EK
Person
Ekta Kapoor
Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms
Ekta Kapoor is a prominent Indian television and film producer, director, and businesswoman who has profoundly influenced the landscape of Indian media and entertainment. Often referred to as the Queen of Indian Television, she is the Joint Managing Director and Creative Director of Balaji Telefilms, a production house she co-founded with her parents, Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor, in 1994. Kapoor revolutionized Indian television in the early 2000s by introducing a new genre of family dramas, popularly known as K-serials, which became cultural phenomena and dominated television ratings for years. Landmark shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Kasautii Zindagii Kay redefined prime-time entertainment in India. Beyond television, she expanded her footprint into mainstream Hindi cinema through Balaji Motion Pictures, producing successful and critically acclaimed films such as Love Sex Aur Dhokha, The Dirty Picture, and Udta Punjab. In 2017, she ventured into the digital streaming space by launching the over-the-top platform ALTBalaji, catering to diverse audiences with original web series. For her outstanding contributions to the arts and entertainment industry, Kapoor was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2020. In 2023, she became the first Indian filmmaker to receive the prestigious International Emmy Directorate Award at the 51st International Emmy Awards, solidifying her status as a global pioneer in creative content production.
Media
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Peter Thiel
Co-founder of PayPal · Founder of Palantir & Founders Fund
Peter Andreas Thiel is a German-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and conservative political activist. He co-founded PayPal in 1998, Palantir Technologies in 2003, and Founders Fund in 2005. He was the first outside investor in Facebook, purchasing a 10.2% stake for $500,000 in 2004. Born in Frankfurt, Germany on October 11, 1967.
Business
Person
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Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was an Indian stateswoman who served as the prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was India's first and only female prime minister,
Indira Gandhi was an Indian stateswoman who served as the prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was India's first and only female prime minister, and a central figure in Indian politics as the leader of the Indian National Congress (INC). She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, and the mother of Rajiv Gandhi, who succeeded her as prime minister. Her cumulative tenure of 15 years and 350 days makes her the second-longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father.
Political
Person
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Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi was an Indian politician and pilot who served as the prime minister of India from 1984 to 1989 for two terms.
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was an Indian politician and pilot who served as the prime minister of India from 1984 to 1989 for two terms. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then–prime minister Indira Gandhi, to become the youngest Indian prime minister at the age of 40. He served until his defeat at the 1989 election, and then became Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, resigning in December 1990, six months before his own assassination.
Political
Person
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Droupadi Murmu
President of India
Droupadi Murmu is the 15th President of India, having taken office on 25 July 2022. Born on 20 June 1958 into a Santhal tribal family in Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, she overcame poverty to become the first woman from her village to earn a college degree, graduating in Political Science and Economics from Ramadevi Women's College, Bhubaneswar. She began her career as a junior assistant in Odisha's Irrigation and Power Department before working as an honorary teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur. Entering politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1997, she served as a councillor and later Vice-Chairperson of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat, then as a two-term Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly (2000-2009), holding ministerial portfolios in Commerce & Transport and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development. In 2015, she became Governor of Jharkhand, the first woman and first tribal person to hold that post, serving until 2021. In 2022, the BJP-led NDA nominated her as its presidential candidate, and she won the election decisively against opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha, becoming India's first President from a tribal community, the second woman president after Pratibha Patil, and the first president born after India's independence. Murmu has faced significant personal tragedy, losing her husband Shyam Charan Murmu and both her sons. She remains an advocate for tribal welfare, education, and women's empowerment.
