At 76, Shobhaa De's Untold Story I Meeting Modi to Movies, Modeling, & Misogyny I Barkha Dutt

Author & Columnist Shobhaa De speaks to Barkha Dutt in the 43rd episode of our podcast, 'Inside Out with Barkha Dutt'.
One of India's most popular writers, Shobhaa De has seen it all: life as a model, a copywriter, a journalist, a socialite, a scriptwriter and a bestselling novelist. She is best known for her depiction of socialites and sex in her works of fiction, for which she has been referred to as the "Jackie Collins of India". She was a star columnist for the magazine Stardust at age 23, which included Bollywood interviews, gossip, and photographs. Watch her candid conversation with Barkha Dutt in the latest episode of our podcast.
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Disclaimer: The views of guests who appear on Mojo Story, as well as the views of interviewees or speeches by public figures or those in the news, are their personal opinions. At no point do they reflect the views of the organization.

[@rekhagarg9073]

Excellent!! A delightful conversation. So happy to hear a 76 year old woman with so much spunk and charm!!

[@PadmanabhanAnanth]

Athlete, author, columnist, model - icon at 76 and still young! Superb De!

[@minikumar2469]

Two fiery women, both strong and decisive, super amazing interview.😊

[@kushalsarkar3630]

she is a fearless writer.No one can match her writing style. Reading her books and articles is always a pleasure.

[@sadhanabhagwat4026]

Excellent conversation which brought back memories of my teens ... Stardust was a rarity and sought after whenever we could find it ... Neta 's Natter , Devayani Chaubal all came back to me ! Shobha Rajadhyaksh as she was known ..a Marathi mulgi who became a sought after model ... Maybe one of the first Maharashtrian face in glamour industry.

[@thomasthomasphilp4393]

She is 76. I can't believe!

[@sssssshhh7152]

This and Shashi Tharoor, were your 2 best podcasts/ interviews. The one with Shashi showed how enamoured / charmed you were with him. He just kept on talking without a pause. You capture the core of the interviewee. Thank you

[@arshbehal6312]

Have always and always loved Shobha. She has grace, intelligence, glamour, style, skill, talent, language and ocean's worth of uniqueness. Gosh! Love her. She is so real and kind and amazing, cultured and impressive. Had the pleasure of meeting her at one of the literature festivals from my journalism days. It was lovely.

[@chrisneel5298]

Even Shoba's gossip oozes class. She confirmed what I had always doubted about airport looks and travel. My two favorite ladies together.

[@k.nsreenivasan8446]

Shobha De is unique...a woman of conviction and courage.....nothing fake or hypocritical....

[@anand3445]

Its always a treat to watch this beautiful ,charming, eloquent & fearless Lady. Keep the spirit up Young Lady Anuradha

[@parveenbhat2883]

76 she is beautiful 😍

[@gauravaggarwal6083]

What an amazing conversation…thanks for making it happen!..

[@Splash-nr8ot]

Hi Barkha, I've seen other interviews with Shobhaa, and I think yours stands apart. She was so much more emotional and authentic given the rapport you have with her. I really enjoyed it, thanks for making this happen.

[@ritachatterji1499]

Shobha de and Barkha dutt, so engaging, unbeatable.

[@APK81]

Enough is enough. Her hiss during Mumbai 26/11 attack interview on NDTV quite resonated.

[@gitadasgupta7488]

??

[@musicmania1959]

Excellent to hear Shoba as we share the same time period being a 46 born. Things like radio Ceylon,athletics, Anglasized, Elvis fan Etc etc

[@ramaswamynarayanan6691]

Fabulous to see two people who have made it on their own, interact with each other..... hope to see many such fascinating interviews....

[@mahagurudevinmyheartinmyso829]

Two people????😂😂😂

[@shalomthms1]

Bharka is so amused at certain points! So cute ❤❤

[@user-rz9yh8dw4s]

First time I saw Shobha De getting emotional while talking about her father ...

