.

This time, we’re asking: IS PERSONAL BRANDING NECESSARY?

Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with “being seen”?

Why does every Gen Z feel the need to show up online all the time?

And is that visibility actually translating to value?

Joining Shantanu this time are two sharp...

Is hustle culture quietly killing India’s next generation?

Is Gen Z actually giving up at their jobs for reasons evident but often unsaid?

Where really is this gap and why is it important to fill it?

Next season of the Barbershop is not a season, it’s a completely different story.

A whole new setup, a mix of old and new voices, unfiltered views, and debates that often make it out of these leaders’ LinkedIn's, onto the news! 😂

Only this time, we don’t have a 1:1 setup, we have a roun...

What if playing it safe is the real courage in entrepreneurship?

In Barbershop’s latest episode, Shantanu sits down with Alok Sama (Writer & Investor) to explore what truly makes a CEO great. It’s not just about flashy risks, but staying humble and adapting as things change.

How Alok brought his first book ‘The Money Trap’ to life, and how getting a degree in Master of Fine Arts, from NYU at 58 proves that growth has no age.

Key Takeaways:

- Leadership is as much about humility and adaptability as bold risks.

- A...

What if you could build your epic career without the fear of failing?

In a world chasing speed, Warikoo advises people to try everything, experience it all, until the path becomes clear.

In Barbershop’s latest episode, Shantanu chats with Ankur Warikoo (Entrepreneur and Bestselling Author), who deeply talks about personal growth and mindset shifts on career development.

He shares his journey about scaling a 70 Cr education empire, ‘WebVeda’, with 100% refundable courses, and yet, it’s thriving effortlessly.

In this episode, Warikoo explains that content isn’t just about reach, it’s about the...

To build a business, you should always have your feet on the ground and eyes on the stars.

A mindset Manish Taneja has carried from the narrow lanes of Faridabad to build a ₹10,000 Cr beauty giant.

In this episode, Shantanu sits down with Manish Taneja (CEO & MD of Purplle.com) for a raw conversation about the unseen side of entrepreneurship.

Growing up in Tier 2 India, Manish never had the blueprint but just a dream to build big. And in 13 years, he turned that fascination into Purplle, a brand that has redefined beauty in In...

If there’s no existential doubt, it’s not an early-stage business.

Because you're just figuring it out, one bold risk at a time.

In this episode Shantanu is joined by Vedang Patel (Co-Founder of The Souled Store) and Yogesh Kabra, (Founder of XYXX Apparels) for a raw and honest conversation on what it really takes to start up.

As a bootstrapped company, Vedang started with just ₹5 lakhs and a big dream. On the other hand, Yogesh started up in a 250 sq. ft. room in Surat.

But Now? These founders have built...

Some companies almost don’t make it, until they do.

MakeMyTrip could’ve been one of them.

In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande is joined by Deep Kalra (Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited) and Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum, Helion and Daksh), one of MMT’s early investors. Kalra and Aggarwal uncover the real behind-the-scenes of building one of India’s most iconic travel companies.

This Investor-Founder bond isn’t just about travel. It’s about the courage to stick around when the road gets rough.

Let us know in the comments: What’s the t...

Some companies almost don’t make it, until they do.

MakeMyTrip could’ve been one of them.

In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande is joined by Deep Kalra (Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited) and Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum, Helion and Daksh), one of MMT’s early investors. Kalra and Aggarwal uncover the real behind-the-scenes of building one of India’s most iconic travel companies.

This Investor-Founder bond isn’t just about travel. It’s about the courage to stick around when the road gets rough.

Let us know in the comments: What’s the t...

Some Founders wait for the “Right time.” Others just CREATE IT!

Based in Bangalore, this company has been developing an app since March 2021, and it has already been installed by 105 million users.

We’re super excited to have Saurabh Pandey (Founder and CEO, Eloelo) on the pod this time. From leaving Flipkart just before the pandemic to building Eloelo after, one of India’s largest Live Social Entertainment Platform, his story is a masterclass in courage, conviction, and community building.

