Hey folks!

Has Arjun Kapoor popped up on your social media feed lately?

If not, let us give you some context. The Bollywood actor opened his own acting school in Mumbai a few months ago. And, as you might’ve guessed, the internet isn’t thrilled. People are claiming that he should probably master the A of acting before teaching it. Or to put it bluntly, they think his acting skills don’t exactly qualify him to run a school. 

Ouch!

But instead of jumping on the internet’s critique train, we started wondering. Could Arjun Kapoor be experiencing the Dunning-Kruger effect?

If you’re scratching your head, don’t worry. Let us explain.

Back in 1995, two robbers walked into two Pittsburgh banks without covering their faces at all. Their master plan? Applying lemon juice on their faces, believing it would make them invisible to security cameras because… wait for it… lemon juice works as invisible ink on paper. Now, they obviously got caught.

But when psychology professor David Dunning read about this, he wondered if these robbers were too stupid to realise how stupid they actually were. Curious, he teamed up with his student, Justin Kruger, to study this behaviour. In 1999, their research revealed a cognitive bias ― when people lack skills in a particular area, they’re often too unskilled to realise how unskilled they are. Or, as Dunning put it, “They’re left with the impression they’re doing just fine.”

And that came to be known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Now, imagine this cognitive bias as a graph. On one axis, you have confidence, and on the other, actual knowledge.

When you start learning something new, your confidence often skyrockets because you only know a little bit. And that might just be enough to make you feel invincible. That’s the “I’ve got this!” phase or stage 1. But as you dive deeper and realise how complex things really are, your confidence nosedives. Welcome to stage 2, where self-doubt reigns supreme. And finally, if you stick with it and truly master the craft, your confidence returns, this time backed by real expertise. That’s stage 3 — the sweet spot where knowledge and confidence come together.

But here’s the thing: People at stage 1 and stage 3 can seem equally confident. And maybe, just maybe, that’s where Arjun Kapoor comes in.

We can’t say for sure, but here’s a thought... Maybe Arjun Kapoor doesn’t need the internet’s validation to open an acting school. After all, he’s not the one teaching! But by launching the school, he’s leveraging his Bollywood presence as a badge of credibility. And for aspiring actors, that Bollywood tag might just be enough to sign up.

And who knows? His school could even turn into a roaring success!

What do you think?

Here’s a soundtrack to put you in the mood 🎵

Nobody Knows by STAMP, Christopher Chu

You can thank our reader - Amandeep - for this beautiful rec! He also writes, “This is the main theme of a highly recommended movie: One for the Road! A story full of twists and conflicts with a sweet, lovely ending. It’s cinematographically beautiful, and the story is like tasting fine wine!”

Ready to roll?

What caught our eye this week 👀

Flying high and staying connected?

What if you’re cruising at 35,000 feet domestically, and instead of staring out of the window or flipping through the in-flight magazine, you’re streaming Netflix or joining a Zoom call?

Sounds futuristic, eh? Well, not anymore. Air India is now the first Indian airline to offer Wi-Fi on domestic flights. Yep! It’s available on Airbus A350, Boeing 787-9, and select Airbus A321neo aircraft, with free access for a limited time.

But Finshots, don’t international flights already have Wi-Fi…so what's the big deal?

See, for years, Indian airlines couldn't provide Wi-Fi domestically due to regulatory and tech hurdles. International flights often had internet, but it’d go dark over India due to the lack of local permissions and infrastructure. Then, in 2018, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced rules permitting in-flight connectivity within Indian airspace, but it could only be accessed above 3,000 meters. This was to make sure it didn’t mess with ground networks. Adding to the delay were high installation costs and doubts about whether passengers would pay for the service. But things changed in 2024 when the rules were updated. Airlines could finally provide seamless Wi-Fi without worrying about altitude limits.

So yeah, Air India’s move reflects years of regulatory changes, tech upgrades, and a commitment to enhancing passenger experience.

But wait, isn’t airplane mode mandatory during flights? So, how does Wi-Fi work up there?

Airplane mode turns off cellular data so it doesn’t interfere with the plane’s systems. Wi-Fi, however, doesn’t use cell towers. Planes connect to the internet using either air-to-ground (ATG) networks (think of it as a flying mobile tower connecting to ground stations) or satellite-based systems, which beam data down from space through satellites—perfect for areas where ATG systems aren’t accessible (above oceans levels). Once the plane connects, the plane’s routers share the signal so passengers can use it. And that’s how your in-flight Wi-Fi hotspot is created.

For India’s massive internet user base, this is a game-changer, making flights more productive and entertaining.

But there’s something to think about… More Wi-Fi means more towers and satellites crowding the land and space. Is that always a good thing? The tech could also have environmental and spatial impacts we might not fully comprehend yet.

Connectivity at 35,000 feet could also subtly influence how we perceive time. Flights, once considered ‘dead time,’ could become extensions of our workdays, and they could be the last refuge of digital detox in an otherwise hyper-connected world.

And there’s the cost. Setting up and running Wi-Fi on planes is expensive, and airlines already struggle to turn profits. Will passengers pay for it after the free phase? Will other airlines join the race, and at what cost? We’ll have to wait for these answers.

But what’s your take? Are you excited about mid-air tweets, or would you rather disconnect and enjoy the clouds?

Infographic 📊

This Day in Financial History 📜

1st of January 1949 – The RBI is Nationalised

On January 1, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) transitioned from a privately owned institution to a government-owned one, marking a historic milestone for India’s financial independence.

But nationalisation wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

Before this, the RBI, established in 1935, was governed by shareholders and prioritised their interests. After independence, the government realised the need for tighter control over monetary policy to drive economic growth. Despite resistance from critics, including the Board of the Bank, who called the move premature – the government argued that it was essential to align the central bank’s goals with nation-building.

Nationalisation meant the RBI’s policies would prioritise public interest over profit. It became a key driver of India’s economic agenda, focusing on inflation control, currency stabilisation, and financial inclusion.

The interesting bit? It also paved the way for India’s banking sector revolution. Over the next few decades, the government nationalised major banks. In 1955, the then premier commercial bank - the Imperial Bank - was nationalised to create what we today know as the State Bank of India (SBI). And 14 commercial banks were nationalised in 1969 with deposits over 50 crores under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s reforms. These steps extended banking to rural regions and enabled funding for large infrastructure projects. And today, these banks play vital roles in economic growth and implementing various schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana.

But does public ownership guarantee better outcomes? Some argue that government ownership can compromise autonomy and efficiency. However, in a diverse country like India, the RBI has balanced societal and economic development goals with financial stability. The shift from shareholder-driven priorities to public interest ensured critical economic policies were implemented. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RBI’s monetary interventions highlighted its role in supporting economic resilience and recovery.

So yeah, nationalisation wasn’t just a policy shift—it was the foundation on which modern India built its financial independence and resilience.

Readers Recommend 🗒️

This week, Parth Shah recommends reading What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama.

“This is a fantastic book that very casually answers a lot of questions you might be facing in day-to-day life. Simple and quick read. Big fan of the book”, he says. 

Thanks for the rec, Parth!

Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧩

It’s time to announce the winners of our last two weekly quizzes. And the winners are…🥁

Pranit Raje and Karishma. Congratulations! Keep an eye on your inbox and we’ll get in touch with you soon to send over your Finshots merch.

That’s it from us this week. We’ll see you next Sunday!

Until then, send us your book, music, business movies, documentaries or podcast recommendations. We’ll feature them in the newsletter! Also, don’t forget to tell us what you thought of today's edition. Just hit reply to this email (or if you’re reading this on the web, drop us a message: morning@finshots.in).

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