The FCTC Podcast

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR, from the city of many monikers - Namma Ooru!

Code. Culture. Conversations. Coffee – That’s what we’re all about at FCTC; UBLR’s foray into the exciting world of podcasting.

Settle in as we take you through a guided, all-expenses paid tour through the Silicon Valley of The East. Explore the awe-inspiring but oddly distinct experiences of the people and businesses who’ve taken Bengaluru to the global stage and brought the global to the city.

We’ve got some pretty sweet stuff brewing on our socials too. Check it out, and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel while you’re at it!

What’s in store for Season 1

How THIS VC straddles startups, politics & development ft. Prashanth Prakash | FCTC | EP 6 | Part 2

Welcome to our 6th (!!!) podcast episode on From Code to Culture 🤯 Whew, it’s been a ride 🚗 Before we take a little break for holiday season, join us in welcoming our final guest on FCTC for 2024 – Prashanth Prakash! In this episode, Prashanth details India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and how the startup world has changed since the time he started his entrepreneurial journey in Erasmic; a Bengaluru based, seed-stage VC fund. Nurturing the city’s startup landscape is no easy job – you face setbacks you’d never see coming, and some entrepreneurs give you a REAL tough time, making fuding their ideas almost impossible. However, more often than not, you have success stories that revitalise and revamp the market; Flipkart being an iconic, risky bet that Prashanth took in 2008, which today, is valued at $38 -$40 billion. How can India have as prominent a position as China on the global supply chain? What is the ultimate application of AI in today’s world? How can India, more specifically Bengaluru think of new, innovative, tech centric ways through which to better the lives of citizens? This episode offers a deep dive. Tune in to hear Prashanth’s thoughts on not just funding, but also his newfound hobby; Biohacking (or as he calls it: longevity research), fitness, and a fond recollection of his childhood memories spent at familiar haunts like Koshy’s and MG Road in Bengaluru. Chapters: 00:00:00 – Trailer 01:04 – How was the Indian Arm of Accel Born? 02:45 – Prashanth’s Early Entrepreneurial Days 04:30 – Support Systems in Entrepreneurship 08:02 – From Entrepreneur to Investor 09:19 – The Flipkart Story 13:30 – Lessons Learned as an Investor 18:39 – The Complexity of Indian Markets 21:11 – The Value of Experience in Entrepreneurship 24:03 – Gut Instinct vs Experience 26:04 – Traits of Impactful Entrepreneurs 30:06 – The Power of Networking 31:34 – Bangalore’s Evolution as a Tech Hub 35:12 – Manufacturing: A New Frontier for Indian Entrepreneurs 39:05 – From Traders to Builders: The Shift in Indian Entrepreneurship 41:10 – AI’s Role in India’s Startup Ecosystem 44:10 – Straddling Multiple Worlds: The Art of Adaptability 50:50 – Rapid Fire 56:15 – Closing and Reflection Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

Entrepreneurs lose funding because of THIS reason ft. Prashanth Prakash | FCTC | Trailer | EP 6

At this point, FCTC is just a cheat code for y’all to impress your favourite CEOs and founders, but hey, who’s complaining? Welcome to a preview of our latest episode with Prashanth Prakash – a man whose name is in the fine print of every development project the city undertakes, and the wind behind the wings of some household names – Ola, Swiggy, Flipkart; ring a bell?! Bengaluru is home to over 7,000 startups, and a LOT more aspiring entrepreneurs, so a very real possibility is THOUSANDS of applications and grants flooding your inbox every day as a venture capitalist. It takes a special kind of discernment to cut through the noise, and in our latest episode, Prashanth’s making it CLEAR from the get go which application’s a resounding yes 🔔 and a HELL no 👹 from his end Tune in to hear advice from India’s top VC on what NOT to do in an elevator pitch, and what are the top entrepreneur red flags that land your application in the dustbin. #FCTC #UnboxingBLR #PrashanthPrakash

Is AI REALLY going to force Indians out of jobs?! ft. Prashanth Prakash | FCTC | EP6 | Part 1

