ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

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?

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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’

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

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

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

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

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

IAS Rajit Punhani is the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the organisation responsible for setting food-safety standards and regulating the country’s food industry. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Punhani explains what the FSSAI mark on a product actually means and why it does not mean that every product has been tested or certified by the regulator. He addresses concerns surrounding fake paneer, misleading food labels, excessive sugar in packaged drinks and baby food, palm oil, synthetic colours, protein supplements and ultra-processed food. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:29 – What FSSAI Logo Means 8:31 – Misleading Food Labels 14:14 – Drinks in Europe vs India 20:57 – Palm Oil Reality 25:27 – Sugar in Baby Food 30:04 – Indian Thali 32:54 – Nutrition Labels 37:05 – ‘Zero Sugar’ Meaning 39:36 – Food Industry Lobbying 42:54 – Fake Paneer and Food Adulteration 50:08 – Quick-Commerce Apps 53:58 – Dark Stores and Cloud Kitchens 58:17 – Street Food and Reused Cooking Oil 1:00:27 – Shortage of Food Safety Officers 1:04:16 – Food Recalls and Unsafe Products 1:08:10 – Protein Supplements 1:10:43 – Ultra-Processed Food 1:14:06 – Synthetic Colours in Food 1:16:53 – How Consumers Can File a Complaint 1:21:10 – Conclusion

Sanjeev Sanyal is a historian, economist and author. He currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he explains why India’s education system is failing its youth and why Indian degrees no longer guarantee jobs. He also speaks about India’s large population, the future of the economy, the falling rupee, AI and income tax. The podcast also explores the story behind INSV Kaundinya and India’s forgotten maritime and civilisational history. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:00 – India's Education System 4:28 – How China Conducts Exams 9:36 – Youth Unemployment 25:16 – Theory vs Real-World Skills 29:04 – India's Economic Outlook 32:01 – India's Private Investments 36:08 – GDP Growth vs Consumption Gap 39:22 – Foreign Media Narratives 47:47 – India-US Trade Deal 51:03 – Fall of the Rupee 57:35 – India's Growth Story 1:02:43 – Are Indians Overtaxed? 1:05:47 – Global Birth Rate Crisis 1:17:43 – INSV Kaundinya 1:25:21 – Indian History 1:29:27 – What's Next for Sanyal?

Stepping out of the ANI Podcast Studio, The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus is back with Edition 9.0, Part 2, this time from Dorabjee & Sons in Pune. The 150-year-old Parsi restaurant has been serving generations of Punekars and is now run by the fifth generation of the Dorabjee family. Joining the podcast are: Sushant Sareen – Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla – TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan – Author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra – Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies Darius Dorabjee Dallas Dorabjee In this episode, the panel talks about how the Parsis made India their home, the evolution of Parsi food and culture, and what it takes to carry forward a 150-year-old restaurant legacy. 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. 0:00 – Introduction 0:34 – History of Dorabjee & Sons 1:50 – Parsi Quirkiness 3:49 – Parsi Food 6:29 – Parsi Families and Marriage 15:06 – What Independence Day Means 24:21 – Exploring Parsi Food 28:27 – Parsi Traditions and Attire 32:50 – Iconic Parsi Dishes 33:17 – Why Dorabjee & Sons Never Expanded 35:48 – How Much Money Is Enough? 47:27 – India’s Obesity Crisis 49:10 – Protein vs Carbohydrates 54:37 – Stray Dog Debate 59:07 – Tukaram Mundhe’s Restaurant Crackdown 1:11:14 – Fitness and Healthy Living 1:25:50 – Wealth Creators 1:27:29 – Workweek Debate 1:28:08 – China’s Education Model 1:31:11 – AI-Driven World 1:39:11 – Is India Falling Behind in AI? 1:42:10 – Pakistan’s ‘Islamic NATO’ Proposal 1:46:51 – India–US Relations 1:57:45 – Trump and US Midterm Elections 2:03:05 – China’s Lead Over the US 2:11:11 – Manufacturing in India 2:18:40 – India’s Broken Systems 2:20:16 – Delhi’s Governance Problems 2:28:54 – Government Schools 2:32:09 – Visas and India’s Foreign Policy 2:34:30 – Conclusion

