Shows / Spotlight with Sandhya
Spotlight with Sandhya
Each episode os Spotlight with Sandhya brings you the people behind the big ideas shaping our world.
Journalist, author, biographer and entrepreneur Sandhya Mendonca has spent a career hunting for one thing: the story underneath the story. Spotlight with Sandhya carries that same instinct into candid conversations with creative minds, changemakers, and leaders about their journeys.
A Raintree Media Original.
To be featured on this show, write to us at mail@raintreemedia.com or Instagram…
Episodes
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Story of Lupin & India's Pharma Rise | Manish Sabharwal with Sandhya Mendonca
In this episode of Spotlight with Sandhya, Manish Sabharwal, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of TeamLease Services, joins Sandhya Mendonca for a fascinating…
Spotlight with SandhyaBangalore Blues | Kirtana Kumar and Sandhya Mendonca on stories of Bangalore
What does it mean to write a city from the inside out? In this conversation, two native Bangaloreans—theatre director and author Kirtana Kumar and Sandhya…
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Networking Playbook | Leadership Decoded | Uma Reddy | #spotlightwithsandhya
First woman president. A 110-year-old chamber. More than 300,000 businesses reached. Sandhya Mendonca speaks with Uma Reddy, the first woman president of the…
Spotlight with SandhyaBehind the Lens: For My Ela at Cannes Shorts 2026 | Mallika Prasad & Sandhya Mendonca
How does a filmmaker turn a natural disaster into a creative breakthrough? In this episode of Spotlight with Sandhya, filmmaker Mallika Prasad discusses her…
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Leadership Skill No One Talks About | Leadership Decoded | Geetha Panda in Spotlight with Sandhya
We sat down with Geetha Panda — a global business leader with 30 years of experience transforming organizations across IT, shipping, biotech, banking, pharma…
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Transformational Leader's Playbook| Leadership Decoded | Spotlight with Sandhya ft Paddy Rao
Kicking off a series on leadership with Sandhya Mendonca, transformation strategist Paddy Rao shares his leadership journey, the essence of transformation…
Spotlight with SandhyaWomen in Newsrooms & Networks - Beyond the Byline - Kathy Mcleish & Sandhya Mendonca
#SpotlightWithSandhya #kathymcleish #sandhyamendonca What happens when a media entrepreneur, former crime reporter meets a war correspondent? This Raintree…
Spotlight with SandhyaArundhati Raja on Theatre & Freedom | Jagriti Theatre | Sandhya Mendonca #spotlightwithsandhya
In this episode, Sandhya Mendonca, Founder & Chief Editor of Raintree Media talks to Arundhati Raja, co-founder of Jagriti Theatre, about theatre, freedom &…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Salvation is in a clean, good note of music" – Pandit Rajeev Taranath in Spotlight with Sandhya
World-famous musician and sarod maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath, in this multilingual interview with Sandhya Mendonca, reflects on music, the greatness of…
Spotlight with Sandhya"We yearn for simpler times" -Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 71
Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy is the lead actor and debutant director of the delightful coming-of-age film ‘Aachar and Company’. Set in the 60s back when Bangalore…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Choose Ethics, Not Expediency" - Vinita Bali in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 70
“Profits are important, but it's also important to be driven by morals and ethics”, Vinita Bali says. Known for her skills in building brands and leading…
Spotlight with Sandhya"ISRO is truly nationalist" –Gita Aravamudan in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 69
Indians are over the moon with the success of its lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023. The joy and pride are greater as ISRO sprang up…
Spotlight with SandhyaAn Asian refugee’s road to success – Ram Gidoomal in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 68
His family was torn from its home in Sindh by the partition of India, and a few years later, they were thrown out of their adoptive homeland in Kenya. Ram…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Save India's Airlines" - Capt GR Gopinath in Spotlight with Sandhya | Part 2
