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ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Asian News International (ANI)

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.

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#463
Sunday · 1 hr 28 min
EP-463 | Luke Coutinho on Ozempic, Wellness Myths, Health Trends, Fertility & Superfoods
Luke Coutinho is an entrepreneur, author, and foundational medicine and lifestyle expert. He was named Fit India Champion for Lifestyle and Wellness in 2019 by the Fit India Movement. In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Luke Coutinho discusses the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in India and the risks associated with using them as quick fixes. He also shares his views on popular superfoods and protein supplements, and talks about healthy ageing, longevity and wellness trends such as biohacking. Trade Crypto, Gold, Silver and US Stock Tokens in INR! Download app to get 10% off in Fees: https://deltaexchange.onelink.me/DIpL/zb5g0nh3 Delta Exchange is India's leading Crypto Exchange, fully compliant and requiring only INR to trade Crypto. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 1:19 – Weight Loss Drugs 11:14 – Heart Health 15:13 – Natural Remedies vs. Medication 18:19 – Lifestyle Changes 22:33 – Wearables & Health Tracking 25:20 – Bio-Individuality 29:51 – Binge Drinking 35:20 – Air Pollution 39:59 – Indian Cooking 44:39 – Mindful Eating 49:07 – Late-Night Eating 53:11 – Foundational Medicine 55:56 – Biohacking 58:43 – Male Fertility 1:03:16 – Genetics & Diabetes 1:06:58 – Breathwork & Yoga 1:14:14 – Longevity 1:18:34 – Rapid Fire 1:24:19 – Parenting
#462
Thursday · 1 hr 22 min
EP-462 | Yogi vs Akhilesh: UP 2027, RSS, Muslim Votes, SIR Row & BJP's Strategy | Pankaj Chaudhary
Pankaj Chaudhary is the Union Minister of State for Finance, the Uttar Pradesh BJP President and a seven-time MP from Maharajganj. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the BJP’s strategy for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Yogi Adityanath’s leadership and Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA formula. He responds to questions about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission’s credibility, Muslim voters, the RSS’s role in elections and growing dissatisfaction among young voters. *Timestamps* 00:00 - Introduction 00:59 - Inflation & Unemployment 06:46 - SIR Controversy 10:57 - Deletions from Electoral Rolls 14:36 - BJP Losing Young Voters? 17:07 - Upper Castes & UGC Rules 18:20 - CJP Protests and Congress 19:51 - BJP’s 2024 UP Setback 24:04 - BJP Workers Being Rewarded? 27:19 - Akhilesh’s PDA Formula 29:06 - Third Front in UP Politics? 29:51 - AI Videos and Personal Attacks 31:30 - Mayawati’s Declining Influence 32:38 - Why Did BJP Lose Ayodhya? 33:43 - Yogi vs Akhilesh in Ayodhya? 34:36 - Ram Mandir Donation Theft 35:31 - Election Freebies 36:52 - BJP–RSS Relations 38:15 - Rahul Gandhi’s Attacks on RSS 39:35 - BJP’s Ticket Distribution 44:40 - Entry into Politics 48:43 - Gorakhpur’s Deputy Mayor Battle 57:31 - First Lok Sabha Election 01:00:35 - Muslim Voters & Owaisi 01:05:05 - UP’s Bureaucracy 01:05:52 - Firing Outside His Home 01:10:05 - Defending Party Workers 01:12:44 - How Modi and Shah Plan Elections 01:16:50 - When PM Modi Walked to His Gorakhpur Home 01:20:07 - Managing Stress and Family Time 01:21:15 - Closing Remarks
#461
October 27 · 1 hr 8 min
EP-461 | Why Are Genuine Voters’ Names Being Deleted? Union Cabinet Minister Bhupender Yadav on SIR
