Let's Talk, Melbourne

Chris Nolan's juggernaut The Odyssey has broken all expectations and created many records. The classists and purists are upset, critics and audiences are raptured. I like it but dont love it - I thought it was tedious, visually flat and kinda okay - but then I loved Tenet, Interstellar and Dark Knight rises, critics carped and carped. So I invited my friend Pitu (Filmi Ladies) to deep dive into this movie. Do let us know your thoughts.

This is the second episode of the three part series we're doing on the 25 best Indian movies in the past 25 years.

We are discussing the movies from No 6. to No 14 and for an in depth conversation on these movies we've invite Dhruv Goyal and Cris Patrick (Queen is Dead podcast), Beth Watkins (Filmi Ladies) and Amrita Rajan (Khandann podcast).

We disagreed, agreed, argued and loved it all. This was such a fun conversation and how a reminder that a good film discourse is healthy for mind, heart and art. We hope you enjoyed this episode and do share your thoughts.

This week is the final episode of the three part series on the 25 best Indian movies in the past 25 years (2000 - 2025).

12 podcasters and critics voted to inform this list and here is top 5 best Indian movies of the 21st centaury, To discuss this we have on the show, the producer, co-creator and educator Ridhi Raheja.

These 25 movies are the ones we love the most, don't get caught up on the rankings, get high on the love. Let us know your thoughts on this list and your top 25 movies.

On the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast a passion project for a while has been to select the 25 best movies of the 21st centaury in Indian Cinema (2000 - 2025).

To do this, we invited 12 podcasters and critics from all over the world to rank their favorite movies and build consensus to rank the25 Best Indian movies across languages from the past 25 years.

This episode ranks the best movies from 15 to 25 with an honorary mention. And to do this we've on this episode four of my favorite film friends - Leha, Manish, Silam and Shah.

We hope you enjoy this episode and tell us which movies you wanted on the list.

This week on the Let' Talk, Melbourne podcast we've a double bill episode.

The first segment is with author Ralph Arida, based in Lebanon who's recent writing on Hollywood movies and representation was published in Rolling Stone magazine. Ralph drops by the pod to discuss responsible viewing, role of Hollywood movies and more.

The second segment is with the Croatian based photographer Sanjin Kastelan, a visual stylist, a sensualist and chronicler of mood and moments through his camera.

I hope you enjoyed this episode and as always please share your comments and feedback.

Al Cossar - Artist Director Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) joins the podcast this week to talk about the movies featuring in the festival, including critics campus for emerging critics, music events, panel discussions and much more. This festival is a celebration of movies and the city that celebrates movies. I was really excited to discuss the significance of the festival to the city and its culture.

Movies as existing as Sirat, Mastermind, It was just an accident to Secret Agent and many more. I hope you enjoyed this podcast. Tell us about the films you are excited to see at MIFF.

It was so much fun to chat to Amrita Rajan - host of the popular Khandaan podcast - on one of the most iconoic genre directors of hindi cinema, Vijay Anand. Amrita is an informed voice and was great to chat to her and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Vijay Anand is one of the greatest Hindi movie directors who made some excellent movies and his contribution to Hindi cinema and his legacy is peerless. With his stylish song picturization, mystery, thriller elements and a critique on India of its time, his movies are truly a joy to watch and a wonder to behold. Teesri Manzil, Guide, Blackmail, Johnny Mera Naam, Jewel thief, Tere mere sapne are each classics in their own right.

This week on the podcast we are counting down the ten best songs of the legendary chorographer Saroj Khan. The late great Khan was a singular, dynamite force for hind cinema songs, from making the career defining songs with stars like Sridevi, Madhuri and Aishwarya.We talk about Khan's legacy and revolutionary song picturization.

To do her ten best songs, on the pod, we have the lovely Filmi Ladies Pituand Bethback on the heat seat.

http://www.youtube.com/@filmiladies

instagram.com/filmiladies

Tell us your top ten Saroj Khan songs in the comment section.

As it's Pride Month in Australia, we interviewed the CEO of the Victorian Pride Centre (vpc) Paul Horwell on what the iconic vpc means to the city of Melbourne, State of Victoria and the community at large.

