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The Quint

There is a special place in our memory for our first love. We cherish that sweetness of festivals when we were growing up. A song from the 90s invokes many a colourful memories. The smell of the first monsoon rain evokes the imagery of paper boats that we rowed in little streams. We keep some memories hidden in our chest forever. My name is Alif, and I am a cinematographer by profession and a storyteller by choice. I grew up in a set-up where many evenings were spent listening to folklore from the elderly. I'd get hooked to those stories and would often bring them to life in my imagination. Qisse Kahaniyaan is my attempt to bring you some such memories wrapped in words and dressed in sound. My promise is that each of these stories will be juiced with nostalgia and memories. Millions of listeners seek out Bingepods (Ideabrew Studios Network content) every day. Get in touch with us to advertise, join the network or click listen to enjoy content by some of India's top audio creators. studio@ideabrews.com Android | Apple

Qisse Kahaniyaan

Step into the world of Saadat Hasan Manto, the literary genius whose stories stirred hearts and sparked debates. In this episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Manto, brought to life by a talented voice artist, narrates his own story—his rise to fame, the controversies that defined his life, and the legacy that endures. 
Alternating between Manto’s evocative voice and the anchor’s compelling narration, this dramatised podcast takes you on an unforgettable journey: 
Was Manto a rebel, a genius, or both? Hear his story, told the way only he could tell it—raw, unfiltered, and profoundly human. 
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Saadat Hasan Manto: Between The Lines | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

Few artists have shaped modern Indian art like Maqbool Fida Husain (M.F. Husain)—a painter whose bold strokes told stories of beauty, culture, and controversy. Known as the ‘Picasso of India’, Husain’s life was a canvas filled with triumphs and trials, adored by some and criticised by others. 
In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, we bring Husain’s voice to life through a skilled artist, letting him narrate his own journey. 
Step into the world of M.F. Husain and discover: 
His rise from painting Bollywood posters to becoming India’s most celebrated modern artist. 
The vibrant and thought-provoking artworks that made him a legend. 
The controversies that led to legal battles, protests, and eventual exile. 
His journey from India to Qatar, and the unbreakable spirit of an artist who refused to be silenced. 
Was M.F. Husain a fearless visionary, a misunderstood genius, or both? Hear his story—raw, unfiltered, and as colourful as his art. 
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M. F. HUSAIN: BEYOND THE CANVAS | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Shiv Kumar Batalvi returns through the voice of an artist, narrating his own life. Blending poetic melancholy with an anchor’s narration, the episode takes you on a journey through his celebrated yet turbulent existence. A rebellious spirit, he defied societal norms, challenging conventions with his impassioned and often controversial themes. But behind his literary brilliance lay an inner turmoil—an anguish that ultimately led to his untimely demise, cementing his legacy as an immortal voice in Punjabi literature.

His meteoric rise to fame was driven by Loona, the epic verse play that captivated readers and earned him the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. Was Shiv Kumar Batalvi a poet cursed by love, or a misunderstood dreamer chasing the unattainable?

Tune in to experience his story—raw, poetic, and unforgettable.
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SHIV KUMAR BATALVI: The Poet Who Lived His Verses | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

Some artists perform. Safdar Hashmi provoked. A playwright, poet, and activist, he didn’t just tell stories—he fought battles with them. As the founder of Jana Natya Manch (JANAM), he wielded theatre as a weapon, crafting bold, politically charged performances that laid bare corruption, inequality, and exploitation during Indira Gandhi's era.
 His art was defiant. And on January 1, 1989, he paid the ultimate price for it—murdered mid-performance for daring to speak truth to power. 
In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, the spirit of Safdar Hashmi returns—his voice, his struggle, his unwavering fire—brought to life through a powerful performance.
As Safdar narrates his story alternating with Alif's storytelling, we trace the journey of a man who never backed down.
Was Safdar Hashmi merely a playwright, or the voice of a revolution?
His words ignited minds, his stage was the streets, and his legacy still echoes.
Tune in to hear his story.

Anchor & Script: Athar Rather
Voice of Safdar Hashmi: Siddharth Sarathe
Sound Design: Athar Rather
Executive Producers: Ritu Kapur, Shelly Walia
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Safdar Hashmi: Art, Activism, and a Lasting Legacy | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

She was born into oppression. She rose in defiance. Phoolan Devi was not just a woman—she was a storm. Branded a criminal, hailed as a warrior, she walked the razor’s edge between vengeance and justice, fear and reverence. 
From a child bride to a feared dacoit, from a prison cell to the Indian Parliament—Phoolan’s life was a tale of survival, rebellion, and an unbreakable will. They called her the ‘Bandit Queen,’ but she was far more than that. She was a woman who refused to be erased, a force that demanded to be reckoned with. 
In this gripping dramatized episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, Phoolan Devi speaks. 
Through the voice of an artist, she tells her own story—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. Alternating between her words and the anchor’s narration, we relive a saga that shook the nation. 
Step into the legend of Phoolan Devi and uncover: 

The brutal injustices that turned a village girl into a feared outlaw. 

