Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Accor. You see the brand, but who really owns the hotel?

In this episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva, we decode the business of hospitality with Jaideep Dang, MD, JLL Hotels & Hospitality India.

From land costs and broken return models to why India has too few hotel rooms, and what’s holding back Indian brands from going global.

This isn’t surface-level talk. This is hospitality’s deal table, exposed.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

7 Founders. 1 Industry. The Truth No One Tells You.

Starting a restaurant or food brand in India? Here’s what no one tells you.

Banks don’t take you seriously.
Suppliers won’t give you credit.
Customers expect perfection, but margins are razor-thin.


In this episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva, seven young F&B founders break it all down, the hidden challenges, the mistakes, and the wins.

Is India really a startup-friendly ecosystem for food entrepreneurs?

What’s the reality behind investors, funding, and actually making a profit? How did they go from an idea to a brand people pay for?

This is not a success story—this is the real story.

Watch before you start your journey.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

Education is supposed to be a right. But in India, it comes with a price tag that most can’t afford.

Parents pay 30% tax on their income. Then 18% tax on skilling programs. Then 18% tax on coaching. The cost never ends. But the real question is, who is education really for?

90% of Indians are excluded. Entrance exams don’t level the playing field, they widen the gap. A student from a government school getting 99% isn’t the same as a student from a privileged school getting 99%, because their starting lines were never equal.

This is Talk with Kunal Vasudeva featuring Maheshwer Peri, Founder of Careers360, where we break down the reality of education in India.

Now streaming on YouTube also.

Watch. Reflect. Talk about it.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

On this episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva, we sit down with Sandeep Sethi, President, JLL Work Dynamics Asia Pacific, to explore the biggest shifts shaping corporate real estate and what they mean for India, sustainability, and the future of work.

💡 What’s inside:
🌍 What real estate trends say about India’s economic future
♻️ Why sustainability is the next big business imperative
🏛️ How workspaces are evolving (Hint: The office isn’t dead!)
📈 Real estate careers—why they’re more about impact than transactions

Packed with insights, strategies, and bold ideas, this episode is one to watch.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

The Sardar Who Dared to Dream!

What happens when the President of Lemon Tree Hotels decides to reimagine Indian hospitality?

On the latest episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva, Vikramjit Singh, now the founder of Alivaa Hotels, shares how his journey from leading one of India’s largest hotel chains to building a brand from the ground up has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Vikramjit talks about:

👉 Transitioning from Lemon Tree to Alivaa Hotels
👉 Redefining midscale hospitality for the Indian traveler
👉 His dreams, challenges, and the quirks of entrepreneurship

This is a story of grit, innovation, and daring to dream beyond the ordinary.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

Mixing Tradition with Innovation: Angad Soni’s Story!

What happens when heritage meets innovation in the beverage world?

In this episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva, Angad Soni, founder of Sepoy & Co, takes us behind the scenes of India’s rapidly evolving beverage culture. From reimagining mixers to crafting a niche in the global market, this conversation is packed with insights, ideas, and inspiration.

Here’s what to expect:
✅ The art of balancing global trends with Indian roots
✅ Lessons in entrepreneurship and brand building
✅ How Sepoy & Co became a name to watch

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

In this episode of Talk with Kunal Vasudeva with Matt Chitharanjan, the founder of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, to discuss what it takes to build a café brand that resonates with India’s evolving market.

From understanding the unique dynamics of India’s café culture to mastering unit economics and scaling sustainably, Matt shares insights that will redefine how you view the business of coffee.

We have also touched upon how Blue Tokai is elevating customer experiences through SUCHALI’S Bakery & Patisserie, combining artisanal bread, pastries, and café culture to create something truly distinctive.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality

In this latest episode of T.A.L.K with Kunal Vasudeva join us for an engaging conversation with Ranju Alex, Area VP - South Asia, Marriott International, and Vinay Jaswal, VP HR Operations - South Asia, Marriott International, we explored key insights on leadership, talent development, and the evolving hospitality landscape in South Asia.

Here’s what you can expect:
💡 Marriott’s expansion strategy across India
💡 Tackling HR challenges and bridging talent gaps
💡 Preparing for the dynamic future of India’s hospitality economy

This episode is a must-watch for students, professionals, and anyone curious about the future of hospitality leadership.

As part of Sommet Education, the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) stands as India's premier institute for hospitality management and culinary arts, in partnership with Ecole Ducasse and Les Roches. Located in Gurugram, the international campus offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both fields, delivering a global education guided by esteemed academicians and industry experts.

Check out this podcast in video format on the ISH Official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@indianschoolofhospitality