Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently released a highly anticipated podcast episode featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which quickly gained attention across digital platforms. The episode, primarily conducted in Hindi, has ignited discussions about language use, especially since Kamath typically conducts his podcasts in English to cater to a global audience.
At the beginning of the podcast, Kamath, a Bengaluru native with strong roots in Karnataka, humorously explained his lack of fluency in Hindi. He said, “Sir, please excuse me. My Hindi isn’t very fluent. I’m a South Indian, born and raised in Bengaluru. My mother is from Mysuru, where Kannada is spoken, and my father is from near Mangaluru. Although I studied Hindi in school, I can’t speak it fluently.” Kamath also emphasized that communication isn’t always verbal, adding that body language can often convey the message effectively.
Prime Minister Modi, in turn, was supportive, recalling his own experience with Hindi, as he is also not a native speaker. He shared, “I’m not a native Hindi speaker either, so I believe this conversation will flow smoothly,” and even recalled how his early interactions while selling tea at a railway station helped him learn the language.
Despite the candid conversation, the choice of Hindi as the medium of the podcast faced some criticism online. Social media users highlighted that Kamath’s previous podcasts were in English, and this episode deviated from his usual format. To ensure inclusivity, the episode provided subtitles in both English and Hindi.
Throughout the podcast, PM Modi opened up about his childhood in Gujarat, his political journey, and the role of ideology and idealism in shaping his decisions.
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