Welcome to our 6th (!!!) podcast episode on From Code to Culture 🤯 Whew, it’s been a ride 🚗 Before we take a little break for holiday season, join us in welcoming our final guest on FCTC for 2024 – Prashanth Prakash! In this episode, Prashanth details India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and how the startup world has changed since the time he started his entrepreneurial journey in Erasmic; a Bengaluru based, seed-stage VC fund. Nurturing the city’s startup landscape is no easy job – you face setbacks you’d never see coming, and some entrepreneurs give you a REAL tough time, making funding their ideas almost impossible. However, more often than not, you have success stories that revitalise and revamp the market; Flipkart being an iconic, risky bet that Prashanth took in 2008, which today, is valued at $38 -$40 billion. How can India have as prominent a position as China on the global supply chain? What is the ultimate application of AI in today’s world? How can India, more specifically Bengaluru think of new, innovative, tech centric ways through which to better the lives of citizens? This episode offers a deep dive. Tune in to hear Prashanth’s thoughts on not just funding, but also his newfound hobby; Biohacking (or as he calls it: longevity research), fitness, and a fond recollection of his childhood memories spent at familiar haunts like Koshy’s and MG Road in Bengaluru. PS: Part 2 will be live soon, keep your post notifications turned on and subscribe to us for more 🫡 Chapters 00:00:00 – Teaser 00:01:01 – Pivotal Career Moments 00:04:36 – The Journey of Unboxing Bengaluru 00:08:02 – Love for Bengaluru 00:11:12 – Childhood Memories of Bangalore 00:15:37 – Navigating Privilege 00:18:23 – Father-Son Dynamics 00:22:32 – Dreams and Aspirations as a Young Boy 00:29:47 – Early Entrepreneurial Ventures 00:35:20 – Maintaining Roots in a Changing City 00:39:42 – What Does it Take for Urban Change to be Effective? 00:42:27 – Lake Rejuvenation 00:45:37 – Revitalizing Rajakaluves 00:50:13 – About Unboxing BLR Foundation 00:58:29 – How can Philanthropy Help Indian Cities? 01:00:14 – Challenges for Newcomers in Bengaluru 01:03:30 – Collaboration 01:09:22 – Managing Frustration and Maintaining Optimism 01:12:59 – Longevity & Fitness 01:15:48 – Reflections on Startup Culture Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

Why don't Indian dads give their children credit? ft. Prashanth Prakash | Teaser | EP 6

In this episode, Prashanth Prakash – Chairman of UnboxingBLR, Founding Partner at Accel India, and part-time test subject for his dad’s tough love, gets candid about his childhood, effectively proving that every desi child’s core experiences are one and the same. Turns out, Indian dads don’t dish out compliments easily. Even Prashanth’s dad thought his early successes were just luck. Decade after decade, he had to prove that he wasn’t just “in the right place at the right time” (familiar much?), but what can you say? At the end of the day, dads come around. For some of us, like Prashanth, at least. Tune in for FCTC’s most personal episode yet – an exploration of life in Bengaluru back when Blr was a romantic little haunt, and it was easier to catch your breath growing up in the midst of the city’s rapid development. #PrashanthPrakash #Bengaluru #FCTC #UnboxingBLR

The airport is nothing but a representation of the city ft. Hari Marar | FCTC Podcast | EP 5 | Pt 2

We are so excited to welcome our next guest on FCTC; BIAL’s Hari Marar! In this episode, Hari is tackling all of our burning questions, and we had plenty to keep the conversation going: What sets Bengaluru International Airport apart from Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai? Are strategic partnerships with Uber, KSTDC, BLADE, and BMTC the secret to BIAL’s success? What lessons did the founding team take away from the critical media coverage of the airport in 2008? Hari is a proud parent in FCTC’s latest episode, looking back on Bengaluru’s aviation journey – from starting its international passenger journey relatively late, to currently being India’s third largest airport carrying over 37.5 million passengers as of 2023, and over 30% of India’s perishables for the fourth year in a row. Has the competition between Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad aided healthy competition while simplifying the passenger experience? What will elevate Bengaluru to become an aviation hub like Dubai, Heathrow, or Hong Kong? How is the airport tackling sustainability amid reports of ‘Day Zero’ and a water crisis? This episode is not shying away from giving you answers. Tune in, take notes, and settle in. This episode is bound to enthral all those who love the city, and want to know all about Bengaluru’s most famous (and expensive) infrastructure project. Don’t miss out! Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:01:00 – Trailer 00:01:01 – 00:02:24 – Bengaluru’s Transformation Over the Years 00:05:08 – 00:06:54 – The Rise of Bangalore Airport 00:09:35 – 00:11:39 – The Future of Bangalore as a Global Aviation Hub 00:11:40 – 00:15:14 – The Economic Impact of Aviation on Bangalore 00:15:15 – 00:18:36 – Passenger Experience and Airport Efficiency 00:18:37 – 00:22:00 – Competition with Hyderabad 00:22:01 – 00:25:49 – Food and Identity in Bangalore 00:25:50 – 00:29:20 – The Evolution of Bangalore’s Nightlife 00:34:33 – 00:37:01 – VIP Movements at the Airport 00:37:02 – 00:40:32 – Rapid Fire Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr Fun in a Bottle by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