I hope you enjoy this episode and as always we welcome your feedback.

https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9?si=efd7bb09a55e4c72

@filmiladies answer LTM pod listeners questions on Maut ke saudagar, recasting Qurbani and the Bollywood presence at the Met Gala.

Sharon Comello is a Sydney based painter and artist who's recent collection of art work in on women. Her paintings are bright, vibrant portraits of women and capture women in all their glory and beauty.

She drops by the to talk about her journey from being a sports captain in school to a painter and much more.

Support Australian artists, you can buy her paintings from https://sharoncomello.art/discount/welcome30

https://sharoncomello.art/

Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast also get discount if you buy from the above link.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

As the final episode of the film series on Hindi cinemas most influential directors, Manish Mathur and I discuss the career and influence of Zoya Akthar.

Zoya made her debut with a smashing, now cult movie Lucky By chance, she went on to make many good movies and not so good adaptation of the Archies comics.

On the episode we talk about her films, her visual and writing style and her influence and legacy and he take on class commentary.

I am always delighted to have Manish on the pod, this is his third appearance - he always has such rich and interesting takes on all things cinema. He is the host and producer of the very popular podcast Bollywood drafts.

I hope you've enjoyed this episode and series, would love to hear your thoughts.

Aditya Aggarwal is a Toronto based film curator and writer. He drops by the pod this week to deep dive into one of the founding furthers of Hindi Cinema Bimal Roy. Roy's Do Bigha Zaminwas nominated for the Palme d'Or and he went to make many critically and commercially successful movies such as   Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Devdas, Madhumati, Sujata, Parakh.

Aditya and I talk about Roy's movies, cinematography, framing, music and his legacy. Aditya is a thoughtful, informed voice, who is both succinct and eloquent in his insights and observations on cinemas, it was pure joy to talk to an avid cinema lover and chronicler, if you've not read his movie review on Raj Kapoor's Awara - (https://inreviewonline.com/2024/09/24/the-thief-turns-bardic-on-raj-kapoors-awaara/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwKCOAtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp677o15lfGzpIdvlR0kp-eneASMrRJrQr2tubP6aW5Kdhl85cyMjQIAhCcwl_aem_3MFGUx9gxEMUlaW3Wxb44A ) It's a gorgeous piece of film writing. When you have film fans on the pod it does add to the episodes POV. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Aditya is on IG (https://www.instagram.com/intnlmnlgue/?igsh=M2k5cHdsNG5uNnYx# )

Pitu Sultan is the co-host of the amazing movie podcast Filmi Ladies and is also my movie twin. She and I mostly - and uncannily - like the same movies. She also is an eloquent and thoughtful movie chronicler and on the pod this week as part of the movies stories showcasing hindi movie directors - we discuss the career of one of our favorite directors Rajiv Rai.

Yudh, Tridev, Vishwatma, Mohra and Gupt - he has a winning streak, making banging movies in line, on the pod we discuss his rule in brining the masala in action/commercial movies. I hope you like this episode and please feel free to share your feedback.

My favorite movie podcast is Filmi Ladies hosted by Beth Watkins and Pitu Sultan, both the lovely ladies create great content and kindly drop by the pod to discuss the movies series showcasing Hindi Directors. Beth and I bond and gush over our favorite Khan - Feroz Khan - the director.

His career, his style, his verve and his women. We hope you like the episode and if you do please leave a comment.

As part of the movies series, this is the second episode and part 2 on Karan Johar in our showcasing Hindi movies influential directors. I have Leha back with us to talk Kjos growth as a director, his cult, Koffee with Karan and his obsessions with Alia Bhatt and our favorite movie of Kjo and our favorite Kjo directed movie performances. I hope you like this episode.

This week on the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast, we're doing a special movie series, discussing the five most influential directors of Hindi Cinema. Our first director is the prolific, notorious and extremely popular Karan Johar. To discuss his career origins and his meteoric rise, I've invited the luminous Leha Selam - an informed and interesting voice on all things cinema.

