Ajay Ambekar on Maharashtra Politics, VIP Protocol, Bureaucracy & Election Tamasha | Cyrus Says

About this episode

Cyrus discusses Maharashtra politics and bureaucracy with ex-bureaucrat Ajay Ambekar, exploring the intricacies of government and a new board game on elections.

Welcome to Cyrus Says! In this episode, Cyrus is joined by Ajay Ambekar, an ex-bureaucrat, former PRO to multiple Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, and a man who has worked deep inside the machinery of government, media strategy, culture, and VIP protocol. The conversation moves from how politicians are actually briefed, how media planning works inside government, and what VIP protocol really means, to the strange, funny, and revealing realities of Indian bureaucracy.  The episode also dives into Ajay Ambekar’s new board game, Election Tamasha, a politically incorrect, satire-driven game based on Indian elections, dirty politics, factions, corruption, and the absurdity of power. Along the way, the two discuss board-game culture in India, election symbols, VIP convoys, ministers, protocol, and why politics is far messier, smarter, and more human than most people assume.  Funny, sharp, and packed with insider insight, this is a must-watch for anyone curious about Indian politics and how the system really works.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Cyrus

Guest: Ajay Ambekar

Topics covered

• Maharashtra Politics
• Bureaucracy
• VIP Protocol
• Election Tamasha
• Indian Politics
• Media Strategy

Keywords

• Maharashtra
• politics
• bureaucracy
• VIP protocol
• Election Tamasha
• Indian elections
• media strategy
• corruption
• power

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maharashtra, IVM Podcasts

Products: Election Tamasha

More episodes of Cyrus Says

• From Bellboy to Broadcast Legend | Mantra on Cyrus Says · June 10, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Gitikka Dhar on Anchoring, Acting, Ageism, Motherhood, Menopause & Comebacks | Cyrus Says · June 8, 2026 · 56 min
• Eye Surgery, Ironman, Superbikes & Building His Own Legacy | Cyres Mehta | Cyrus Says · June 3, 2026 · 58 min
• Sahil Shah on Cockroach Politics, Road Rage & Comedy Culture | Cock & Bull with Cyrus Says · May 29, 2026 · 58 min
• From Lower Parel Slums to Changing 10,000 Lives | Siddhesh Lokare | Sidiously | Cyrus Says · May 27, 2026 · 1h 19m
• Sufi Motiwala on Fashion Commentary, Cannes, Met Gala, Queer Identity & Internet Fame · May 25, 2026 · 51 min