Kanhaiya Kumar is the All India Congress Committee in-charge of NSUI and a youth leader in the Congress party. Tasked by Rahul Gandhi with strengthening the party’s presence in Bihar, he recently led a padyatra in the state. He is also a former president of the JNU Students’ Union.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kanhaiya Kumar talks about the Congress party’s future in Bihar, Operation Sindoor, the issues of unemployment and migration, and the everyday realities faced by people in the state. He also shares his thoughts on whether padyatras can help revive the Congress’s fortunes in Bihar.
00:00 - Introduction
00:34 - Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatra in Bihar
03:53 - BJP vs Congress: Bihar's Development
05:33 - Bharat Jodo Yatra: Who Really Benefited?
06:18 - Kanhaiya Kumar’s Promise for Bihar
06:58 - Centre vs Non-BJP States?
07:58 - Will Congress Comeback in Bihar?
10:26 - RJD-Congress Alliance
11:43 - Issues of Bihar
14:27 - Rahul Gandhi's 'Narender Surrender' Jibe
17:08 - Politics of Kanhaiya Kumar
Sanjay Yadav is a Member of the Rajya Sabha and is widely known as the political advisor and close aide to Tejashwi Yadav. Often referred to as the ‘Chanakya’ of the RJD, many believe that nothing moves in the party without his approval. He hails from Mahendragarh in Haryana.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Yadav defends what many critics call the ‘jungle raj’ era of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar. He also addresses concerns about Nitish Kumar’s health and explains why Nitish chose to break ties with the RJD.
Sanjay Yadav also discusses the Muslim-Yadav combination, which is often seen as the core of RJD’s vote bank. Sanjay Yadav shares his views on Tej Pratap Yadav and responds to the speculation around whether he is fueling tensions between the Yadav brothers.
00:00 – Introduction
00:32 – Sanjay Yadav RJD’s ‘Chanakya’?
03:23 – Central Agency Raids on Opposition
04:07 – Tejashwi's Tenure as Bihar Deputy CM
05:57 – Mahagatbandhan Seat Sharing
08:25 – ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar
14:41 – RJD’s M-Y Equation
18:24 – Why Nitish Left INDIA Bloc
21:04 – Relationship with Akhilesh Yadav
22:28 – Tejashwi’s ‘Unconscious’ Jibe at Nitish
24:21 – Nitish Kumar’s Return to NDA
Ashok Choudhary is the Minister of the Rural Works Department in Bihar. He is known to be close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and also serves as the National General Secretary of the Janata Dal (United). He is considered one of the most influential ministers in the Bihar cabinet. Before joining JD(U), he was the Bihar Congress chief.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ashok Choudhary talks about reports questioning Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's fitness to lead the state and the defamation case against Prashant Kishor.
He also speaks about his time as Bihar Congress chief and what led to the decline of the party in the state. He calls Rahul Gandhi a good human being but says he is superficial when it comes to politics. Ashok Choudhary also shares his views on Tejashwi Yadav and the caste census.
00:00 – Introduction
00:40 – Nitish Kumar Fit to Lead Bihar?
05:26 – Migration from Bihar
08:10 – Future Plans for Bihar
11:52 – Law and Order Situation in Bihar
13:13 – Defamation Case Against Prashant Kishor
17:52 – Startups in Rural Areas
20:50 – Is JD(U) a Rural Party?
21:21 – Chirag Paswan Miffed with NDA?
22:07 – NDA Seat Sharing Rift
24:12 – Prashant Kishor vs Nitish Kumar
26:30 – Caste Politics in Bihar
29:00 – NDA's Promise for Bihar
31:53 – Operation Sindoor
Poonam Dhillon, a timeless icon of Indian cinema, began her journey as a model and rose to fame after being crowned second runner-up at Miss India 1977. She debuted at 16 with the blockbuster Trishul, and later went on to act in popular movies like Noorie, Red Rose, and Teri Kasam, she shared the screen with legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor, becoming a beloved figure in Bollywood’s golden era.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Poonam Dhillon takes us through her remarkable career, from her accidental entry into films to navigating the industry’s challenges as a young actress. She shares nostalgic anecdotes about shooting 'Trishul' with Amitabh Bachchan, her bond with co-stars like Farooq Sheikh. She also started the idea of vanity vans with her company, Vanity. Poonam opens up about her personal life, including her early marriage, raising her kids, and balancing work and family.
