In Episode 6 of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra engage in a powerful conversation with Renuka Kirpalani and Pooja Choudary, two exceptional leaders who are redefining what it means for women to lead and excel in the traditionally male-dominated automobile industry.

Renuka shares her exhilarating journey as a car racer and journalist smashing speed records and challenging stereotypes, while Pooja opens up about the rise of her luxury car business in India, overcoming skepticism and societal expectations. They reflect on raised eyebrows, broken myths, and the determination it takes to take the wheel literally and metaphorically in leadership roles.

This episode dives deep into their challenges, triumphs, and the unique insights that come from steering careers in auto, offering inspiration to anyone striving to break barriers in male‑dominated fields.

Location: BMW Infinity Cars, Worli

HMU: Looks Salon

Chapters

0:00 - Start

1:51- Introduction

3:32- First car they drove

5:40- Teaching kids driving

6:25- The test Gayatri failed

7:17- Favourite cars

9:56- Pooja’s Pivot

13:04- Architecture & Automobile

15:38- Renuka’s Journey

19:01- Women & Automobile

20:44- Renuka’s critical point

22:52- Importance of Pivoting

23:55- Jaya’s Story

24:58- Women pivot daily

26:11- Expectations: Women Vs Men

27:21- Breaking Stereotypes

30:45- People Management

32:53- Women are underestimated

35:01- Women are safer drivers

41:36- Driving the fastest car

43:31 - Renuka’s fastest speed

46:58- Are EVs the future?

50:36- New Generation's buying behaviour

53:40- Sustaining an Automobile Business

55:41- Adapting to changing times

1:02:25- Building Collaboration & Trust

1:18:36- Closing Remarks & Takeaways