Her reign over the Chambal ravines, where she became both savior and terror. 

Massacre that made her a symbol of vengeance and resistance. 

Her shocking transformation—from fugitive to elected leader of the people. 

Was Phoolan Devi a criminal or a revolutionary? A bandit or a queen? 
Her story isn’t just history—it’s a legend carved in blood and fire. 

Anchor & Script: Athar Rather
Voice of Phoolan Devi: Shelly Walia
Sound Design: Athar Rather
Executive Producers: Ritu Kapur, Shelly Walia
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From Outlaw to Icon: Phoolan Devi’s Story | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

First love, the sweetness of festivals as a kid, a favourite song from the 90s — relive these colourful memories with Alif on 'Qisse Kahaniyaan', a new podcast series from The Quint. Stay tuned!
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Teaser: Qisse Kahaniyaan

In the first episode of The Quint's new podcast series Qisse Kahaniyaan, Alif narrates a story about the magic and innocence of first love. It is set in a time when romance meant copying homework and sending handwritten notes on ruled sheets. It is a story about growing up and growing apart as years come between two innocent hearts in the snow-clad Valley – until, in a twist of fate, they meet again, years later.

Tune in to listen to ‘Tuition Centre’.

Narrator, Writer and Sound Designer: Athar Rather
Editor: Shelly Walia
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'Tuition Centre' – Reminiscing the Magic and Innocence of First Love

'Home', people say, is simply where you belong. A belonging that blooms from familiarity. But for those who have been uprooted all their lives, home is a capricious space. It is constantly on the move bundled with first toys, family photos, and the playfulness of childhood until one day we long for the memories that we have lost and the stories that we've left behind.

In this week's story, will the protagonist be able to piece together his journey of constant displacement? Will he be able to find his way home?

Tune in to 'Purana Ghar' — the second episode of The Quint's new podcast series, 'Qisse Kahaniyaan by Alif'.

Narrator, Writer and Sound Designer: Athar Rather

Editor: Shelly Walia

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'Purana Ghar' – Of Lost Childhood & Longing For Home

Mumbai is the city of possibilities, and many people are drawn to this maya nagri to change their life for the better. This city is inhabited by thousands of people and the dreams they carry – each of them having a story and a wishful heart. 

Like many of them, Billo, too, wanted to have a better life.

Billo, a bar dancer in Mumbai, lives in a small 10x10 feet room that opens to the city through a small window. She sits by that window every evening, with dreams in her eyes and a secret that she carries in her heart.

Writer and Sound Designer: Athar Rather
Editor: Shelly Walia
Anchor: Athar Rather

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'Khwahishon ki Khidki' – A Window, a Secret, and a Wishful Heart

Rains always makes people nostalgic and many memories come fleeting down the memory lane.

In this week's story, each year, the rain reminds a father of his daughter who is away from him. For some reason, he is not able to see or communicate with her. So, he writes her a letter every year. 24 Khat is the story of a father who writes one letter every year to his daughter. A distance of 24 years and 24 letters lies between him and his daughter.

Why could he not post any of the letters? Why is he still waiting? Would those words ever be read by her? Listen in to know the answers.

Narrator, Writer and Sound Designer: Athar Rather

Editor: Shelly Walia

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24 Khat: Letters That Were Never Posted

It is the year 1947. The prolonged colonial occupation has finally ended but the subcontinent will be divided in two separate nations — Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.

In a small town of Amritsar, a library will be partitioned as well. Amarjeet, the librarian is caught between the whirlwind of emotions when he finds out that the library's books will also be divided between two nations. And he has to decided the fate of the book. 

How will the story unfold? Tune in to find out in this episode.

About The Podcast

Stories are at the core of our living – we all love to hear stories but we also take refuge in the world of stories through the characters that we hear about, read and watch.

We laugh when they laugh, feel their pain when they are sad and their first love... well, that reminds us of our own.

My name is Alif and I am a storyteller, and Qisse Kahaniyaan is my attempt to bring you some such memories wrapped in words, dressed in sound, and juiced with nostalgia and memories.

Voiceover and Production: Athar Rather
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Librarian Part 1: Of Books, Freedom and Partition

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