[@regina14251]

She was an influencer in us growing up in the 60's and 70's...

[@muniranoorani3996]

Barkha Dutt , thank you so much for this wonderful no holds barred interview with Shobha De ,a remarkable ,beautiful woman speaking about her journey 🌷🌷🌷

[@anjalimanohar]

What a wonderful conversation! Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@anilhebbar6506]

Delightful interview. Enjoyed every minute of it. Anuradha @76 is as interesting as Shobhaa @40

[@pavankaul]

A Fantastic interview! I didn't take my eyes & ears away for a moment! Ms. Anuradha Rajadhyaksha De is a true Icon!

[@user-tp7vw2lz8e]

I loved the interview.Blunt & truly spoken

[@PictoWrit]

If you've read Shobha De's columns, ever... you'll want to listen to this interview.

[@user-rz9yh8dw4s]

A welcome change from all the political debates and interviews. I am so delighted to see the growth of Mojo Story channel. I used to sit among the audience when you were part of NDTV and host Reality Bites and We The People.

[@basantidhar1964]

Wow I was desperately looking for her Thank-you Barkha

[@kalpadesai0606]

Fantastic interview... after a long time seeing Shobha De in her element was awesome👌💖

[@deecypoojary8247]

Very nice show, Ms De is candid n witty

[@chottalalpatidar9368]

At 76 very energetic !!!

[@ThePreityEffect]

Incredible Interview Barkha! Amazing Shoba de. Loved the emotion she showed when talking about her father.

[@fauziahgaphur]

What a delightful interview! A woman of substance indeed!

[@jagtarkang5035]

Such an interesting, beautiful and confident woman. loved the podcast.

[@Somaateesh]

At least someone said elites have been replaced. It's actually the rising middle class, nouveau riche and in some sense it's great to see non English speaking rich in the country. They are comfortable in their own skin, but one really hopes the basic ethics and courtesies of society will prevail.

[@gitadasgupta7488]

By a mild spilling of the beans, Shobhaa has very likely quadrupled the length of that line waiting to get into Bastian ☺️ what a woman!! Liked the tarun tejpal story too 🤔🙂 come to think of it, that was a wonderful interview!

[@lishyajennifer]

A refreshing Dialogue. Enjoyed it!!

[@prasvasu4217]

Wow... She's 75?

[@vmatthews9437]

........ 76 !

[@saurabhvashist4051]

A delightful conversation. Shobhaa De certainly doesn't pull any punches and comes across as rather astutely observant of the world around her.

[@user-gd4wt6oi7y]

actually, who had colorful life out of this generation was Protima bedi a real free spirit who streaked naked on beach how cool:), I was very not sad but taken aback when she got buried under avalanche up in Himalayas.. and name 'Sandokaan' reminds me of 'sandookh' good ole punjabi Baksa:)

[@ushakrishnan6693]

Barkha always been your huge fan.

[@dariusrao2536]

Shobha De has been like a soul sister....grew up reading her posts in the papers, right thro Rajyadaksha and De surnames....she helped me navigate my rebellious teen angst and gave me a sense of identity and the knowledge that I was right in my assertive attitude

[@jigarmehta5397]

Fantastic interview Barkha I am a huge fan of both of you !!

[@aldrinosilveira8404]

Excellent conversation 👌

[@rubym38]

What an inspiration.. always loved her 🫡.. respect

[@Globalbang]

Very very refreshing conversation.

[@manishd7177]

Beautiful interview !!

[@mamtasrivastava4201]

Enjoyed listening to the podcast

[@nbbharathigowda]

Barkha Dutt 🎉new look❤

[@siddharthanvarier3342]

I really admire Shona di for her unconventionsl approach and daredevil attitude to her writings. PlL KEEP WRITING AND WE REALLY LOVE YOU, And YOUR WRITINGS, SHOBHA DI Your BEST WORK is still to Come, Shobha di

[@sarlakapadia9251]

What a wonderful interview Shobha ji or rather Anuradha such a great character...thank you so much for the courage integrity n affection which comes through your interview...Blessings to you n your Family❤

[@AjitJoshi686]

On a Wada pav story, She actually met the Sena leader and had the Wada pav apparently 50:13. The exchange in Marathi is more funny. Unlikely that Sena people will beat a Marathi speaking lady in public.

