MF Chronicles by Vikaas M Sachdeva

About MF Chronicles by Vikaas M Sachdeva

How did an industry no one knew thirty years ago grow to nearly ₹80 lakh crore today? MF Chronicles traces this extraordinary transformation, exploring three decades of India’s mutual fund journey through candid conversations with the people who built it. The series moves through the early years after liberalisation, the expansion phase of the 2000s, and the digital, democratised era that followed - mapping how an unfamiliar concept slowly became one of India’s most trusted financial pillars. Across nine episodes, the show brings together CEOs, CIOs, regulators, product creators, distributors, advisors, and industry innovators to reveal the real stories behind India’s investing culture. Their decisions, challenges, experiments, and breakthroughs form the core of this narrative - not as data points, but as lived experiences. Through long-form, honest discussions, MF Chronicles uncovers how trust was built, how categories were created, how crises were navigated, and how mutual funds became accessible to millions of Indians. The series blends personal journeys with industry insight to offer listeners a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how India learned to invest. Fresh episodes drop every alternate Tuesday. Concept and Hosted by Vikaas M Sachdeva Marketed and Produced by Blue Quill Communications and Kya Dekhte Ho Productions Supported by Chetana's Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

Publisher

Vikaas M Sachdeva

Category

business · education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Nov 2025

Latest episode

11 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Vivek Reddy: How India’s First Mutual Funds Began | Kothari Pioneer AMC | MF Chronicles

   Let’s be the first mutual fund in India.” That simple ambition, born out of youthful energy and a belief in an opportunity no one had explored, would go on to shape India's private mutual fund industry. Vivek Reddy was at the helm of Kothari Pioneer when it launched India's first private-sector mutual fund. But being first was only the beginning. From building an open-ended fund and putting investors at the centre to creating a culture of innovation and eventually walking away from the business, Vivek’s journey offers a rare look at what it takes to build an industry from the ground up. We get into: • Why the opening of mutual funds to the private sector looked like an incredible opportunity • The youthful energy and competitive spirit that drove him to be first • Building India's first open-ended mutual fund when there was no playbook • Why customer centricity, transparency and faster access to money mattered from day one • How innovation became part of Kothari Pioneer's DNA • What the Templeton acquisition taught him about building, selling and moving on • Why he believes the industry has focused too much on asset gathering and too little on capital allocation • What needs to change in investment research and decision-making for mutual funds to create greater value What makes this conversation particularly interesting is the perspective that comes with having seen an industry before it had a name, and then watching it become one of India's largest financial ecosystems. Vivek Reddy's story ultimately comes down to curiosity, conviction and the willingness to question what everyone else takes for granted. Recommended for: Investors, mutual fund professionals, financial advisors, research analysts, finance students, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the people, ideas and decisions that shaped India's mutual fund industry. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva)---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 — Presented By 00:05 — Trailer 01:41 — Disclaimer 01:46 — Introduction 02:58 — Vivek’s Day-to-Day Life 06:29 — Why Did India Need Mutual Funds? 09:53 — India’s Reality Then 11:32 — The Origin of Kothari Pioneer 16:27 — The Story of 1993 26:31 — Why an Open-Ended Fund? 29:48 — The NAV Leap of Faith 36:06 — The Adaptability Factor 40:49 — Thematic Funds Stroke 44:18 — The Templeton Acquisition 47:39 — Life After the Acquisition 52:19 — The Rear-View Mirror 01:01:29 — The Components of a Champion 01:03:03 — The Future of Indian Mutual Funds 01:07:56 — Outro 01:09:31 — End Credits [Vivek Reddy, Vivek Reddy interview, Vivek Reddy MF Chronicles, Vivek Reddy mutual funds, Vivek Reddy Kothari Pioneer, Kothari Pioneer mutual fund, Kothari Pioneer AMC, first private mutual fund in India, India’s first private sector mutual fund, first open-ended mutual fund India, history of mutual funds in India, Indian mutual fund history, origin of mutual funds in India, private mutual funds India]

2. 