The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus is back with Edition 9.0, Part 1 — bigger debates, sharper arguments and absolutely no filters. Joining the panel are: Sushant Sareen – Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla – TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan – Author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra – Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies In this episode, the panel discusses the rise of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), anger among the youth, protests in Jharkhand, ethanol blending in petrol, the Ramayana and The Odyssey, and much more. 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 4:03 – E20 Debate 7:03 – Birth of CJP 12:54 – BJP’s Political Moves 18:35 – Cockroach Janta Party 26:48 – NEET Protest 29:42 – Traditional vs Social Media 31:33 – Sonam Wangchuk 35:24 – BJP vs Congress 45:24 – Jantar Mantar Effect 48:13 – FCRA Bill 53:50 – Gen Z vs Political Parties 55:02 – Bihar Bypoll 59:58 – UP 2027 Polls 1:00:46 – UGC Rules 1:02:55 – Gen Z Debate 1:07:26 – Digital Footprint 1:20:11 – Politicians Who Adapt 1:29:05 – E20 Blending 1:39:39 – India’s New Consumption Story 2:07:28 – Cinema

Govinda is one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars of the 80s and 90s. Known for his unique comic timing, energetic dance moves, colourful style and unforgettable performances, he became one of the most loved entertainers of his generation. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Govinda talks about his rise to superstardom, his work with David Dhawan and Kader Khan, highs and lows of his career, and memories of legends like Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand. This is Govinda like you have never seen him before - candid, emotional and completely unfiltered. 00:00 – Introduction 01:07 – 90s Stardom 03:42 – Dilip Kumar’s Advice 10:27 – Memories of Rajesh Khanna 14:26 – Mother’s Influence 21:20 – ‘Outsider’ Tag in Bollywood 25:29 – Flop Movies 32:18 – Working with David Dhawan 34:49 – Upcoming Films 37:53 – Love Affairs & Relationships 41:14 – Suicide Attempt & Spirituality 46:57 – Underworld Threats 50:34 – Pairing with Kader Khan 53:34 – Iconic Dance Style 58:00 – Chemistry with 90s Leading Heroines 1:03:34 – Global Fashion Trendsetting 1:05:52 – Tips to Salman Khan 1:07:58 – What’s Next for Govinda?

Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist, election analyst, author and commentator. He is the founder of Vote Vibe and a regular columnist and television panellist. Mallika Bajaj is a digital transformation expert who studies how technology affects the way people learn, behave and think. In this live edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, they discuss what Gen Z wants and why there is a disconnect between the government and young people. They also explain how algorithms work and why Instagram is becoming the next major platform for election campaigns. 00:00 – Introduction 00:58 – BJP Lost Gen Z Support? 06:22 – Algorithms & the Digital Divide 14:04 – BJP's Social Media Edge 19:58 – Q&A with Gen Z 20:51 – Foreign Apps & Data Leaks 26:39 – Need for Younger Politicians 34:08 – Fake Information in AI Age 42:10 – Gen Z's Political Grammar 45:35 – Job Creation 49:28 – CJP's Future Role 51:21 – Youth Representation in Parliament 56:41 – Legacy vs Independent Media 1:01:08 – Gen Z's Electoral Influence 1:06:02 – Political Labels 1:07:58 – Traditional Media 1:11:46 – The Right Way to Protest 1:17:26 – Political Influencers 1:21:19 – CJP's Political Ambitions

Pavan Malhotra is one of Hindi cinema’s finest actors, known for his powerful performances across films, television, theatre and OTT. In a career spanning over 45 years, he has delivered memorable roles in films like ‘Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro’, ‘Black Friday’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and ‘Jab We Met’. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pavan Malhotra talks about his journey in cinema, working with legendary actors and directors, Bollywood’s PR culture, typecasting, political films and changing approach of new actors. 00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – Working On ‘Gandhi’ Film 05:32 – Theatre’s Marxist Influence 11:40 – Political Films & Selective Outrage 15:34 – ‘Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro’ Story 22:06 – Indian Parallel Cinema 27:04 – Amrish Puri’s Advice 31:36 – ‘Black Friday’ & Anurag Kashyap 38:52 – BTS of ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ 46:10 – Bollywood’s New-Gen Actors 49:46 – Legacy Of Om Puri 54:20 – Bollywood PR Culture 57:42 – OTT vs Theatre 1:02:23 – Rakesh Bedi’s Bollywood Journey 1:07:33 – Making Of ‘Punjab 1984’ 1:12:05 – Art Of Storytelling 1:19:48 – Indian Culture & Traditions

