Rudraneil Sengupta on Kushti, The Phogats & The Deadly Side of Delhi.

In this powerful episode of Cyrus Says, journalist and author Rudraneil Sengupta joins Cyrus to talk about his deeply researched book The Beast Within, which explores the raw, real world of Indian wrestling and the socio-cultural landscape that surrounds it.

From the akhadas of Haryana to the rise of female wrestlers like the Phogats, Rudraneil shares what it was like to witness a society where women in veils live alongside girls training in wrestling singlets — a striking portrait of tradition clashing with progress. He also recounts stories of Chandgi Ram and the early days of resistance to women’s wrestling, leading to the eventual rise of Mahavir Phogat and his daughters.
The conversation also touches on sexual misconduct scandals, the resilience of women athletes in the face of fear, and what we can learn about culture by truly immersing ourselves in it.
Rudraneil also opens up about the darker realities he uncovered while writing the book — stories of missing children, ineffective policing, and the silent heroes fighting to make a difference. With vivid characters like Meera and ACP Sophia, and insights into gymnastics, Virat Kohli, this episode is both wide-ranging and deeply rooted in truth.

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