[@janakiramesh3590]

Excellent conversation.

[@damuradheshwar9349]

I have a couple of years on her, happy to see her thriving and living her life as she wants. Great role model for young and old Indian women 👏🏼❤️

[@Randomest_Stories]

She and urmila Matondkar have very similar voices and gestures! She can play her in a biopic.

[@Trollika_Devi]

Yes. I love Urmilas voice.

[@pudurm]

was in college when I used read on her articles and hated her I am also in 70's . she looks the same as may be in her 20 's. look lovely Shoba , take care .

[@jyotighosh29]

What an interview. Both are so inspirational. Shobha De is a stunner even now.

[@adriswalli7553]

This is probably the 4th time I watched this :) call me crazy but I love this conversation. Shobha De is such a delight to listen to and well done Barkha for such an amazing free flowing conversation. Loved loved & loved it.

[@zoondub1720]

Superb interview. What a fascinating and smart woman. I'll definitely get this book.

[@easypeasyenglish1331]

👏👏👏👏 following you.... speaking my mind too.... whatever happens!!

[@itsmytwistbysunila6251]

Excellent interview. I love Shobha.❤❤❤

[@supervelocity11]

Kudos 🎉 fabulous conversation between two charming, bold and intelligent women . ❤❤

[@user-oc2nq5cd2z]

She speaks well, but at the end of the day, she is a socialite who wrote indifferent novels that catered to a section of the society. They were nothing to write home about. Moreover, she did write catty things about others, and if people did the same with her work, she shouldn't take exceptions. In the name of being honest, she has written and said horrible things about others. You can do that, but then don't expect people to be kind to you or your work.

[@Trollika_Devi]

I love her but I have to agree with you. She tried to pull a Jean Rivers.

[@jimelleyot483]

omg excellent interview .

[@ruchianand4925]

Totally loved it❤ Shobha De is phenomenal

[@k.dineshpillay.6455]

Absolutely right. A bold lady so much similarity

[@supervelocity11]

Also, to go to Supreme Court and win that round against Maharashtrians Shiv sainaks to react to something so trivial is great, Ms. De.

[@user-wt2uc6ox8u]

Hv always been fascinated by Shobha De… still am

[@sundarraman6206]

Superb interview 👍

[@RahulSharma-zp6qy]

Simply wow.. Fantastic. I can hear it 1000 times💖

[@shwetigave2372]

64 min × 1000 Matlab 45 din berojgar ho kya bhai

[@RahulSharma-zp6qy]

haha.. bachpan se Shobha de ka fan hoon

[@shwetigave2372]

@@RahulSharma-zp6qy thik he sir dek lo aap 1000 baar.

[@sumitabanerji8981]

After a long time, an interview which was heart felt, intelligent, interesting & full of sass.

[@sarmistha4430]

Was a great fan of your write ups Mam, especially starburst

[@fatmakazim4341]

my fav shobha enjoy listening to her most articulate covers

[@Sharadjoshi3]

It's really nice to listen to such knowledgeable people not so left

[@aradhnatyagi4833]

Lovely to watch ms Shobha De,speaking her mind,you have inspired many women ma'am,stay fit with your wit & humour,God bless❤

[@DN-rt7tl]

The irony….the same woman who complains how women put each other down,is singing praises of Miss Godrej and her “generosity “. The same woman who I read stood by and did nothing when Sanjay Khan was beating Zeenat Aman to a pulp!

