IVM Podcasts, one of India’s pioneering podcast networks, today announced the launch of Pehla Pehla, a brand-new weekly video and audio podcast hosted by acclaimed actor, writer and comedian Gopal Datt, best known for his memorable performances in Delhi Crime, TVF Pitchers, The Office (India), Filmistaan, and Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge. Kicking off the series is one of India’s most loved storytellers and comedians, Zakir Khan, who joins Gopal for an intimate conversation that revisits the defining “firsts” that shaped his life and career.
Built around the idea that every extraordinary journey begins with an unforgettable first, Pehla Pehla takes listeners beyond success stories and into the moments that truly define a person. From first jobs and first heartbreaks to first failures, first breakthroughs and the people who changed their lives forever, every episode promises candid conversations filled with humour, nostalgia, vulnerability and life lessons.
Known for bringing warmth, wit and authenticity to performances across Delhi Crime, TVF Pitchers, The Office (India), and numerous theatre productions, Gopal Datt brings that same effortless storytelling to Pehla Pehla, creating a space where guests revisit memories and milestones audiences have rarely heard before.
Launching the series is Zakir Khan, whose conversation is equal parts hilarious, emotional and deeply personal as he reflects on the experiences that shaped the artist he is today.
Zakir opens up about his house saying, “Let me tell you something interesting about that house. It was built while I was living there. And that house was not made with just love, but with our labour too. We needed four labourers, we hired only three. One is the eldest son. They all contributed but I did most of the work. So I know how to mix material.”
Talking about music he said,”My earliest memory of music is from our home in Bombay Bazaar. We grew up surrounded by music. Every morning, around five or six, an elderly sarangi maestro just a few years away from retirement would sit and play. Five young boys were being trained in the house, students would come to learn, and everyone would wait eagerly for their turn once he finished. Some days it would be the tabla for hours, other days the sitar or the sarangi. Once or twice a week, we’d visit Akashvani for recordings, where legendary artists and ghazal singers would perform. Many of them would also visit our home because Ustad Moinuddin Khan was so respected. We had guests over for meals almost every day. I was surrounded by music in every possible way.”
Speaking about the show, Gopal Datt said, “Every person has a story, but it’s often their first experiences that stay with them forever. Pehla Pehla is about going back to those moments, the ones that shaped who we are. I couldn’t have asked for a better first guest than Zakir. The conversation is funny, honest and incredibly human, and I hope audiences see a side of him they haven’t before.”
Amit Doshi, Head, IVM Podcasts at Pratilipi, said, “At IVM Podcasts, we believe the best conversations are the ones that stay with audiences long after they’ve ended. With Pehla Pehla, we’re building a weekly franchise around authentic, long-form storytelling that is deeply personal, universally relatable, and led by remarkable voices. We’re excited to see it become a destination for meaningful conversations.”
Kavita Rajwade, Co-founder, IVM Podcasts, said, “Everyone remembers their firsts, they’re the moments that shape who we become. Pehla Pehla was born from that simple idea: to create honest, heartfelt conversations that go beyond achievements and reveal the stories behind the person. Gopal Datt brings incredible warmth to the format, and Zakir Khan was the perfect guest to begin this journey.”
With a new episode releasing every week, Pehla Pehla will feature an exciting lineup of guests from across entertainment, sports, entrepreneurship, literature and popular culture, each bringing their own unique life experiences and untold stories to the microphone.
The series reinforces IVM Podcasts’ commitment to creating original, culture-defining conversations while expanding the landscape of premium Indian podcasting through compelling long-form storytelling.
The first episode, featuring Zakir Khan, is now streaming on the IVM Pop YouTube channel and all major audio streaming platforms, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday.