   28 Jul 2026

   KN Sivasubramanian: One of India's Earliest Fund Managers | Kothari Pioneer | MF Chronicles

   "Great investing isn't about chasing markets. It's about questioning them." Before mutual funds became mainstream, there were a handful of people building the industry from scratch. KN Sivasubramanian was one of them. From joining Kothari Pioneer as a Research Analyst to becoming Chief Investment Officer at Franklin Templeton India, his journey mirrors the evolution of India's mutual fund industry itself. We get into: Why skepticism became his greatest investing advantage Building India's first private mutual fund when there was no playbook The thinking behind launching India's first IT mutual fund Why he cut IT exposure before the dot-com crash despite severe underperformance How "making fewer mistakes" became his framework for long-term wealth creation Why information is no longer a fund manager's edge and judgment matters more than ever His candid views on active vs passive investing, AI, and the future of fund management How he thinks investors should approach the next decade of wealth creation The biggest takeaway from this conversation isn't the beginning of an era, a sector, or a market. It's a way of thinking. In a world where information is available to everyone, lasting investing edge comes from asking better questions, staying patient, and having the conviction to think differently. Recommended for: Investors, mutual fund professionals, financial advisors, research analysts, finance students, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how one of India's most respected CIOs thinks about markets, investing, and decision-making. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:02 Trailer 01:32 Disclaimer 01:37 Introduction 02:13 The Big Shift 04:13 Kothari Pioneer 06:45 First Principles 09:09 Competitive Edge 11:12 Analytical Mindset 13:30 Hiring Great Talent 15:46 India's First IT Fund 18:27 Thematic Investing 25:11 Managing Expectations 27:07 Risk Guardrails 29:03 Joining Franklin 36:57 Franklin Learnings 38:45 Power of Consistency 41:12 Investment Landscape 43:52 Then vs Now 45:54 Efficiency vs Judgement 50:49 Predictability 53:17 AI & Investing 1:04:41 India on Global Stage 1:08:47 Final Advice 1:11:21 Outro 1:12:43 End Credits [Mutual Fund Podcast, MF Chronicles, Investing Podcast, Indian Mutual Funds, Fund Management, Mutual Fund Industry, KN Sivasubramanian, Kothari Pioneer, Franklin Templeton India, Active Investing, Value Investing, Investment Philosophy, Long-Term Investing, Stock Market India, Asset Management, Portfolio Management, Financial Education, Investing in India]

3. 

   14 Jul 2026

   Sanjiv Shah & Rajan Mehta: Building India's ETF Story | Benchmark AMC | MF Chronicles

   "Nobody has to push passive. The data will talk for itself." Long before ETFs became mainstream, Sanjiv Shah and Rajan Mehta bet on an idea that very few believed in. They didn't just build India's first ETF - they helped lay the foundation for passive investing in the country. We get into: Why they believed it was nearly impossible to consistently beat the market The entrepreneurial journey behind launching India's first ETF How Nifty BeES, Gold BeES and Liquid BeES changed the industry Why passive investing took years to find acceptance in India The incentive problem that shaped active investing How EPFO and institutions accelerated ETF adoption The biggest myths around passive investing What they would build if they were starting all over again What stayed with me was that the biggest ideas don't begin with consensus. They begin with conviction. Recommended for: Investors, financial advisors, mutual fund professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how conviction can create an entirely new category. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:55 Disclaimer 01:59 Introduction 03:53 Why Passive Investing? 06:01 The History of ETFs in India 07:16 Why They Believed in ETFs 09:11 Why ETFs Didn't Take Off 10:53 Finding the First ETF Investors 15:23 India's First Gold ETF 16:33 How Gold ETFs Actually Work 18:38 Total Return Index (TRI) Explained 20:42 Active vs Passive Investing 25:09 Mid-Cap Funds vs Passive Investing 27:26 Why Benchmark AMC Was Sold 30:57 The Story of Liquid BeES 34:41 Real Stories Behind ETFs 36:42 How ETF Market Making Works 41:32 Convincing EPFO to Invest in ETFs 44:54 ETF Myths Busted 50:45 India vs Global ETF Markets 52:45 Advice for New Entrepreneurs 54:32 Audience Q&A 54:39 Q1: Biggest ETF Risk 55:06 Q2: Safest ETF to Invest In? 55:45 Q3: Future of Passive Investing 56:28 Q4: Advice for Young Investors 57:18 Closing Thoughts 57:55 End Credits [Sanjiv Shah, Rajan Mehta, Benchmark AMC, MF Chronicles, ETF, Exchange Traded Fund, Passive Investing, Index Investing, Nifty BeES, Gold BeES, Liquid BeES, India's First ETF, Active vs Passive Investing, Mutual Funds, ETF Investing, Gold ETF, Total Return Index, TRI, Market Efficiency, EPFO, Product Innovation, Financial Markets, Investing in India, Benchmark Asset Management ]

4. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Nilesh Shah: The Man Who Watched Mutual Funds Grow Up | MF Chronicles with Vikaas M Sachdeva