Ronnie Screwvala wears many hats: entrepreneur, investor, film producer and philanthropist. He built UTV into one of India’s biggest media companies, co-founded upGrad and established the Swades Foundation. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ronnie Screwvala speaks about the student anger, paper leaks and what is wrong with India’s education system. He also discusses degrees versus skills, unemployment, AI, India’s competition with China, entrepreneurship, start-ups and why India must become a “no-collar nation”. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – AI Bubble 02:54 – China in AI Race 06:54 – India’s Service Economy 09:48 – Entrepreneurial Journey 14:41 – Rang De Basanti 16:46 – Licence Raj & Liberalisation 22:30 – Education and upGrad 26:39 – Quick Commerce 30:02 – Advertising Agencies 32:30 – India’s Television Revolution 38:47 – Did OTT Save Indian Cinema? 44:34 – Will AI Make Our Minds Dull? 47:38 – Education & Rural Digital Divide 52:56 – India’s Untapped Tourism 55:52 – Student Protests & Education Reform 1:03:15 – AI & Entry-Level Jobs 1:07:31 – Blue-Collar Work 1:13:11 – AI, Agriculture & Farming

Mahesh Jethmalani is a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and a former Rajya Sabha MP. He has represented the BJP in several high-profile legal battles over the past four decades. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mahesh Jethmalani speaks about his father Ram Jethmalani's legacy. The conversation also covers 2002 Gujarat riots, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, judicial reforms, anti-defection law, Vande Mataram debate and NEET student protests. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – NEET protests 10:51 – Anti-defection law 22:35 – Article 370 & Ram temple 29:20 – Ram Jethmalani's legacy 39:20 – High-profile cases 43:45 – LK Advani's leadership 48:13 – 2002 Gujarat riots 1:00:20 – 26/11 terror attacks trial 1:05:16 – 'Cockroach' remark by CJI 1:11:17 – Ram Jethmalani's courtroom drama 1:15:19 – Handling BJP cases 1:18:11 – Modi-Trump relationship 1:27:30 – Indus Waters Treaty 1:31:28 – Judicial reforms 1:43:19 – Vande Mataram debate 1:49:06 – Harshad Mehta case

Manish Tewari is a senior Congress leader, lawyer and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh. He previously represented Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib in the Lok Sabha and served as Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. He is also an author and has been active in Indian politics for over four decades. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Cockroach Janta Party protest, the NEET controversy, police action against students, Rahul Gandhi’s protest and the Parliament deadlock. He also speaks about the Punjab Congress, the 2027 Assembly elections, Operation Sindoor, his viral interaction with PM Modi. 00:00 – Introduction 01:16 – Cockroach Janta Party 06:01 – Political Involvement 07:36 – INDIA Alliance 14:36 – PM Residence Protest 15:54 – Pradhan’s Resignation 17:43 – Parliament Washout 20:05 – Anti-Defection Law 36:18 – Interaction with PM Modi 40:28 – Journey Through Congress 43:45 – Punjab Elections 2027 45:46 – Operation Sindoor 51:32 – Father’s Assassination 56:15 – Political Entry 57:52 – Rajiv Gandhi 01:01:53 – Punjabiyat 01:05:32 – Punjab Partition 01:10:43 – Satluj Movie 01:12:26 – Accidental Prime Minister 01:14:29 – Chandigarh Connection 01:16:50 – Partition Trauma 01:20:20 – Bittu Traitor Remark 01:26:19 – Bhagwant Mann 01:31:57 – US Trade Deal 01:35:02 – Conclusion

Arnab Ray, also known as Greatbong, is known for his satirical commentary on Indian politics, society, and popular culture. He is an author and holds a PhD in Computer Science. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arnab Ray discusses racism against Indians, the H-1B visa crackdown, AI-driven job cuts, and the changing American Dream. 00:00 – Introduction 01:33 – Image of Indian Immigrants 05:55 – Challenges for Indian Immigrants 10:23 – Indian American Cultural Identity 17:10 – Political Influence of Immigrants 27:20 – H-1B Crackdown 32:41 – Indian Students in U.S. 40:01 – NRI Stereotype 46:01 – Indian Politics and NRI Connection 53:53 – Indian Diaspora and Political Polarisation 59:09 – Jimmy Kimmel Controversy 1:07:18 – Rise of BJP in Bengal

