Nikhil KamathEp. #19 | WTF is “Making it” in an Offbeat Career? Nikhil Kamath Ft. Kriti Sanon, Badshah & KL Rahul
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 4:05
Setting the premise: “Making it” in unconventional careers + friends’ banter
Nikhil frames the episode as a search for what helped three guests “make it” in acting, cricket, and music. The group warms up with casual jokes about cities, friendships, and their shared apartment building before diving into personal backstories.
- •Goal of the episode: extract learnings for young aspirants (actor/cricketer/singer)
- •Mumbai vs Delhi and what cities give/ take (freedom, safety, space, food)
- •Friendship dynamics and inside jokes (late arrival, ‘Mr. India’ chair)
- •Tone set as informal, conversational, and probing
- 4:05 – 14:27
Kriti Sanon’s early years: shy, studious, dance training as foundation
Kriti describes a childhood marked by shyness, stage fright, and strong academic pressure in a household of educators. Dance begins as natural talent, gets formalized through Kathak training, and later becomes a professional base.
- •Shy/nerdy firstborn with high expectations around grades
- •Stage fright coexisting with comfort once performance begins
- •Early dance exposure and formal Kathak Kendra training
- •Parents’ influence: professor mother, CA father; structured learning at home
- 14:27 – 19:09
Perfectionism, validation, and emotional wiring (attachment & conflict style)
Nikhil probes Kriti’s need for validation and how it ties to perfectionism and emotional regulation. Kriti explains how she reacts to confrontation, crying, and anxiety—especially with people who matter to her.
- •Validation from marks/achievement and the ‘need to do well’ pattern
- •Attachment-style discussion: comfort, crying, needing space when low
- •Conflict behavior: snapping rarely, apologizing quickly, discomfort with shouting
- •Anxiety triggers: unresolved issues with close relationships
- 19:09 – 46:58
Outsider in Bollywood: access, scripts, ‘peace vs validation,’ and choosing roles
Kriti discusses how lack of legacy affects access and opportunities, especially early on, and how that shapes frustration and ambition. The conversation shifts to what ‘peace’ means, how she balances hunger with calm, and why she’s more selective now.
- •Being an outsider: fewer ‘calls’ and slower validation curve
- •Evolving from box-office/scale decisions to role/script excitement
- •Happiness as peace/calm; ‘happy but restless’ ambition framing
- •Financial security vs independence; family closeness and decision-making
- 46:58 – 57:07
How Kriti transitioned: curiosity, asking questions, failing auditions, building confidence
Nikhil pushes for non-generic advice on why she succeeded. Kriti credits curiosity, being unafraid to ask questions, repeating exposure to scary situations, and persistence through early failures and bad auditions.
- •Confidence built by repeated discomfort (shoots, ramp walks, auditions)
- •Curiosity/learning mindset (engineering influence; ‘asks too many questions’)
- •Gendered perception: ‘too many questions’ vs ‘involved’
- •Early setbacks (bad auditions) and continuing until skill catches up
- 57:07 – 1:02:53
KL Rahul’s origin story: small-town upbringing and multi-sport athletic base
Rahul shares growing up near Mangalore on a college campus, surrounded by academics and sport. Playing many sports and living by the beach helped develop overall athleticism before committing to cricket.
- •Family background: professors; campus life and disciplined routine
- •Multi-sport childhood (football, volleyball, swimming, athletics)
- •Beach lifestyle and everyday play shaping fitness and movement
- •Early obsession with cricket and desire for structured coaching
- 1:02:53 – 1:09:53
Talent vs training in cricket: camps, scouting, and what’s measurable
The discussion gets technical: Rahul explains the pathway from coaching camps to higher levels and argues for innate advantages like hand-eye coordination. The group debates nature vs nurture across sports and creative fields.
- •Entry path: summer camps → academy selection → higher competitive tiers
- •Innate factors: vision, ball-judgment, reaction time, hand-eye coordination
- •Limits of training: improvement possible but ceilings exist
- •Parallels to acting/music: some abilities are hard to ‘teach’
- 1:09:53 – 1:17:06
Data, prediction, and uncertainty: Moneyball logic vs creative/sport reality
Nikhil questions why Bollywood (and by extension other fields) doesn’t lean harder into data-driven decision-making. Rahul and Badshah explain how data helps in cricket/music but can’t guarantee outcomes because performance and audience taste remain volatile.