   "Every crisis leaves a scar. The best ones leave a lesson." When I sat down with Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra AMC. I wasn't looking for market predictions or investment ideas. I wanted to understand something deeper: how India's mutual fund industry evolved through crises, mistakes, reforms and reinvention. Nilesh has had a front-row seat to some of the most defining moments in Indian investing. We get into: • Why the Unit 64 crisis became a turning point for Indian mutual funds • What it was like when investors wouldn't even allow private mutual fund managers into the room • How SEBI transformed a financial "Wild West" into a regulated ecosystem • The leadership lesson behind building processes instead of relying on star performers • Why some fund managers chose to lose AUM rather than mislead investors • How transparency became more important than performance • The real story behind Flexi Cap funds and scheme rationalisation • Why trust remains the industry's most valuable asset What stayed with me after this conversation was a simple thought: trust wasn't built through bull markets. It was built through difficult moments, tough decisions and the willingness to learn from mistakes. Perhaps that's why every crisis ended up making the industry stronger. Recommended for: Investors, fund managers, distributors, regulators, and anyone who believes that the story behind an industry is often more valuable than the products it sells. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented by 00:05 Trailer 01:37 Disclaimer 01:42 Introduction 02:25 Early Days 03:20 Unit 64 Crisis 06:11 Perception Mismatch 15:05 Open Door Regulations 24:05 Transparency 29:38 Distributors Check 34:21 NFO myth 38:25 Cost of Mutual Fund 42:36 Adaptation 48:55 Noise vs Impact 51:35 Sources to follow 52:28 What NOT to do 55:40 Outro 56:02 Endslate [Nilesh Shah, Nilesh Shah Kotak, Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, Kotak AMC, MF Chronicles, Vikaas M Sachdeva, Mutual Funds, Mutual Fund Industry India, SIP, SIP Investment, Systematic Investment Plan, Unit 64, UTI Crisis, SEBI Regulations, SEBI Reforms, Investor Education, Investor Awareness, Personal Finance, Wealth Management, Asset Allocation, Financial Planning, Stock Market India, Investing Podcast, Finance Podcast India, Mutual Fund Podcast, Financial Advisor, Distributor Model, Flexi Cap Funds, Multi Cap Funds, Floating Rate Fund, Franklin Templeton India, Market History India, Retail Investing India, Long Term Investing, Investor Psychology, Trust and Transparency, Indian Economy, Wealth Creation India, Portfolio Management, Financial Literacy India]

5. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Kenneth Andrade: The Mid-Cap Mogul | Old Bridge Capital | MF Chronicles

   "The stock price determines the narrative of the street." These words. Decades of investing wisdom. Kenneth Andrade has spent most of his career looking where others aren't. Before he became one of India's most respected mid-cap investors, he was a journalist studying businesses one report, one IPO and one industry at a time. His investing philosophy is surprisingly simple: when everyone is looking in one direction, start asking what they're missing. We get into: The transition from journalism to investing Why mid-caps became India's discovery engine What the dot-com bubble taught him How to think about market cycles Why dominant businesses survive downturns Active vs passive investing The psychology of underperformance Where he sees opportunity today The biggest takeaway isn't about mid-caps. It's about curiosity, patience and surviving long enough to be right. Recommended for: Investors, fund managers, finance students, equity researchers, CFA aspirants, and anyone trying to build conviction in an increasingly noisy market. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:04 Trailer 01:35 Disclaimer 01:38 Mid-Cap Origins 03:57 The Journey 06:10 Journalist to Investor 09:04 First Investment 09:49 Finding Winners 11:12 Mid-Cap Growth 13:23 Growth Cycles 16:44 Investor Mindset 20:36 Reality Check 21:51 Investment Framework 29:23 Promoter Profile 32:02 Industry Cycles 34:20 Investment Filters 35:23 Reading Signals 37:19 Staying Consistent 40:53 Performance Pressure 43:51 Risk Management 45:31 Exit Decisions 47:43 Active vs Passive 50:17 Future Outlook 52:16 AI & Investing 53:54 Audience Q&A 53:58 Spotting Bargains 55:27 Macro Trends 56:39 Lessons Learned 57:19 Final Thoughts 57:47 End Credits [Kenneth Andrade, Kenneth Andrade podcast, Kenneth Andrade interview, MF Chronicles, mid cap investing, mid cap stocks India, mutual fund investing, stock market investing India, value investing India, active investing, passive investing, active vs passive investing, stock market podcast, investing podcast India, wealth creation, long term investing, portfolio management, investment strategy, equity investing, stock picking, market cycles, business cycles, investor mindset, alpha generation, mutual fund manager, fund manager interview, investing lessons, stock market education, Indian stock market, investment philosophy]

6. 