Visionary airline entrepreneur Capt GR Gopinath's order of 30 planes turned the fortunes around for the French aeroplane manufacturer ATR in 2004. Capt Gopi…
Spotlight with Sandhya"I rise each time I fall" - Capt. GR Gopinath in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 66
He made aviation history by starting India’s first low-cost airline and yet lost it all. Call it a bad decision, call it circumstances. In the first of a 2…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Presenting Goa in a Bottle" - Solomon Diniz in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 65
Solomon Diniz presents the spirit of Goa in a bottle. The fourth generation of a liquor distillery wants to celebrate his heritage that’s intrinsically linked…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Learning Maths is key to Innovation" Dr Sujatha Ramdorai in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 64
World-renowned mathematician Dr Sujatha Ramdorai talks about her work in algebraic number theory and the vital need for learning maths. She recalls her early…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Life is all about taking risks" Shobhaa De in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 63
Best-selling author and columnist, the inimitable Shobhaa De talks about her relationship with food, life, journalism and writing about people. She discussed…
Spotlight with Sandhya"The Good Old Days of Bangalore" Dr Hajee Abdul Sattar Sait in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 62
This episode is partly an oral history of Bangalore. A 90-year-old 7th generation Bangalorean talks about life in Bangalore, the interesting people he’s met…
Spotlight with Sandhya"A Life in Art" SG Vasudev in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 61
The Tree of Life of this master artist is 82 years old. It’s a life lived in art and has been shaped by a variety of experiences and insights gleaned from…
Spotlight with Sandhya"A Passion for Bangalore" - Naresh Narasimhan in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 60
Bengaluru is in a Catch-22 situation. It attracts and welcomes the world while the density of the population adds to its woeful lack of adequate public…
Spotlight with Sandhya''Party, Politics & Corruption" Brijesh Kalappa in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 59
Brijesh Kalappa, Supreme Court lawyer and former national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, joined the Aam Aadmi Party and is contesting in the…
Spotlight with Sandhya'The Perfectionist off-stage' Arjun Sajnani in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 58
Theatre director Arjun Sajnani is known for staging spectacular theatrical productions. On the heels of his latest production of Girish Karnad's historical…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Beauty & the Business' Blossom Kochhar in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 57
This podcast in the month of March focuses on a successful business leader who celebrates femininity. Sandhya Mendonca talks to Blossom Kochhar about her…
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Rappers of Bangalore in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 56
The boulevards of Bangalore, its streets and parks come alive on weekends to catchy beats and rhythmic words. They are in a burst of languages that range from…
Spotlight with Sandhya' Kaveri - the river that divides the South' - C Chandrashekar in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 55
Civilisation has flourished or perished alongside water bodies. The Kaveri is a life-giving river in the south and for over a couple of centuries, it has also…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Music, Emotions, Brands & all that Jazz' Rajeev Raja in Spotlight with Sandhya | Episode 54
In this podcast, Sandhya Mendonca talks to jazz musician Rajeev Raja about his journey melding music and advertising. A handful of musicians hold the ability…
Spotlight with SandhyaTrailer
Raintree Media presents 'Spotlight with Sandhya'. This podcast features author, journalist and cultural evangelist Sandhya Mendonca in one-to-one conversations…
