A random thought came to me why do I love watching interviews more than most other shows?

I love it because there, I see people’s perspectives on everything how they view their life, career, what they think about spirituality, how they treat their soul, how they handle their emotions, how funny they are, the happiness, the grief, and everything in between.

Finally, I understood I feel for people. It feeds my inner world.

When I watch them, I stand in their place. I absorb their emotions.

I find answers from them.

I heal, I feel, and I restart.

Sometimes, I write notes to people for their unanswered questions.

I know when they’re telling the truth.

I know when they’re acting happy.

I observe people.

I see patterns.

I learn.

Interviews are not just entertainment.

They’re therapy sessions I never knew I needed.

They help me understand people.

And sometimes, understand myself.

I love to see how people rise and transform themselves through pain, falls, and setbacks.

Jane Fonda beautifully explained the importance of female friendships. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone express it so beautifully, passionately, and respectfully. From her, I learned to be an intentional friend. I don’t hesitate to approach people if I want them in my life. When she said, “When you want to be someone’s friend, you should say I want to be your friend intentionally,” I heard it with my heart. Being friends unknowingly is cool. But when someone says, “I intentionally want to be your friend,” it means they want you as you are with your heart, mistakes, happiness, insecurities, and all. And that’s what matters most.

I love Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie. Every time I watch them, I feel that’s the kind of woman I want to become, compassionate and strong. The way they respond, the clarity in their thought, the art they choose it inspires me to pause, listen, and rise.

Mohanlal’s interviews introduced me to Osho. I love the way he addresses his children, how he handles criticism, and how beautifully he protects and respects his co actors. A few things I’ve learned from his interviews, detached attachment, and that being calm and kind isn’t always about people pleasing it’s about making people feel comfortable in any circumstance. That’s rare. Making people feel comfortable is not easy.

Mammootty his knowledge about everything he loves stands out. Anyone can say, “I love this or that,” but loving something deeply and knowing everything about it? That’s different. That’s what stays with me, love, knowingly. Also, the way he gives time to his family and shows his funnier side it’s so endearing.

Anumol made me think about myself, and it made me proud. As a child and as a woman, I’m so proud of the things I’ve done in my life. Her Anuyatra inspired me to show up on Instagram not as a brand, but as myself. Of course, I restart my life the moment I feel it. I don’t believe we get only one restart we can restart as many times as we want. Because of Anumol, I’ve started enjoying the simplicity in simpleness. Her views on life, her way of living, embracing herself and those around her. She’s moving forward with everything she loves and preserves. It felt like she and her surroundings are growing together. Women like her are precious. I don’t believe it’s easy to choose what we truly want when there are so many options and opportunities. That kind of clarity needs courage.

Shobana’s interview was an eye opener. It made me realise that we don’t need to answer every question just to seem well-mannered. Saying “no” isn’t rude or difficult it’s honest.

Arundhati Roy is someone I never miss listening to. The line that stuck with me the most was, “Who wants an unbroken heart? I don’t. Mine is shattered.” That’s where I paused and stayed. When she said, “Why do we want to know everything?” I felt like she was voicing something I always believed. I’ve never felt that knowing everything made me feel better it just satisfied the greed of my brain. But knowing the basics matters. Because if I don’t know who my neighbour is, knowing about Trump doesn’t really matter.

Ranjini Haridas a true gem. A woman with a voice a strong one. Even when I differ from her certain views, her strength remains inspiring. “Be like Ranjini” would be my forever slogan.

Suchitra Lal I watched her interview with Rekha a few months ago. A woman with passion. I first clicked on it because she’s Mohanlal’s wife. The interviewers, too, probably invited her for that reason. But as I watched, I realised she is someone the world should know in her own name not just as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, of someone. She’s a woman with real talent. Suchi Lal’s greeting card collections are beautiful. I truly hope she starts selling them. I’d love to own a card that feels like a hug.

Jayalalitha’s interviews are my favourites.. especially the one with Simi Garewal. The Karan Thapar interview thrilled me. What can I say about her? A woman of intelligence and passion. Whenever I think of her, one thing always comes to mind, When you’re doing something, be the best in that.

Shashi Tharoor’s interviews give me goosebumps. They make me greedy to read, study, and expand my views. Inspired by him, in 2016, I read 300 books in a year.

Since childhood, I’ve admired Santhosh George Kulangara. In one interview, he spoke about social media and its trends. What he said was so true, “When you be or create something less standard than what actually matters, that’s what becomes the trend on social media.” I couldn’t agree more.

Some interviews also taught me what kind of person I never want to be and I should never want in my life, even if I truly love their art, their humour, or their talent.

Others left behind traces of courage, humour, vulnerability, or fierce intelligence I now carry in me.

For the world, they may just be interviews.

But for me, they’re fragments of souls I’ve cherished.

They’re mirrors, maps, and medicine.

People I’ll never meet but whose stories I’ll carry.

I carry a few parts of certain humans with me.

And slowly, I become more of me. ❤️