Chai & Chithi: The Desi Crime Podcast’s Spooky New Segment

True crime lovers, if you’re tired of the same old American cases, it’s time to dive into the dark and twisted world of Desi crimes. Hosted by Aishwarya Singh and Aryaan Misra, The Desi Crime Podcast uncovers chilling cases from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and beyond—stories as shocking as they are gripping. With meticulous research and spine-tingling narration, each episode pulls you in and keeps you looking over your shoulder. And for an extra thrill, Chai and Chithi—the show’s newest segment—blends fan-submitted paranormal tales with the hosts’ eerie anecdotes. Think of it as a late-night chai session where ghosts, ghouls, and gut-wrenching confessions take centre stage.

Chai and Chithi – A New Kind of Terror

The segment’s charm lies in its intimacy. Listeners aren’t just passive consumers but active contributors, sharing their chilling encounters with hauntings, eerie coincidences, and brushes with the supernatural. Aishwarya and Aryaan react in real-time, often with witty (or nervously humorous) commentary. This makes Chai and Chithi a thrilling departure from traditional crime storytelling. These aren’t just ghost stories; they’re firsthand experiences from people who’ve felt something sinister lurking, watching—something not of this world.

The latest episode opens with an unnerving story that even Aishwarya, a seasoned crime storyteller, admits left her “staring at the first line with chills.”

The first letter, from a listener named Aishwarya—who eerily shares Aishwarya’s nickname, Isha—recounts a chilling encounter in Savannah, USA. Bare footprints leading to her window, a pale-faced figure with pitch-black eyes, and whispers of “Mujhe andar aane do” (“Let me come in”) are pure nightmare fuel. The unsettling parallels to Aishwarya’s life leave the hosts wondering—prank or something more sinister?

But the segment isn’t all jump scares. Aishwarya and Aryaan balance horror with humour, like their banter about pronouncing South Indian town names or joking about a family’s “genetic predisposition to fevers. This was after a listener shared a generational curse tied to prophetic fevers. One story from Bangalore describes a childhood encounter with a grave marker that triggered agonising pain. Only cured by a neighbour’s ritual and later visions of death that eerily mirrored reality. The hosts dissect these tales with scepticism and fascination, asking, “Is this a ghost story… or just a vitamin deficiency?”

Why This Segment Resonates

Chai and Chithi work because it taps into the communal essence of storytelling. These aren’t polished Hollywood scripts; they’re raw, personal, and deeply rooted in South Asian superstitions and traditions. The segment bridges the gap between the diaspora and homeland, as seen in Aishwarya’s note. “Your podcast helps me feel connected to my roots while I’m far away.”

Aishwarya and Aryaan’s chemistry elevates the segment further. Their playful teasing (“Scared of mispronunciations more than the ghost?!”) and candid reactions make listeners feel part of the conversation. Whether they’re debating the plausibility of haunted cars (“Terrifying TTC? That’s a really bad joke!”) or unravelling the symbolism of fever-induced visions, their authenticity keeps the stories grounded, even when the tales defy logic.

Stay Crazy. Stay Desi.

Every Chai and Chithi episode delivers suspense, vivid storytelling, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final words. It’s more than just a podcast; it’s an experience that pulls you into the shadows of the unknown.

Grab a steaming cup of chai, dim the lights, and step into the eerie world of The Desi Crime Podcast. Once you start listening, there’s no turning back. And if you’ve had a supernatural experience, share your chilling tale at staydesi@thedesistudios.com; your story might just be the next to send shivers down our spines.

Catch The Desi Crime Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. New episodes drop every week, and ghost stories are included!