Bhupender Yadav is the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and a senior BJP leader. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Bhupender Yadav discusses the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, questions over the Election Commission’s credibility and concerns about genuine voters’ names being deleted. He responds to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of vote theft, questions about the CJP protests and allegations of foreign funding. *Timestamps* 0:00 - Introduction 2:01 - SIR Process Transparency 9:15 - Deletion of Genuine Voters’ Names 11:36 - Foreign Nationals in Bihar 13:52 - Bengal’s Voter Deletions 18:02 - Cong 89 Lakh Complaints in Bihar 21:18 - Changes to Form 6 24:58 - Pilibhit’s Muslim Voter Controversy 27:12 - EC Not Addressing Media 30:31 - Supreme Court on Form 6 32:08 - Dissent Within the EC 35:10 - Why BJP Defends EC 38:10 - Was SIR Rushed? 39:57 - SIR “NRC in Disguise”? 40:45 - “Regime Change” Charge 42:16 - Foreign Funding Allegations 45:22 - Election Boycott by Opposition 46:20 - Annamalai on Foreign Forces Narrative 49:40 - Young Protesters Jailed 52:56 - Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation Demand 55:57 - BJP Becoming Arrogant? 57:21 - Protests at Govt Buildings 1:00:18 - Detention of Protesters & Journalists 1:02:37 - Rahul Gandhi’s Conduct 1:05:40 - Democratic Dissent vs Anarchy 1:07:01 - Political Pressure on India’s Institutions 1:08:10 - Closing Remarks
#460
October 22 · 1 hr 35 min
EP-460 | Ambani vs Musk, Trump’s Hostility & India’s Foreign Policy | Meera Shankar & Zorawar Singh
Meera Shankar is India's former Ambassador to the United States and Germany. She has decades of diplomatic experience and a deep understanding of India's relations with major world powers. Dr Zorawar Daulet Singh is a foreign policy analyst, historian and author whose work focuses on India's foreign policy, the balance of power in Asia and the changing world order. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Meera Shankar and Zorawar Daulet Singh discuss India-US relations, Trump's foreign policy, trade tensions and allegations of American interference in Indian politics. They also talk about the Iran war, India's relations with China and Russia, the H-1B visa debate and the challenges India faces in making its own foreign policy decisions in a changing world. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 2:11 – How Does America See India? 8:19 – Why Trump Targets India 11:20 – US Pressure on India’s Politics 17:49 – India’s Dependence on the US 20:57 – Elon Musk, Ambani, Polymarket 22:54 – India–US Trade Deal 24:53 – America During the Obama Years 25:44 – Trump & American Diplomacy 26:44 – India’s Brain Drain 30:40 – H-1B Crackdown 33:01 – West Asia Security Outlook 37:41 – China’s Confrontation with the US 42:00 – How Iran Surprised the World 48:36 – India’s Strategic Autonomy 52:27 – Jaishankar on India–China Tensions 55:33 – Future India–China Ties 1:02:21 – Europe’s Energy Crisis 1:04:15 – Can BRICS Challenge the US-Led Order? 1:06:31 – Dollar, Sanctions & Financial Systems 1:11:44 – Marco Rubio’s India Visit 1:16:21 – India’s Leverage over American Tech Giants 1:21:08 – India’s Own Digital Infrastructure 1:23:01 – Future of India–US Ties 1:26:34 – India’s Global Leverage 1:29:27 – Indian Foreign Policy 1:32:22 – Trade Corridors & Regional Connectivity 1:32:55 – New World Order 1:35:11 – Closing Remarks
#459
October 19 · 1 hr 28 min
EP-459 I A Bangalorean in USA since 1963 who has seen India and America over the years
M. Farook Sait is an attorney at law who moved to America from India in 1963, at the age of 23. He served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1972 to 2012. Over the past six decades, he has witnessed some of the most defining moments in American history. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Farook Sait discusses his early years in America, his experiences with racism, and the realities of the American Dream. He also talks about the H-1B visa debate and how life in America has changed for the Indian diaspora. For more information on PILOT's initiatives to support girls' education, visit https://impilot.org/ 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Moving to the U.S. in 1963 04:04 – Discrimination in America 08:42 – Studying in Alabama 15:04 – Life in Segregated American South 18:54 – Love Story with Yvette 33:24 – Elvis Presley Fan 39:14 – John F. Kennedy’s Assassination 48:11 – The Watergate Scandal 50:22 – The 9/11 Attacks 54:05 – H-1B Visas 58:29 – Indian American Community 1:01:51 – ANI Documentary on ‘Indian Muslims Abroad’ 1:06:32 – Indian Diaspora’s Challenges Abroad 1:14:18 – Memories of Bangalore 1:17:18 – India’s Progress Over the Decades 1:23:07 – A Childhood Story from 1947