Spotlight with SandhyaPrasanna, theatre personality & activist on theatre & making a lasting impact beyond it | Spotlight with Sandhya | Season 3| Episode 1
HI, I'm back with Season 3 and for Episode1, I travelled to the city of palaces, Mysuru, to meet my old friend, the maverick theatre personality and activist…
Spotlight with SandhyaMesmerising Music of Chandana Bala Kalyan | Spotlight with Sandhya
Chandana Bala Kalyan is an incredibly gifted singer, songwriter and composer. Her pure and simple joy while singing has made her a social media sensation…
Spotlight with SandhyaThe Nation's Homeopath Dr Mukesh Batra | Spotlight with Sandhya
In this candid conversation, Dr.Mukesh Batra talks to Sandhya Mendonca about what homeopathy can and can’t cure, and shares his learning in building a business…
Spotlight with SandhyaSweet & Sour Writings of Sadiqa Peerbhoy | Spotlight with Sandhya
From award winning ads to hit TV serials to short stories and novels, Sadiqa Peerbhoy captures the sweet and sour aspects of life. This multitasking Creative…
Spotlight with SandhyaWorld Breastfeeding Week - Expert Tips by Dr.Asha Benakappa
Love hormones & more! For World Breastfeeding Week, leading paediatrician and internationally renowned lactation expert, Dr.Asha Benakappa talks to Sandhya…
Spotlight with SandhyaTop Tips for Eye Care by Dr.Sujatha Rathod | Spotlight with Sandhya
These tips will help you take care of overworked and tired eyes. Dr. Sujatha Rathod, Director, Professor & Head of Community Ophthalmology, Minto Ophthalmic…
Spotlight with SandhyaBindhu Malini on Music, Manodharma & Love | Spotlight with Sandhya
National award winning music artist Bindhu Malini Narayanaswamyhas a unique voice and sensibility. She talks to host Sandhya Mendonca about finding her way…
Spotlight with SandhyaMadhu Nataraj on teaching world class choreography | Spotlight with Sandhya
Madhu Nataraj, Award winning Dancer & Director, Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography talks about a unique choreography course and the multidisciplinary…
Spotlight with Sandhya"Redesign the World" says Sam Pitroda | Spotlight with Sandhya
Telecom entrepreneur, inventor, engineer and change maker Sam Pitroda enabled all Indians to use the basic telephone with the telecom revolution in the 90’s…
Spotlight with SandhyaA VC's Tips to Survive & Thrive in the Digital Age - Prashanth Prakash | Spotlight with Sandhya
Prashanth Prakash is a Venture Capitalist, and is an expert at choosing the right startups to back. Flipkart, BookMyShow, Ola and Swiggy have become household…
Spotlight with Sandhya10 Nutrition Tips to Eat, Sleep & Feel Better by Sheela Krishnaswamy |Spotlight with Sandhya
Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Sheela Krishnaswamy offers helpful tips on healthy foods and eating habits for people of all ages, from children to seniors…
Spotlight with SandhyaJairam Ramesh on the Light of Asia, Buddha, Cancel Culture & Biographies
Season 2 | Episode 11 Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister, shares his experience on writing biographies of powerful and controversial…
Spotlight with SandhyaTT Jagannathan's 2 New Rules for Success & Failure | Spotlight with Sandhya
Industry tycoon & Chairman of TTK Prestige Ltd TT Jagannathan reveals two new rules that have helped him and his company succeed. On the back of his company's…
Spotlight with Sandhya3 success Rules from billionaire businessman TT Jagannathan | Spotlight with Sandhya
Distilled wisdom from TT Jagannathan who turned around a debt-ridden company and made it hugely profitable upholding values of honesty and hard work. 'Disrupt…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Modi, India & the World' - Pranay Kotasthane | Spotlight with Sandhya
Season 2 | Episode 8 | Spotlight with Sandhya offers insights into issues that form current public discourse. Pranay Kotasthane, the deputy director of the…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Are pvt hospitals profiting from corona" Dr. HM Prasanna | Spotlight with Sandhya
Season 2 | Episode 7 | Spotlight with Sandhya focuses on the private hospitals in Bangalore and if they are focusing on how they are dealing with COVID-19…
Spotlight with Sandhya"All Art is Political" says MD Pallavi, musician, actor & director | Spotlight with Sandhya