We hope you enjoy this episode and leave your thoughts and comments.

n today's episode of the podcast, our guest is a highly successful entrepreneur and over achiever Kim Constable . Who became a winner at a bikini competition athlete at age 37 and then a millionaire CEO one year later. From her kitchen table, with zero following or connections, Kim built The Sculpted Vegan, her vegan bodybuilding and fitness empire that has raked in millions of dollars and changed thousands of lives. With over 224K followers on Instagram and a top iTunes podcast, Kim runs her team and global businesses from her native Belfast, Ireland.

Kim does talk on the pod about how she set up her empire, while raising four kids and one days wants to become the first richest women in Ireland. We cant wait for that to happen. I Hope you enjoy this episode.

With Demi Moore winning her first Golden Globe best actress in a Musical or Comedy for The Substance and delivering the best speech of the night, this movie has generated memes, raves, pans, walk outs since it's debut at Canne last year. I sat down with fellow Melbournian Alice to do a deep dive into the movie and Moores terrific performance. I hope you enjoy this episode. As always, please share your feedback and subscribe to our channel.

Lara Bourguignon is an industry veteran having essayed various leadership roles within the Banking and Superannuation industry in Australia. She drops by the pod to talk about her stellar career, running her own consultancy business and more. It's a pleasure and honour to have her on the pod. I hope you enjoy this episode and please don't forget to subscribe to our channel and follow us on https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmelb/profilecard/?igsh=aGh4b3M2dDBtZTF5

Hayden Dun is a Melbourne based pianist and musician. As an up-coming artist in Melbourne, he talks about the city, the challenges and opportunities for young artists like him and the love Melbourne city has with music, arts and culture. He also does a special music performance on the pod, which you should listen.

You can follow Hayden on IG

https://www.instagram.com/haydendun?igsh=MWlnMXprZXluOWZ4Zw==

Rob Goddard is a men's coach helping them with life transformation and development. He is also a writer, appeared in music videos and a very popular instgram influencer. He drops by the pod to talk about his journey, his new book, coaching and lots more. He is funny, intelligent and insightful.

You can pre order his book and his socials are below. I hope you enjoy this episode.

Instagram: @robgoddardofficial

Website: https://liftingstones.com.au

Book register: https://liftingstones.com.au/book-pre-register

Julian Wright is back on the pod to discuss the ten best movies of 2024. He talks about the movies that impressed him the most and I talk about mine. It's always good to exchange notes with Julian. Did your movies make it to the list? Let's us know.

For this very special episode I've bought four of my favourite film people from across the world to talk movies and discuss the ten best movie performances. This was the best time I've had discussing movies on the podcast, we also play a game of rapid fire. You just don't want to miss.

Appearing on the pod are:

LEHA (https://x.com/Salandthebadpun?t=zB1ar-7tzdeuFJDoYqfZww&s=09)

Manish from Bollywood Drafts (https://x.com/vertigay314?t=5HPcTRMx4O9D5mPYIzBBHg&s=09)https://x.com/silamsiva?t=YS9wqOQZ-Opjr0XCIpgleg&s=09

Silam ( https://x.com/silamsiva?t=YS9wqOQZ-Opjr0XCIpgleg&s=09).

I hope you enjoy this episode and please subscribe to our channel and share your comments. We'd love to hear from you.

Catherine Robson currently serves as a group board director and chair of subsidiary entity Equity Trustees Superannuation and various other organizations. She worked previously as a financial adviser and also serves on various other boards in Australia. She drops by the pod to talk about her career, her role as a former columnist for major publications, being a board member, the industry and more. She speaks wisely, movingly and thoughtfully on leadership, industry and various other topical issues. It was a true honor and a pleasure to have her on the podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode. 

I'm really excited to present the Season 3 of the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast. The season drops on Dec 9 on Spotify, Apple & Amazon Music. You can also watch on our YouTube channel.