#458
October 14 · 1 hr 40 min
EP-458 | What’s Going Wrong for BJP? SIR, CJP Protest & Rahul Gandhi | Neerja, Rasheed, Nistula
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists Neerja Chowdhury, Rasheed Kidwai and Nistula Hebbar discuss the BJP’s strategy, the CJP protest, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach, the SIR controversy and the challenges facing the NDA government. They also examine whether the opposition can turn public anger into votes and what the road ahead looks like for the BJP.*Timestamps* 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – BJP on Protests 06:36 – NEET vs SIR Protests 12:26 – BJP Losing the Plot? 16:56 – SIR Controversy 19:49 – Indira Gandhi and Protests 22:32 – BJP’s Political Response 23:06 – SIR vs Mandal 25:59 – BJP’s Protest Strategy 29:24 – What Should CEC Do? 30:58 – INDIA Bloc’s Strategy 35:10 – Rahul Gandhi’s Spies Claim 40:34 – Social Media’s Power 42:51 – Rahul Gandhi’s Impact 44:47 – Is BJP Scared? 46:00 – Vote Bank Politics 48:01 – SIR in UP 50:49 – Akhilesh vs Congress 54:30 – Social Media and Voting 55:48 – New Blood in Congress 1:03:34 – Mamata’s National Ambitions 1:09:15 – Owaisi’s Vote Strategy 1:12:21 – Goa Politics 1:14:34 – Punjab Polls 2027 1:17:20 – BJP’s Punjab Strategy 1:24:13 – Rahul Ignoring State Polls? 1:26:29 – BJP Nervous About UP? 1:31:08 – BJP’s Biggest Challenge 1:33:50 – Reshuffle and Modi’s Successor 1:37:16 – Amit Shah as Deputy PM?
#457
October 11 · 54 min
EP-457 | Goa SIR Controversy, Tourism, Taxi ‘Mafia’, Rahul Gandhi & 2027 Polls | Pramod Sawant
Pramod Sawant has been the Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. An Ayurvedic doctor by training, he succeeded Manohar Parrikar and led the BJP to victory in the 2022 Goa Assembly election. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Goa SIR controversy, allegations of voter roll manipulation and the BJP’s chances in the 2027 polls. He also responds to questions about expensive holidays, the taxi ‘mafia’, drugs, jobs and rising land prices in Goa. The conversation covers Rahul Gandhi, his RSS background and how Goa can grow while protecting its local culture and identity. *Timestamps* 00:00 - Introduction 01:20 - BJP’s Goa CM Face in 2027 03:30 - Manohar Parrikar’s Influence 06:30 - Goa SIR Controversy 11:10 - Rahul Gandhi’s Protest 13:00 - Opposition Alliance in Goa 17:10 - Free Electricity for Goans 18:10 - Corruption Allegations Against the CM 19:30 - Jobs and Unemployment 21:40 - Ease of Doing Business in Goa 22:30 - Industries, Shipbuilding and Education 24:00 - Mining and Environmental Protection 24:50 - Foreign Tourists 26:10 - Negative Stories About Goa 27:20 - Goa vs Thailand and Vietnam 29:40 - Public Transport and Expensive Taxis 30:30 - Why No Ola or Uber in Goa? 32:00 - Power Cuts in Tourist Areas 33:00 - Beach Cleanliness and Lifeguards 33:40 - Stray Dogs and Cattle 34:30 - Land Mafia Allegations 36:00 - Rising House Prices 37:00 - Protecting Goan Culture 38:00 - Migrant Workers and Local Jobs 39:30 - Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Action 41:40 - Foreigners Running Businesses 44:30 - Ayurveda and Politics 46:00 - Sawant’s RSS Background 47:00 - Rahul Gandhi, RSS and Minorities 50:40 - Sawant’s Vision for Goa 52:30 - Pothole-Free Goa and Tourist Safety 53:40 - Message to Tourists 54:20 - Closing Remarks
#456
October 7 · 57 min