THIS airport took India to the GLOBAL stage ft. Hari Marar | FCTC | Trailer | EP 5

Welcome to a preview of our fifth episode with the one and only – Hari Marar! In this episode, BIAL’s MD & CEO Hari Marar, gives us his insights on what goes on behind the scenes to make Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru truly world class – whether it’s rapid tech adoption, aesthetic and sustainable infrastructure or just keeping the passenger at the centre of every conversation. It is impossible to mention the airport without its world class aesthetics – and Hari details it all in conversation with our host Malini Goyal; from the hanging garden in Terminal 2 which pays tribute to Bengaluru’s heritage as the garden city to the unique wave design of Terminal 1 which gives it the iconic Bengaluru smile from afar. How can infrastructure which benefits the ordinary man be developed for a global city? How can Bengaluru find solutions to its many challenges – whether it is legacy issues, mobility, or even water scarcity? Why is Digi Yatra being criticised by citizens despite its convenience to passengers? Find out the answers to these questions, and many many more, only in this unfiltered conversation on From Code to Culture. PS: Stick around until the very end for a rapid-fire that, in our opinion, is even better than the one on KWK 😉 Don’t miss out, and keep your post notifications turned on for part 2! Warmly, Team FCTC

We compete not only for business, but also for reputation ft. Hari Marar | FCTC Podcast | EP5 | PT 1

We are so excited to welcome our next guest on FCTC; BIAL’s Hari Marar! In this episode, Hari is tackling all of our burning questions, and we had plenty to keep the conversation going: What sets Bengaluru International Airport apart from Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai? Are strategic partnerships with Uber, KSTDC, BLADE, and BMTC the secret to BIAL’s success? What lessons did the founding team take away from the critical media coverage of the airport in 2008? Hari is a proud parent in FCTC’s latest episode, looking back on Bengaluru’s aviation journey – from starting its international passenger journey relatively late, to currently being India’s third largest airport carrying over 37.5 million passengers as of 2023, and over 30% of India’s perishables for the fourth year in a row. Has the competition between Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad aided healthy competition while simplifying the passenger experience? What will elevate Bengaluru to become an aviation hub like Dubai, Heathrow, or Hong Kong? How is the airport tackling sustainability amid reports of ‘Day Zero’ and a water crisis? This episode is not shying away from giving you answers. Tune in, take notes, and settle in. This episode is bound to enthral all those who love the city, and want to know all about Bengaluru’s most famous (and expensive) infrastructure project. Don’t miss out! Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:00:45 — Trailer 00:00:45- 00:02:23 — From Woeful Beginnings to Architectural Marvel 00:02:23 – 00:04:26 — The History of Bangalore Airport 00:09:08 – 00:12:09 — Media Response to T1 00:14:02 – 00:18:17 — Enhancing Passenger Experience 00:18:17 – 00:21:17 — What is the Blade Service? 00:28:27 – 00:30:44 — How has the Bangalore Airport enhanced Passenger Experience? 00:30:44 – 00:32:42 — Healthy Competition in the Aviation Sector 00:32:42 – 00:34:17 — Airport Revenue Streams 00:34:17 – 00:37:30 — Managing Employment and Operational Efficiency 00:37:30 – 00:41:21 — Infrastructure Challenges in Bangalore 00:46:05 – 00:52:49 — Planning for the Future 00:52:49 – 00:54:55 — The Vision for a Second Airport Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

