This Changed My Life https://www.thehindu.com/ en The Hindu’s latest podcast offering has reporters speaking to people in the realm of cinema, about a moment, place, event, person, and/or thing that changed their life. This weekly podcast hopes to dive deep into what it took to build this current version of themselves, sharing with the rest of the world about all it means to create and create well. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/c4164ae4-b6de-11f0-a935-3759d2ef81be/image/c0aa012beca85acf720ab949b9d4711b.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress This Changed My Life https://www.thehindu.com/ episodic The Hindu The Hindu’s latest podcast offering has reporters speaking to people in the realm of cinema, about a moment, place, event, person, and/or thing that changed their life. This weekly podcast hopes to dive deep into what it took to build this current version of themselves, sharing with the rest of the world about all it means to create and create well. The Hindu’s latest podcast offering has reporters speaking to people in the realm of cinema, about a moment, place, event, person, and/or thing that changed their life. This weekly podcast hopes to dive deep into what it took to build this current version of themselves, sharing with the rest of the world about all it means to create and create well.

]]> The Hindu netalert@thehindu.co.in Valentine’s Day special: ‘Kalyanamalai’ Mohan on wedding trends and modern love Long before Sima Aunty and dating apps, Tamil Nadu had one matchmaker — ‘Kalyanamalai’ Mohan.From the rise of television to changing ideas of love and marriage, this OG Tamil matchmaker looks back on his rich 26-year experience of playing Cupid and facilitating over 6.5 lakh weddings.In this Valentine’s Day special interview with The Hindu, Mohan talks about matchmaking, marriage trends, love and how decision making have evolved over decades — from horoscopes to modern expectations. Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:30:00 -0000 full The Hindu Long before Sima Aunty and dating apps, Tamil Nadu had one matchmaker — ‘Kalyanamalai’ Mohan.From the rise of television to changing ideas of love and marriage, this OG Tamil matchmaker looks back on his rich 26-year experience of playing Cupid and facilitating over 6.5 lakh weddings.In this Valentine’s Day special interview with The Hindu, Mohan talks about matchmaking, marriage trends, love and how decision making have evolved over decades — from horoscopes to modern expectations. Long before Sima Aunty and dating apps, Tamil Nadu had one matchmaker — ‘Kalyanamalai’ Mohan.From the rise of television to changing ideas of love and marriage, this OG Tamil matchmaker looks back on his rich 26-year experience of playing Cupid and facilitating over 6.5 lakh weddings.In this Valentine’s Day special interview with The Hindu, Mohan talks about matchmaking, marriage trends, love and how decision making have evolved over decades — from horoscopes to modern expectations.

]]> 1749 Soundarya Rajinikanth interview | With Love | Kochadaiyaan Soundarya Rajinikanth returns to Tamil cinema as a producer with With Love, starring Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan. In an interview with ‘The Hindu’ for the 'This Changed my Life' podcast, she chats about her comeback, why she took a long break and what she plans to do now. She also revisits Kochadaiyaan, her 2014 animation film starring her father and Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth, and talks about her lessons from that experience. The producer also reflects on animation’s future in India, re-releases like Padayappa, and whether Kochadaiyaan could return in a new avatar. Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam Recorded and edited by: Shivaraj S and Naveen Kumar V Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:29:00 -0000 full The Hindu Soundarya Rajinikanth returns to Tamil cinema as a producer with With Love, starring Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan. In an interview with ‘The Hindu’ for the 'This Changed my Life' podcast, she chats about her comeback, why she took a long break and what she plans to do now. She also revisits Kochadaiyaan, her 2014 animation film starring her father and Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth, and talks about her lessons from that experience. The producer also reflects on animation’s future in India, re-releases like Padayappa, and whether Kochadaiyaan could return in a new avatar. Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam Recorded and edited by: Shivaraj S and Naveen Kumar V Soundarya Rajinikanth returns to Tamil cinema as a producer with With Love, starring Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan. In an interview with ‘The Hindu’ for the 'This Changed my Life' podcast, she chats about her comeback, why she took a long break and what she plans to do now. She also revisits Kochadaiyaan, her 2014 animation film starring her father and Tamil superstar, Rajinikanth, and talks about her lessons from that experience. The producer also reflects on animation’s future in India, re-releases like Padayappa, and whether Kochadaiyaan could return in a new avatar. Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Recorded and edited by: Shivaraj S and Naveen Kumar V