EP-456 | From Ajit to Pran: The Villains Who Defined Bollywood | Shehzad Khan
Shehzad Khan is an actor best known for his role as ‘Bhalla’ in the cult classic ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ and is the son of legendary actor Ajit. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about his father Ajit’s journey from hero to iconic villain, his friendship with Dharmendra and bond with Salim Khan. Shehzad also looks back at his career in Bollywood and why Ajit never wanted him to use his name or influence to get work. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 0:32 – Role of ‘Bhalla’ in ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ 9:27 – Father Ajit’s Rules for Shehzad 16:21 – ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ Story 22:23 – Why ‘Razia Sultan’ Flopped 26:25 – Ajit & Salim Khan’s Bond 31:17 – Bollywood’s Iconic Villains 35:28 – Ajit’s Entry Into Films 38:25 – Love Story of Ajit 43:43 – Ajit’s Early Retirement 47:52 – Screenwriting of Salim-Javed 52:03 – Working in ‘Tirangaa’ Movie 54:13 – Unpaid Bollywood Projects
#455
October 5 · 1 hr 34 min
EP-455 | FlyDubai Horror, Radicalised Pilots & Future of Warfare | Lt Gen Dhillon & Air Marshal Kapoor
Lieutenant General K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon is the former Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and has commanded the strategically important 15 Corps in Kashmir. Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor is the former Commandant of the National Defence Academy and has extensive experience in air operations, training and strategic affairs. Together, they have written Nobody’s War, Everybody’s War. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, they discuss the FlyDubai incident, the radicalisation of professionals and how drones are changing modern warfare. They also explain what India can learn from the Iran war, China’s growing military power, threats to India’s energy security and why the country must strengthen its indigenous defence manufacturing. *Timestamps* 00:00 – Intro 03:10 – FlyDubai Incident 07:44 – Brave Passengers 11:19 – Civilian Bravery 18:51 – Hijack Codes 23:56 – Teaching Children Safety 30:04 – Drone Warfare 35:05 – More Drones for India? 37:58 – Iran’s War Preparations 40:52 – US War Goals 45:53 – Fighting Terrorism 46:59 – Drones vs Soldiers 49:55 – Op Sindoor & Defence Industry 53:58 – China Arms Pakistan 55:08 – Maritime Chokepoints 56:34 – Oil & Gulf Security 58:15 – China Gains from War? 59:19 – War Room Decisions 1:06:39 – India Ready for Next Crisis? 1:07:50 – India’s Economic Challenges 1:11:16 – India–China & Third Parties 1:17:38 – India’s Military Power 1:20:14 – Politics & National Security 1:24:03 – Why They Wrote the Book 1:25:49 – Advice for Youth 1:30:35 – Manufacturing in India 1:33:42 – Closing Remarks
#454
September 30 · 1 hr 15 min
EP-454 | Nimrat Kaur on Losing Her Father to Terrorism, Military Life, Dhurandhar & Bollywood
Nimrat Kaur is an actor known for her performances in The Lunchbox, Airlift, Dasvi, Homeland and The Family Man. She has worked in both Indian cinema and international television, playing a wide range of roles, from a lonely housewife to a spy. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she talks about her journey from modelling to films, and why she refused to be typecast after The Lunchbox. She also opens up about losing her father to terrorism in Kashmir, her mother’s strength, working in Hollywood, social media pressure and her life away from the screen. 00:00 – Introduction 01:22 – Success After The Lunchbox 04:20 – How Homeland Happened 05:27 – Avoiding Typecasting 10:35 – Working with Irrfan Khan 13:14 – Being Raised by a Single Mother 15:53 – Her Father’s Kidnapping and Assassination 20:01 – Filming Homeland 24:38 – Indian vs International Film Sets 26:31 – Paparazzi and Social Media 31:14 – PR Agencies 34:15 – Breaking the ‘Sanskari’ Image 40:00 – Growing Up in a Military Family 41:45 – Do Men Feel Intimidated by Thinking Actresses? 