IVM Podcasts launches Pehla Pehla with Gopal Datt and Zakir Khan

MUMBAI: Every blockbuster has an opening scene, and every remarkable life has a memorable first. IVM Podcasts is betting that the stories before the spotlight are often the ones worth hearing the most.

IVM Podcasts has expanded its original programming slate with the launch of Pehla Pehla, a new weekly video and audio podcast hosted by actor, writer and comedian Gopal Datt, with comedian and storyteller Zakir Khan headlining the debut episode.

The new series shifts the focus away from polished success stories to the moments that shape them, inviting guests to revisit their first jobs, first failures, first heartbreaks, first breakthroughs and the people who left a lasting imprint on their lives.

Known for his performances in Delhi Crime, TVF Pitchers, The Office (India), Filmistaan and Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Gopal Datt takes on the role of host, steering candid conversations that blend humour, nostalgia and personal reflection.

Launching the series, Zakir Khan opens up about his childhood, family and formative experiences, recalling how he helped build the family home with his own hands and how growing up in a household steeped in classical music shaped his creative journey. He speaks about mornings filled with the sounds of the sarangi, tabla and sitar, visits to Akashvani recordings, and the constant presence of musicians at home, offering listeners a glimpse into the environment that nurtured his artistic instincts.

The podcast is designed as a long-form conversation format, with each episode exploring the defining “firsts” that have influenced personalities from entertainment, sports, entrepreneurship, literature and popular culture.

Speaking about the show, Gopal Datt said the idea was to revisit the experiences that continue to stay with people long after success arrives, adding that Zakir Khan was the ideal guest to begin the journey because of his openness and storytelling style.

The launch also reflects IVM Podcasts’ broader push to strengthen India’s premium podcast ecosystem through original, long-form programming centred on authentic conversations rather than conventional celebrity interviews.

The first episode of Pehla Pehla, featuring Zakir Khan, is now available on the IVM Pop YouTube channel and major audio streaming platforms. New episodes will be released every Wednesday, with a fresh line-up of guests sharing the moments that shaped their lives before the spotlight found them.