Offbeat: Why SoCheers’ Mehul Gupta wants to have Hitler as a dinner guest

Adgully’s special feature section – ‘Offbeat’ – seeks to give a peek into the lesser known facets of our very well-known industry leaders. We present video interactions with the prominent industry leaders’ on areas that are not usually highlighted in regular media coverage – be it about their childhood days, secret skills that they possess, how they unwind from their hectic schedules, and much more…

In this edition, we catch up with Mehul Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, SoCheers, who shares his thoughts on life beyond work, the boldest idea he ever pursued, his dream dinner guests, and the one skill he wishes he could master. From launching his own social networking site in college to unwinding with his family, Gupta offers a glimpse into his world – unfiltered and offbeat.

What’s the one thing people often misunderstand about you?

The one thing people get wrong about me is that they think I’m always in work mode. They assume I’m constantly thinking about the next project, the next pitch, always planning something new. But honestly, that’s not true at all! I really value switching off and spending quality time with my family. Playing with them, just hanging out – that’s what I love. So, yeah, the idea that I’m always working is a total misconception.

If you weren’t wearing the Co-Founder’s hat, what alternative career path would you have chosen?

If I weren’t wearing this co-founder’s hat, hmm... that’s a fun question! I think I’d either be coding away as a software engineer, or maybe I’d be flexing my creative muscles as an interior designer. Both could have made good career options!

What’s the craziest idea you’ve ever had, and did you act on it?

Maybe “ambitious” is a better word than “crazy” here. The craziest thing I ever did was definitely launching my own social networking platform, while still in college, on my pocket money – Socheers.com. Way before I even started the agency, I was diving headfirst into the world of social media. While I did act on it, what my pocket money couldn’t end up paying for was all the cloud storage we needed to run a social networking website.

If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

If I could swap lives with anyone for a day, it’d be a tough choice. Part of me would love to experience the world through the eyes of someone like Ratan Tata – especially in his younger days. Imagine getting a firsthand look at how he navigated the business world, learned from setbacks, and built such an incredible legacy. That would be an amazing learning experience!

On the other hand, a day in the life of a celebrity like Virat Kohli or a top-tier athlete like Rohit Sharma would be wild. Just to get a taste of that level of fame, the intensity of high-level sports, and the pressure that comes with it... that would be something else! So, yeah, either a business giant or a sports superstar – those are my top picks.

What’s the one thing on your bucket list that you’re determined to tick off soon?

Okay, so having two kids was definitely on my life list, and guess what? Two kids, boom! My family feels complete now. And speaking of lists, next up this year is a loooong vacation. I’m taking a month off, or at least three weeks. Something slow and relaxing. That’s the next thing that I’m totally checking off my list, and soon!

If you could host a dinner with three people from history, who would they be and why?

Oh, definitely Steve Jobs! I’d love to pick his brain. I mean, imagine getting his insights, understanding his crazy vision, and seeing how he actually made it happen. That would be incredible.

Then, wow, it’s a tough choice... maybe Ratan Tata? Both Jobs and Tata have had such a huge impact, shaping the economies of their countries and on me. It would be fascinating to compare their approaches.

And if I could go back in history, I’d be interested in talking to Hitler. Not to agree with him at all, but to understand his leadership skills. How did he manage to captivate so many people? How did he communicate his vision in a way that made so many people follow him to oblivion?

What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

One of the most unexpected lessons I’ve learned in my career is – “All that glitters isn’t gold”. You know, in my career, all the things that seemed super glamorous and exciting from the outside? Those were often the things that turn out to be hollow.

If you could design your perfect day from start to finish, what would it look like?

Ah, my perfect day? It starts with waking up with my kids and just having those lovely chats with them. We might even squeeze in some exercise together. Then, of course, comes my coffee – can’t miss that!

If the weather’s cooperating, I’ll head to the beach while it’s still nice and cool and build some sandcastles. A great breakfast and lunch at a favourite restaurant are definitely musts – I’m a beach person at heart, so a little beachside shack for lunch would be ideal. Later on, maybe a game of cricket with friends, catching up with my old school buddies in the evening... And to wind down? A glass of wine or whiskey, a little dancing, and then some peaceful sleep. Sounds perfect, right?

What’s a hobby or passion you’ve always wanted to explore but haven’t yet?

There’s this hobby I’ve always wanted to get back into: skating! I did it a bit in school, but then just...lost touch. I keep meaning to, but I never seem to find the time to dig out my old skates and actually do it. It just feels so freeing, like flying almost, and I love the speed.

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and how would you use it?

If I could instantly become a master of anything, I think I’d choose writing. Seriously! I’d love to be able to really craft words, you know? To articulate things in a way that truly connects with people on an emotional level. Like, imagine being able to write stories that just grab you, change how you see things, and really stick with you. That’s what I’d want to do. I just want to be a fantastic storyteller, using the written word. So yeah, writing is the skill I’d pick. I’d want to master how to write creatively, emotionally, and so powerfully that it can actually move people.

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