43:43 – Working with Amitabh Bachchan 45:42 – Spirituality, Solitude and Staying Grounded 49:22 – Dealing with Impostor Syndrome 52:14 – Artificial Intelligence in Filmmaking 54:24 – Body Image and Changing Perceptions 55:19 – Playing a Spy in The Family Man 55:38 – Akshay Kumar and On-Set Prank Stories 58:23 – Friendships in the Film Industry 1:00:08 – Auditions and Screen Tests 1:02:20 – Indian Actors and Hollywood 1:04:36 – Dhurandhar and Authentic Spy Films 1:09:50 – Role Models and Her Acting Dream 1:11:56 – Relationships and Staying Authentic 1:14:50 – Conclusion
#453
September 27 · 1 hr 9 min
EP-453 | Untold Secrets of Dawood, Chhota Rajan, Haji Mastan & D-Company | Vivek Agrawal
Vivek Agrawal is a crime author and investigative journalist who has spent more than three decades reporting on crime, terrorism, organised crime and national security. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he takes us inside Mumbai’s underworld, its rivalries, networks and connections with the city’s business and film circles. He also talks about Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan, the relationship between the underworld and Bollywood, and how extortion and traditional criminal networks evolved into real estate and business operations. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 1:22 – Chhota Rajan’s Origin Story 6:24 – Haji Mastan, Karim Lala & Varadarajan Mudaliar 11:05 – Rise of Dawood Ibrahim 20:35 – Chhota Rajan vs Dawood 30:04 – Arun Gawli-Dawood Gang War 32:11 – 1993 Bombay Bombings 47:48 – Sanjay Dutt’s TADA Case 53:00 – Crime Reporting 56:00 – Dawood’s Portrayal in Bollywood 1:00:06 – D-Company at Present 1:01:23 – Karachi Module Uncovered 1:02:58 – Ajit Doval’s Covert Operations 1:07:21 – If Dawood Returns, Who Gets Exposed?
#452
September 23 · 1 hr 13 min
EP-452 | Biswajit Chatterjee on Kishore Kumar, Rekha, Dharmendra, Raaj Kumar & Bollywood’s Golden Era
Biswajit Chatterjee is an actor who has spent seven decades in the Bombay film industry. In the 1960s, Biswajit became one of Hindi cinema’s defining romantic leads. With his effortless charm and trademark smile, he starred in films such as Bees Saal Baad, Kohra, Mere Sanam, Night in London, April Fool and Kismat. His films gave us enduring songs, including “Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe” and “Kajra Mohabbat Wala.” At 89, he sits down with Smita Prakash on the ANI Podcast to look back on his career, his life and his loves. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 3:26 – Dharmendra’s Last Film 8:42 – Playing Different Roles 11:27 – Meeting Guru Dutt 16:07 – First Bollywood Film 18:50 – Guidance From Uttam Kumar 21:08 – Evergreen Songs 21:31 – Working With Waheeda Rehman 22:52 – Entering Bollywood 27:44 – Raaj Kumar Stories 31:45 – Acting With Kishore Kumar 33:12 – Forgotten Actors of Yesteryear 40:45 – The 70s and the Fall of Romantic Heroes 47:14 – Working With Mumtaz and Pran 49:34 – Dealing With Fame 49:44 – Kiss Controversy With Rekha 50:56 – Music Journey 53:20 – Dev Anand’s Son’s Debut Film 54:14 – Sunil Dutt’s ‘Rocky’ 55:20 – Bangladesh Documentary 58:40 – His Son Prosenjit Chatterjee 59:31 – Meeting Shah Rukh Khan 1:02:03 – Bengali Film Industry vs Bollywood 1:07:14 – K. Asif, Bimal Roy and ‘Madhumati’ 1:11:18 – Making Films Today
#451
September 19 · 1 hr 32 min
EP-451 l Mahatma Gandhi, India’s History, Leftist Historians, Savarkar & Tipu Sultan | Vikram Sampath