Season 2 | Episode 6 | Spotlight with Sandhya features award winning singer-composer, actor and director MD Pallavi. She talks about the feminist and…
Spotlight with SandhyaWill Bengaluru's tech billionaires respond to its SOS? K Jairaj | Spotlight with Sandhya
Episode 5, Season 2 of Spotlight with Sandhya India's Tech Capital is sending out an SOS : it needs political leadership, its officers need freedom to work AND…
Spotlight with Sandhya"The BJP is scripting India's narrative" Dr. Parakala Prabhakar | Spotlight with Sandhya Season 2 Episode 4 part 2
Dr. Parakala Prabhakar talks about the relentless march of the BJP. He tells Sandhya Mendonca that the BJP's losses in the recent Assembly elections in Bengal…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Speaking Truth to Power' Dr. Parakala Prabhakar | Spotlight with Sandhya Season 2 Episode 4 Part 1
In Part 1 of a two part interview, Dr. Parakala Prabhakar, political economist and the host of Midweek Matters, talks to Sandhya Mendonca about putting lives…
Spotlight with Sandhya'Art is a personal statement' says contemporary artist Shan Re| Spotlight with Sandhya
Season 2, Episode 3 Spotlight with Sandhya features contemporary artist Shan Re. There’s a certain aura of mystery about Shan Re. A versatile and prolific…
Spotlight with SandhyaHelping women help themselves ft self help group champion Dr. BR Mamatha | Spotlight with Sandhya Season 2 Episode 2
Women who live in villages are on the path to prosperity, with several of them successful in running more than one micro enterprise. These are the champions of…
Spotlight with SandhyaSelf-owned & Sensual featuring Prathibha Prahlad, dance & arts visionary| Spotlight with Sandhya Season 2 Episode 1
Featuring in Season 2, Episode 1 of Spotlight with Sandhya is the 'Self-owned & Sensual' Prathibha Prahlad. In this free-wheeling chat with host Sandhya…
Spotlight with SandhyaDancing for good - Sharmila Mukherjee talks about the power of art | Spotlight with Sandhya
Can dance go beyond aesthetics and be an agent of social good? Odissi dancer & choreographer Sharmila Mukerjee talks to Sandhya Mendonca about dance and…
Spotlight with SandhyaGive me more Mahua! Make it the national drink of India says Desmond Nazareth| Spotlight with Sandhya
This episode features maverick Indian alcobev maker, Desmond Nazareth, who talks to show host Sandhya Mendonca about his campaign to take to the international…
Spotlight with SandhyaSpeak Slowly, Speak Less & more tips for for better communication from Rakesh Godhwani | Spotlight with Sandhya
The Art of Communications can be learnt scientifically. Prof. Rakesh Godhwani, communications expert, offers a primer on communications that tells you who…
Spotlight with SandhyaFilm maker Amoghavarsha talks about making natural history film Wild Karnataka | Spotlight with Sandhya
Get into the jungles of Karnataka with Amoghavarsha JS. In Episode 31 of Spotlight with Sandhya, the techie turned film maker, talks with Sandhya Mendonca…
Spotlight with SandhyaDr.Shahid Jameel, virologist, answers questions on #COVID-19 vaccines | Spotlight with Sandhya
#Covid-19 vaccine #VaccinationDrive #spotlightwithsandhya The Vaccine is here yet people are anxious. Should you take the anti-corona vaccine? Which COVID-19…
Spotlight with SandhyaDan Wolman talks about filming people on the margin in Episode 25 Spotlight with Sandhya
The winner of 3 life time achievement awards, Dan Wolman is a prolific and award-winning Israeli filmmaker. He’s been described as ‘a unique, brave poet of…
Spotlight with SandhyaAn Indian American story of grit & success- Shri Thanedar on his amazing journey. Episode 24 Spotlight with Sandhya
A scientist, a millionaire businessman and an author. These are more than enough accomplishments in a lifetime. To top it all, Shri Thanedar has just had a…
Spotlight with SandhyaRemo Fernandes on making music with meaning & his ode to Mother Teresa | Spotlight with Sandhya
The pioneer of Indian pop regaled us with his Flute Song, Maria Pitache, Humma and several more songs, and now has two items to tick off his bucket list -…
Spotlight with SandhyaA very suitable boy -Mikhail Sen's on the road to stardom! Episode 26 Spotlight with Sandhya ft Mikhail Sen
Intense and fiercely determined, this 'Sen'sational actor is on the road to stardom. Having just played a major role in internationally acclaimed writer and…