Two blind Mumbaikars are set to launch what they claim will be India’s first podcast hosted by blind presenters, with the aim of changing perceptions around disability and showcasing the creative capabilities of visually impaired people.
Titled Nazariya, the podcast will be hosted by Mira Road resident Charles Neves Rao and Malad-based Mannsi Chaudary, both of whom are completely blind and have backgrounds in performing arts, including theatre, stand-up comedy, voice acting, radio, and public speaking.
Mannsi Chaudary (left) and Charles Rao during a recording session for their upcoming podcast ‘Nazariya’ at a Mumbai studio. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The creators say the show will not focus only on blindness, but will feature celebrities, podcasters, YouTubers, and pop-culture personalities in conversations designed for a mainstream audience.
Meet the co-host
Mannsi Chaudary, a theatre actor, radio jockey, and voice-over artist, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at birth and became completely blind at the age of 20. The duo first met during a tandem cycling event in Delhi.
What the creators hope to achieve
The team hopes Nazariya will encourage more industries to employ visually impaired people by placing blind creators “front and centre” on mainstream platforms.
What is ‘Nazariya’?
>> Audio and video podcast on YouTube and Meta platforms
>> Hosted by two blind presenters
>> Expected to go live this month
>> Will feature celebrities, creators, and public figures
>> Focus on conversations beyond disability
‘What’s different is the insights. When I work with the blind, I realise how differently they perceive one’s answers, tone, emotionality, and intent. Since both our hosts are blind, we expect the conversation to reach different depths’
Mayank Shekhar, producer
Charles Rao’s journey
‘Back then, I lost all hope, money, and felt defeated since I had spent all my life as a sighted person. However, I soon became an active member of the blind community, and now I am closely associated with all communal activities and public speaking events. The idea for the podcast emerged last year after noticing increasing conversations around accessibility on OTT and digital platforms’
Charles Rao
Forty-six-year-old Charles Rao currently works with the National Association for the Blind. Before losing his vision to glaucoma in 2022, Rao worked in the Human Resources department of a Mumbai-based company.
Key details
Feature Details
Podcast name Nazariya
Hosts Charles Neves Rao, Mannsi Chaudary
Format Audio and video podcast
Planned launch This month
Focus Mainstream conversations and representation
