Talk With Ritu: Tripura’s first female-hosted podcast; a must on your playlist

Agartala Jan 20: The podcast trend is gradually catching up in Tripura, emerging as a powerful platform to expand conversations about crucial issues across all sectors, from social justice and feminism to amplifying women’s voices. Beyond these significant discussions, podcasts also provide a delightful mix of entertainment and fun facts, making them an all-encompassing medium for both edification and enjoyment.

“Talk With Ritu”: Tripura’s first female-hosted podcast by Rituparna Bhattacharjee is doing the same.

Here are some fascinating insights taken from an exclusive interview with Rituparna, where she delves into her inspiring journey and sheds light on the topics close to her heart.

Tripura’s first female-run podcast which has certainly caught the eyes of many. Why and how did you feel like starting this?

As 2022 drew to a close, I found myself watching various podcasts on social media, pondering the idea of starting one locally. Some days later, I felt a surge of motivation to take the plunge myself. I discussed the idea with many intellectual persons, and later with my husband, Shubhrangshu Bhattacharjee. With his support, we slowly began, though it was no easy feat. Indeed, it became the first women's podcast channel in our state. Previously, while I had done anchoring, I had never thought so much about being a host.

How would you describe your interviewing style and how has it evolved over time?

Indeed, everything requires effort! When I compare my podcasts to those from other states, I find that I have a lot to learn, improve and grow further.

Any challenging situation during an ongoing interview session that you handled and how did you navigate it?

Absolutely, you can see the journey if you watch the initial podcasts. During the initial days, anything new comes with its fair share of obstacles. Though I had experience with sound and camera work, the world of podcasts was entirely new to me. However, my team is my strength, and without them, I might not have been able to take on and overcome this challenge.

How do you choose your topics and invite interviewers? Having answered that being the first of its kind in Tripura, how do the people you call for a session react to?

During preliminary days, it was quite challenging to explain what a podcast is, especially since many people in Tripura weren't familiar with the concept. Inviting guests was particularly troublesome because the idea of podcasts was still new to them. However, things have changed now.

I make a conscious effort to ensure that my guests feel truly welcomed and valued. Those who have participated in my podcasts so far appreciate and love me for my warm and hospitable behaviour.

Having completed more than 1 year and a good number of episodes, what strategies do you employ to engage your audience and keep them coming back to watch more of it?

Completing one year was no easy feat. I faced numerous challenges, with financial issues being the toughest, especially since I’m the founder myself.

However, thanks to my incredibly supportive team and with a little divine blessing, we persevered. And now, as I mentioned, the audience understands what 'Talk with Ritu' is all about and continues to show their love and support.

A guest, expert in his field and you being quite unfamiliar with it. How do you carry out the interview then?

Firstly, let me say that I always make it a point to thoroughly research and make the guests whom I invite understand the background and whereabouts of the topic. It's important for me to be well-informed as well. We always have conversations with our guests before the interview to ensure everything flows smoothly and the audience is never left confused.

Vague responses or not interested in answering your questions, what will you do to handle the situation with your guest?

We always discuss the topics off-camera to ensure our guests feel comfortable. For instance, we clarify which questions are suitable beforehand. However, we've had many courageous guests on our podcast who are unafraid to tackle challenging questions. Their fearless approach enlightens our audience and adds depth to our discussions.

Would you like to describe any situation when you were criticized for the podcast you are doing?

Starting a podcast in Tripura is still quite challenging. You need to be determined and stay grounded, no matter what happens. Abandoning the field is not an option. A podcast isn't just an interview; it's about diving deep into a topic. Podcasters' careers are different from bloggers. Both require distinct skills. If you're talking about channels and pages, you must continue working hard. My dedication to my work will earn me the audience's respect and support.

With a number of bloggers these days, thousands of views, number of channels and pages, where do you see Talk with Ritu in the coming days?

I can envision 'Talk with Ritu' reaching audiences worldwide. There’s no task beyond a person’s capability, and I believe I can achieve this too.