She also discusses her role as president of CINTAA, where she fights for better pay for small-time actors, and her time with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. Poonam shares her brief stint in politics with the BJP in 2004 and her work with NGOs for causes like organ donation. With warmth, she talks about her love for theatre and her hope to support new artists.
00:00 – Introduction
03:16 – Working in film Trishul
05:56 – Debut scene with Amitabh Bachchan
07:37 – Why Yash Chopra chose Poonam?
09:18 – Working with Rajesh Khanna
13:31 – Fan crowd for Rajesh Khanna
14:05 – Shooting with Kumar Gaurav
16:03 – Costume designers in the 1980s
20:55 – Working with Rishi Kapoor
23:31 – Do directors go strict on their own kids?
27:30 – Kamal Haasan’s lesson on punctuality
30:28 – Working in television
34:03 – Robbery at home
35:38 – Working for street children
38:25 – Why was Poonam upset with her marriage?
40:48 – Life after divorce
42:00 – Friends’ reaction after divorce
43:35 – Bollywood’s 80s dating & marriage stories
47:53 – Off-screen moments with co-stars
49:29 – Introducing vanity vans
51:52 – Dining at Rishi Kapoor’s home
55:18 – How Yeh Vaada Raha film was pitched
59:36 – 80s heroines avoided abuse
01:01:07 – Handling emotions after shooting
01:04:61 (or 01:05:01) – Managing finances & investment
01:12:58 – Lessons for children
01:15:16 – Working with FCAT & CINTAA
01:23:08 – Joining BJP & social work
01:25:16 – Offered Rajya Sabha seat
In this power-packed episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, filmed in Patna, Bihar, we dive into the heart of Bihar’s political landscape with two key figures:
Samrat Choudhary, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, who kicks off with a defense of Nitish Kumar’s NDA government, crediting it for transforming Bihar with better roads, electricity, and women’s self-help groups generating ₹60,000 crore in business. He tears into Tejashwi Yadav and RJD’s “jungle raj”, calling Lalu Yadav “Gabbar Singh” for fostering fear and corruption, and dismisses Tejashwi as a “representative” of his father’s legacy with no real leadership. Samrat also addresses alliance dynamics, insisting the NDA’s five-party unity under Nitish will crush the opposition in 2025.
Shambhavi Choudhary is one of India’s youngest parliamentarians of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) from Samastipur. She brings youthful energy, fiercely countering Prashant Kishor’s claim that her father “bought” her LJP ticket, calling it a patriarchal attack on her as a Dalit woman MP. She emphasises Bihar’s progress, while praising NDA schemes like Didi Ki Rasoi for empowering rural women. Alltogether, they paint a picture of a resurgent Bihar under NDA, ready to take on Lalu’s dynasty in 2025. Don’t miss this candid and fiery discussion!
*Audio Timestamps:*
00:00 - Segment-I: Samrat Choudhary
00:33 - Do Bihar Trust NDA?
03:09 - NDA to Beat Last Bihar Tally?
04:32 - NDA Seat Sharing: Can BJP Balance All?
06:52 - Samrat's Ideology
10:54 - Samrat on Govt’s Performance
13:40 - Is Bihar Safe Under NDA?
15:15 - Rahul Alleges Match-Fixing in Bihar Polls
16:22 - Nitish’s Health & BJP’s CM Face?
18:57 - Paper leak issue in Bihar
21:05 - Rahul's 'Narendra Surrender' Jibe
23:21 - Govt Performance vs Public Trust
28:30 - Segment-II: Shambhavi Choudhary
29:08 - Prashant Kishor vs Shambhavi Choudhary
35:16 - Chirag’s Seat Remark Sparks Rift?
37:04 - Dalit Quota in Judiciary & Pvt Sector?
39:29 - Rahul's 'Narendra Surrender' Jibe
41:02 - Women’s Safety in Bihar?
45:28 - Advice to Aspiring Girls
50:25 - Empowering Women in Bihar Politics
54:13 - NDA CM Face: Nitish or Chirag?