Medha Bhaskaran is an author and researcher known for her work on Maratha history. She has written extensively about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Maharani Tarabai. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Medha Bhaskaran explores the long conflict between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire. She also discusses Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign, the destruction of temples, Shivaji Maharaj’s military leadership, Maharani Tarabai’s resistance, Tipu Sultan and the continuing debate over how Indian history has been written. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:56 – Life in Dubai 05:31 – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 10:16 – Mughal-era Violence 15:36 – Aurangzeb's Deccan Wars 22:27 – Aurangzeb's Family Conflicts 31:25 – Idea of Hindavi Swarajya 45:29 – Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s Legacy 52:40 – Untold Story of Maharani Tarabai 58:54 – Maratha Weapons 1:02:43 – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Final Days 1:07:34 – How Shivaji Maharaj Became Chhatrapati 1:22:25 – Rewriting Indian History 1:28:57 – Story of Tarabai’s Courage

R.V.S. Mani is a former Under Secretary in the Internal Security Division of Ministry of Home Affairs and a public commentator on national security. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2026 and is the author of The Myth of Hindu Terror: An Insider's Account of the Ministry of Home Affairs (2006–2010). In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, R.V.S. Mani speaks about the origins of the "Hindu Terror" narrative. He also discusses the truth behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Ishrat Jahan case, Beant Singh assassination, Pakistan-backed terror funding through fake currency and India's evolving internal security strategy. 00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – On Receiving Padma Shri Award 2026 02:34 – "Hindu Terror" Narrative 12:22 – 2006 Malegaon Blast Case 21:10 – 2007 Samjhauta Express Bombings 32:56 – 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks 51:32 – Pakistan's Fake Currency & Terror Network 54:18 – Ishrat Jahan Encounter Case 1:05:46 – CBI Questioning of R.V.S. Mani 1:14:21 – Fake Currency Empire of Khanani Brothers 1:33:53 – Cross-Border Drug Trafficking 1:37:10 – Beant Singh Assassination Case 1:39:34 – Lessons on National Security

Surjit Bhalla is an economist, author, and columnist. He was a part-time member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council. He also served as Executive Director at the IMF for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Surjit Bhalla shares his views on why India may not achieve its Viksit Bharat goal by 2047 if it continues with business as usual. He also says, "Senior babus who make decisions but are never held accountable are India's real deep state." The conversation covers Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's economy, the rupee, China, foreign direct investment, demonetisation, GDP, and the reforms India needs to accelerate economic growth. 00:00 – Introduction 03:03 – India's Economic Future 12:51 – Why India Overprotects Its Industries 16:42 – Lessons From Vietnam 21:07 – Viksit Bharat 2047 Target Realistic? 24:25 – India's Growth Story 36:43 – Why India Hesitates to Reform 42:24 – Agriculture and Dairy Sector 50:14 – China's Agriculture Model 56:39 – Manufacturing in West Bengal 1:01:15 – India's Next Window for Reforms 1:09:46 – Why Isn't FDI Coming to India? 1:13:51 – India's Job Challenge 1:21:13 – The Freebies Debate 1:30:06 – Demonetisation 1:34:27 – India's Middle Class Really Growing? 1:38:11 – Advice for Prime Minister Modi

Tilak Devasher is the author of four widely acclaimed books on Pakistan and a former member of the National Security Advisory Board. He lives and breathes Pakistan, closely tracking its politics, military, and society. Uttam Kumar Sinha is a scholar and commentator on transboundary rivers, climate change, and the Arctic. He is a Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses and the author of 'Trial by Water: Indus Basin and India-Pakistan Relations' (2025) and 'Indus Basin Uninterrupted' (2021). In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, and how it has become the latest flashpoint between the two countries. Will Pakistan face a water crisis due to the suspension of the treaty? More on Ayub Khan, Nehru, Modi and Asim Munir. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Indus Waters Treaty Geography 07:54 – Nehru's Vision 14:39 – Importance of Chenab 22:12 – Pakistan's Water Crisis 27:50 – India's Dam Projects 35:40 – Abeyance of Water Treaty 40:07 – India's Water Storage Capacity 46:20 – Chenab-Beas Link Project 54:49 – Pak's Diplomatic Strategy 1:03:20 – How Indus Waters Treaty Was Signed 1:11:23 – Pakistan's Internal Water Conflict 1:18:10 – India's Narrative