   19 May 2026

   Sundeep Sikka: The Man Who Backed ETFs | Nippon India | MF Chronicles

   “Why beat the market… when you can simply access it?” For years, ETFs in India quietly stayed in the background while active investing took centre stage. But somewhere along the way, passive investing stopped being an alternative and started becoming infrastructure. My conversation with Sundeep Sikka, ED & CEO of Nippon India Mutual Fund, goes far beyond ETFs. We spoke about conviction, investor behaviour, scale, and why some of the biggest shifts in investing happen slowly… until suddenly everyone notices them. We get into: ● Why India took time to accept ETFs ● The Goldman Sachs acquisition and the early passive bet ● How ₹6,000 crore became ₹2.26 lakh crore ● Why ETF growth is really a story of behaviour change ● Gold ETFs, demat accounts, and post-Covid retail participation ● The philosophy of “profit is a byproduct” ● Why risk management is an invisible parachute ● Active vs Passive and why both will coexist Some conversations explain products. This one explains how investing culture changes. The episode starts with ETFs, but somewhere along the way, it becomes a conversation about how India builds wealth. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:24 Disclaimer 01:27 Passive Investing Rise 03:06 Selling ETFs Early 05:34 Goldman Sachs Deal 08:01 Betting on Trends 10:07 Passive Investing Boom 11:53 EPFO Enters ETFs 14:08 CPSE ETF Partnership 15:14 Institutional ETF Push 16:52 Retail ETF Journey 20:16 Why Back ETFs? 28:04 Active vs Passive 30:26 Distributor Dynamics 32:07 Rise of FOFs 33:39 Risk Management Philosophy 36:41 Sundeep’s Philosophy 41:22 Understanding Tracking Error 42:31 Dominant ETF Types 45:31 India vs Global Investors 50:11 Audience Q&A 50:16 Investing at Highs 51:52 Reaching Young Investors 54:21 Importance of Allocation 55:24 First-Time Investing 57:10 Final Thoughts 58:03 End Credits [ETFs, Passive Investing, Sundeep Sikka, Nippon India Mutual Fund, MF Chronicles, Index Funds, Investing India, Mutual Funds India, Retail Investing, Wealth Creation, Financialisation, Active vs Passive, Gold ETFs, Risk Management, Investor Behaviour, Demat Accounts, Long Term Investing, Indian Markets, ETF Investing, India Growth Story]

7. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Navneet Munnot: The Man Who Saw It All | HDFC AMC | MF Chronicles

   When your money could double in 5 years back in those days… why would you take market risk?It’s easy to forget that this was once the norm. To really understand that shift, I spoke to Navneet Munot, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC AMC. There was a time when you didn’t need markets to make money. 14% was normal, debt did the job, and equity felt unnecessary. From that world to today’s world of SIP culture - let’s understand how India’s relationship with markets actually evolved. We get into: Why equity was a tough sell in the 90s How debt funds brought the first wave of investors What actually built trust over time The shift from institutions to everyday investors And why time in the market still beats timing it And somewhere along the way, we realise - nothing about markets is easy… except the rules we keep ignoring. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:14 Disclaimer 01:17 Meet The Guest 02:41 Inside The Early MF Industry 08:38 How Indian Investors Think 13:21 From Unit 64 To SIP Boom 21:11 The Rise Of AUM 24:17 How ELSS Took Off 28:08 Why FDs Dominated 36:56 The B30 Growth Story 40:51 Barni Se Azaadi Explained 45:25 Direct Plans: What Changed 51:03 Future Of Mutual Funds 56:36 Active vs Passive Debate 1:02:36 Rapid Fire Q&A 1:02:56 Q1: Geopolitics Impact 1:04:49 Q2: Demand Supply Shift 1:05:53 Q3: New Age Investors 1:06:53 Q4: Leadership Mindset 1:07:42 Closing Thoughts 1:08:45 End Credits 1:08:55 Riskometer & Disclaimer [fd vs mutual funds, fixed deposit vs equity, why fds popular, 14 percent interest india, debt vs equity india, indian investing journey, mutual funds india growth, sip investment india, why people avoid equity, stock market trust india, investor behaviour india, retail investors india, capital markets india, wealth creation india, long term investing india, market cycles india, fixed income india, bond returns india, equity investing india, financial evolution india, indian economy growth, mutual fund industry india, investment shift india, saving vs investing india, passive investing india, active investing india, portfolio allocation india, financial mindset india, stock market india insights, finance podcast india]

8. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Dhirendra Kumar: The Data Doesn’t Lie | Value Research | MF Chronicles