Political
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MD
Person
MS Dhoni
Former Captain of the Indian National Cricket Team
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, widely known as MS Dhoni, is a legendary former captain of the Indian national cricket team. Under his leadership, India achieved unparalleled success, clinching the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the only captain in cricket history to win all three ICC white-ball trophies. Known for his exceptionally calm demeanor under pressure, sharp tactical acumen, and lightning-fast wicketkeeping, Dhoni earned the beloved moniker Captain Cool. He debuted for the Indian team in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the greatest finishers in limited-overs cricket. His career is defined by legendary match-winning innings, remarkable glovework behind the stumps, and a unique leadership style that earned the trust of veterans and youngsters alike. Dhoni's legacy extends beyond the pitch, as his humble beginnings in Ranchi inspired a generation of small-town athletes to dream big on the global stage. In the Indian Premier League, Dhoni has been the iconic face of the Chennai Super Kings since its inception in 2008, leading the franchise to five titles. Outside of cricket, he holds the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army and has been awarded India's highest sporting and civilian honors, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the Padma Shri, and the Padma Bhushan. He officially retired from international cricket in August 2020, leaving behind a monumental legacy that continues to inspire millions of athletes worldwide.
Sports
Person
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Neetu Singh
Veteran Indian Actress
Neetu Singh, also known by her married name Neetu Kapoor, is a celebrated Indian actress who established herself as a leading figure in Hindi cinema during the late 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. She began her acting career at the tender age of eight as a child artist under the pseudonym Baby Sonia, appearing in notable films like Suraj and Do Kaliyaan. Singh made her debut as a lead actress in 1973 with the film Rikshawala and subsequently went on to star in over 50 films, becoming renowned for her lively screen presence, exceptional dancing skills, and natural acting style. She is particularly famous for her iconic on-screen pairing and real-life marriage with the legendary late actor Rishi Kapoor. Together, they delivered several box office hits including Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Do Dooni Chaar. Following her wedding in 1980, she retired from active acting to focus on raising her children, actor Ranbir Kapoor and designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahni. Decades later, she made a triumphant return to cinema, appearing in films like Love Aaj Kal, Do Dooni Chaar, and the 2022 family comedy-drama Jugjugg Jeeyo. Singh continues to remain an influential and respected figure in the Indian entertainment industry.
Media
Person
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Kailash Nadh
Chief Technology Officer, Zerodha
Dr. Kailash Nadh is an Indian software developer, open-source advocate, and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Zerodha, India's largest retail stockbroker. Born in Allahabad and raised in Kerala, Nadh developed a deep fascination with electronics and programming during his adolescence. He pursued higher education at Middlesex University in London, earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science followed by a PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Linguistics. In 2013, Nadh joined Zerodha to establish and lead its in-house technology team. Under his technical leadership, the company built its highly scalable trading platform, Kite, from scratch. Nadh is widely recognized for scaling Zerodha's infrastructure using an exceptionally lean engineering team and prioritizing self-hosted, free, and open-source software (FOSS) over proprietary vendor architectures. Aside from his corporate role, Nadh is an active contributor to the global software commons, having created listmonk, a widely adopted self-hosted mailing list manager. He actively fosters the developer ecosystem in India as a co-founder of the FOSS United Foundation and spearheads Zerodha's FLOSS/fund, a million-dollar global initiative supporting open-source software sustainability.
Technology
Person
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Person
Anupam Kher
Acclaimed Indian Actor and Former Chairman of FTII
Anupam Kher is a highly acclaimed Indian actor, director, and producer who has made a significant mark in both Hindi cinema and international projects. Born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Kher began his acting career in theater before transitioning to film. He made his acting debut in the 1984 film Saaransh, delivering a breakthrough performance as an elderly father grieving his son's death, which won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Over a career spanning four decades, Kher has appeared in over 500 films in multiple languages. He is celebrated for his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between comic, dramatic, and villainous roles. His notable Indian films include Ram Lakhan, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, A Wednesday!, and The Kashmir Files. Internationally, he has appeared in acclaimed projects such as Bend It Like Beckham, Silver Linings Playbook, and the NBC medical drama series New Amsterdam. Beyond acting, Kher served as the Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India and the Central Board of Film Certification. He was honored by the Government of India with the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contributions to the arts. He is also the founder of the prominent acting school Actor Prepares.
Media
Person