Dr Vikram Sampath is an author and historian known for his books on V.D. Savarkar, Tipu Sultan and Gauhar Jaan, among others. He is the founder of the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research and the co-founder and director of Naav AI, which uses artificial intelligence to bridge language barriers. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Sampath questions why India’s history remains centred around Delhi and discusses how NCERT textbooks have shaped our understanding of the past. He speaks about Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar and Tipu Sultan, and challenges the influence of Leftist historians on India’s historical narrative. This episode explores how India can reclaim and rewrite its history. 00:00 – Introduction 1:15 – History Textbooks in India 4:51 – Cholas, Ahoms and Marathas 10:09 – Narrative of Indian History 14:36 – India’s Cultural Geography 18:18 – Historical Research Projects 23:24 – Bias in Historical Writing 29:37 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy 35:23 – Ancient Texts & Language Barriers 40:36 – History of Buddhism 52:21 – Religious Conversion 58:00 – Forgotten Women in Indian History 1:04:12 – Kashmir’s Historical Documentation 1:10:51 – Portrayal of History in Movies 1:16:10 – Future of History Education 1:25:19 – India’s Musical Heritage
#450
September 16 · 39 min
EP-450 | Raj Kapoor, Dawood Ibrahim & Bollywood’s Secrets: Mandakini Reveals All
Mandakini is an actress best known for her role in Raj Kapoor’s iconic film Ram Teri Ganga Maili. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she discusses working with Raj Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, her controversial scenes and how she got her screen name. She also addresses her rumoured links with Dawood Ibrahim, the gunshot controversy and why she eventually quit films. 0:00 – Introduction 0:51 – Story Behind 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' 9:53 – Working With Raj Kapoor 11:04 – From Yasmeen to Mandakini 12:41 – Working With Rajiv Kapoor 14:02 – Controversial Scenes 18:16 – Raj Kapoor’s Vision 21:53 – Bollywood: Then vs Now 25:16 – Rumoured Links to Dawood 28:07 – Performing Live Shows Abroad 31:48 – Gunshot Controversy 35:17 – Why Mandakini Quit Films
#449
September 13 · 2 hr 19 min
EP-449 I “India Looks So Poor”: Manu Joseph on Broken Cities, Gen Z, Jobs, CM Vijay & PM Modi
Manu Joseph is a journalist, columnist, novelist and screenwriter known for his sharp and often provocative observations on Indian society. He is the author of 'Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us' and the creator of the Netflix series 'Decoupled'. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses India’s broken cities, the jobs crisis facing Gen Z, and the decline of civic sense. He also speaks about Noida versus Gurugram, Vijay’s rise in Tamil Nadu politics, freedom of expression, privilege, merit and why India “looks so poor”. 0:00 – Introduction 1:13 – Life in Gurugram 2:33 – Village–City Divide 3:55 – Civic Order vs Social Order 5:47 – Why India Looks So Poor 6:57 – Swanky Airports and Broken Cities 10:51 – India’s Obsession With Useless Issues 14:24 – Leaving Gurugram 18:22 – Bengaluru Has Become a Hellhole 19:36 – Why Indian Cities Are Unliveable 22:30 – Is Goa India’s Most Cosmopolitan Place? 29:30 – What’s Wrong With Kerala? 33:42 – Kerala’s Healthcare 35:58 – Kerala Mothers 40:06 – Indian Parents and Education 47:19 – North India vs South India 52:51 – Servility, Saluting and Class in India 55:10 – How Indians Treat Salespeople 55:48 – How Indians Treat Waiters 1:02:59 – Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us 1:03:22 – The Attention-Span Crisis 1:08:35 – Cockroach Janata Party 1:13:11 – Why Gen Z Is Screwed by Equality 1:13:52 – India’s Employability Crisis 1:26:53 – Unemployment Among Educated Women 1:31:54 – Exam Leaks and Student Protests 1:35:42 – Freedom of Expression in India 1:40:25 – “Vijay Was My Classmate” 1:42:57 – Mani Ratnam and Tamil Cinema 1:44:45 – Vijay’s Political Rise 1:55:13 – Caste and Public Toilets 1:59:46 – Manu Joseph’s Stand-Up Film 2:04:48 – Left-Wing vs Right-Wing Politics 2:09:11 – Why Ancient History Is Unreliable 2:12:43 – Leaving Journalism and Writing Fiction 2:15:50 – His Take on ‘Godi Media’
