Ganpati season in Mumbai is a whole vibe – dhol beats in the streets, modaks at every house, and a city that comes alive like never before. For creator Ansh Dhote, it’s not just about darshan and laddoos, but also about memories, family, and now, a brand-new podcast that has everyone saying, “Shut Up Beta!” (literally).
We caught up with Ansh this festive season to talk about his Ganpati memories, how he’s celebrating this year, and why his latest creative venture feels as homely as a plate of steaming modaks.
Ganpati Nostalgia
For Ansh, Ganpati is wrapped in nostalgia. “I visited Lalbaug with my mom when I was a child,” he recalls. “It was super crowded, and we couldn’t take it, so we asked a policeman for help. Instead, he directly took us to the idol, it was magical.”
This year, you’ll probably find him hopping across pandals and celebrating with friends. And in true creator style, he’s even launching a special Ganpati series where he and his creator buddies explore iconic pandals across Mumbai. “Full storytelling hogi,” he grins.
Bappa’s Blessings
When asked what he’d wish from Bappa if given one chance, Ansh keeps it simple: “To keep my family and me safe and healthy.”
Enter: Shut Up Beta
Ganpati is about new beginnings – and Ansh has one of his own. His brand-new podcast, Shut Up Beta, was born out of sheer boredom (and his mom’s sass). “Mom and I do random things at home when we’re bored. One day she yelled at me, ‘Shut up!’ and I thought, wow, that’s the name,” laughs Ansh.
Unlike other highly-produced shows, Shut Up Beta is shot at home, with ghar-ka-vibe, home food, and his mom in the co-host seat. “It’s extremely raw, no scripts, nothing, just going with the flow. Plus, no one has done a podcast with their mumma before!”
If Bappa Was a Guest…
Would Ansh ever bring Ganpati vibes to his podcast? Absolutely. “I’d love to do a Ganpati-themed episode with pandal people, talk about how they manage everything, funds, and the hard work that goes behind building something so beautiful.”
Wrapping it Up
Between visiting pandals, eating modaks, and starting a podcast with his mom, Ansh’s festive season is looking pretty full. And as he puts it, the goal is simple, “keep it raw, keep it real, keep it homely.”
Here’s wishing Ansh and everyone out there a blessed festive season. As the saying goes, Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya! 💛
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