   Why do investors enter at the top… and exit at the bottom? Let’s break that down. In this episode, I’m joined by Dhirendra Kumar - Founder & CEO, Value Research, who’s seen India’s investing journey up close for over three decades. We get into: • Magnum Multiplier, Mastergain, and the frenzy of the 90s • How PSU mutual funds shaped early investing in India • The shift from share certificates to SIPs and digital access • Why investors still end up chasing performance • Investing vs just collecting funds • Active vs passive: skill vs discipline • Why star fund managers can be a trap • How regulation actually helped the industry grow • What real portfolio data says about investor behaviour • And why discipline quietly does the heavy lifting From paper-based investing to a few taps on your phone - a lot has changed. But the way we behave as investors? Not so much. If you want to understand what actually drives your returns - beyond markets and funds - this episode is for you. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 EpiEndslateiler 01:46 Disclaimer 01:51 Introduction 04:25 Early Curiosity 06:53 Role of UTI 08:29 PSU Entry 12:17 Mastergain Era 15:01 Value Research 16:01 Investor Behaviour 19:06 Platform Insights 27:15 Tier Comparison 35:52 Narrative vs Reality 44:15 Market Peaks 47:38 Direct Plans 49:40 Active vs Passive 55:48 Regulations 1:08:41 Q&A Session 1:09:05 Industry Changes 1:10:19 Life Lesson 1:11:43 Allocation vs Timing 1:12:59 When to Invest 1:16:52 Outro 1:17:33 Endslate [investing, mutual funds, stock market India, investor behaviour, personal finance India, SIP investing, long term investing, market cycles, financial literacy, wealth creation, equity investing, passive vs active investing, portfolio management, financial planning, investment mistakes]

9. 

   13 Mar 2026

   Swarup Mohanty: The Global AMC That Cracked The India Code | Mirae Asset India | MF Chronicles | Vikaas M Sachdeva

   “The third generation will approach life very differently from the way we did.” That line genuinely made me pause. It came from Swarup Mohanty, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mirae Asset Mutual Fund (India) and it changed how I think about the future of investors in this country. Over the last three decades, global asset managers have entered India with strong processes, big brands and global playbooks. Yet many of them struggled to stay the course. So what makes India such a different market? Let’s find out.That leads us to questions like: • What global AMCs underestimated about India • Why track record beats launching more products • How IFAs quietly shape a fund house’s growth • Why several marquee global names eventually exited • The Korean mindset of “destroying yesterday” • And how the next generation of investors could change the game One theme runs through it all: patience. In asset management  and in India  sometimes the biggest edge is simply staying long enough. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:40 Disclaimer 01:46 Introduction 02:37 Welcoming Swarup 03:23 MF Chronicles Existence 03:57 Global Arrival 07:16 Earlier Products 10:02 Global Practices 12:28 Speed Comparison 14:17 Product Ideology 16:38 Distribution Mistakes 19:45 Control Diversity 22:12 Global Comparison 25:51 Korean Mindset 28:24 Global Exit 32:26 Regulatory Support 35:59 Domestic Practices 41:18 Product Replication 43:06 Active ETFs 43:55 AMC Reality 46:22 Mirae Beginnings 47:25 Early Issues 54:10 Launch Comparison 55:39 Future Outlook 59:30 Student QnA 59:43 Q1. Recognition 1:00:50 Q2. Misconception 1:01:46 Q3. Business Mindset 1:03:08 Q4. Achievement 1:05:24 Outro 1:05:44 End Credits [mutual funds india, asset management india, global amc in india, investing in india, indian stock market, wealth creation india, finance podcast india, business podcast india, investing podcast, capital markets india, indian financial markets, fund manager insights, asset management industry, global investors india, korean investing mindset, south korea business culture, korea investing philosophy, korean business strategy, korean work culture, hallyu wave, k pop culture influence, south korea global expansion, mutual fund industry india, finance leadership india, long term investing strategy, active vs passive investing, financial education india, money management podcast, wealth building india, investing mindset, finance conversations, podcast on investing, mutual fund insights, indian economy investing, global business strategy, finance learning podcast, market behaviour india, investor psychology, investing discipline, asset allocation insights]

10. 

    25 Feb 2026

    S Naren: Fund Design, Hybrids & BAFs, AI & CIO | ICICI Prudential | MF Chronicles | Vikaas M Sachdeva