#448
September 9 · 59 min
EP-448 | Samrat Choudhary on Bankipur, Migration, Alcohol Ban, Reservation, Jobs & Bihar’s Infra
Samrat Choudhary is the first BJP leader to serve as the Chief Minister of Bihar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the Bankipur election result, Prashant Kishor, migration and jobs in the state. He also discusses the alcohol ban, reservation, infrastructure, the revival of sugar mills, and what his government plans to do next. 00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – Bihar Floods 4:08 – Water Treaty with Bangladesh 11:05 – Women’s Employment Scheme 17:23 – Jobs in Bihar 23:31 – Bihar’s Education System 27:29 – Skill Development 31:48 – Migration 35:50 – Alcohol Ban 36:50 – NDA Alliance 43:00 – BJP’s Bankipur Defeat 50:15 – Reservation 53:40 – Road and Bridge Collapses
#447
September 6 · 1 hr 13 min
EP-447 | “I Thought I Wasn’t Right for Mirzapur Role”: Rasika Dugal on Bollywood, OTT & Patriarchy
Rasika Dugal is known for her performances in films and streaming series such as Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, Manto, Qissa and Out of Love. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, she is best known for playing Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur, a role that brought her widespread recognition. In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dugal discusses why she initially feared she was not right for Mirzapur and shares her experience of working with Pankaj Tripathi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. She also remembers Irrfan Khan and explains what he taught her about being a good co-actor. Dugal speaks about how streaming platforms have transformed her career, the challenges women-led stories face, and the patriarchal expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 0:34 – Acting Style 3:05 – Family's Reaction to Acting 4:12 – Moving to Mumbai 6:58 – Studying at FTII 9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur 15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur 22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda 26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime 29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling 31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan 34:15 – Working in Manto 37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors 42:17 – Importance of Small Details 44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime 46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets 52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur 54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan 59:07 – Being an Outsider 1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema 1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors 1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers 1:12:43 – Conclusion
#446
September 3 · 1 hr 28 min
EP-446 | “China Had 20 Minutes to Warn People”: Lobsang Sangay on Nepal–Tibet Floods
Lobsang Sangay served as the democratically elected Sikyong, or President of the Central Tibetan Administration, from 2011 to 2021. He became its top political leader after the Dalai Lama gave up his political authority. Born in 1968, Sangay grew up in a Tibetan refugee settlement near Darjeeling, India. He studied at Delhi University and Harvard Law School before becoming an American citizen. In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sangay discusses the Nepal–Tibet floods and questions why China failed to issue a timely warning that could have saved hundreds of lives. He also alleges that Beijing censored videos and controlled the information coming out of Tibet. Sangay also speaks about Xi Jinping’s health, the purges within the PLA, China’s plans for Tibet, the Dalai Lama’s succession and the risk of China weaponising water. 