Our first guest for the season is journalist and broadcaster Nick Hose (https://www.instagram.com/nick.hose?igsh=MXZuYjUzdHZwaDUwbA==) from 7 news Australia. Nick speaks at length on this episode about his journey to becoming a journalist, disaster reporting and the challenges of the media, journalists and crews, covering from disaster zones, his celebrity crushes and the sheer passion and love he has for journalism. Nick, mate, it was a pleasure and honour to have you on the podcast. Keep doing what you're doing. We as a country and as a society are richer and more informed because of journalists like you. Shine on.

And to our listeners, if you've not, please subscribe to our channel on Spoitfy and YouTube to enable us to bring better content for you - our listeners.

https://www.instagram.com/letstalkmelb/profilecard/?igsh=aGh4b3M2dDBtZTF5

This week on the podcast, we've Manish Mathur, the host and producer of a very popular Bollywood podcast called Bollywood Drafts (https://open.spotify.com/show/1g73M3FXNlmTnPGanwd0ur?si=bTZapZM2SFeW9d_mjyzLVg) A Rankings podcast where Manish assembles a fine group of panelists across the globe to talk all things movies. Manish is also an expert on Ang Lee, Veer Zara, and Chris Nolan among many other things. I hope you enjoy this episode. You can follow Manish on Twitter @bollyworddrafts.

Silma Siva is one of the most informed voices on Aishwarya Rai on Twitter. He is a prolific tweetrati (we invented that term) - he tweets cool and acutely observed things on movies, culture and Aishwarya, this week he joins us on the pod yo discuss Aishwarya Rai - her movies, her top 5 performances, hey legacy and her significance to culture at large. He also discusses his famous stoush with Abhishek Bachan, but more than all that, he is a fun, insightful guy and makes a great pod guest. We hope you enjoy this episode. And we're dropping this episode on the eve of Aishwarya Rai's birthday - happy birthday Aishwarya and a very Happy Diwali to you all.

With the Diwali season around the corner, this week on the podcast, Let's Talk, Melbourne with Kabir Singh. The owner of the very loved o& popular restaurant @mukkarestaurant in Melbourne.

Kabir talks about his journey, the Mukka menu, Diwali celebrations, a specially curated menu. Please go and check it out and treat yourself to some dal, batti, churma with suji halwa and my favourite Basanti the heartbreaker (cocktail).

Enjoy the festive season you beautiful people.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

This week we talk to Melbourne based publicist and food blooger Ananya Frey. She talks about Melbourne, food, blogging, inter racial relationships and being married to an Australian. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Welcome to the podcast, I'm your host Vikas Raheja (ig: @letstalkmelb) This week on the pod, we've Rishi Bhatia from Kria Mortgages, who talks about the great Australian dream, buying your first home. Ge talks about the tips and tricks and possibilities of linking your SMSF with your home ownership. Rishi is a fellow Sindhi. I'm really excited to have home on the pod. I hope you enjoy this episode.

This week on the pod we talk to Weh Yeoh, entrepreneur, TedX speaker social impact worker and author. He drops by the pod to talk about his new book *Redundant Charities* a bold, sincere look into existing charitable models and presents alternatives for creating a lasting social change. Was a pleasure to Weh on the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast.

This week on the pod we've a guest who is from the inner circles of Melbourne and an industry veteran from the Melbourne Superannuation and Finance industry, David Warren, Dave drops by the pod to talk about his journey, being a single father and when asked who he would save from one of his two mates from a burning building, which friend mate the cut - well - you've to watch the full episode to find out.

This week on the pod, we're thrilled to interview one of Melbourne's most influential person - Sam Bashiry. He is the founder and CEO of Broadband solutions, fashion icon, car collector and philanthropist. He talks about his charity work, his journey and how he would like to make an impact and help the underprivileged. It's one of the most interesting, hopeful and fascinating conversation. We hope you like did.

As part of a special series, the pod is talking to few remarkable CEOs from Australia. Our first episode in this series is with Terry Constable, CEO of Acclaim Wealth. Terry is a formidable leader, a great operator and a pleasure to talk to. He talks about his journey, the industry and future of Acclaim Wealth. This was a fun and insightful conversation.

