After two years of political turmoil and an economic crisis, Pakistan held elections on 8th Feb 2024. As the results were being announced, accusations surfaced that the Pakistan military had assisted the coalition led by Nawaz Sharif's PML-N in winning the polls. This unfolded amidst former Prime Minister Imran Khan languishing in jail and being barred from contesting polls, with his party symbol, 'the bat,' also banned. In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, held at the Ra...
Mar 13, 2024•50 min
Rajat Sharma has been a prominent figure in Indian media and journalism for the last three decades. He is best known for his show, 'Aap Ki Adalat', 'Aaj Ki Baat’ and his role as the Editor-in-Chief of India TV. Before joining television, he was the Editor of Onlooker, Sunday Observer, and The Daily. He pursued higher studies at SRCC and was part of ABVP. In 1977, he was elected as General Secretary of the Delhi University Students Union. In the latest episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, R...
Mar 10, 2024•3 hr 11 min
The world is currently witnessing two major war fronts: one between Israel and Hamas and the other involving Russia and Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has entered its third year, with no potential 'stalemate' or breakthrough in sight. In the aftermath of Hamas-led attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, intense bombing and ground campaigns in Gaza have ensued. U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed hope for a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza. In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita ...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Atul Keshap is a former U.S. diplomat, now serving as the president of the of the U.S-India Business Council. He also serves as the senior vice president at U.S chamber of commerce. He also held the position of Chargé d'affaires of the United States mission to India. In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Atul Keshap shares his experience as a U.S. diplomat to India and recalls the time he spent in India. He discusses the circumstances surrounding his resignation, including...
Mar 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Prem Chopra was born into a Hindu Punjabi family in Lahore in 1935. Following the partition of India, his family relocated to Shimla, where he was raised. Despite his father's aspirations for him to become a doctor or an IAS officer, he embarked on a journey to become an actor. He was a trailblazer in introducing the concept of handsome villains, deviating from the stereotype of venom-spewing characters with expected dialogues. After completing his graduation, he moved to Mumbai and initially wo...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Richard R. Verma is the first American of Indian descent to serve as the US Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Richard R. Verma discusses the aim behind his visit...
Feb 21, 2024•30 min
Samir Saran is the President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India’s premier think tank headquartered in New Delhi. Saran is a well-known figure in the field of diplomacy and serves as the curator of the Raisina Dialogue. He has authored four books, focusing his research on global governance, climate and energy policy, technology policy, and India’s foreign relations. In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses India's role in shaping a new world order an...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 33 min
Smita Thackeray is a social activist and film producer. As the daughter-in-law of Bal Thackeray, she wielded significant influence, often regarded as his confidante and advisor. She never officially joined Shiv Sena. Smita is also the chairperson and founder of Rahul Productions and Mukkti Foundation. She has produced several Hindi and Marathi films like ‘Sandwich’ and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi.’ In the latest edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, she talks about her personal dynamics with ...
Feb 18, 2024•56 min
Prakash Jha’s knack in editing, storytelling, and dialogue writing has consistently earned him various awards and accolades, including 8 National awards. As a master of direction, Jha’s work in renowned films like 'Damul,'Gangajal,' 'Apaharan,' 'Raajneeti,' and 'Mrityudand' speaks volumes about his strength. In the latest edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Jha discusses his journey from Bihar's Champaran to Bollywood, sharing how his initial dream of being a painter led him to become...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 20 min
He was considered the 'most powerful bureaucrat' in the state of Odisha, often referred as the right hand of CM Naveen Patnaik. Kartik Pandian served as the private secretary to the Odisha CM for 12 years before joining his party, Biju Janata Dal in 2023. After taking voluntary retirement, which was approved in less than 3 days, one of the fastest ever, Pandian was appointed the Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of Cabinet Minister. A native of Tamil Nadu, Pandian began...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 59 min
Lt. Gen Dr. S.L. Narasimhan (R) was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1977. Holding a Ph.D. in India-China relations, he has received four awards from the President of India for his contributions to the Indian Army. A specialist in the Chinese language, he studied China and its history for eighteen years. Additionally, he served as the Defense Attaché at the Indian Embassy in China and held positions as a former member of the National Security Advisory Board and DG of the Centre for Contemp...