57:09 - Shambhavi on Nepotism Allegations
Prashant Kishor is a well-known political strategist who has worked with many top leaders, including Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee, and MK Stalin, and with parties across India. He was born in Bihar and is now trying to make a mark in his home state through his own political party, Jan Suraaj. Can Prashant Kishor challenge or end the long-standing political dominance of Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar in Bihar?
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares his vision for Bihar and talks about how he plans to bring jobs and stop migration from the state. He also speaks about nepotism in politics and how caste still plays a role in Bihar's politics. He claims that government officers are not listening to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
He also shares his views on Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and the BJP in Bihar.
00:00 - Introduction
00:47 - Political Strategist to Political Leader
03:21 - Dynasty politics
06:47 - Aam Admi Party vs Jan Suraaj
09:03 - Dynastic leaders in PK’s party
09:47 - Caste Based Politics in Bihar
13:01 - PK's caste factor in Bihar Polls
16:26 - Tejashwi's Role in Bihar Politics
17:14 - How is Jan Suraaj different from other parties?
21:49 - People from Bihar in Corporate, Media, Bureaucracy
23:41 - Jan Suraaj's promises to Bihar
33:32 - Bihar's Credit Deposit Ratio
37:13 - Bihar Assembly Polls
40:06 - PM Modi's Madhubani visit
43:31 - Migration & Development in Bihar
46:44 - Digital Media & AI in Politics
48:54 - Rahul Gandhi's ambition in Bihar
49:30 - Revanth Reddy's 'Bihar DNA' remark
51:51 - Is Congress relevant in Bihar?
52:29 - RJD-Congress Alliance
54:23 - Operation Sindoor
Rahul Bose is an actor, director, and writer who has worked in more than 55 films in different languages. He is famous for picking meaningful roles. Movies like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, The Japanese Wife, and Chameli show how he prefers strong and thoughtful characters.
Rahul is more than just a film personality. He was also a national-level rugby player and is currently the President of Rugby India. He is working hard to grow the sport. For him, rugby is not just a game; it’s a way to teach kids teamwork, discipline, and confidence.
In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul talks about his 32 years in the film industry. He clears up some common myths, like the idea that Bollywood is only about glamour and big money.
More about the process behind choosing a film, the debate between theatres and OTT platforms, and whether Bollywood is lacking in content.
Timestamps
00:00 – Coming Up
01:53 – Introduction
03:10 – Story Behind Carrying His Own Chair on Sets
10:45 – Left's Influence in Bollywood
12:21 – Working with Female Directors
16:35 – Experience in South Indian Film Industry
22:35 – Process Behind Choosing a Film
26:45 – Script Improvisation
28:45 – Journey into Rugby
36:50 – Advice on Overcoming Fear
40:50 – Role of Discipline in Sports
43:43 – Rugby: A Costly Sport?
50:10 – Benefits of Playing Rugby
54:30 – Nutrition for Rugby Players
01:02:35 – Rugby vs. Films
01:04:30 – Theatres vs. Films vs. OTT
01:07:58 – Impact of OTT on Storytelling
01:13:32 – Lack of Quality in Bollywood Content?
01:17:30 – Lessons from His Parents
01:25:25 – Rahul Ever Regretted Doing a Film?
01:30:12 – Laapataa Ladies & Thappad
01:39:24 – Upcoming Projects
Tejashwi Yadav is a former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and the de facto chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the state. Before entering politics, Tejashwi was a professional cricketer. Today, he is seen as the political heir to Lalu Prasad Yadav's legacy and a key figure in shaping Bihar’s politics.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tejashwi Yadav responds to the 'Jungle Raj' jibe made by opposition leaders, referring to the years when his father and family governed Bihar.
He says nothing has been done in Bihar under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. He calls the Chief Minister "tired" and claims that corrupt officers are running the government. He also speaks about the caste census, the controversy over his son's name, Prashant Kishor, Chirag Paswan, and the Mahagathbandhan.
*Timestamps*
01:58 – Introduction
02:32 – Welcoming a Second Child
05:30 – BJP vs JDU in Bihar
09:44 – Development in Bihar
12:11 – Criticism of the Media
17:30 – Is Nitish Kumar Unwell?