    “Investing isn’t arithmetic. It’s judgment. ”That line stayed with me. In this chronicle, I sit down with Sankaran Naren - currently the CIO at ICICI Prudential AMC, but once a fund manager navigating the excesses of the 90s, the lessons of 2008, and the eventual rise of hybrid investing. He has seen the industry evolve - from unchecked optimism to tighter regulation, from pure equity enthusiasm to disciplined asset allocation. This conversation isn’t about predicting markets. It’s about designing for them. We talk about the mistakes of 2007–08, why investors got scarred, and how Balanced Advantage was built to manage risk first - buying when markets fall, trimming when they rise. We discuss:• What the industry learnt the hard way after 2008 • Why “not scarring investors” became a philosophy • Asset allocation as discipline - not a marketing pitch • Value vs quality cycles and surviving long underperformance • IPO froth and why sellers often know more • Why risk management becomes harder at scale • The real challenge of being a CIO • And whether AI will assist - not replace - decision-making What I appreciated most was his clarity: Markets will always be volatile. The job is to build systems that survive them. If you care about how the hybrid category truly evolved and what responsible fund management looks like - this episode is for you. —----------------—----------------—----------------— ----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Episode Trailer 01:45 Legal Disclaimer 01:50 Episode Introduction 03:15 Fund Origins 06:33 Design Flaws 09:02 Telecom Analogy 10:07 Market Triggers 11:41 Market Myths 14:21 BAF Story 19:27 SIP Perception 20:37 Dividend Design 22:43 Process Debate 24:06 MF vs FD 26:03 Post Commissions 29:28 Value Reality 33:21 IPO Mania 36:47 Asset Allocation 38:46 MAF vs BAF 39:46 ETF vs AIF 40:41 Category Future 43:19 Manager Advice 45:29 AI vs CIO 46:17 Old vs New 47:16 CIMR QnA 47:31 Conviction Building 48:31 SME View 48:54 Stock Prediction 50:18 Investing Tips 51:28 Core Skill 52:46 Episode Outro 53:29 End Credits

11. 

    6 Feb 2026

    The Test-Cricket Investing of PPFAS | Neil Parikh & Rajeev Thakker | MF Chronicles | Vikaas M Sachdeva

    The hardest part of investing isn’t earning returns. It’s staying in the game. This episode of #MFChronicles features two leaders who have quietly built one of India’s most respected long-term investing journeys - Neil Parikh and Rajeev Thakkar of Parag Parikh Mutual Fund. In this episode, we discuss: • Why “not losing money” matters more than chasing returns • How they invested when markets fell nearly 40% during Covid • Building a long-term institution without corporate backing • The Swiss Army knife approach to portfolio construction • Managing investor behaviour through communication and exit loads • Active vs passive investing in a growing market • Why underperformance is sometimes the price of discipline • How fintech and SIPs are reshaping investor behaviour • The role of global diversification in reducing risk • Why thinking in decades changes everything Neil and Rajeev also share rare insights on building trust without noise, growing without marketing hype, and choosing process over popularity. For me, this was a reminder that real success doesn’t announce itself. It compounds quietly through patience, clarity, and conviction. If you believe in playing the long game, staying at the crease, and letting time do the heavy lifting, this episode is for you.Watch the full episode to understand how great investing begins with survival - and grows through discipline. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:03 Episode Trailer 01:51 Disclaimer Note 01:54 Show Introduction 03:24 Early Powerplay 07:01 Swiss Army Knife Concept 08:40 Early days of MF 09:09 PPFAS Memories 09:23 Core Ideology 11:22 Investing Style 15:01 Demonetisation Impact 19:24 Entrepreneurial Mindset 20:26 Survival Phase 25:16 Mutual Fund Sahi Hai Campaign 28:22 Investor Behaviour 34:30 Digital Distribution 37:22 Key Data 39:25 Passive Investing 45:00 Covid Impact 48:45 Communication Shift 53:49 Distributor Strategy 57:54 Global Allocation 1:03:56 Student QnA 1:04:07 Legacy & Gold 1:08:10 Gold Bubble 1:10:43 Portfolio Flexibility 1:14:21 GDP vs Markets 1:16:58 Closing Thoughts 1:18:01 End Credits

12. 

    19 Jan 2026

    A Balasubramanian on India’s Debt and Bond Market | Ep. 4 | MF Chronicles with Vikaas M Sachdeva

    The foundation decade is over. Now begins the decade that made mutual funds stronger. This episode of #MFChronicles features a leader who has closely seen the growth of India’s mutual fund industry, especially the debt and bond markets, since the early 2000s. He is A Balasubramanian from Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund. From the early days of limited bond market depth to today’s evolved debt investing landscape, Balasubramanian shares how debt funds, interest rates, and investor behaviour have changed over time. We talk about: The evolution of India’s debt and bond markets How interest rates and liquidity impact debt funds Managing risk during market cycles and crises The growing role of debt funds in investor portfolios Building long-term trust in mutual fund investing This episode offers clear insights into the quieter but critical side of markets that shape long-term investing. Watch the full episode to understand India’s bond market journey and the thinking behind debt investing. —----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—---------------- Connect with me across social media. Stream the MF Chronicles podcast on your favourite app. - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters 00:00 Presented By 00:06 Episode Trailer 02:02 Disclaimer 02:06 Episode Introduction 02:53 The Rajnikanth Analogy 03:34 From Dealer to CEO & MD 04:19 How the Debt Market Scaled Up 08:27 Understanding the Debt & Bond Market 09:47 The Early Days of Overnight Lending 11:48 How the Bond Market Developed 12:50 Mutual Funds as a Market Catalyst 16:15 Early Memories of Goal Seeker 17:44 The Initial Fund Launch Phase 19:42 Money Market Funds & Schemes 20:55 Birla Cash Plus: The Liquid Fund 21:28 Mutual Fund Returns vs Bank Deposits 23:29 The Promise of Guarantees in Debt Funds 24:11 Inside the Bond Market Matrix 25:31 Categorising Debt Funds 31:25 Managing Risk in Debt Markets 34:50 Financial Narrative Processing (FNPs) 40:03 Adapting to New Regulations & Policies 45:59 Ground Reality of Mutual Fund Growth 47:44 Audience Q&A 47:47 Q1: Major Market Trends 49:16 Q2: ETFs vs Mutual Funds 51:50 Q3: Skills for the Future 54:08 Episode Wrap-Up 54:39 End Credits