Feb 04, 2024•1 hr 32 min
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are honouring the dynamic musical partnership of Subramaniam Lakshminarayana and Kavita Krishnamurti, a couple who have elevated Indian Classical music to unprecedented heights. Subramaniam Lakshminarayana, an accomplished Indian violinist, composer, and conductor, has been steeped in the traditions of classical Carnatic music and Western classical music. His discography, highlighted by the release of albums like "Global Fusion" in 1999, ...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 42 min
Renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai, a maestro in the world of Indian cinema, has left an indelible mark with his exceptional contributions as an actor, scriptwriter, and director. In a captivating episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ghai takes us on a riveting journey through his transformative career. He shares intriguing anecdotes, revealing how he orchestrated the collaboration between legendary actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, dispelling rumors of their supposed rivalry. Ghai also ...
Jan 28, 2024•1 hr 25 min
Lobsang Sangay served as the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile from 2011 to 2021. He is the first person without a monastic background to hold this position. He was born in 1968 in a refugee community in Darjeeling, India. Sangay earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Delhi. Later, he studied international law and democracy at Harvard University, eventually becoming an American citizen. In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lobsang Sangay explains how China ...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 48 min
The films 'Golmaal,' 'Singham,' 'Chennai Express,' and 'Dilwale' have established Rohit Shetty as the undisputed king of action and comedy in the Hindi film industry. The director of 'Dilwale' has now made his OTT debut with 'Indian Police Force,' an action thriller currently streaming on an OTT platform. In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rohit reveals the influence of his father, a prominent stunt director, and shares details about his mother, who made her mark as a s...
Jan 20, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Dr. Vinay Prabhakar Sahasrabuddhe served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2016 to 2022 and held the position of Vice President in the BJP from 2014 to 2020. He also assumed the role of President at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, a government organization fostering cultural exchanges between India and other nations. He is recognized as a key figure in the BJP's think tank. He had spearheaded training initiatives for ministers hailing from BJP-governed states. In the recent episode of the ...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Konkona Sen Sharma is a versatile actress, director, and writer renowned for her ability to depict a wide range of characters. She gained recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed film 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer' (2002), directed by her mother, Aparna Sen. Her outstanding performances have earned her several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.' In addition to her acting career, Konkona has ventured into filmmaking, making her director...
Jan 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Pankaj Tripathi is often considered one of the few actors in cinema with zero haters. Known as a method actor, he is widely recognized for his unconventional choices. He has received two National Awards: one for Best Supporting Actor in 'Mimi' and a Special Mention for 'Newton'. From 'Gangs of Wasseypur' to 'Mirzapur' to 'OMG 2,' Tripathi's flawless performances have earned him massive popularity and acclaim. Born in a village in Bihar's Gopalganj, he has carved a niche for himself in the Hindi ...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Manjul is the Additional Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. He has made significant contributions to Indian Archaeology, leading excavations in Rakhigarhi, Bijnor, Rajasthan, Barnawa, Sinauli, and Baghpat. The Sinauli findings, including the earliest known chariot, were highlighted as the "Discovery of the Century" at the National Museum of Modern Art, New Delhi, for the G20 Summit. In this latest edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Manjul discuss...
Jan 06, 2024•1 hr 42 min
In the special year-end 2023 edition of our podcast, dive into insightful discussions covering everything from the sizzle of political dynamics to the crunch of cricket excitement – where every topic is seasoned with a pinch of wit and a dash of intrigue! In the special edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, The guests include Sushant Sareen, an analyst on Pakistan affairs; Tehseen Poonawalla, a political analyst; Anand Ranganathan, an author and scientist; and Abhijit Iyer Mitra, a defe...