Rahul Bajoria is the Head of India and ASEAN Economic Research at Bank of America (BofA). In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul Bajoria discusses the impact of falling rupee, inflation, foreign investment, AI's impact on jobs, and what lies ahead for the Indian economy. He also explains why strengthening India's energy security is essential to protecting the economy from future global shocks. 00:00 - Introduction 00:33 - India's Growth Story 03:18 - Manufacturing in India 07:21 - Foreign Investment 09:29 - Investment Boost 13:16 - Inflation vs. Growth 14:56 - Oil Prices & the RBI's Next Move 16:35 - Indian Stock Market 18:46 - Investment Strategy 25:09 - India's Consumption Story 30:15 - Make in India & Exports 34:37 - AI, Jobs & Unemployment 44:12 - Bank Lending vs. Deposit Growth 52:20 - Falling Rupee 55:28 - Lessons from ASEAN Economies 1:00:18 - Risks to India's Economy 1:03:21 - Top 3 Economic Reforms for India

Talmiz Ahmad is one of India’s most experienced diplomats, with decades of work across West Asia, the Gulf, and global strategic affairs. A former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, he has watched world politics change from the front row. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he says Benjamin Netanyahu misled Donald Trump by promising a quick victory in Iran, only for the war to drag on. He calls Trump an unpredictable leader, argues that U.S.-Israel ties have suffered, discusses Pakistan's role in the peace talks, and explains why the Iran war is India's war because New Delhi's strategic interests lie in the Gulf. 00:00 – Introduction 01:35 – US-Iran Talks 03:51 – Netanyahu's Influence 06:33 – Trump's Shift on Israel 10:26 – Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 14:18 – Hegemon in West Asia 21:25 – Trump Vs Netanyahu 26:59 – Pakistan's Role 33:49 – Netanyahu's War Strategy 37:27 – Gulf's Response to Israel 43:29 – Pakistan's Influence 52:36 – Why West Asia Matters to India 57:27 – New Multipolar World Order

Pathikrit Payne has over 20 years of experience in journalism and policy analysis. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation. Sanjay Bhardwaj is the former Chairperson of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of International Studies. He specialises in India's foreign policy towards its neighbours, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and China. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Gen Z-led protests in India's neighbouring countries, the rise of the Cockroach Janata Party, and whether Gen Z has the power to influence or even topple a government in India. 00:00 - Introduction 01:40 - Youth in West Bengal & Tamil Nadu 13:55 - Youth Protests Around the World 21:44 - Challenges to Democracy 33:53 - Are India's Youth Angry? 46:04 - Gen Z Protests 1:02:10 - The Sanatan Debate 1:12:40 - Do Neighbours Distrust India? 1:24:33 - India-Bangladesh Relations 1:37:57 - The Aspirations of Today's Youth

From Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to Punjab, political equations are shifting across India. Is Prime Minister Narendra Modi still the defining force in Indian politics? Can Rahul Gandhi transform the Congress into a credible alternative? What role will regional parties play in shaping the next phase of Indian democracy? And is India moving towards a two-coalition political system? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists Neerja Chowdhury, Rasheed Kidwai and Shekhar Iyer join the discussion to analyse the changing political landscape. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:20 – TMC's Collapse 08:05 – Defections in TMC 15:10 – The Fall of Abhishek Banerjee 23:31 – Congress & Regional Parties 31:53 – Congress–TMC Merger? 37:57 – TVK-Congress Alliance 47:33 – Rahul Gandhi vs Modi in 2029? 54:27 – BJP's Core Voters 1:00:23 – Why Voters Relate to Modi 1:08:19 – Modi's Feedback Mechanism 1:14:44 – Rajasthan Congress & Sachin Pilot 1:24:46 – Punjab Assembly Polls 2027 1:31:58 – UP Polls 2027 1:38:48 – Journalists and Politicians

Reuven Azar is Israel's Ambassador to India. A career diplomat, he has held several key positions in Israel's foreign service and has been closely involved in shaping his country's foreign policy and international relations. In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Reuven Azar speaks to Smita Prakash about the Iran–U.S. peace deal, Israel's position on Lebanon, the future of the Middle East, and whether the region is moving towards peace or another phase of conflict. He also discusses India-Israel ties and what has changed under the leadership of PM Modi. 00:00 – Introduction 00:55 – U.S.–Iran Peace Deal 07:45 – What Israel Wants Next 09:22 – Defence vs Aggression 18:00 – Trump & Netanyahu Relationship 19:47 – Iran’s Nuclear Program 24:32 – Strait of Hormuz Crisis 29:05 – Buffer Zones in Gaza, Lebanon & Syria 35:02 – Netanyahu Under Pressure? 43:04 – Humanitarian Cost of War 46:35 – Two-State Solution 51:50 – India–Israel Relations 53:10 – Israel’s Wartime Economy 55:24 – Modi’s Visit & Iran Strikes 59:18 – Six Shared India–Israel Values 1:03:21 – Trade & Investment Future 1:08:23 – Pakistan as a Mediator

Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran is the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. He is also a writer, author, and teacher. He has taught at several business schools and management institutes in India and Singapore. He was a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India from 2019 to 2021. In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Dr. Nageswaran speaks to Smita Prakash about the future of the Indian economy, the impact of the West Asia crisis, the outlook for the rupee, and whether AI is a bubble. He also explains why he believes the era of the MBA is over. 00:00 - Introduction 00:56 - Foreign Investors 04:14 - Rupee-Dollar Debate 08:24 - Rupee Stability 14:20 - Foreign Banks 20:07 - Critics of India's Economy 28:20 - China's Manufacturing 33:09 - Unemployment in India 35:09 - Freebies Debate 44:24 - India's Aging Population 50:41 - Demographic Dividend 58:36 - The Skill Gap 1:00:21 - Artificial Intelligence 1:05:55 - India's Economic Strength 1:09:52 - Myths About Indian Economy 1:12:00 - India in 2047 1:18:22 - Per Capita Income 1:22:56 - Viksit Bharat Target 1:27:59 - Vision for India 1:36:42 - Old Economic Beliefs 1:38:07 - India's Economic Mindset 1:44:52 - Advice vs. Execution in Govt 1:48:40 - Fake News

Pawan Kalyan is the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the founder and chief of the Jana Sena Party, an actor, and a philanthropist. He is the younger brother of Telugu cinema megastar Chiranjeevi. Over the years, he has carved a unique place for himself in Andhra Pradesh politics and has become one of the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, with a devoted fan following that extends far beyond the silver screen. In his first-ever podcast appearance, Pawan Kalyan opens up about his journey from movies to politics, his plans for Telangana, his days in Srinagar, his spiritual beliefs, and several untold stories from his life. He also shares his views on Gen Z, nationalism, language politics, governance, and the future of India. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 00:48: - Story Behind His Name 02:37 - Re-Entering Telangana Politics 07:03 - Telangana Expansion Plan 09:17 - "Outsider" Tag in Telangana 12:36 - North-South Debate 17:25 - Tax Allocation Debate 20:17 - Cockroach Janta Party 27:53 - Spiritual Journey 45:19 - Freebies Debate 48:54 - Hindi Imposition 57:54 - Plans for IT Jobs 1:00:15 - Brain Drain 1:08:47 - Special Status for Andhra 1:10:07 - Telangana Roadmap 1:14:27 - What's Next in Life? 1:16:59 - South vs North Films 1:21:54 - Fitness Routine

Neelkanth Mishra is an Economist and a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. He has recently been appointed India’s Executive Director at the World Bank. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mishra breaks down India’s current economic position amid the West Asia crisis. He discusses the impact of the falling rupee, energy problem, capital flows, and concerns around foreign investors leaving India. 00:00 – Introduction 1:09 – India's Economic Growth Outlook 7:37 – Are Foreign Investors Leaving India? 12:27 – Innovation Challenge in India 22:29 – India's Energy Vulnerability 25:41 – Economic Impact of West Asia Crisis 32:47 – US Tariffs on India 36:32 – Rupee’s Fall 48:31 – RBI’s Gold Reserves Position 53:02 – Why Gold Overtook US Bonds 57:29 – Domestic Demand vs Export-Led Growth 1:05:38 – 3 Key Policy Advice for India’s Growth 1:19:14 – Lessons from Global Capital Giants 1:25:23 – RBI’s Hold on Repo Rate 1:28:26 – Tax Exemption on Government Securities 1:32:38 – India’s Next Phase of Economic Expansion

Dr Shamika Ravi is a Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and a Secretary to the Government of India. Her research focuses on development economics, with a special emphasis on finance, healthcare, urbanisation, gender equality, welfare, and poverty. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Shamika Ravi discusses how the West Asia crisis impacts India's economy. She responds to critics who argue that India's growth story is over and shares her views on foreign direct investment, India's position in the artificial intelligence race, the falling rupee, rising inflation, and the country's economic outlook in 2026. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:48 – India's Economic Future 04:29 – Foreign Direct Investment 07:11 – India's Approach to AI 11:09 – Indians' Purchasing Power 15:13 – Nuclear Reactors 17:28 – COVID-Like Crisis Coming? 19:56 – Advice for Investors 22:09 – India's Economic Growth 25:16 – Freebies and Welfare Politics 29:24 – Rural vs. Urban Consumption 30:52 – Economic Reforms 40:43 – PM's Advice Against Buying Gold 44:43 – World Abandoning Free Market? 48:43 – Market Privatisation in India 50:26 – Market Solutions for New-Age Problems 56:20 – India's Demographic Dividend 1:06:03 – Demographic Change in India 1:10:06 – Women's Reservation 1:18:24 – PM Modi's Economic Vision for 2047

Indrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership and public policy. She has spent many years covering India's Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian perspective. Prof. C. Raja Mohan is one of India's leading experts on foreign policy, national security and international relations. He has taught at major universities and has advised the Indian government on strategic and security issues. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash and Ishaan Prakash, the guests discuss where India's foreign policy is headed. They talk about the West Asia crisis, the Trump–Munir relationship, and how India should respond to China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean. They also discuss India's ties with the United States and China, as well as the Great Nicobar Project and India's long-term strategic challenges. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:23 – Marco Rubio’s India Visit 07:02 – India–US Trade Deal 10:41 – Trump–Xi Summit 15:15 – Trump’s Second-Term Doctrine 18:31 – India–US Relations 29:08 – Trump–Munir Lunch 33:33 – India’s Geopolitical Challenge 37:45 – How Energy, Tech & Trade Shape Geopolitics 45:38 – India’s Supply Chain Crisis 55:22 – India’s Economic Challenge 1:00:31 – Why India Needs Private Players in Defence 1:07:58 – West Asia’s New Alliances 1:18:23 – The Great Nicobar Project 1:28:20 – Tata–ASML Deal

In the latest edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Kuldeep Mishra, better known as Sardar, the Executive Editor of The Lallantop; Asif Khan, fondly known as Khancha, the Executive Editor of India Today Group Digital; and Kamlesh Singh, or Tau, a senior journalist and columnist. Together, the trio host Teen Taal, one of India’s most popular Hindi podcasts. From hostel tales and small-town stories to politics and friendship, the guests explain why sometimes the most meaningful conversations come from what they call “therapeutic bullsh*t.” Don’t miss this “most useless podcast ever.” Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 04:06 – Melodi Trend 05:48 – How Teen Taal Team Met 09:26 – School Life: Then vs Now 17:46 – Political Ideologies 26:38 – Teen Taal's Show Format 28:37 – How Teen Taal Started 33:33 – The Lallantop & Teen Taal 37:57 – How Kamlesh Tau Entered Journalism 43:58 – Truck Wali Shayari 47:06 – Kamlesh Tau's Childhood Stories 49:08 – Original Idea Behind Teen Taal 56:51 – Photography: Then vs Smartphone Era 1:03:47 – Teachers & Schooling 1:18:22 – Story Behind Teen Taal Characters 1:26:08 – Journalism: Then vs Now 1:32:17 – Weird Food Combinations 1:36:16 – Culture & Tradition of Eating Paan 1:43:18 – Urbanisation 1:55:02 – India's Stray Dog Issue 2:08:38 – India's Urban-Rural Divide 2:11:40 – Two-Wheelers in India 2:17:35 – NEET Paper Leak 2:27:18 – Aditi Rao Hydari's Cannes Look 2:34:51 – Incentives for Having More Children 2:39:40 – Migration Within India 2:58:36 – Criticism of Teen Taal

Major SPS Oberoi (Retd.) served as an Artillery Officer in the Indian Army for 11 years. He is currently a UPSC mentor and Academic Director at Ekam IAS Academy, Hyderabad. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Major SPS Oberoi (Retd.) shares his journey from serving in the Army to becoming a UPSC mentor. He challenges the popular belief that the UPSC is the toughest exam in India and explains the obsession surrounding it. He also discusses the issue of dowry, often associated with civil servants, and the social prestige attached to government jobs. He speaks candidly about discipline, success, AI, coaching industry, and the mental health challenges faced by UPSC aspirants. 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – Childhood And Education 04:24 – Army Officer To UPSC Mentor 08:16 – UPSC Preparation Journey 12:48 – Can AI Guide UPSC Students? 16:20 – Ideal Study Time For UPSC Preparation 18:23 – UPSC Study Materials 21:33 – Digital Detox For Students 23:53 – AI In Administration Work 31:16 – Male vs Female Intelligence 36:46 – Presence of Mind & Quick Reactions 38:50 – Obsession With UPSC Preparation 40:27 – Parental Pressure In Education 45:25 – Scholastic Assessment Test 48:01 – Career Options For Youth 52:03 – Violence Against Children 53:56 – Sikhism And Marriage Rules 56:49 – Dowry In India 1:00:16 – Why Civil Servants Become Corrupt 1:06:50 – Views On Reservation 1:09:31 – UPSC Craze In Bihar And U.P 1:13:48 – Financial Independence For Graduates 1:15:56 – Army Life Vs Civilian Life 1:19:20 – Golden Rule For Study 1:25:29 – Importance Of Language In UPSC 1:30:43 – Learning From Students