]]> 1683 How blind women in Tiruchi are weaving success | The RCBW story For 50 years, the Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Women (RCBW) in Tamil Nadu has empowered visually impaired women through skill training. From tailoring bedspreads and weaving baskets to baking fresh goods, the centre helps women earn a livelihood and live independently. Founded in 1975 by Dr. Joseph Gnanadhickam, RCBW continues to transform lives with free training and support for education. Discover how touch, resilience, and creativity shape their journey. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:30:00 -0000 full The Hindu For 50 years, the Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Women (RCBW) in Tamil Nadu has empowered visually impaired women through skill training. From tailoring bedspreads and weaving baskets to baking fresh goods, the centre helps women earn a livelihood and live independently. Founded in 1975 by Dr. Joseph Gnanadhickam, RCBW continues to transform lives with free training and support for education. Discover how touch, resilience, and creativity shape their journey. For 50 years, the Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Women (RCBW) in Tamil Nadu has empowered visually impaired women through skill training. From tailoring bedspreads and weaving baskets to baking fresh goods, the centre helps women earn a livelihood and live independently. Founded in 1975 by Dr. Joseph Gnanadhickam, RCBW continues to transform lives with free training and support for education. Discover how touch, resilience, and creativity shape their journey.

]]> 2823 Arvind Kashyap: Flying drones to shooting magnum opuses Description: Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, who worked in the pan-India blockbuster 'Kantara: Chapter 1', directed by Rishab Shetty, talks about his life-altering moment in The Hindu's 'This Changed My Life' podcast. Arvind opens up on learning the tricks of the trade in the indie Kannada psychological thriller 'Lucia' (2013) and how his career evolved from being a drone flyer in marquee movies to shooting big projects across industries. Reporting: Vivek MV Editing: Ravichandran N Sat, 03 Jan 2026 06:30:00 -0000 full The Hindu Description: Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, who worked in the pan-India blockbuster 'Kantara: Chapter 1', directed by Rishab Shetty, talks about his life-altering moment in The Hindu's 'This Changed My Life' podcast. Arvind opens up on learning the tricks of the trade in the indie Kannada psychological thriller 'Lucia' (2013) and how his career evolved from being a drone flyer in marquee movies to shooting big projects across industries. Reporting: Vivek MV Editing: Ravichandran N Description: Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, who worked in the pan-India blockbuster 'Kantara: Chapter 1', directed by Rishab Shetty, talks about his life-altering moment in The Hindu's 'This Changed My Life' podcast.

Arvind opens up on learning the tricks of the trade in the indie Kannada psychological thriller 'Lucia' (2013) and how his career evolved from being a drone flyer in marquee movies to shooting big projects across industries.


Reporting: Vivek MV

Editing: Ravichandran N

]]> 707 Dushyant Sridhar interview: On collaborations and spirituality | Margazhi Popular vedic speaker and harikatha exponent Dushyant Sridhar is busy this Margazhi season. Through his collaboration with singers and dancers, he is blending music and storytelling during this season to draw younger listeners and take classical discourse beyond traditional spaces. In an interview to ‘The Hindu’, 39-year-old Dushyant talks about the essence of spirituality, how he cites modern examples when he talks about ancient scriptures and his journey as a storyteller so far. He also explains why he appears on advertisements, and why he walked the ramp during a recent fashion event in Chennai that celebrated classical musicians. Dushyant also talks about the trips he puts together for yatris; in 2026, he has Kerala, Cambodia and Egypt on the list. Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam Video: Johan Sathyadas, Thamodharan B Edit: Johan Sathyadas Sat, 27 Dec 2025 06:29:00 -0000 full The Hindu Popular vedic speaker and harikatha exponent Dushyant Sridhar is busy this Margazhi season. Through his collaboration with singers and dancers, he is blending music and storytelling during this season to draw younger listeners and take classical discourse beyond traditional spaces. In an interview to ‘The Hindu’, 39-year-old Dushyant talks about the essence of spirituality, how he cites modern examples when he talks about ancient scriptures and his journey as a storyteller so far. He also explains why he appears on advertisements, and why he walked the ramp during a recent fashion event in Chennai that celebrated classical musicians. Dushyant also talks about the trips he puts together for yatris; in 2026, he has Kerala, Cambodia and Egypt on the list. Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam Video: Johan Sathyadas, Thamodharan B Edit: Johan Sathyadas Popular vedic speaker and harikatha exponent Dushyant Sridhar is busy this Margazhi season. Through his collaboration with singers and dancers, he is blending music and storytelling during this season to draw younger listeners and take classical discourse beyond traditional spaces.