"It'll be highly controversial if I say this..." ft. Hari Marar | Teaser | EP 5

In this episode, BIAL’s MD & CEO , Hari Marar looks back on his journey setting up Bengaluru’s largest infrastructure project – the Kempegowda International Airport. He details the reasons why Bengaluru required 2 airports, the many challenges that presented themselves upon the airport’s launch in 2008, and how the airport is able to add tremendous value to Bengaluru city as a global aviation and business hub. In an FCTC exclusive, Hari gets personal about his own journey as a young man aspiring to live in the glitzy city of Bengaluru. He shares how his love for music and culture was shaped by legendary rock pubs such as Purple Haze when the city was making waves as India’s beer capital. As a passionate gastronome, Hari lets us in on his culinary adventures while travelling the world, and answers some burning questions we’ve all wanted to ask, but never got the chance to: Boeing or Airbus? Would he continue to live in Bengaluru despite the city’s massive infrastructural challenges? Settle in because this is an episode you just can’t miss.

Are algorithms TRICKING you?! ft. Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh | FCTC Podcast | EP4 | PT 2

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR. This is From Code to Culture’s second episode featuring Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh; CEO & co-founder, and CTO at Zerodha, respectively. Nithin Kamath deep dives into Zerodha’s journey – from being a virtually unknown broking firm in 2010 to commanding global attention as one of India’s most trusted trading platforms with a net valuation of $3.6 billion. Watch Nithin’s journey developing a simple pricing model for beginner traders, investing in 100+ startups through Rainmatter Foundation, empowering traders and democratising investing through their company ethos. Despite Mumbai being the obvious choice, Nithin and Kailash were insistent on Zerodha’s HQ being in Bengaluru, and how the city was imperative to building a healthy company culture at Zerodha. In an exclusive FCTC only bit, explore the duo’s philosophical take on social media, information consumption, algorithms, fitness, and deeper introspection on materialism, money, and the purpose of any business. This is our first season, The Pioneers, where we are giving you an insider look at those who make Bengaluru what it is today. Tune in, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:01:20 – Trailer 00:02:16 – 00:03:59 – What Should The Philosophy of any Business be? 00:04:00 – 00:06:39 – Growth at What Cost? 00:06:40 – 00:09:23 – Zerodha’s Purpose 00:09:24 – 00:13:11 – The Pressure of Wealth 00:13:12 – 00:19:08 – RainMatter Foundation 00:19:09 – 00:20:08 – Bengaluru’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 00:20:09 – 00:23:30 – Is Social Media a Double-Edged Sword? 00:23:31 – 00:29:24 – The Importance of Critical Thinking 00:29:25 – 00:34:22 – The Power of Personal Storytelling in Business 00:34:23 – 00:41:27 – Balancing Work and Well-being 00:41:28 – 00:45:41 – Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms 00:45:42 – 00:51:03 – Rapid Fire 00:51:04 – 01:00:14 – Community in Bengaluru 01:00:15 – 01:02:13 – What is the Future of Zerodha? Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C8KyiZfVoxo3Q880y2HLze

UNTOLD Stories of Zerodha ft. Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh | FCTC | Trailer | EP 4

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath & CTO Kailash Nadh detail the story of Zerodha as a small startup in 2010 to its rise as India’s biggest stock broker with a current valuation of $3.6 billion. They reflect on the hiring strategies in place at Zerodha, the company culture and what they aim to achieve through their educational and non-profit platforms – Zerodha Varsity & Rainmatter Foundation. In an exclusive bit, Nithin & Kailash get existential while candidly discussing the pros and cons of social media, and their vastly different stance on their public personas. Want to know the top money mistakes that Indians make when trading so you can steer clear of them? Wondering what the secret is to acquiring top talent in your company? Curious to know about Nithin’s fitness journey, and Kailash’s thoughts on social media platforms in this day and age? Tune in to see what went on behind the scenes before this stockbro duo got their one way ticket to success. Subscribe to our channel now, and stay tuned for more 👀