20:08 – Who’s Really Running the Bihar Sarkar?
24:35 – Can Nitish Return as CM Again?
27:20 – INDIA Bloc’s Bihar Plan
28:50 – Chirag Paswan vs Tejashwi Yadav
30:29 – Tejashwi’s Plan for Bihar Polls
32:00 – Tejashwi’s Son’s Name Row
35:45 – RJD & Congress in Bihar Polls
37:11 – Tej Pratap’s Love Controversy
38:10 – Newcomers in RJD & Bihar Polls
41:51 – Caste Factor in Politics
42:25 – Caste Census
46:20 – Media Colleges in Patna
49:25 – Can Youth Trust Tejashwi?
53:37 – Who’s the BJP’s CM Face in Bihar?
Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as Defence Secretary in the Ministry of Defence in November 2024. He is a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre and has held several key positions in the Government of India.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Defence Secretary clears the air around the India-Pakistan ceasefire, laying out the full sequence of events and stating that it was Islamabad that begged for a ceasefire. He also talks about Made-in-India weapons and how they turned out to be a game-changer.
Defence Secretary speaks about China’s involvement in backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and highlights the gaps in India’s drone production. He also underlines the importance of reducing the defence procurement timeline from six years to two.
He shares updates on the timeline for AMCA, India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, and addresses the speculation around whether India is planning to buy the American F-35A or the Russian Su-57E.
Introduction – 00:00
Defence Secretary Job Explained – 00:40
India’s Defence Capabilities After Op Sindoor – 02:23
Planning Behind Op Sindoor – 03:50
New Normal After Op Sindoor – 05:50
International Reaction to Op Sindoor – 07:32
Pak’s Support to Terror Groups – 08:42
Impact of Op Sindoor – 10:05
How Pakistan Pleaded for a Ceasefire – 12:30
India’s Drone Strategy – 13:46
Made-in-India Weapons During Op Sindoor – 17:20
India’s Defence Budget & Push for Transparency – 18:47
Solving Delays in Defence Procurement – 23:54
Future of India’s Defence Exports – 26:23
India Buying the F-35A or Su-57E? – 31:20
India’s 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Plans & HAL’s Role – 32:52
Russia as India’s Biggest Defence Supplier – 35:47
MRCA Procurement Process – 37:30
What “Op Sindoor is On” Really Means – 40:25
Pak’s Support from China During Op Sindoor – 43:47
Asim Munir’s Meeting with Donald Trump – 46:07
What Happens in CCS Meetings? – 49:23
Working Relationship with the Three Service Chiefs – 51:09
Chandan Roy was born and brought up in Bihar. He studied mass communication in Patna and Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. He rose to fame with his role as Vikas in the popular web series Panchayat.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Chandan Roy shares what audiences can expect from Panchayat Season 4 and how it will be different from previous seasons. He also talks about his journey into acting and what inspired him to become an actor. Plus, he reveals an untold story about why he changed his name from Chandan Rai to Chandan Roy.
Introduction – 00:00
Panchayat Season 4 – 00:33
What Makes Panchayat Special – 01:55
Story Behind 'Vikas' Accent – 03:23
Actors from Rural India – 05:52
Creative Freedom on Set – 09:41
From Bihar to Delhi to Mumbai – 11:02
Inspiration Behind Name Change – 13:46
Family Reaction to Panchayat – 14:42
Working with Big Stars – 15:39
Local Accent – 17:14
Why He Left Journalism – 18:10
Khan Sir is a well-known teacher from Bihar, famous for his unique and engaging style of teaching, especially on topics related to current affairs. In 2020, he started his YouTube channel, Khan GS Research Centre. His honest and straightforward approach quickly gained popularity, and today, the channel has over 2.5 crore subscribers.
He is admired for providing an affordable and comprehensive learning experience to students preparing for various competitive exams.
In this podcast with Smita Prakash, Khan Sir speaks openly about many important issues. He discusses the Pahalgam attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. He also shares his thoughts on entering politics and gives his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Khan Sir talks about the current education system, the unemployment situation in Bihar, and the reasons behind the state’s lack of infrastructure and development. He also speaks about mental health, the rising issue of depression, and how parenting has changed in today’s world.