In an interview to ‘The Hindu’, 39-year-old Dushyant talks about the essence of spirituality, how he cites modern examples when he talks about ancient scriptures and his journey as a storyteller so far. He also explains why he appears on advertisements, and why he walked the ramp during a recent fashion event in Chennai that celebrated classical musicians. Dushyant also talks about the trips he puts together for yatris; in 2026, he has Kerala, Cambodia and Egypt on the list.

Reporter: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Video: Johan Sathyadas, Thamodharan B

Edit: Johan Sathyadas

]]> 2945 Ajaneesh Loknath: From 'Ulidavaru Kandante' to 'Kantara: Chapter 1', an incredible journey Ajaneesh Loknath has had a busy 2025, with 'Kantara: Chapter 1' being his biggest project of the year. In this episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast, the Kannada music composer opens up on how meeting Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty proved to be a game changer in his career. From craving for commercial success to scoring music for blockbusters, Ajaneesh opens up on some of the key moments of his journey so far. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 06:25:00 -0000 full The Hindu Ajaneesh Loknath has had a busy 2025, with 'Kantara: Chapter 1' being his biggest project of the year. In this episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast, the Kannada music composer opens up on how meeting Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty proved to be a game changer in his career. From craving for commercial success to scoring music for blockbusters, Ajaneesh opens up on some of the key moments of his journey so far. Ajaneesh Loknath has had a busy 2025, with 'Kantara: Chapter 1' being his biggest project of the year. In this episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast, the Kannada music composer opens up on how meeting Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty proved to be a game changer in his career. From craving for commercial success to scoring music for blockbusters, Ajaneesh opens up on some of the key moments of his journey so far.

]]> 938 Suresh Krishna interview: Secrets behind Rajinikanth’s Annamalai Director Suresh Krissna, who is known for his four films with Rajinikanth (Annamalai, Veera, Baasha and Baba) and two with Kamal Haasan (Sathya and Aalavandan), is excited that his Annamalai, his first film with Rajinikanth, is re-releasing on December 12, 2025, coinciding with the Superstar’s birthday. “Back in 1992, fans celebrated the film as if it was their own. The fact that many elements – including friendship, revenge, love and fights – were part of the cinematic package appealed to them. I hope they love it today too.” In an exclusive with ‘The Hindu’, as part of ‘This Changed my Life’ podcast, the director talks about how Rajinikanth influenced an entire generation and how his films were lapped up. Interview: Srinivasa Ramanujam Video: S Shiva Raj Edit: Johan Sathyadas Sat, 06 Dec 2025 06:22:00 -0000 full The Hindu Director Suresh Krissna, who is known for his four films with Rajinikanth (Annamalai, Veera, Baasha and Baba) and two with Kamal Haasan (Sathya and Aalavandan), is excited that his Annamalai, his first film with Rajinikanth, is re-releasing on December 12, 2025, coinciding with the Superstar’s birthday. “Back in 1992, fans celebrated the film as if it was their own. The fact that many elements – including friendship, revenge, love and fights – were part of the cinematic package appealed to them. I hope they love it today too.” In an exclusive with ‘The Hindu’, as part of ‘This Changed my Life’ podcast, the director talks about how Rajinikanth influenced an entire generation and how his films were lapped up. Interview: Srinivasa Ramanujam Video: S Shiva Raj Edit: Johan Sathyadas Director Suresh Krissna, who is known for his four films with Rajinikanth (Annamalai, Veera, Baasha and Baba) and two with Kamal Haasan (Sathya and Aalavandan), is excited that his Annamalai, his first film with Rajinikanth, is re-releasing on December 12, 2025, coinciding with the Superstar’s birthday.