Key takeaways from the episode:

•⁠ ⁠What sets Eloelo apart from traditional social media.<...

Not every founder finds the right investor. Not every investor bets on the right founder. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome a BarberShop veteran, Kapil Chopra (Founder - EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel). But this time, he is not alone. Joining him is his first ever investor and his very good friend, Deepak Shahdadpuri (Managing Director, DSG Consumer Partners). Why did Kapil and Deepak take 8 years to finally start a business together? Find out in this episode. This isn’t just an entrepreneurial conversation. It’s a masterclass on the kind of investor-founder friendship required for businesses to t...

Not every founder finds the right investor. Not every investor bets on the right founder.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome a BarberShop veteran, Kapil Chopra (Founder - EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel). But this time, he is not alone. Joining him is his first ever investor and his very good friend, Deepak Shahdadpuri (Managing Director, DSG Consumer Partners).

Why did Kapil and Deepak take 8 years to finally start a business together? Find out in this episode.

This isn’t just an entrepreneurial conversation. It’s about trust, conviction, and the kind...

Mokobara was rejected 33 times.

And now they’ll beat legacy brands in their own game within 6 years. Something the biggest brands took 44 years to do!

That’s the thing about great entrepreneurs. They don’t give up.

In this episode, we are joined by three of Shantanu’s closest friends. Sangeet Agrawal, Founder at Mokobara, Navin Parwal, Co-Founder & CMO at Mokobara, and Manu Chandra, Founder and Managing Partner at Sauce.vc came together to uncover the power of aspirational hungry India.

Mokobara is on a mission to redefine travel for India, designin...

In this conversation with Shinjini Kumar, Co-Founder of SALT-mysaltapp, we talk to her about her diverse professional journey, something you don’t see in many founders. Coming from Bihar, she started as a journalist at the Times of India and then shifted to the Reserve Bank of India in the early ‘90s. At the heart of the action, she was responsible for handling Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this episode, she discusses exactly how she landed every job she did in her early days.

Shinjini eventually went on to study in the US, joined Bank of America, then...

In this conversation with Amit Jain (Co-Founder & CEO, CarDekho) and Anurag Jain (Co-Founder & COO, CarDekho) we learn why every founder should consider building in a small town like Jaipur—and do it with family.

Amit and Anurag turned what started as a small-town dream (announced on LinkedIn - true story) into a billion-dollar reality. If that doesn’t make you believe in manifestation, we don’t know what will. 😏

CarDekho’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From a bootstrapped company to one of India’s most sought-after startups, they’ve completely redefined how India buys and sells...

Shantanu sitting down with Rajan Anandan, MD of Peak XV and Surge, and Prachi Pawar, Founder of Anandi Schools, is everything you need to watch today to visualise the future of the startup ecosystem in India. You also get a glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship in the ecosystem!

Rajan Anandan is one of the most influential voices in India’s Venture Capital space. On the other hand, Prachi is just starting out in the world of entrepreneurship. With Anandi Schools, she aims to help students stand out in college admissions.

Tune in for a deep di...

Shantanu sits down with Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titan’s Jewellery Division, for a masterclass in brand building and leadership. Ajoy’s role in transforming Tanishq into a household name and reshaping India’s jewellery market is nothing short of remarkable. In this candid conversation, he shares insights on Titan’s failures and learnings from them, differentiation, quality, and staying ahead of shifting consumer trends.

Tune in for a deep dive into:

- The evolution of Titan’s marketing strategy.

- India’s diamond legacy and its future.

- Building a timeless con...

In this episode, Shantanu is absolutely thrilled to sit down with Luis Miranda—Founding Member of HDFC, Ex-CEO of IDFC, and the founder of the Indian School of Public Policy. This one is packed with wisdom, laughter, and invaluable insights for anyone interested in leadership, impact, and the startup ecosystem!

Luis is the kind of person who doesn’t take himself too seriously—despite having built some of India’s most iconic institutions. He’s an incredible storyteller, effortlessly blending high IQ with deep emotional intelligence.

This time, the conversation is even more fun and candid, as...