Watch: Rishi Sunak disappointed his parents. He tells Nikhil Kamath the reason

Featuring Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty too, the episode blends light moments with reflections on identity and public life, drawing attention online.

A light-hearted remark by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about “disappointing” his parents by not becoming a doctor has emerged as one of the most shared moments from a new podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. Speaking on the podcast, Sunak said his parents had hoped he would pursue medicine – a common expectation in many Indian-origin families – but he chose a different path, eventually entering politics.

The episode, featuring Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, is the first time Kamath has brought a couple onto the show. Framed around a simple question that "why people choose politics" the conversation moves between family expectations, public life and what comes after holding power.

Kamath said the idea for the episode came after children asked him why he does not become a politician. That question runs through the discussion, prompting Sunak to reflect on what political life actually feels like.

Much of the episode focuses on everyday details rather than political positions. Murty jokes that Sunak’s parents were so “awesome” that she had “almost married him” just so she wouldn’t lose them. The couple, who have been together for more than 20 years, also speak about routine disagreements, including arguments over ice cream flavours, adding a lighter layer to the conversation.

The discussion also turns to life after office, with Sunak speaking about losing power and adjusting to a different pace of life. Murty addresses being seen in relation to others – as Sunak’s wife or as the daughter of Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy – and the challenge of being recognised on her own terms.

Clips from the episode have circulated widely online, including a brief Kannada exchange between Kamath and Murty that resonated with Indian viewers. The podcast’s first “couple format” has added to the curiosity, offering a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics of a high-profile pair.