“Back in 1992, fans celebrated the film as if it was their own. The fact that many elements – including friendship, revenge, love and fights – were part of the cinematic package appealed to them. I hope they love it today too.”

In an exclusive with ‘The Hindu’, as part of ‘This Changed my Life’ podcast, the director talks about how Rajinikanth influenced an entire generation and how his films were lapped up.


Interview: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Video: S Shiva Raj

Edit: Johan Sathyadas

]]> 3004 Rukmini Vasanth: From hating rehearsals to acing big roles Rukmini Vasanth was just one film old in 2023. Cut to 2025, she has the experience of working in some of the biggest projects of Indian cinema. The Bengaluru girl, who broke through with an intense performance in 'Sapta Sagaradaache Ello', is one of the busiest actors in India today. Having worked in pan-Indian movies like 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Toxic', she opens up in the latest episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast about her eventful journey. Sat, 22 Nov 2025 06:15:00 -0000 full The Hindu Rukmini Vasanth was just one film old in 2023. Cut to 2025, she has the experience of working in some of the biggest projects of Indian cinema. The Bengaluru girl, who broke through with an intense performance in 'Sapta Sagaradaache Ello', is one of the busiest actors in India today. Having worked in pan-Indian movies like 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Toxic', she opens up in the latest episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast about her eventful journey. Rukmini Vasanth was just one film old in 2023. Cut to 2025, she has the experience of working in some of the biggest projects of Indian cinema. The Bengaluru girl, who broke through with an intense performance in 'Sapta Sagaradaache Ello', is one of the busiest actors in India today. Having worked in pan-Indian movies like 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Toxic', she opens up in the latest episode of 'This Changed My Life' podcast about her eventful journey.

]]> 1989 Darbuka Shiva: ‘Filmmaking is a bit like football’ Did you know that music composer-actor-director Darbuka Siva’s participation in an arts residency in the US changed his life? Watch to find out why – in this latest episode of ‘This Changed My Life’, in which Siva chats about his beginnings as a musician and how he chartered a unique approach towards songs and filmmaking.Darbuka Siva also talks about his fascination for football and why he adopts a ‘football manager style’ mentality when he does films. #darbukasiva #thehindu #tamilmusic #cinema #podcast Guest: Darbuka Shiva Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam Shot by Shivaraj S Edited by Johan Sathyadas Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:03:00 -0000 full The Hindu Did you know that music composer-actor-director Darbuka Siva’s participation in an arts residency in the US changed his life? Watch to find out why – in this latest episode of ‘This Changed My Life’, in which Siva chats about his beginnings as a musician and how he chartered a unique approach towards songs and filmmaking.Darbuka Siva also talks about his fascination for football and why he adopts a ‘football manager style’ mentality when he does films. #darbukasiva #thehindu #tamilmusic #cinema #podcast Guest: Darbuka Shiva Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam Shot by Shivaraj S Edited by Johan Sathyadas Did you know that music composer-actor-director Darbuka Siva’s participation in an arts residency in the US changed his life? Watch to find out why – in this latest episode of ‘This Changed My Life’, in which Siva chats about his beginnings as a musician and how he chartered a unique approach towards songs and filmmaking.Darbuka Siva also talks about his fascination for football and why he adopts a ‘football manager style’ mentality when he does films.