From Tejas fighter jets and the AMCA programme to drones and missile systems. India is pushing aggressively towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Can India truly become “Aatmanirbhar” in defence? Or is complete self-reliance impossible in a world dependent on global supply chains? What role will private companies play in India’s growing drone ecosystem? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Defence Production. A 1993-batch IAS officer with a background in electronics engineering, communication technology, and financial management, he is leading India’s push towards indigenous defence manufacturing and technology modernisation. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – Lessons from West Asia Crisis 05:05 – India’s Drone Production Capacity 05:52 – India’s Missile Production Capacity 08:49 – India’s Ammunition Manufacturing Capacity 14:27 – India’s Defence Exports 17:20 – India’s Atmanirbhar Defence Capabilities 19:45 – Success of ‘Make in India’ in Defence 24:52 – India’s Defence Imports 27:59 – Chinese Components & Data Security Risks 29:02 – Use of AI in Modern Warfare 29:52 – India’s Indigenous Fighter Jet Programme 35:24 – Tejas Jet Delivery Status 38:25 – India’s BrahMos Missile Programme 39:35 – India’s Competitors in Defence Exports 42:02 – India’s AMCA Project 44:09 – Defence Firms Investing in R&D 49:09 – Defence Talent and Innovation in India 56:56 – India–Russia Defence Partnership 1:02:04 – S-400 and Operation Sindoor

In this edition of ANI Podcast, Smita Prakash speaks to India’s first female Dastango, Fouzia Dastango, about Urdu, theatre, storytelling, women in traditional art spaces, and her journey of keeping the 16th-century art of Dastangoi alive in modern India. She explains why people should not have any problem with her reciting the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Urdu, and how the art of storytelling must evolve with the current generation. 00:00 - Introduction 01:04 - What is Dastangoi? 03:08 - Kathavachak vs Dastango 04:37 - Real Identity of Urdu 05:32 - Ramayana & Mahabharata in Urdu 09:14 - Fouzia Dastango’s Story 15:05 - Feminist Elements in Stories 22:53 - Choosing Stories Based on Audience 28:47 - Classical vs Folk Art 33:14 - Inspiration Behind Performance 37:05 - Gen Z Connect with Dastangoi 42:03 - Hardest Emotion to Portray 46:46 - Cultural Home of Dastangoi 51:48 - Advice for Younger Generation

Geetam Tiwari is an Emeritus Professor at the Transportation Research & Injury Prevention Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. She has over 25 years of experience in transportation planning, road safety, and urban mobility. Her work focuses on safer roads, better footpaths, bicycle infrastructure, and protecting pedestrians. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she talks about why Indian cities face traffic chaos, unsafe roads, and poor pedestrian facilities. She also discusses what India needs to do to build safer, smarter, and more efficient transport systems. 00:00 – Introduction 02:21 – Rising Road Deaths 08:13 – International Driving Tests 10:03 – Road Safety Rules 11:49 – School Bus Safety 13:38 – Highways & Expressways Design Flaws 17:03 – Audible Road Markers 21:12 – Why Indians Ignore Road Signs 22:05 – Facilities on Expressways & Highways 23:53 – Expressways & Highways for Two-Wheelers 25:41 – Importance of Service Roads 29:07 – Wrong-Side Driving 31:26 – Pedestrians & Cyclists 37:45 – Public Spaces Accessibility 39:13 – Reality of Vendors on Indian Roads 41:38 – Why Foot Overbridges & Underpasses Fail 46:31 – The Pothole Problem 49:58 – Corruption in Road Construction 53:11 – Municipal Corporations and Dug-Up Roads 55:02 – Labourers at Road Construction Sites 58:18 – Road Reality Check Segment 1:04:49 – Building Proper Bicycle Paths