0:00 – Introduction 1:34 – Tibet–Nepal Flash Floods 2:24 – Internet Shutdown in Tibet 4:17 – Could China Have Warned Nepal? 6:51 – Why China Is Hiding the Truth 9:02 – The Real Death Toll in Tibet 10:58 – China Blocks Journalists and Scientists 12:18 – Melting Glaciers and 2030 Warning 15:06 – Dams, Earthquakes and AI Data Centres 23:51 – Nepal’s Rescue Efforts 28:12 – China’s Information-Control Playbook 30:16 – International Water-Sharing Laws 34:38 – China’s Mega-Dam on Brahmaputra 36:52 – India–China Ties and Tibet 39:17 – China’s Claims Over Arunachal 43:15 – Purge of PLA Generals 46:00 – Xi Jinping’s Health 48:23 – Xi Jinping’s Succession Problem 52:12 – China’s Ethnic Unity Law 56:12 – Chinese Police Station 58:31 – Dalai Lama’s Succession 1:02:32 – Will There Be Two Dalai Lamas? 1:12:17 – Chinese Pressure on Nepal 1:14:59 – Tibet’s Future 1:22:29 – Nepal Rejects Foreign Rescue Teams 1:25:27 – The Human and Economic Cost 1:27:05 – Conclusion
#445
August 30 · 1 hr 35 min
EP-445 I Baba Ramdev Unfiltered: Hindu Rashtra, Kangana Ranaut, Gen Z, Modi, Yoga & Deep State
Baba Ramdev is a yoga guru turned businessman, known for taking yoga into millions of homes in India and around the world. He runs Patanjali, an Indian consumer goods company that competes with major FMCG giants. Baba Ramdev also frequently makes headlines for his views on Hinduism, politics and national issues. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Baba Ramdev explains his idea of a Hindu Rashtra, responds to criticism over becoming a businessman, shares his views on the performance of the Modi government, and talks about how he sees Gen Z and protests in India. 0:00 – Introduction 1:55 – Hindu Rashtra 7:30 – Religion and Conversion 18:19 – Youth Protests and Unemployment 25:00 – India Against Corruption and CJP 28:29 – Gen Z and a Changing India 33:57 – Black Money and Corruption 36:00 – Modi Government’s Report Card 44:39 – Youth’s Expectations from Modi 49:36 – Yoga Guru Turned Businessman 53:06 – Daily Routine 54:22 – Patanjali Products and Legal Battles 1:00:14 – Ayurveda vs Allopathy 1:04:28 – Rahul Gandhi 1:05:36 – Business Advice 1:09:31 – A Caste-Free India 1:13:48 – Gurukuls, Youth and Addiction 1:19:13 – Free Speech and Godi Media 1:22:38 – Deep State 1:27:46 – Succession Plan 1:29:46 – Ramdev’s Legacy 1:32:29 – Sings a Song 1:34:34 – Conclusion
#444
August 27 · 1 hr 45 min
EP-444 | How India Blinded, Numbed & Paralysed Pakistan’s Air Force | Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is a former fighter pilot who served in the Indian Air Force for more than 39 years. In January 2025, he took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the IAF’s most important operational commands. Just months later, he led the command during Operation Sindoor. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Air Marshal Mishra explains how India blinded Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and achieved air superiority, gaining the ability to strike anywhere inside Pakistan. He also speaks about the operational freedom given to the Indian Air Force and the role of women pilots in striking terror hubs in Pakistan. The conversation also covers drones, indigenous weapons and whether India is ready for Operation Sindoor 2.0. 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – IAF’s Planning for Op Sindoor 06:16 – IAF’s Precision Strikes 11:37 – Op Sindoor’s Target Selection 17:21 – Women Pilots in Op Sindoor 21:25 – Mental Makeup of IAF Pilots 28:09 – Decision-Making Behind Op Sindoor 32:44 – Psyche of Pakistan’s Military 39:00 – IAF’s 314-km S-400 Strike 45:42 – Blinding Pakistan’s Air Defences 54:30 – PM Modi’s Adampur Visit 58:27 – IAF’s Core Team for Op Sindoor 1:03:48 – BrahMos 1:08:06 – Drone Warfare 1:18:37 – Operation Safed Sagar 1:29:58 – Pakistan’s Attempts to Find S-400 1:29:58 – Narrative Warfare 1:42:26 – Track 2 Diplomacy

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