Don't make THESE money mistakes ft. Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh | FCTC Podcast | EP4 | PT1

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR. This is From Code to Culture’s fourth episode featuring Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh; CEO & co-founder, and CTO at Zerodha, respectively. Nithin Kamath deep dives into Zerodha’s journey – from being a virtually unknown broking firm in 2010 to commanding global attention as one of India’s most trusted trading platforms with a net valuation of $3.6 billion. Watch Nithin’s journey developing a simple pricing model for beginner traders, investing in 100+ startups through Rainmatter Foundation, empowering traders and democratising investing through their company ethos. Despite Mumbai being the obvious choice, Nithin and Kailash were insistent on Zerodha’s HQ being in Bengaluru, and how the city was imperative to building a healthy company culture at Zerodha. In an exclusive FCTC only bit, explore the duo’s philosophical take on social media, information consumption, algorithms, fitness, and deeper introspection on materialism, money, and the purpose of any business. Tune in, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:00:55 – Trailer 00:00:56 – 00:02:18 – More Than Just a CTO 00:02:19 – 00:04:09 – Nithin’s View on Kailash 00:05:06 – 00:10:39 – From Material Desires to Inner Contentment 00:10:40 – 00:11:06 – Trading, Family, and Self-Discovery 00:11:07 – 00:19:34 – Kailash’s Early Years in Tech 00:20:26 – 00:25:05 – The Formation of Zerodha 00:25:06 – 00:30:14 – How Kailash Joined Zerodha 00:30:15 – 00:35:56 – The Evolution of Zerodha 00:35:57 – 00:41:48 – The Hiring Philosophy at Zerodha 00:41:49 – 00:47:52 – How to Build a Tech Team with Heart 00:47:53 – 00:54:43 – Zerodha’s Initiatives 00:54:44 – 00:55:55 – Philosophy 101 with Stock Bros 😉 Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C8KyiZfVoxo3Q880y2HLze

Worldsmosthandsomebroker.com ft. Nithin Kamath & Kailash Nadh | FCTC | Teaser | EP 4

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath & CTO Kailash Nadh get candid about the serendipitous journey of Zerodha from a bootstrapped startup to a multi-billion dollar firm. They discuss the work culture in BLR, and the push that Rainmatter Foundation has given to hundreds of companies and individuals across India. While Kailash Nadh gets all philosophical on social media, ‘making a difference’ and NOT having goals in life, Nithin Kamath lets us in on his smart investing hacks, interest in longevity research and the secret behind his six packs, of course. Catch the full episode by subscribing to From Code to Culture’s channel, and keep your eyes peeled for more updates!

"They're protecting the market, not culture" ft. Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar | FCTC EP3 | PT2

Our next set of guests are a powerhouse in more ways than one – please welcome to the FCTC podcast couch, Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar! In this episode, Prakash and Ravi get candid about Bengaluru’s glaring lack of public infrastructure despite Karnataka’s lofty Art & Culture budget allocation. While Prakash speaks on the ban on dubbing in the Kannada film industry, regional politics and language imposition in the state, Ravichandar reflects on the improvements that can help the city’s public facing infrastructure. Prakash looks back upon his time as an actor auditioning for roles in near history films like Madras Cafe, Youngistaan and Airlift, while Ravichander discusses his involvement in projects the city has undertaken – TenderSURE roads, pedestrian friendly infrastructure, and Lalbagh’s sustainability, to name a few. Have spaces like Chowdiah set the benchmark for Bengaluru’s performing arts venues very high? How can citizen facing, public utility infrastructure be created in collaboration with private developers? How does Bengaluru; the city of migrants, cope with the pressures and challenges that come up because of its unique cosmopolitan nature? If you want the answers to some difficult questions you have to confront as a Bengalurean in this day and age, tune into our latest episode, grab a notebook and get ready to take some invaluable notes. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this. Subscribe to our channel now, and stay tuned for more 👀 Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:00:59 – Trailer 00:01:00 – 00:03:35 – The Disconnect of Language and Culture in Bangalore 00:03:36 – 00:04:00 – Building Sustainable Public Spaces 00:04:01 – 00:05:35 – Funding the Arts 00:05:36 – 00:06:10 – The Economics of Theatre and Performance 00:06:11 – 00:09:00 – Government’s Role in Cultural Spaces 00:09:01 – 00:12:17 – Challenges in Public Cultural Projects 00:12:18 – 00:15:11 – The Case for Innovative Public-Private Partnerships 00:15:12 – 00:17:01 – The Future of Cultural Spaces in Bangalore 00:17:02 – 00:20:16 – The Impact of Cultural Diversity on City Identity 00:20:17 – 00:22:27 – How did Prakash Belawadi Enter the Arts? 00:30:15 – 00:34:30 – Language as a Cultural Identity Marker 00:34:31 – 00:38:00 – Balancing Global Influence with Local Culture 00:38:01 – 00:40:44 – Reflections on Community Engagement and Civic Responsibility 00:40:45 – 00:45:11 – Navigating the Complexities of Government Collaboration 00:45:12 – 00:49:02 – Bangalore’s Political Landscape and Its Influence on Culture 00:49:03 – 00:52:56 – Rapid Fire Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