13. 

    5 Jan 2026

    Ajay Srinivasan: Built Big. Built Young. Built To Last | Vikaas M Sachdeva | Ep. 3 - MF Chronicles

    Before mutual funds became part of everyday conversations, the industry was being built from the ground up. In this episode of MF Chronicles, I sit down with Ajay Srinivasan to revisit the 1990s - when Prudential ICICI entered the mutual fund space and India was learning how to invest amid rapid change. From cricketing highs to economic uncertainty, these years quietly shaped the foundations of the industry. Ajay takes me back to 1998, when he joined Prudential ICICI Mutual Fund - a period marked by the Pokhran nuclear tests, the dotcom boom and bust, and global disruptions like SARS. These events weren’t just background noise; they influenced how funds were managed, teams were built, and investor trust was earned. In this conversation, we discuss: What it took to build a mutual fund business when the category itself was still new How Prudential ICICI thought about scale and market size in its early years The evolution of policy and regulation alongside industry growth Building a team of passionate sellers who took mutual funds to Indian households Navigating global crises, FII outflows, and periods of extreme market uncertainty The mindset shift needed to grow from a startup-like setup into a large institution And how Ajay saw Indian markets change after returning from Hong Kong This episode is about conviction, patience, and building something meaningful before the rules were fully written. Watch the full conversation and step into the formative years of India’s mutual fund industry. —----------------—----------------—---------------- —----------------—----------------—---------------- Do check out for more listening options - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters 00:00 Presented by 00:05 Episode Trailer 01:49 Disclaimer 01:55 Introduction 02:55 Cricket & Market Parallels 03:49 Early Days at Prudential ICICI 06:24 The Launch Moment 07:11 Building the Core Team 09:00 Defining the Market Opportunity 11:11 Evolution of Policy & Regulation 13:27 The FD Disruption 14:27 The ITC Threadneedle Phase 18:05 Navigating FII Outflows 19:37 Lessons from the Trinidad Test 21:18 Scaling to India’s Largest AMC 27:38 Street-Smart Decisions 29:39 Inside Partnerships 32:36 India vs Hong Kong — A Contrast 34:23 Expanding the Category 38:12 Dotcom Boom & Bust Learnings 39:04 The M&A Phase 41:11 Why M&A Made Sense 42:43 Infrastructure That Enabled Scale 47:14 Strategy Shifts After Hong Kong 49:19 Early Mistakes, Lasting Lessons 53:35 Then vs Now — A Playbook 57:28 Audience Q&A 58:50 Closing Thoughts 1:00:21 End Credits

14. 

    15 Dec 2025

    Bharat Shah: The OG of Calm Compounding | Vikaas M Sachdeva | Ep. 2 MF Chronicles 1991-2000

