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Yuvaa Conclave 2.0 brought together young voices from across India to celebrate creativity, ideas and meaningful conversations
The second edition of the Yuvaa Conclave transformed Mumbai’s Mukesh Patel Auditorium into a vibrant hub of ideas, emotions, and powerful intergenerational conversations on 4th October 2025. The event, free for young attendees, saw over 1,300 registrations and 750+ participants throughout the day, marking a compelling return of India’s most heartfelt youth-driven gathering—designed to ignite empathy, identity, and purpose. As India’s first conclave of, for, and by the youth, this 2.0 edition was a bigger, bolder celebration of voice and vulnerability. The day began with an electrifying performance by Saniya MQ, whose energy lit up the stage and set the tone for the transformative conversations that followed. Kevin Lee, CEO of Yuvaa, welcomed the audience with an opening address that reminded everyone why spaces like these matter—where young people aren’t just heard but truly seen.
Here's everything that happened:
Discord Democracy: GenZ and Politics
The first session brought together NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, activist and author Gurmehar Kaur, and BJP activist Pradeep Bhandari, moderated by Kevin Lee. A fiery and thoughtful exchange about civic engagement and the emotional intelligence required in today’s democracy, it included honest insights from the panel. “We are all agitated; we feel our issues aren’t being heard enough. In a country this large, we need to figure out how to… talk to each other,” noted Gawande. Gurmehar Kaur observed, “For our nation, we have dreams for it, we want to speak for it. We should be allowed to express love for our country and also criticism for it.”
Apna Sapna Money Money
Powered by Axis Max Life Insurance, a unique blend of voices took the stage, creator Yuvraj Dua, actor Nakuul Mehta, and journalist Sonia Shenoy, bringing diverse perspectives on how young people perceive and engage with money. There was laughter, reflection, and candid talk about financial anxiety, ambition, and generational change. “Millennials relate money to a lot of negative emotions like fear, stress, and anxiety. When you earn money, you don’t chase it; you just attract it,” noted Shenoy.
Vicky-Pedia: 10 Years of Vicky Kaushal
One of the day’s most awaited moments was the conversation between Vicky Kaushal and Nikhil Taneja, the panel was filled with laughter, introspection, and truth bombs, the session offered a rare glimpse into the actor’s journey, values, and vision. “Sabse zyaada gossip kiske saath hoti hai? Ranbir Kapoor,” Vicky laughed. Reflecting on the values instilled by his family and the importance of integrity over stardom, he shared, “Ek cheez parents ne sikhayi hai… ki chahe tum actor kaise bhi ho, 5/10, 7/10 or 10/10, you should be a good person.” Vicky added, “It’s all about how you make the people around you feel when you’re there; that’s all they remember you for,” leaving the crowd inspired with, “I’m not here for small wins; I’m here to create a legacy.”
For comic relief, the ever-hilarious Ankur Tangade delivered a powerful and hilarious stand-up performance rooted in her struggles as a queer woman from the DBA community, reminding everyone that humor, too, is a form of healing.
From Reels to Deals: Decoding the Creator-Preneur Playbook
The panel brought together digital powerhouses Parul Gulati, Rhea Chakraborty, Saloni Kukreja, and Samdish Bhatia, in conversation with Anusha Shetty. The discussion delved deep into the creator economy, its promises, pressures, and personal costs. “Maine socha apna Chapter 2 mai khud likhti hoon. Sabko apna narrative likhne ka mauka milna chahiye,” observed Rhea Chakraborty, drawing applause. Samdish Bhatia added his wit to the topic: “People ask, ‘What is your cost per reel?’ Maine koi ration ki dukaan toh nahi kholi hai. I need to know what I am selling.”
Is Everything as Fed as The Media Is Telling Us?
“We are getting news in very fragmented ways. We should filter what we want to consume,” noted Anurag Minus Verma in this riveting session with Nidhi Suresh, Dr. Medusa, and Ria Nagpal, moderated by Neha Mathews. Tackling information overload, disillusionment, and the power of truth-telling, Nidhi Suresh reflected, “I think there is value in slow stories—this gives me hope in journalism.”
AI, Brainrot and The Future of Creativity
The audience also witnessed a wide-ranging, deeply resonant conversation between Tanmay Bhat and Kevin Lee. “Comedy industry ka mai mama hoon,” Tanmay laughed. He reflected on his journey and the challenges of the comedy industry, highlighting the tension between technology, burnout, and the pursuit of meaningful creative work. He left the audience with, “Copy it till you make it. You don’t have to reinvent your own wheel.”
Akkha Bollywood Ek Taraf
One of the day’s most unexpectedly emotional sessions came from Raghav Juyal, whose conversation with Nikhil Taneja, revealed moving insights beyond his usual comic and dance persona. “Fun is the ultimate spirituality,” observed Juyal, reminding everyone of the layers between an entertainer and a complex human being striving for connection and meaning. Yet, his humor remained intact: “Jab producer mujhe nahi lete the, main unpe taras khaa ke aata tha ki better luck next time!”
Throughout the day, the auditorium echoed with laughter, joy, and thunderous applause, proof that these were not just sessions but shared human experiences. Attendees engaged in live Q&As and, most importantly, listened to one another with open hearts. The Yuvaa Conclave 2025, supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, was more than a conference; it was a mirror to the times and a window into the future. The event was held in collaboration with Axis Max Life Insurance (Associate Sponsor), Pinq Polka (Gifting Partner), Social Ketchup (Content Partner), Fuji Instax (Photobooth Partner), Multiphase Digital (Media Partner), and MUBI India (Creative Partner), whose support helped bring the experience to life.
The discussions illuminated pressing topics essential to the growth and well-being of young people, ranging from finances and politics to mental health, media, and identity. Above all, it reminded everyone that vulnerability is strength, storytelling is activism, and the most powerful revolutions begin not with noise but with honest, human conversations.
Have you had a chance to catch up on the panels? Let us know the discussions you enjoyed in the comments below.
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