Mohammed Nagaman Lateef Launches His Podcast ‘Honestly, Why Not? with MNL’, Creating a Refreshingly Honest Conversation Platform for Television Stars

Mumbai: After establishing himself as the founder of the International Iconic Awards and now leading Balaji’s talent initiative Hoonur as its Talent Head, Mohammed Nagaman Lateef has added yet another dimension to his journey in the entertainment industry with the launch of his own podcast titled Honestly, Why Not ? with MNL.
At Balaji, podcasts have become a popular medium of expression and interaction, with several well-known names already hosting their own shows. With formats like Set Pe Charcha by Aman Gandhi and podcasts by industry professionals such as Nitin Burman and Chetan Hansraj, the space is already buzzing. However, Lateef felt the urge to bring something different. “I consider myself a very different persona and personality. I wanted to create something that reflects honesty, individuality and depth. That thought inspired me to start my own podcast,” he shares.
Having spent over 11 years in the industry, Lateef has built a close rapport with actors across television and digital platforms. “I am very comfortable with artists now, but I wanted to explore a new role and challenge myself. We sat together as a team, discussed the theme and the concept, and that’s how Honestly, Why Not ?with MNL was born. The response has been extremely encouraging and the reviews have been some of the best I have received,” he says.
The core idea of the podcast revolves around honesty and spontaneity. True to its title, Honesty, Why Not? with MNL encourages guests to answer questions without filters. “If you watch the episodes, you will see that the actors have answered very honestly. The idea is simple – why not speak your heart out?” he explains.
The first season features six episodes and an impressive lineup of leading television actresses, including Shubhangi Atre, Riddhi Dogra, Shivangi Joshi, Adaa Khan, Urvashi Dholakia and Aditi Sharma. The final episode of Season 1 is with Shubhangi Atre. According to Lateef, the seasons will always be limited editions so that the content remains crisp and engaging, with Season 2 already in the pipeline.
Interestingly, the podcast is not just about conversations but also about visual aesthetics and personal style. For Season 1, Lateef’s look was inspired by the regal elegance of Queen Elizabeth, reflected through colour palettes and structured silhouettes. All his outfits for the six episodes were designed by Nazeef Cavalli by Billion wedding designers, making his on-screen presence distinctive and memorable.
For Season 2, he plans to reinvent his style yet again, this time drawing inspiration from traditional South Indian attire. Among all the episodes, the ones featuring Urvashi Dholakia, Shivangi Joshi and Aditi Sharma have emerged as audience favourites. “Urvashi’s episode has been the most loved, followed by Shivangi and Aditi. Urvashi is one of the finest personalities I have met. There is so much to learn from her – not just as an actress but as a human being,” Lateef shares.
Reflecting on his own journey, Lateef says that many never expected him to move to Mumbai and become the founder of a successful award platform like the International Iconic Awards. From being told that it would not sustain, to proving himself as a producer, and now emerging as a confident and successful host, his journey has been full of surprises. “People never imagined I would reach here, but I believed in myself and kept evolving,” he says.
With Honesty, Why Not ? with MNL, Lateef also aims to give television actors the spotlight they truly deserve. “Everyone is doing podcasts with Bollywood stars, but television is no less than Bollywood. TV actors connect with millions of households every day, and their stories deserve to be heard,” he asserts.
The podcast features engaging segments such as Tere Mere Beech Mein, Spill or Sip, and Unmask it, which add layers of fun, emotion and candid revelations to each episode. With its honest conversations, stylish presentation and a strong lineup of celebrated TV stars, the podcast has already carved a niche for itself, and audiences are now eagerly waiting to see what Season 2 will bring.