Aastha Gupta

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

“Creative mind in business shoes – learning to balance right-brain spark with left-brain logic, storytelling with strategy, instinct with insight.”

Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been a part of creative teams that turn raw talent into stars on some of India’s biggest reality shows. I began as an intern on Indian Idol – the Indian adaptation of American Idol and returned years later as its Creative Director. The most unforgettable homecoming I could’ve imagined.

Undergraduate School and Major: Delhi University, Bachelors in Mass Media & Mass Communication

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Rusk Media, Creative Director

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Ahmedabad’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What truly set IIM Ahmedabad apart for me was the caliber of its faculty – widely regarded as the gold standard in management education. IIMA’s faculty aren’t just educators- they are influential thought leaders whose impact spans academia, policy, and industry. Many have authored textbooks used in leading business schools, received national honours like the Padma Shri, and hold advisory roles with the RBI, UN, and Fortune 500 companies. Learning from such minds promised not just an MBA, but a transformative education grounded in real-world impact. Now, after spending two terms here, I can say with confidence IIMA’s faculty members make a lasting impact on students because they challenge, inspire and genuinely care about what happens to their students.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Ahmedabad? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favorite course at IIM Ahmedabad has been Management Strategy, with one session on tactical strategy standing out as a defining experience. The professor transformed the classroom into a high-stakes simulation, assigning each of us the role of a CEO navigating a real-world corporate standoff. After hours of debating, defending, and negotiating, we didn’t just understand the theory – we lived it. What stayed with me wasn’t just the frameworks, but the visceral understanding of what leadership demands in moments of uncertainty: clarity under pressure, timing, resilience, and a well-stocked ‘war chest’. That session was a reminder that leadership often lives in the grey, where the best decisions are quiet, calculated, and precise.

What makes Ahmedabad such a great place to earn an MBA? The city has a vibrant food culture, well-developed infrastructure, and a calm pace that helps you unwind after long study hours. There’s nothing quite like a late-night drive with friends followed by a hot chai at a roadside stall – it’s a ritual that makes the pressure feel lighter. Culturally, Ahmedabad is deeply rooted and festive; the entire cohort is already looking forward to experiencing ‘Garba season’ in the city that truly comes alive during Navratri.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My creative directorial debut, Indian Idol Season 12, became the longest-running edition of the Idol franchise globally. At a time when productions worldwide shut down due to COVID-19, we pushed boundaries, innovating under pressure to keep the show on air with agile, forward-thinking solutions that set new industry benchmarks. The season was both profitable and widely loved, earning recognition at the Indian Television Academy Awards. For me, it proved that strategic thinking and creative resilience can go hand in hand, even under the toughest circumstances.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: Fascinated by the diversity in my IIMA cohort, I began working with the institute officials to bring the incredible stories of my peers to the world. Within three months, I have successfully secured national media coverage for eight of my classmates across leading publications such as The Indian Express and The Hindu Business Line. Sharing their journeys and knowing they might spark inspiration beyond campus has been the most meaningful part of my MBA experience so far.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? Every IIMA graduate knows this spot: Ram Bhai’s tea stall. It isn’t just a hangout, it’s a rite of passage. Located just outside the campus, Ram Bhai even finds his way into our lecture halls, with professors referencing him to explain economic concepts. Whether it’s a breather after hours of case prep or a midnight escape with friends, Ram Bhai’s is where bonds are built over cutting chai and bun maska. Its charm is timeless: you’ll even hear it mentioned fondly in boardrooms when IIMA alumni reminisce. For us, it’s not just a hangout, it’s a shared tradition that connects generations of students through stories, caffeine, and community.

What do you hope to do after graduation? At IIM Ahmedabad, I’ve found my interests sharpened around two functions: strategy and marketing. Post-MBA, I would like to move into roles in these domains because they allow me to combine both sides of my profile: creative instincts and newly-sharpened business skills. A role within a media conglomerate would be a natural fit, where I can apply my deep industry intuition to solve larger strategic challenges, craft scalable content ecosystems, and contribute to long-term brand growth. I’m also excited by the prospect of joining marketing-driven organizations where storytelling, data, and business strategy converge to create real market impact.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Ahmedabad? IIMA looks for future leaders with more than just academic excellence; it values clarity of thought, authenticity, and purpose. So don’t try to craft the “perfect” application; focus on presenting the most honest version of yourself. And if, like me, you come from an unconventional background and wonder, “Do I belong here?… Take the plunge! Know this: IIMA isn’t looking for clones. It thrives on diversity of thought, experience, and perspective. What may feel like a deviation from the norm could, in fact, be your greatest strength.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2027: STUDENTS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW, INNOVATORS ALWAYS

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