What if the smartest investment in the room isn't equity and it isn't your FD either?

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with Shantanu Sahai, Executive Director and Head of Private Credit at ASK Alternates, to break down one of the most misunderstood and fastest-growing asset classes in India Private Credit.

Shantanu brings 25 years of global credit experience across Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Nomura, having structured over 300 transactions across sectors as diverse as mushrooms and flight simulators. Today he explains why private credit is not just for distressed companies, why it can generate returns from low teens all the way to 30%, and why chasing yield without understanding risk is the single biggest mistake most investors make.

This conversation covers the full picture from how a customised loan works versus a bank loan, to what an AIF actually is, how interest payments flow to investors, and what happens when deals go wrong. Shantanu also shares his unfiltered view on India's K-shaped recovery, which sectors are on fire right now, and why Indian corporate balance sheets are the cleanest they have been in two decades.

Whether you are an HNI exploring alternatives to equity, a family office evaluating private credit funds, or simply someone trying to understand where smart money is moving this episode will change how you think about debt as an asset class.


Key Takeaways -
Every Deal Is Different - Private credit is structured from scratch for each borrower, making it one of the most bespoke asset classes in finance.

Higher Returns, Not Higher Risk - The return premium in private credit comes from customisation, not from lending to risky or distressed businesses.

Risk Appetite Comes First - Deciding your comfort with risk before chasing a return target is the only right way to approach any alternative investment.

25 Years, Same 3 Patterns - Across 300 deals, desperation from lenders, over-optimism from borrowers and greed from investors remain the three most common reasons things go wrong.

Your Capital Will Be Locked - Private credit requires a 3 to 4 year commitment, making it suitable only for investors who do not need immediate liquidity.

India's Credit Cycle Is Strong - Corporate balance sheets are at their healthiest in two decades and bank NPAs are near historic lows, making this a strong entry point for credit investors.



From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.

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This episode dives deep into the mindset, journey, and investing philosophy of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala one of India’s most iconic investors and a defining voice of Dalal Street.

Hosted by Anupam Gupta on the Paisa Vaisa podcast, this conversation with author and guest Nandini brings out lesser-known insights from RJ’s life, decisions, and investment approach.

From starting with ₹5,000 and valuing even ₹50 in his early days, to building a massive portfolio through equities, stocks, and long-term conviction, this episode explores what truly drives wealth creation. It highlights the importance of network, knowledge, and decision-making in a world where investing is now just a tap away through apps, SIPs, mutual funds, ETFs, and direct equity.

The discussion goes beyond surface-level success and focuses on how he thought why he didn’t believe in chasing every opportunity in the stock market, how he approached realistic returns, and how patience played a key role in compounding wealth over time. His famous philosophy around returns and discipline shows that consistent performance matters more than chasing extremes.

A key insight from the episode is his understanding of risk especially the difference between capital risk and franchise risk. This is a critical concept for anyone investing in stocks, banking products, or financial markets, where not all risks are equal.

The episode also reflects on his strong belief in India’s growth story. He saw India as a country destined for greatness and aligned his investments with sectors like financial services, consumption, and homegrown businesses that could benefit from long-term economic growth.

Even in today’s world of AI, machine learning, and algorithmic trading, one message stands out clearly:
👉 Tools can support investing, but decision-making, discipline, and mindset are what truly build wealth.

Key Takeaways
Right Mindset - Wealth starts with how you think, not how much you have

Stay Selective - You don’t need to chase every opportunity

Be Realistic - Consistent returns matter more than big bets

Understand Risk - Know the difference between capital and franchise risk

Think Long-Term - Wealth is built over time, not overnight

Value Support - Family and network play a big role in success


From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more
Watch full episodes right here on YouTube
Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com

Connect with Anupam Gupta:
Twitter: @b50
Instagram: @b_50
LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta

Follow IVM Podcasts
We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with Karthikraj Lakshmanan, Senior Vice President - Equity at UTI Asset Management Company, one of India's most experienced equity fund managers with over two decades in the markets. Karthik manages the UTI Large Cap Fund (formerly UTI Master Share, one of India's oldest mutual funds with a 40-year history), the UTI MNC Fund, and the recently launched UTI Multicap Fund. This is a masterclass in how professional fund managers think about Indian equities, sectors, valuations, and long-term wealth creation.

We cover India's macroeconomic outlook for FY26, why large cap stocks are better positioned than small and mid caps right now, the state of the Indian banking sector (private vs PSU banks), the future of Indian IT in an AI-disrupted world, and how UTI uses its proprietary 'Score Alpha' framework a 3x3 ROC and operating cash flow matrix to evaluate and rank stocks across the entire investable universe. Karthik also breaks down the difference between flexi cap and multicap funds, explains how MNC funds are evolving with Indian exporters now included, and shares his honest views on gold and silver inflows chasing momentum. Whether you are a first-time investor or a seasoned market participant, this episode is packed with actionable insights on asset allocation, position sizing, behavioral investing mistakes, and what it really takes to outperform over the long term.

If you have ever wondered why your mutual fund returns are consistently lower than the fund's actual returns, or why patience and behavioral discipline matter far more than stock-picking skill in today's information-equal world, this conversation will change how you think about your portfolio.
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6 Key Takeaways
Patience Beats Analysis: Behavioral discipline and staying invested through market cycles will consistently deliver better investor returns than even the best stock analysis, because markets reward patience over perfection.

Large Cap Advantage: Revenue growth between large, mid, and small cap companies has been broadly similar over the last five years, but large caps remain less expensive on valuations today, making them structurally preferable in the current market environment.

The Moat Framework: UTI's equity strategy centers on identifying companies with durable competitive advantages brands in FMCG, distribution networks in retail, and technology advantages in MNC industrials to build a portfolio with long-term earnings visibility.

Private Banks Still Win: The top four to five private sector banks continue to gain market share every year, carry healthy balance sheets and return ratios, and are likely to grow faster than both the banking industry and the overall economy over the long run.

IT Sector Is Adaptive: Indian IT companies have successfully navigated every major technology disruption from Y2K to ERP to cloud and are now positioned to lead AI implementation for global clients, making the current pessimism potentially an opportunity for long-term investors.

Score Alpha Is The Edge: UTI's proprietary 3x3 scoring framework evaluates every stock in their universe on ROC and operating cash flow over five years companies that upgrade from lower to higher scores on both metrics are the ones that consistently outperform in the long run.

From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more
Watch full episodes right here on YouTube
Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com

Connect with Anupam Gupta:
Twitter: @b50
Instagram: @b_50
LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta

Follow IVM Podcasts
We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

#PaisaVaisa #UTIMutualFund #MutualFunds #IndianStockMarket #EquityInvesting #LargeCapFund #KarthikRajLakshman

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