- •Nikhil’s ‘Moneyball for films’ idea: measure reactions, cast pull, scene triggers
- •Rahul: IPL uses data heavily but seasons hinge on variance and bad days
- •Badshah: labels use Spotify data; structure can be optimized but ‘beauty’ can’t be quantified
- •Conclusion: data informs decisions, but randomness and human taste dominate
- 1:17:06 – 1:26:39
Religion, privilege, and gratitude: temples, queues, and meaning-making
A candid conversation explores how fame changes spiritual practice—especially the uncomfortable reality of skipping temple lines. Rahul explains his evolving relationship with faith as a gratitude and grounding ritual rather than transactional asking.
- •Ethics of VIP access at religious places and internal discomfort
- •Religion shaped by upbringing; personal ‘calling’ shifts over time
- •Temple as a reminder of beginnings and a practice of gratitude
- •Faith as anxiety-reduction and staying present vs chasing outcomes
- 1:26:39 – 1:39:47
Trolling, public failure, and mental recovery: KL Rahul’s coping playbook
Rahul discusses how intense trolling—especially after a controversial interview—changed his confidence and social behavior. He outlines strategies like limiting social media, retreating to old friends, and reframing pressure to preserve performance.
- •Public controversy as a turning point; ‘scarred’ and more withdrawn after
- •Schadenfreude, cycles of fame: underdog support → backlash → comeback
- •Coping tactics: off Instagram, don’t read comments, seek ‘battery recharge’ spaces
- •Performance mindset: best games come when outcome anxiety is minimized
- 1:39:47 – 1:45:08
Badshah’s identity & stage persona: from Aditya to ‘Badshah’ + emotion as fuel
Badshah explains the evolution of his stage identity—starting with an email-based moniker and later choosing ‘Badshah’ intentionally. He describes being highly emotional and how performance is a developed skill driven by the desire to entertain.
- •Name origin: ‘Cool Equal’ → deliberate shift to ‘Badshah’ (SRK influence)
- •Performance: adrenaline, audience-first mindset, doing ‘everything you have’
- •Emotional expression as an outlet; creativity and overwhelm
- •Early life context: Delhi upbringing; parents in government/teaching
- 1:45:08 – 1:51:05
Becoming a musician: writing as expression, rap discovery, and learning production
Badshah traces his creative development from writing as a way to express unspoken thoughts to discovering rap and building taste through global Punjabi/hip-hop influences. He describes practical paths for beginners: YouTube learning, affordable gear, and leveraging sample libraries responsibly.
- •Writing started in school: processing conflict and seeking validation
- •Rap discovery via friends; Eminem/Tupac and diaspora Punjabi sound (Rishi Rich, Punjabi MC)
- •DIY learning: computer labs, torrents, early beat-making tools
- •Beginner guidance: learn production fundamentals, then use sample platforms (e.g., Splice)
- 1:51:05 – 2:29:51
Business & the ‘next big thing’: investing, sectors, and building Indian luxury brands
The conversation pivots to entrepreneurship—why passion-heavy industries are hard, what makes a sector investable, and how consumer behavior shapes moats in India. They debate whether India can produce Prada-level luxury and how narrative, pricing, and influencer culture can shift perception.
- •Avoid crowded ‘cool’ businesses if your goal is money; boring sectors often win
- •Nikhil’s theses: energy transition, India-first brands, valuation discipline
- •Indian luxury: signaling, storytelling, artisan authenticity vs conglomerate dilution
- •Breaking colonial branding: Indian identity as the new ‘cool’ via cultural leaders
- 2:29:51 – 2:34:34
Boys’ chat: dating, focus, and what relationships provide (or cost)
After Kriti leaves, the discussion turns to relationships and how they affect work. Badshah argues relationships reduce focus, while Rahul describes partnership as stability, grounding, and a safe space from external noise; Nikhil adds nuance about rejecting rigid societal constructs.
- •Badshah: avoids dating due to distraction and ‘higher purpose’ focus
- •Rahul: partner as stability, grounding, and performance support
- •Different sources of ‘safe space’: parents/family vs romantic partnership
- •Nikhil: pro-relationship, anti-rules—love without societal constraints
- 2:34:34 – 2:41:31
Closing playbook: originality, patience, ‘dog in you,’ and fail-fast business rules
They wrap by returning to the episode’s promise: advice for young aspirants. Badshah emphasizes originality and patience; Rahul highlights internal fight and sustained outworking; Nikhil gives entrepreneurial guidance around sector tailwinds and failing fast when traction doesn’t appear.
- •Badshah: ‘Be inspired, not influenced’; originality + conviction; don’t give up
- •Rahul: long-term grind with patience; outwork your competition; mental toughness
- •Nikhil: pick sectors with tailwinds; research deeply before building
- •Business rule: if no traction in ~1–2 years, reconsider and move on quickly