"They've come here & taken what we had" ft. Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar | FCTC | Trailer | EP 3

The City of New Beginnings seems to be an apt way to describe the city of Bengaluru, but how would Civic Evangelist V Ravichandar, and Actor Prakash Belawadi describe the city? For Ravi, Bengaluru is a city of migrants in more ways than one. For Prakash, the city is a melting pot of culture, which weirdly enough causes much of the tension in the state about identity, language, and blanket impositions on public life. In FCTC’s third episode, Ravi and Prakash are ready to face the fire as they give us their hot takes on the city’s progress in art and culture, the lack of public facing infrastructure in the city, and the ways towards which they see the city moving in the future. The tea is hot, and it is being served. Stay tuned for part 2 of the episode dropping tomorrow.

What Language Does BLR Speak? ft. Prakash Belawadi and V Ravichandar | FCTC Podcast | EP3 | PT1

Our next set of guests are a powerhouse in more ways than one – please welcome to the FCTC couch, Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar! In this episode, Prakash and Ravi get candid about Bengaluru’s glaring lack of public infrastructure despite Karnataka’s lofty Art & Culture budget allocation. While Prakash speaks on the ban on dubbing in the Kannada film industry, regional politics and language imposition in the state, Ravichandar reflects on the improvements that can help the city’s public facing infrastructure. Prakash looks back upon his time as an actor auditioning for roles in near history films like Madras Cafe, Youngistaan and Airlift, while Ravichander discusses his involvement in projects the city has undertaken – TenderSURE roads, pedestrian friendly infrastructure, and Lalbagh’s sustainability, to name a few. Have spaces like Chowdiah set the benchmark for Bengaluru’s performing arts venues very high? How can citizen facing, public utility infrastructure be created in collaboration with private developers? How does Bengaluru; the city of migrants, cope with the pressures and challenges that come up because of its unique cosmopolitan nature? If you want the answers to some difficult questions you have to confront as a Bengalurean in this day and age, tune into our latest episode, grab a notebook and get ready to take some invaluable notes. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this. Subscribe to our channel now, and stay tuned for more 👀 Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:01:05 – Teaser 00:01:06 – 00:02:30 – The Disconnect between Bangalore’s Arts and Culture 00:02:31 – 00:05:30 – Bangalore vs. Mumbai and Delhi in Culture 00:05:31 – 00:07:05 – Bangalore’s Unique Theatre Scene 00:09:30 – 00:11:05 – The Role of Infrastructure in Bangalore’s Cultural Growth 00:11:06 – 00:12:28 – Cultural Engagement in Bangalore: Opportunities and Gaps 00:15:31 – 00:16:38 – The Government’s Role in Supporting Cultural Spaces 00:19:22 – 00:22:54 – Linguistic Identity – A Growing Cultural Fault Line? 00:22:55 – 00:26:34 – Perspectives on Employment and Linguistic Identity in Bangalore 00:26:35 – 00:28:46 – What is BLR Hubba? 00:28:47 – 00:33:09 – Collaborative Cultural Initiatives: The Role of Partnerships 00:33:10 – 00:34:45 – How can Bangalore’s Existing Spaces be Utilised to Their Full Potential? 00:37:03 – 00:40:25 – Generational Perspectives on Bangalore’s Growth 00:40:26 – 00:42:53 – Digital Influence on Arts and Culture in Bangalore Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

