In the 68th episode of Jam with Sam, we had the privilege of speaking with Swapna Patker, a serial entrepreneur, psychologist, educator, filmmaker, and author. As the Managing Director of The Royal Maratha Entertainment, she wears many hats, balancing business, creativity, and social impact with an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
In this conversation, she shares her incredible journey from a shy, silent child to a fearless leader, her love for continuous learning, the importance of emotional intelligence, and her thoughts on social media, feminism, and mental well-being.
The Silent Observer: From a Reserved Childhood to a Curious Mind
Born and raised in Mumbai, Swapna studied at King George School (IES, Dadar). Unlike the outspoken person she is today, she was so quiet that people called her “Gandhiji”—a child who never demanded anything, never argued, and silently accepted whatever was given to her.
But while she didn’t speak much, she absorbed everything. She developed an intense habit of observing people, which later became her superpower in psychology, business, and filmmaking.
Her passion for learning continued throughout her life, pushing her to pursue courses from prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School. Today, she teaches at Mumbai University, specifically a Master’s program in Emotional Intelligence, where she helps students understand how resilience matters more than IQ in today’s world.
A Serial Learner: Psychology, Homeopathy & Emotional Intelligence
Most people stop learning after college, but Swapna is always enrolled in a new course. From clinical psychology to homoeopathy, she has pursued diverse fields to understand human behaviour better.
Why Homeopathy?
Though it seems unrelated to her business, homoeopathy became a part of Swapna’s life due to personal reasons.
- Her son suffered from a medical condition, and after trying allopathic treatments, homoeopathy proved to be the only effective solution.
- As a clinical psychologist, she noticed that psychiatric patients were often overmedicated, numbing their emotions instead of solving the root cause.
- Inspired by Dr. Praful Vijaykar, she saw homoeopathy as a holistic science that could work alongside therapy, leading her to study it in depth.
This ability to combine knowledge from multiple fields has made her a uniquely skilled professional who understands both the mind and body holistically.
Back then, international travel was a niche market, and mainstream travel agencies like
Entrepreneurship: From Hotels to Corporate Training to Film Production
Swapna’s career spans multiple industries, from hospitality and corporate training to media and entertainment.
Royal Maratha Entertainment: A Foray into Films
- Swapna ventured into film production with Royal Maratha Entertainment, producing films that highlight socially relevant themes.
- Her films include:
- Baadu (2015) – A movie inspired by Balasaheb Thackeray and how he would navigate modern times.
- Doctor Rakhmabai – A biopic on India’s first female practising doctor, directed by Anand Mahadevan and starring Tannishtha Chatterjee.
- Though the film has already won awards at international film festivals, she is waiting for the right time to release it commercially.
The Hotel Business: Saffron Hotels
- Originally a family business, her restaurant went through several transformations over the years.
- Understanding that youth want novelty, she redesigns the restaurant every four years—from a traditional eatery to a high-end sit-out space to a karaoke lounge.
- Her philosophy? Adapt to changing consumer behaviour, or lose relevance.
Mindworks Training Systems: A Corporate Learning Revolution
- While studying engineering (which she didn’t want to do!), she became fascinated by psychology and corporate training.
- She started Mindworks Training Systems, which provides psychological-based corporate training.
- Instead of just time management and communication skills, her programs tackle deeper issues like cultural sensitization, emotional resilience, and workplace harmony.
- For example, when two banks merged, they faced internal clashes between North and South Indian employees—simply over food! Her training helped bridge cultural gaps and foster unity.
Her ability to move across industries seamlessly shows that true entrepreneurs are not limited by a single field—they adapt and innovate constantly.
Social Media, Feminism & Mental Health: Unfiltered Thoughts
Is Social Media Creating a False Reality?
Swapna sees social media as an illusion—people only post what they want others to see, not their real lives.
- She avoids posting personal content, believing that true happiness isn’t meant for public validation.
- She critiques how people are addicted to notifications, constantly checking their phones instead of living in the moment.
- Despite this, she studies people on Facebook as a psychologist, calling them her “Guinea pigs” for human behaviour research.
Is Feminism Overhyped?
While she believes in equal rights, she finds modern feminism often misguided.
- Many use feminism as a spotlight rather than for real change.
- She doesn’t believe in male bashing, saying that each person should fight their own battles instead of seeking validation from movements.
- To her, true empowerment is self-reliance, not social media activism.
Mental Health: Three Key Issues & Their Solutions
As a psychologist, Swapna identifies three main reasons people struggle with mental health:
- Lack of Self-Awareness – People are too busy watching others instead of understanding themselves. Solution? Daily self-reflection.
- Unrealistic Expectations – People expect too much from family, friends, or society, leading to disappointment. Solution? Expect more from yourself and work towards it.
- Lack of Action – People want happiness but don’t take steps to achieve it. Solution? Set a bucket list and actively pursue your goals.
A Life of Learning, Adaptability & Impact
Swapna Patker is a rare combination of intellect, creativity, and entrepreneurship. From corporate training and psychology to film production and business leadership, she is constantly evolving and challenging norms.
Her philosophy of self-reliance, deep learning, and emotional intelligence makes her an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. Whether she’s writing books, producing films, training professionals, or reshaping the hospitality industry, one thing is clear—Swapna Patker is versatility personified.
And with her insatiable thirst for knowledge, who knows what she’ll master next?
About Swapna Patker:
Dr. Swapna Patker is a clinical psychologist, entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker. She is the Managing Director of The Royal Maratha Entertainment and the founder of Mindworks Training Systems. With a background in corporate training, homoeopathy, and emotional intelligence, she is passionate about self-development, mental health, and storytelling.