Welcome to Cyrus Says!

This week, Cyrus is joined by Shreemi Verma lawyer-turned-Bollywood insider, pop culture commentator, and full-time chaos enthusiast.

What starts as a sensible conversation about her journey from law school to celebrity media quickly spirals into PR politics, rumor economics, casting gossip, film snobbery, and the strange ecosystem that keeps Bollywood ticking.

They bounce between on-set realities, internet outrage cycles, nostalgia for peak filmi drama, and why the industry runs on vibes, speculation, and very strategic silence.

It’s fast, opinionated, mildly controversial, and absolutely uninterested in behaving.

If you’re looking for carefully packaged diplomacy, this is not it.

If you enjoy strong takes, industry tea, and conversations that zigzag without warning welcome home.

And to our regular listeners, welcome back home.

Is India really overpopulated — or have we been told the wrong story?

Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, joins Cyrus Broacha to unpack one of the biggest myths in Indian public discourse: that “too many people” are the root of all problems.

From fertility data and census projections to the Hindu–Muslim population debate, women’s education, sterilisation myths, ageing society, and the real meaning of demographic dividend — this episode dives deep into facts, governance, and uncomfortable truths.

They also discuss:

• Why women want fewer children
• Why education is the best contraceptive
• Why Muslim fertility rates are declining
• Why South India shouldn’t be “punished” for doing well
• The 1984 riots & administrative failure
• Why men avoid sterilisation
• The coming “Silver Dividend”
• LGBTQ rights and state interference

A sharp, data-driven and surprisingly candid conversation on India’s future.

Legendary actor Kabir Bedi joins Cyrus Broacha for one of the most fascinating conversations ever on Cyrus Says.

From interviewing The Beatles as a young reporter (and losing the tape!), to becoming a European superstar with Sandokan, acting in a James Bond film (Octopussy), working on The Bold and the Beautiful, and meeting Princess Diana at a Bond premiere — Kabir Bedi shares unforgettable stories from over 50 years in cinema.

He also opens up about:

• His new film USA vs Raj (a true story about fighting the FBI)
• Working with Shabana Azmi
• International superstardom in Italy
• The pressures of global soap operas
• His relationships, marriages, and life lessons
• The glory of ancient India & Ashoka
• Surviving 5 decades in one of the most insecure industries in the world

Candid, charming, reflective — this episode is about resilience, romance, reinvention, and legacy.