"I'll get a lot of hate mail for this..." ft. Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar | Teaser | Ep. 3

In this episode, Prakash Belawadi & V Ravichandar ask the difficult questions about Bengaluru in what is probably FCTC’s most bold episode yet. The duo amongst other things discusses the Kannada film industry’s blanket ban on dubbing, the uproar over Trevor Noah’s cancelled shows in Manpho Centre, and the rising influence of pro-Kannada activist groups in the city. In an FCTC exclusive, Prakash spills the tea on his film career, reveals why he steers clear of ads, and shares his wild experiences mediating the language divide in Karnataka. Meanwhile, Ravi reflects on his work with key development projects in the city, the satisfaction in doing public facing work, and how, without knowing Kannada, he feels like he’d have “not a hope and a half” in a tough spot. This one’s gonna be interesting. Catch the full episode by subscribing to From Code to Culture’s YouTube linked in our bio, and keep your eyes peeled for more updates!

Why did Bengaluru's Church Street Have to be Redone? Ft. Naresh V Narasimhan | FCTC Ep.2

An architect, urbanist, and entrepreneur by profession, our next guest attempted to do what very few people dare – plan and execute a vision for Bengaluru’s redevelopment. Drumroll please. Welcome our latest guest on the FCTC couch – Naresh Narasimhan! In this episode, Naresh Narasimhan deep dives into how Church Street’s TenderS.U.R.E project paved the way for new ways through which the city’s development could be imagined, while also commenting on the improvement in citizen participation in policy over recent years. Watch Naresh outline the interconnected nature of Bengaluru’s pain points – poor infrastructure, high vehicle to people ratio, lack of urban planning and encroachment of the city’s stormwater canals, and what system level changes are required to implement world class urban design. What makes or breaks Indian cities? Is there a need to integrate policy with practice more than ever in the 21st century? Where does Bengaluru lead and lag across developmental sectors? Naresh answers these questions and more, only in FCTC’s second episode. Oh, and did we tell you about the bit where Naresh is also an actor? Find out more about his unconventional, but very cool career trajectory in this unmissable episode. Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:01:05 – Trailer 00:02:08 – 00:04:54 – The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Urban Planning 00:04:55 – 00:06:43 – The Hardware and Software of a City 00:06:44 – 00:11:07 – Pioneering Urban Design Projects in Bangalore 00:11:08 – 00:13:21 – Overcoming Urban Challenges: Mobility and Infrastructure 00:13:22 – 00:15:37 – The Impact of Public Transit on Urban Development 00:15:38 – 00:19:13 – The Successes and Shortcomings of Bangalore’s Urban Landscape 00:19:14 – 00:21:00 – Citizen Engagement in Urban Planning 00:21:01 – 00:22:59 – Learning from Urban Design Challenges 00:32:03 – 00:35:33 – Naresh’s Cool Career Trajectory 00:35:34 – 00:38:06 – The Grand Vision for Urban Transformation in India Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

Why do Indians Admire Western Cities? ft. Naresh V Narasimhan | Trailer | Ep. 2

Welcome to a preview of our second episode with the one and only – Naresh Narasimhan! In our second episode on FCTC, Naresh deep dives into how the TenderS.U.R.E project transformed Church Street and paved new paths for city development while also talking about Bengaluru’s infamous challenges —poor infrastructure, a high vehicle-to-people ratio, encroachment of rajakaluves and low citizen participation in everyday policy. A famed urban architect, Naresh doesn’t mince his words when it comes to the importance of system level change in executing world-class urban design for the city. What truly shapes a city’s identity? Is it high time we integrate policy and practice rather than talking about it in silos? How can Indian exteriors be elevated to the same level as Indian interiors? Find out, only in this unfiltered conversation on From Code to Culture, where Naresh lets us in on his journey with urban design and an unexpected career pivot into acting. Yup, acting. You totally read THAT right. Don’t miss out, this one’s a fiery little episode! Tune in, and tell us your thoughts! Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr

How India Can Become a Global Leader ft. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | FCTC Ep. 1 | Pt. 2

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR. This is From Code to Culture’s first episode featuring Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; the visionary founder of Biocon, and a true blue Bengaluru citizen. Discover how she built India’s largest pharma enterprise with a billion-dollar market cap post-license raj, and how India’s biotech and IT sectors grew in tandem with her efforts, including the establishment of Syngene International. Kiran shares her journey of formulating recombinant human insulin, revolutionising diabetes treatment in India and beyond. She delves into Bengaluru’s unique spirit, highlighting initiatives like TenderSURE and the vibrant culture, safe environment, and exciting nightlife that attract young innovators to the city. Explore how efforts like the Science Gallery and MAP Museum are shaping the city’s future. Tune in to hear Kiran’s inspiring story of resilience, vision, and community, and discover how Biocon became a global biotech leader, bringing affordable healthcare solutions to the world. This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:00:49 – Trailer 00:00:49 – 00:03:18 – Kiran’s Experiences as a Women Entrepreneur 00:03:18 – 00:06:39 – The State of R&D in India 00:06:39 – 00:11:27 – Transforming Bangalore Through Civic Initiatives 00:11:27 – 00:14:01 – Collaboration Between Government and Private Sector 00:14:01 – 00:17:12 – Bangalore’s Entrepreneurial Landscape 00:17:12 – 00:20:29 – Future-Proofing Bengaluru 00:20:29 – 00:22:49 – Kiran’s Favorite Spots in Bangalore: 00:22:49 – 00:27:58 – The Evolution of Bangalore: From Garden City to Urban Metropolis 00:30:37 – 00:33:22 – Women in Leadership Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C8KyiZfVoxo3Q880y2HLze

From Garage Startup to India’s Pharma Giant ft. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw | FCTC Ep. 1| Pt.1

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR. This is From Code to Culture’s first episode featuring Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; the visionary founder of Biocon, and a true blue Bengaluru citizen. Discover how she built India’s largest pharma enterprise with a billion-dollar market cap post-license raj, and how India’s biotech and IT sectors grew in tandem with her efforts, including the establishment of Syngene International. Kiran shares her journey of formulating recombinant human insulin, revolutionising diabetes treatment in India and beyond. She delves into Bengaluru’s unique spirit, highlighting initiatives like TenderSURE and the vibrant culture, safe environment, and exciting nightlife that attract young innovators to the city. Explore how efforts like the Science Gallery and MAP Museum are shaping the city’s future. Tune in to hear Kiran’s inspiring story of resilience, vision, and community, and discover how Biocon became a global biotech leader, bringing affordable healthcare solutions to the world. This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Chapters: 00:00:00 – 00:00:44 — Trailer 00:00:45 – 00:03:19 — Embracing the India Moment 00:03:20 – 00:05:11 — The Intertwining of IT and Biotech: A Unique Perspective 00:05:12 – 00:09:34 — Building Credibility for Indian Research Services in a Global Market 00:09:35 – 00:16:57 — The Evolution of Biocon 00:16:58 – 00:18:38 — Overcoming Challenges in the Biotech Ecosystem 00:18:39 – 00:23:35 — Bridging the Gap Between Public and Private Research 00:23:36 – 00:28:56 — The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Center 00:28:57 – 00:30:18 — The Future of R&D Investment in India Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C8KyiZfVoxo3Q880y2HLze

Hosts

From Code to Culture is hosted by Malini Goyal and Prashanth Prakash.

Malini Goyal is the co-founder of UnboxingBLR, and the co-author of the book Unboxing Bengaluru: The City of New Beginnings. Malini has 30 years of experience working with leading publications and journals such as Forbes, The Economic Times, India Today, and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Prashanth Prakash is a founding partner of the global venture capital firm Accel Partners in India and the co-founder of UnboxingBLR Foundation. He began his career as an entrepreneur in the 1990s and, since 2004, has played a key role as a venture capitalist in nurturing Bengaluru’s-as well as India’s startup landscape.

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The FCTC Podcast

Welcome to From Code to Culture, a podcast by UnboxingBLR, from the city of many monikers - Namma Ooru!

What’s in store for Season 1

Hosts

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