In a rare personal moment, he opens up about his marriage and addresses the controversy surrounding his wife wearing a ghunghat during the wedding reception.
This is the most honest podcast Khan Sir has ever done.
Timestamps
00:00 – Coming Up
01:22 – Introduction
02:36 – Khan Sir’s Marriage
10:01 – Khan Sir’s Classes
20:40 – Indian Engineers' Motivation
28:38 – Corporate Social Responsibility
37:34 – Love for Bihar
46:59 – AI’s Impact on Education
51:58 – Pahalgam Attack
56:21 – India–Pakistan Ceasefire
1:02:30 – How to get Students’ Attention
1:16:45 – Coaching Trend in Kota
1:24:59 – Language Inferiority Complex
1:26:44 – Snap Reaction Segment
1:57:54 – Bihar’s Challenges
2:06:00 – BPSC Paper Leak
2:09:30 – Agniveer Recruitment
2:16:02 – Views on Nitish Kumar
2:25:28 – Caste Census and NRC
Reuven Azar is the Ambassador of Israel to India. He previously served as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel. He has also held several key positions in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Azar speaks about Israel’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. He claims that Iran was assembling nuclear warheads with the help of a clandestine group, and says that Israel is acting to defend not just itself, but the world.
Ambassador Azar also says the United States was fully informed about the strike. He adds that elite Iranian forces were successfully targeted and emphasises that Israel will do everything it can to protect its people.
He also shares his views on whether India should consider striking Pakistan’s nuclear sites.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introduction
02:04 – Israeli strikes Iran
07:03 – Why Did Israel Strike Iran?
10:15 – 'Operation Rising Lion'
14:10 – US role in Iran-Israel conflict
17:15 – “Radical regime” in Iran
20:25 – Proxy battlegrounds for Iran
24:20 – Narrative against Israel
27:08 – Israel’s stand on Op Sindoor
31:23 – US’s nuclear proposal to Iran
34:53 – Involvement of Israeli Air Force
37:58 – Support for forces in Israel
Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus! Edition 6.0 is here, and it’s all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions.
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
This episode dives into some heated topics, including Operation Sindoor and the new normal, India’s foreign policy challenges in 2025, ANI’s side of the story in the copyright debate, Elon Musk vs Donald Trump, and Rahul Gandhi’s “Narender Surrender” jibe at PM Modi.
00:00 - Coming up
03:07 - Introduction
07:23 - ANI's Copyright Case
48:57 - India Gets Invitation for G7 Summit
01:01:33 - Operation Sindoor & Pak's narrative war
01:26:50 - India-Pak Ceasefire
01:28:05 - Hitting the Nur Khan airbase
01:39:45 - Rahul's 'surrender' jibe at PM Modi
02:02:35 - Trump-Musk fight
02:17:11 - Caste Census
02:19:20 - All-Party Delegation for Op Sindoor
02:25:20 - Congress vs Shashi Tharoor
02:26:25 - Mann’s ‘Sindoor’ Dig at Modi
02:37:53 - Trump vs Harvard
02:47:15 - Journalists writing books on Op Sindoor
Sonali Bendre began her career as a model before transitioning into the Indian film industry. She made her debut at the age of 19 with the film Aag. Over the years, she has acted alongside top stars like Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan. Known for her roles in films like Major Saab and Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sonali Bendre remains one of the most familiar and beloved faces in Bollywood.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sonali opens up about her acting journey and her book release, 'A Book of Books'. She talks about her marriage to Goldie Behl, becoming a mother, and her brave battle with cancer.
Sonali also shares stories of working with the three Khans, welcoming Michael Jackson to India, and taking Dakota Johnson to temples. She addresses the viral video from an event with Raj Thackeray and sets the record straight.
A passionate animal lover, Sonali also speaks about her new podcast centred around animals and her bond with them.