[@raghavuchil2098]

I have read many of her books but stopped reading the later ones. She was the female version of Kushwant Singh whose later books were nothing but pulp fiction. Frankly speaking her books border on the thrashy side rather than enlightening ones, with loads of unnecessary sexism and feminism thrown in, and they were extensions of her columns which offered nothing new. What pains me is the fact that she is much more capable of writing better books than what she has dished out to date. I am still waiting for one book that would immortalize her along with better writers of India.

[@ArjunRadhakrishnan-wu3tj]

Love these talks. Ive always seen Barkha as the Indian Oprah Winfrey. Both are great at their job.

[@akbarnoorulhaq8292]

Great conversationist yes, well spoken yes but not oprah ...she lacks empathy, wisdom and acceptance without judgement

[@sujalizids]

Awesome interview

[@kapilboruah1220]

Only one word for ma'am is Grace.

[@johnp8159]

Lovely interview❤

[@srikanthpasham6265]

Awesome! 🎉

[@manish7808]

people like sobha de makes India special...great admiration for her what she has done in her life..

[@literarymusings8886]

Go to Pakistan

[@manish7808]

@literarymusings8886 sure please send me the ticket.

[@manish7808]

@@literarymusings8886 no problem, please send the ticket..

[@literarymusings8886]

@@manish7808 shameless anti national, urban naxals

[@aaiyar2643]

Wonderfully interesting interview 🎉

[@yatch989]

She should continue to write. Men like it.

[@peaceoflife6707]

Mojo story should be declared another godi media

[@susripolo]

Loved it! What a badass woman !

[@user-gd4wt6oi7y]

its strange she never could write anything else much...except that one..the one which brought recognition, to break that ceiling

[@englishteacher3253]

I am a writer, and I cannot stand writers who write out of pseud sophistication, feeding their narcissistically starving minds through writing. She writes brilliantly, and I am her admirer. Sending love to both Anuradha, the brand name Shobhaa and to my favourite intelligent journalist Barkha Dutt from Pakistan. 🥰

[@SitaGiri]

Great interview - But I was distracted by Shobha's great Hair❤

[@AnthroHistorian]

3:20 Tarun Tejpal said: 'Her looks sell her books'. This is a fact. This is not sexist. And it is a compliment. And she called him a spiteful swine for that? Is there any book she is remembered for? 4:42 She says Tarun is a TERRIFIC writer. But in the same breath she also says she reviewed his book with a one liner 'too sad his looks won't sell his books'. This is an ad hominem attack. And at 6:50 she is whining about someone 'attacking her personally' while reviewing her work. There are numerous moments in this 1 hour interview where she has contradicted herself. Imagine what level of a hypocrite Shobaa De is her everyday life.

[@suparnadas8463]

Great

[@maha-madpedo-gayphukumber1533]

Yes we are bhakts/and'hbhakts and we are proud of that. Being bhakts/and'hbhakts sound so cool and proud. It is billions times better then being chamchas, sickulars,librandus, andhnamazi madraschap which sound so uncool this day and age not only in india but in whole world..modi, and bjp has given us something that no one can gave us last time it was chatrapati shivaji maharaj. But for 500 years we were missing this greatness. we are bhakts/and'hbhakts and we are proud of that. We own Bharat, we own the streets,we own day ,we own night and we own you.

[@Globalbang]

Shobha De the ever charming nd deeply interesting still carries the Indian ethos nd Indian way of life.

[@ashishb]

Wish it remained untold

[@retroraga]

India's Jackie Collins!

[@nbbharathigowda]

Mission shakti 💫✨ women's empowerment ❤

[@incubusk8r]

As mumbaikar its fascinating how Delhi jurnos are so star struck.

[@afifajabeen5069]

As a somewhat fan of Shobha De, am disappointed by her lavishing praise on Modi and declaring she is not political. This is not a time to be politically neutral. Esp someone as vocal as Shobha De should speak out about the muzzling of democracy and minority rights in India. Calling the man in-charge of this disaster 'charming' is not a wise thing.