The Soft Record

Kindle Cast
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Personal Journals

Long form conversations with artists, writers, and dissenters. Where stories unfold slowly — in contradiction, in memory, in laughter, in rage. Bilingual. Unscripted. Intimate.

  1. 4 days ago

    Qaushik Mukherjee (Q): Cinema, Desire, Censorship and the Future of Art

    Few contemporary filmmakers have provoked as much debate as Qaushik Mukherjee (Q). In this episode of The Soft Record, Q joins Dr Pritha Kejriwal for a conversation on cinema as design, rhythm as political language, the role of desire in storytelling, the legacy of Tagore, censorship, propaganda, and the changing place of artists in public life. Rather than revisiting familiar narratives about his films, the conversation explores the philosophical questions that have shaped his work—and the ideas that continue to drive it.

    Qaushik Mukherjee (Q): Cinema, Desire, Censorship and the Future of Art

  2. 24 Jul

    Why Bengali Cinema Is Failing | Birsa Dasgupta on Nostalgia, Politics & the Future

    What has happened to Bengali cinema? In this episode of The Soft Record, Bengali film director Birsa Dasgupta examines the industry's decline through the lenses of nostalgia, literature, remakes, politics, audiences, craft and cultural confidence. From 033 to Byomkesh O Durgo Rahasya, he reflects on his own work while offering a candid diagnosis of where Bengali cinema stands today—and where it could still go. Hosted by Pritha Kejriwal, this is a conversation for filmmakers, cinephiles and anyone interested in the future of Indian cinema.

    Why Bengali Cinema Is Failing | Birsa Dasgupta on Nostalgia, Politics & the Future

  3. 17 Jul

    Omar Abdullah on Kashmir, Statehood, Democracy & Trust | The Soft Record | Kindle Cast

    For decades, Jammu and Kashmir has occupied a unique place in India's political imagination. But beyond the headlines lie deeper questions about democracy, memory, identity and representation. In this episode, Pritha Kejriwal is joined by Omar Abdullah, Hon. Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, for a wide-ranging conversation on statehood, constitutional change, political trust, Kashmiriyat, leadership and the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The discussion also explores the human side of public life—from trust and compromise to childhood memories, books, family and the landscapes that continue to shape him. The Soft Record is Kindle Cast's long-form interview series featuring conversations that go beyond news cycles and soundbites.

    Omar Abdullah on Kashmir, Statehood, Democracy & Trust | The Soft Record | Kindle Cast

  4. 8 Jul

    Tillotama Shome on Identity, Labour, Class & the Long Search for Freedom

    Actor Tillotama Shome joins Pritha Kejriwal on The Soft Record for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, class, craft, and the twenty-five years it has taken her to build a career on her own terms. From her early years working inside a US prison to playing Alice in Monsoon Wedding, from the physical theory behind her most searing performances to the invisible labour of the women she has portrayed, she reflects on what theory can teach an actor — and what only life can. She discusses stereotype, privilege, ambition without visibility, aging in front of a camera, and why freedom, for her, is still a work in progress. A rich conversation about craft, class, and the making of a quietly extraordinary career.

    Tillotama Shome on Identity, Labour, Class & the Long Search for Freedom

  5. 1 Jul

    Supriya Pathak on Khichdi, Bazaar, Pankaj Kapur, Shahid Kapoor & a Lifetime of Acting | The Soft Record

    For over four decades, Supriya Pathak has quietly built one of the most remarkable bodies of work in Indian cinema and television. Whether as the unforgettable Hansa in Khichdi or in films like Bazaar, her performances have combined warmth, depth and extraordinary range. In this wide-ranging conversation on The Soft Record, she revisits the realities behind Bazaar, explains why Hansa was never as naïve as she seemed, shares intimate stories about Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah, reflects on the influence of Dina Pathak, and explores spirituality, acceptance, reading and the evolving craft of acting. An intimate conversation about cinema, life, relationships and the ideas that endure long after the performances end.

    Supriya Pathak on Khichdi, Bazaar, Pankaj Kapur, Shahid Kapoor & a Lifetime of Acting | The Soft Record

  6. 24 Jun

    Dan Morrison on Journalism, History, India & the Search for Truth

    Journalist and author Dan Morrison joins The Soft Record to discuss reporting, history, storytelling, archives, and the search for truth. From crime reporting in New York to writing Black Nile and The Poisoner of Bengal, Dan has spent decades exploring the intersection of power, memory, violence, and narrative. In this episode, he reflects on writing about India, reading historical archives, understanding complexity, and why good journalism begins with curiosity rather than certainty. A compelling conversation about how stories are told—and how truth is pursued.

    Dan Morrison on Journalism, History, India & the Search for Truth

  7. 17 Jun

    Pankaj Kapur on Acting, Maqbool, Office Office & Why Artists Should Look for Truth

    One of India's greatest actors, Pankaj Kapur, joins The Soft Record for a profound conversation on acting, theatre, cinema, and the pursuit of truth. Reflecting on a remarkable career that includes Karamchand, Office Office, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, and Maqbool, he explains how great characters emerge not from performance alone, but from careful observation and deep understanding of human nature. The discussion ranges across satire, Charlie Chaplin, loneliness, poetry, artistic responsibility, and the common man—offering rare insight into both the craft of acting and the philosophy of living. A timeless conversation with one of Indian cinema's finest storytellers.

    Pankaj Kapur on Acting, Maqbool, Office Office & Why Artists Should Look for Truth

  8. 10 Jun

    Sathya Saran on Bollywood, Miss India, Guru Dutt & How Stardom Is Manufactured

    Former Femina editor, author, and biographer Sathya Saran joins Pritha Kejriwal on The Soft Record for a wide-ranging conversation on Bollywood, beauty, journalism, celebrity, and the making of modern Indian culture. Over a career spanning decades, she helped redefine women's media, build the Femina Miss India platform, and chronicle the lives of icons including Guru Dutt, Jagjit Singh, and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. She discusses beauty standards, editorial integrity, media power, biography, the changing nature of fame, and why great work ultimately outlives image. A rich conversation about culture, memory, storytelling, and the people who shape the stories a nation tells itself.

    Sathya Saran on Bollywood, Miss India, Guru Dutt & How Stardom Is Manufactured
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Long form conversations with artists, writers, and dissenters. Where stories unfold slowly — in contradiction, in memory, in laughter, in rage. Bilingual. Unscripted. Intimate.

Information

  • Creator
    Kindle Cast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ink Publications Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.

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