Audio Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - Sonali Bendre's Book
07:50 - Importance of Reading
10:50 - Bucket List
11:34 - Battle with Cancer
16:57 - Family Support during Cancer
18:58 - Acting with Khans
22:22 - Sabbatical after childbirth
26:18 - Stories from 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' Set
30:48 - Favourite Co-stars
33:15 - Salman Khan as a co-star
35:33 - Relation with Ajay & Kajol
36:25 - Working on Sarfarosh
43:43 - Working on Films in Different Languages
46:20 - First Meeting with Husband
01:00:29 - Bollywood's pay disparity
01:04:30 - Dakota Johnson Visiting India
01:06:03 - Welcoming Michael Jackson
01:11:31 - Voicing Up for Stray Dogs
01:17:57 - Friendship in Bollywood
01:19:10 - Sonali’s Ultimate Dream Movie
Lieutenant General PC Nair is a retired officer of the Indian Army with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the Director General of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, where he played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region. Lt. Gen. Nair (Retd) has extensive expertise in dealing with insurgency, tribal dynamics, and border security.
He is also recognised for his in-depth understanding of India’s internal security challenges, particularly in volatile regions such as Manipur, Nagaland, and the North East. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt Gen PC Nair (Retd.) discusses the proposed Rakhine Corridor in Myanmar, which has sparked political and military tensions in Bangladesh.
He explains how China is expanding its influence through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and why the US seeks to increase its foothold via humanitarian aid in Myanmar. He also explores why Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, is delaying elections and the growing rift with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
He also discusses the impact of militancy along the Myanmar border and how growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh affects India.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:50 – Power Game in Myanmar’s Rakhine
06:30 – China’s Ties with Myanmar’s Arakan Army
11:57 – ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ in Rakhine
14:00 – Yunus’s Interest in Rakhine Corridor
19:27 – American Presence in Bangladesh
23:17 – Muhammad Yunus vs Army
27:16 – Kaladan Multimodal Project
32:28 – Challenges on the Indo-Myanmar Border
35:38 – Bangladesh's ‘Two Chicken Necks’
41:43 – Revival of Lalmonirhat Airbase
46:36 – Jamaat-e-Islami Comeback in B'desh
48:54 – Myanmar’s Rare-Earth Mining
51:43 – Militant Groups in Myanmar
57:33 – India-Bangladesh Relations
Rajpal Yadav began his acting journey with television before making a mark in films like Shool (1999) and Jungle (2000).
Rajpal has delivered iconic performances in films such as Hungama, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Chup Chup Ke and Bhool Bhulaiyaa series, among others, where he impressed audiences with his blend of humor and comic timing.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajpal Yadav opens up about his iconic comic roles and his views on nepotism in Bollywood. He highlights how actors from non-film backgrounds carve their path in the industry.
He also discusses his time at the National School of Drama (NSD), and the lifelong friendships he formed with fellow actors who went on to achieve success in Bollywood.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – Love for Theatre
02:42 – Typecast in Comic Roles
06:05 – Boundaries of an Artist
08:53 – Playing Multiple Characters
16:08 – Insecurity Among Actors
23:11 – Turning Point of Career
31:50 – Bollywood and its Audience
36:54 – PR Companies in Bollywood
42:07 – Family Background
44:14 – Nepotism Debate
47:39 – Iconic Comic Roles
52:00 – Roles in Sequel Movies
54:23 – Rapport with Actors
57:04 – Bonding with Directors
1:01:40 – Life After NSD Days
1:05:26 – Upcoming Projects
1:06:55 – Quitting Politics
1:13:07 – Directorial Venture
Shashi Shekhar is the founder of AI for India, an initiative focused on building a strong ecosystem for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in the country. He is also the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster.
In this episode of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shashi Shekhar talks about the battle of narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor and how false narratives against India are often amplified in the West through misinformation and fake news.
He highlights the role of AI platforms in this ongoing narrative warfare. He also discusses the outreach efforts by the all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor and stresses the importance of strong engagement and clear communication of India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
Shashi Shekhar further explains why the global Indian diaspora, along with film celebrities, sports personalities, and spiritual leaders, must take a moral stand and speak up in support of India’s narrative.
Audio Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:08 - Narrative wars of Operation Sindoor
08:37 - Fighting Fake Narrative
17:23 - Balakot: Facts vs Bias
24:56 - J-10 Hype & Narrative Building
31:08 - Religious Spin by Western Media
34:53 - The Karachi Bombing Confusion
39:18 - Social Media’s Impact on Conflict
46:44 - Indian-Origin Billionaires
01:02:41 - US-Pakistan Relations and Propaganda
01:06:21 - Does Public Opinion Affect Govt?