Dec 29, 2023•3 hr 17 min
Niyaz Khan is an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who is known for his views on cow protection, Sanatana Dharma, and Bollywood. He has authored over half a dozen books, including one on Gangster Abu Salem's 'love story', triple talaq, and Brahmins. Khan has stirred numerous controversies in the past due to his progressive thinking and pro-Hindu writings. Khan has blamed Bollywood for religious conversions in India and also criticizes the Hindi film industry for portraying Brahmins in a...
Dec 27, 2023•57 min
From being a television star for eight consecutive years to becoming a Union Cabinet minister, Smriti Irani has come a long way, carving a niche for herself in every field Currently, she holds the portfolios of the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs in PM Modi's cabinet. Smriti is known for not mincing her words when expressing her thoughts. After facing numerous struggles in Mumbai and trying various jobs, she entered the world of pageants, becoming a finalist in Miss ...
Dec 21, 2023•2 hr 51 min
Vikrant Massey is known for leaving a lasting impact with his compelling performances. This is evident in the success of the '12th fail' movie, which received acclaim from both critics and audiences, establishing itself as a box office hit. He is fondly known as 'Bablu Bhaiya' for his role in the 'Mirzapur' series. Beginning his career in TV, Vikrant has successfully transitioned to carve a niche for himself in Bollywood. In the recent ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Vikrant candidly shares his ...
Dec 17, 2023•1 hr 20 min
Suniel Shetty is an actor, film producer, and entrepreneur, fondly known as Bollywood's 'Anna'. With a career spanning almost 30 years, he has acted in over 100 films and is the owner of the production house Popcorn Entertainment Private Limited. The black belt kickboxer entered the Hindi Film Industry in 1992 at the age of 31 with "Balwaan." In 2001, he clinched the Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 'Dhadkan'. Shetty has gracefully evolved in terms of fitness, becoming an inspiration for those...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr 27 min
Gautam Gambhir is a former cricketer, who is known for his candid demeanor and calling a spade a spade. He currently serves as a Member of Parliament for the BJP from East Delhi Constituency. He played a crucial role in India’s victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Gambhir also led the Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His foundation also runs ‘Jan Rasoi,’ providing food at a symbolic cost of 1 rupee. In the latest edition of ANI Podcast with Smi...
Dec 09, 2023•1 hr 31 min
Amish and Bhavna have once again joined forces, following the tremendous success of their collaborative venture, 'Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life,' which boasts a remarkable 6 million copies in print. Their latest book, 'Idols: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja,' serves as a companion volume to 'Dharma'. It explores the profound reasons behind idol worship. Amish is one of the best-selling authors in India, renowned for his works such as the 'Shiva Trilogy' and 'Ram Chandra Ser...
Dec 02, 2023•1 hr 46 min
Nripendra Misra, an IAS officer of the 1967 batch, boasts a career spanning over 52 years with diverse roles. He served as the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and currently chairs the committee overseeing the construction of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This move is perceived as part of the Centre's strategy to closely monitor the temple's construction. He also held the position of Chairperson at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and was honoured with India...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 47 min
Shaurya Doval is the founder of the RSS-affiliated ‘India Foundation’. He currently serves as a state executive committee member of the BJP in Uttarakhand. He is also the son of India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Shaurya is an economics graduate from Hindu College of Delhi University and holds two MBA degrees from the University of Chicago and the London Business School. Before establishing a think tank and entering politics, Shaurya worked with GE Capital and Morgan Stanley as an in...
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 37 min
Lieutenant General Vinod G. Khandare, a distinguished former officer of the Indian Army, currently serves as the Principal Adviser in the Ministry of Defence. With a remarkable 38-year career, Gen. Khandare has worn many hats, including roles such as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Intelligence from Nov 2015 to Jan 2018. His extensive experience in the Infantry involved operational tasks in Siachen, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim,...
Nov 22, 2023•1 hr 38 min
Shehla Rashid is an activist, researcher, and academician who gained prominence in 2016 for advocating the release of then JNU President Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on sedition charges. Recently, she made headlines for a notable shift, applauding the central government for the 'improved' situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Previously critical of human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir, Shehla faced sedition charges over tweets against Indian army. She served as the vice-president of JNUSU in 2015–16, ...
Nov 15, 2023•2 hr 25 min