Mick O' Brien is one of the most respected and successful CEOs in the Australian Financial services industry. He drops by the pod to talk about his journey, his passion for philanthropy and his love for Carlton Footy Club. Did you know he was a basketball coach in his past life. Find out more in this episode, we hope you're liking the CEO series.

Australian film critic Julian Wright drops by the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast to discuss the top ten movies of 2023. What movies moved us, repulsed us and importantly entertained us. Please tell us which movies you liked, loved and hated in the past year.

You can find Julian's movie reviews on: https://reelreviewroundup.com/ and on IG: jumpshiped83

Julian's top 10 movies of 2023 and where to stream in Australia as of 12/22/23 can be found on Let's Talk, Melbourne Podcast YouTube channel.

Andrew Godfrey is an industry veteran who has lead and transformed great financial companies in Australia. A well liked and respected leader, he is also an advocate for his people and both inspirational and aspirational. He talks about leadership, leaving legacies and the challenges of the superannuation industry on the pod. It's a fascinating and rewarding conversation.

Ridhima Khanna is an Indian Australian influencer from Melbourne who is a fashion and lifestyle specialist. She is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. She drops by the pod to talk about trolls, her brand, balancing family and influencing and her different initiatives for the Indian community to Melbourne.

Jayde Walker is the Director of Business Development at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She drops by the pod to talk about arts, culture, MSO and its vital role in the fabric of the city. Melbourne is a cultural hub for musicians and artists and we spoke about all things arts, was fun and informative pod episode.

Kris studied architecture and currently works in property and real estate. He served as a Board member for the Victorian Pride center. He talks about the Pride center, its relevance and resonance for the city and the LGBTQI+ community and his personal journey on the podcast.

Dickie is the Aussie Hype man for the Australian Startup Ecosystem and the Head of Partnerships & New Markets @ The Startup Network. On the podcast he talks about his passion on breaking down international borders to innovate. Start ups, capital raising, pitch meeting with investors and the importance of delusion.

Simon Kuestenmacher is the Co-Founder & Director at The Demographics Group. He is a demographer and columnist of the Stats Guy. Simon has his pulse on business trends, changing demographics and the dynamics of the Australian Business landscape. He drops by the pod to talk about what Australian demographics, economy and drugs.

Nic McWilliams a Melbourne fitness treasure, a personal trainer and gym owner he helps people with their fitness goals. He drops by the pod to talk about his fitness journey, his entrepreneurial ventures, and being opening his own gym and more.

Davey Rooney is a cosmetic scientist and founder of the @boringwithoutyou_ skin products. He drops by the pod to talk about skin care, slugging, how he started his business and answers many fun questions along the way.
He is a great person and an awesome guest. You can watch his full interview on YouTube and listen on Spotify on Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast.

Ben Ashton is an investments analyst who drops by the pod to talk about the raising interest rates, ethical investing and green washing, being a young dad and studying and of course Marvin Gaye and mojito's. This is our Season 1 Finale and we've saved the best for last.

Daniel Markworth is a Fitness expert and a Personal trainer who helps people with health and body development. He drops by the pod to talk about nutrition, guy bros, insta bros and the importance of physical and mental well-being.

Shikha is a cool gal, that's all I've to say. She drops by the pod to talk about the thriving Melbourne fashion scene and our Melbourne city's love for black.

Clare Munnelly, Digital Transformation leader based in Sydney drops by the pod to discuss the importance of thought diversity, leadership and Hilary Clinton for a lively, spirited and informed conversation.

Melbourne resident Justin Samy is raconteur of the city's food and wine scene. He drops by the pod to talk about the best restaurants, wineries and the color of the city.

Water polo sport in Melbourne, the synergies of the community, sports and mental health with Ben Inskter.

We talk to Channel Seven news reporter Blake Johnson on what it means to be a Journalist in current climate.

We speak to Financial Services industry veteran, Alicia Kokocinski (General Manager, Marketing & Communications, EQT) to have an open discussion on what it means to be a women leader in corporate Australia. The pitfalls, the challenges and the pleasures of it all. She also offers some great advise for anyone in Financial Services industry.