01:10:23 - Why Film Industry Quiet on India-Pak War?
Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey is a former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). He led a crucial operation in 2003 to capture terrorist Ghazi Baba, who was responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. During the operation, Dubey was shot multiple times, and one of the bullets still remains lodged in his body. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery.
Sanjiv Krishan Sood is a retired Additional Director General of the BSF. In his 38 years of service, he served along all of India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including 8 years on the Line of Control and in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, both officers talk about what it takes to guard India’s borders and how difficult it is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control. They also speak about Operation Sindoor and what goes on in the mind of a soldier posted at the border.
The conversation also covers the operation against Ghazi Baba, the Attari–Wagah border ceremony, and the growing threat from drones.
*Audio Timestamps*
00:00 – Introduction
01:25 – BSF Foils Drone Entry Near Amritsar
08:25 – Challenges of Drone Warfare
09:56 – Challenges of Terrorist Hunt in Pahalgam
13:26 – BSF’s PK Shaw Case
21:40 – Will Pakistan Strike Back?
25:31 – India’s Anti-Drone Strategy
28:02 – Gazi Baba Encounter
38:32 – Cost of Killing Gazi Baba
40:16 – Operation Sindoor & Bahawalpur Attack
44:36 – Troop Morale After Attacks
47:01 – Troops Emotions vs Public Rage
52:53 – Role of Human Informants
01:00:40 – India-Pakistan Peace Talks Recalled
01:03:28 – Firing Decision on Border
01:10:37 – Recalling Funny Incidents on the Border
01:15:22 – Wagah Ceremony Debate
01:19:36 – Dealing with PTSD
01:23:40 – Operation Blue Star
01:27:07 – Do Soldiers Get PTSD Counselling?
The Central government took everyone by surprise by announcing a caste census, a move that has long been the poll plank of the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi. What prompted this sudden decision? Will it truly pave the way for social justice? And how will it impact the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal?
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we delve into these critical questions with three journalists.
Joining us are Pallavi Ghosh, Senior Editor at CNN-News18, known for her in-depth reporting and years of ground-level political coverage; Gautam Lahiri, senior journalist and President of the Press Club of India; and Shekhar Iyer, senior journalist, former Senior Associate Editor at Hindustan Times, and a familiar face on prime-time television debates.
Watch this conversation on the politics, implications, and future of the caste census.
Note: This episode was recorded on May 2, 2025, five days before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor.
00:00 – Introduction
01:03 – Caste Census
06:58 – Timeline of National Census
12:09 – Caste Census in West Bengal
15:53 – Impact of Waqf Amendment Act in Bengal
22:14 – Factions in TMC
24:37 – Mamata vs INDIA Bloc
27:09 – Minority Votes in Bengal
33:41 – Rahul's Bihar Fight
39:44 – NDA’s Game in Bihar
43:21 – Caste Survey in Karnataka
48:55 – DKS vs Siddaramaiah
51:23 – What’s BJP’s Plan for Tamil Nadu?
Lieutenant General D’Cunha is the Director General of Army Air Defence (AAD). He assumed command as the Chief of Army Air Defence in 2023. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Corps of Army Air Defence in December 1988.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how India’s air defence system foiled a bid by Pakistan to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
He discusses how India’s indigenous 'Aksahteer', intercepted and neutralised projectiles from Pakistan and showcased India’s dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare.
Air Marshal Kapoor praises the efficiency of guns as an aerial shield against Pakistani drone attacks, highlighting their role as an undisputed form of air defence and their success in destroying Pakistan’s drones.
*Timestamps*
00:00 – Introduction
00:47 – Pakistan's Attempt to Target Golden Temple
05:37 – India’s Air Defence System
13:02 – India's Akashteer System
20:26 – Drone Strikes by Pakistan on India
28:15 – Role of Guns in Air Defence
32:48 – Evolution of Drone Warfare
37:35 – Rahul-Jaishankar Row
43:53 – Pakistan Using Civil Air Traffic as a Shield
49:15 – Red Team Concept
52:16 – Warning to Pakistan’s Military Leadership
56:27 – Strategy of the Indian Army