    In the second episode of MF Chronicles, we bring you a voice that has seen the Indian mutual fund industry from the inside - through its most uncertain and defining years. Bharat Shah, Executive Director at ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group, reflects on his journey across market cycles from the early 1990s onwards, when the industry was still finding its footing. I sat down with Bharat to talk about the period after the 1991 economic crisis, the formation of SEBI, and the many moments that tested investor confidence. In this episode, we discuss: How Bharat navigated the markets through the 1991 riots, the 1992 scam, the Asian crisis, and the dotcom crash His experience working at GrowMore, Harshad Mehta’s firm, and his interactions with Dhirubhai Ambani How markets lost credibility - and what it took to earn trust back The role IT companies played in reshaping the markets Mistakes he made along the way, and the lessons they offer How these moments shaped the future of Indian investing Watch the full conversation and step into the formative years of India’s mutual fund industry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Do check out for more listening options - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:47 Disclaimer 01:53 Introduction 02:39 Early 90s Markets 03:42 1992 Scam Aftermath 05:21 Honest Confession 07:50 Before 1990 08:54 Early Market Memories 11:39 Dhirubhai Ambani 14:08 SEBI’s Entry (1992) 15:11 Death of Capital 24:07 CRB Collapse 24:45 UTI & Mastergain 25:13 Birla MF Days (1994) 30:20 Changing Markets 32:53 Mastergain Story 33:32 Indexation Money 34:49 Asian Crisis (1997) 42:59 Managing the Crisis 49:34 A Key Moment 51:13 IT Boom 54:52 Key Learnings 56:51 Investor Appeal 57:41 Opportunity Size 1:02:07 Mistakes to Learn From 1:10:12 UTI Collapse 1:19:18 REMIT Rules 1:22:36 Regulation’s Role 1:25:19 Wild West 2000s 1:26:46 What Needs Fixing 1:33:16 Q&A (Part 1) 1:35:31 Q&A (Part 2) 1:37:03 Closing Thoughts 1:38:30 End Credits

15. 

    3 Dec 2025

    Samir Arora: The SRK of Mutual Fund Industry | Vikaas M Sachdeva | Ep. 1 - MF Chronicles

    Welcome to the very first episode of MF Chronicles with Vikaas M Sachdeva. In this debut episode, I sit down with Samir Arora, Founder of Helios Capital, to explore a decade that changed everything: 1995 to 2005.What stands out in this conversation isn’t just Samir’s track record, but his honesty. He speaks openly about arriving in India in ’93 with curiosity, stumbling into fund management almost by accident, and learning to navigate a market where price discovery was guesswork, data was scarce, and relationships mattered more than terminals. Together, we deep dive into: Why Alliance Capital chose India and how its surprising joint venture with UTI led to UTAM How Samir built an investing approach that beat the market by 32% for eight straight years His clever brokerage-saving “hack” in the 90s that gave him an unexpected edge What the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997–98 looked like from inside the fund house The origins of iconic products like the Alliance 95 Fund and the India Liberalisation Fund How inflation, NAV spells, market sentiment, and even office competitiveness shaped the era The difference between investing in the 90s and today — from transparency to SEBI norms to the rise of thematic funds Watch the full conversation and step into the formative years of India’s mutual fund industry. —----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—---------------- To know more, click here - https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva (https://linktr.ee/vikaasmsachdeva) —----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—----------------—---------------- 📌 Disclaimer: All visuals and graphics used in this video belong to their respective owners. Credits are mentioned on-screen wherever applicable. —-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—-------—------- Chapters: 00:00 Presented By 00:05 Trailer 01:55 Disclaimer 01:58 Introduction 03:20 Arriving in India: Samir’s 1993 Beginning 04:30 Why Alliance Entered India 05:15 UTI × Alliance: The Birth of UTAM 07:33 What Investing Looked Like in the 90s 11:23 How Samir Outperformed the Market for 8 Straight Years 13:02 The Asian Crisis of ’97–98 & Other Shocks 17:01 Inside the India Liberalisation Fund 17:20 Inflation Challenges: Samir’s Take 18:51 How the Alliance 95 Fund Was Born 21:47 NAV Spells & Market Turbulence 22:24 Views on India’s Liberalisation 23:18 Price Discovery: 90s vs Today 25:05 The Rise of Thematic Funds 28:36 More on NAV Spells 29:16 Strategy Behind the Frontline Fund 31:18 Mutual Respect Among Competitors 32:51 Lessons from the Dot-Com Bubble 39:12 Samir’s Competitive Edge 39:42 The 200% NAV Year: 1998–99 40:33 Meeting Mohandas Pai 41:04 IFAs, Banks & The Distribution Landscape 43:02 SEBI’s Push for Transparency 46:08 Setting Industry Standards 46:49 Q&A – Part 1 48:55 Q&A – Part 2 51:22 Wrap-Up 52:09 End Credits

16. 

    14 Nov 2025

    9 Episodes. 3 Decades. 1 Incredible Story of Mutual Fund | MF Chronicles Podcast Teaser

    How did an unknown industry grow into an ₹80 lakh crore giant? The answer lies in the people who built it. MF Chronicles brings you their stories - the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the moments that changed India’s investing culture forever. 3 decades, 9 episodes, 1 incredible journey. Follow Vikaas M Sachdeva for more market wisdom: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikaas.m.sachdeva/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VikaasMSachdeva LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikaasmsachdeva/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/vikaasmsachdeva For more stories from the Chronicles, follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicles_of_mutualfund/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CHRONICLESbyVikaas

Contact MF Chronicles by Vikaas M Sachdeva

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.