#darbukasiva #thehindu #tamilmusic #cinema #podcast


Guest: Darbuka Shiva

Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Shot by Shivaraj S

Edited by Johan Sathyadas

]]> 4024 An unlikely friendship: Vishnu Vishal and Aamir Khan Did you know that Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal is very close to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and considers the star as ‘God’?Vishnu, whose recent film was ‘Aaryan’, talks about how Aamir Khan came into his life, and how his interactions with him shaped his recent perspectives. He talks about this unlikely friendship in ‘This Changed my Life’, the latest podcast offering from The Hindu. Guest: Vishnu Vishal Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam Shot by Shivaraj S Edited by Johan Sathyadas Sat, 08 Nov 2025 06:15:00 -0000 full The Hindu Did you know that Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal is very close to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and considers the star as ‘God’?Vishnu, whose recent film was ‘Aaryan’, talks about how Aamir Khan came into his life, and how his interactions with him shaped his recent perspectives. He talks about this unlikely friendship in ‘This Changed my Life’, the latest podcast offering from The Hindu. Guest: Vishnu Vishal Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam Shot by Shivaraj S Edited by Johan Sathyadas Did you know that Tamil actor Vishnu Vishal is very close to Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and considers the star as ‘God’?Vishnu, whose recent film was ‘Aaryan’, talks about how Aamir Khan came into his life, and how his interactions with him shaped his recent perspectives. He talks about this unlikely friendship in ‘This Changed my Life’, the latest podcast offering from The Hindu.


Guest: Vishnu Vishal

Host: Srinivasa Ramanujam

Shot by Shivaraj S

Edited by Johan Sathyadas

]]> 1626 Art director Thota Tharani reflects on life-changing influences If you were asked the question “What changed your life?”, what would you say? The Hindu is on a quest to amass as many answers to this larger-than-life question. Starting November 1, on every Saturday, celebrities from all around the world over, will speak about a moment that altered their perspective, and hence their very existence. This could be an event, person, place, or thing, that brought them success or moved them to transform their outlook towards daily existence. In the first episode, one of Indian cinema’s most successful art director Thota Tharani, will talk to the audience about his artistic influences; the effort it takes to put together massive sets like that of recreating Mumbai’s Dharavi in Nayakan; and his time working with other legends like directors Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, actor Kamal Haasan, and music director Ilayaraaja. The podcast promises insights into life from people who seem to have led it with deep meaning and have found purpose in creating art, while creating it well. Don’t forget to tune in! Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:30:00 -0000 full The Hindu One of Indian cinema’s most successful art director Thota Tharani, talks to us about artists, directors, and classical musicians who changed his life. He speaks of his early artistic influences and his time working with other legends like directors Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, actor Kamal Haasan, and music director Ilayaraaja If you were asked the question “What changed your life?”, what would you say? The Hindu is on a quest to amass as many answers to this larger-than-life question. Starting November 1, on every Saturday, celebrities from all around the world over, will speak about a moment that altered their perspective, and hence their very existence. This could be an event, person, place, or thing, that brought them success or moved them to transform their outlook towards daily existence. In the first episode, one of Indian cinema’s most successful art director Thota Tharani, will talk to the audience about his artistic influences; the effort it takes to put together massive sets like that of recreating Mumbai’s Dharavi in Nayakan; and his time working with other legends like directors Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, actor Kamal Haasan, and music director Ilayaraaja. The podcast promises insights into life from people who seem to have led it with deep meaning and have found purpose in creating art, while creating it well. Don’t forget to tune in! If you were asked the question “What changed your life?”, what would you say?

The Hindu is on a quest to amass as many answers to this larger-than-life question. Starting November 1, on every Saturday, celebrities from all around the world over, will speak about a moment that altered their perspective, and hence their very existence. This could be an event, person, place, or thing, that brought them success or moved them to transform their outlook towards daily existence.

In the first episode, one of Indian cinema’s most successful art director Thota Tharani, will talk to the audience about his artistic influences; the effort it takes to put together massive sets like that of recreating Mumbai’s Dharavi in Nayakan; and his time working with other legends like directors Mani Ratnam and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, actor Kamal Haasan, and music director Ilayaraaja.

The podcast promises insights into life from people who seem to have led it with deep meaning and have found purpose in creating art, while creating it well. Don’t forget to tune in!

]]> 1424