Manisha Koirala is a renowned Nepali-Indian actress known for her exceptional talent and versatility in Hindi, Nepali, and South Indian cinema. Born in Kathmandu, she comes from a prominent Nepali political family. Manisha has delivered some powerful performances in iconic films like Bombay, 1942: A Love Story, Dil Se, and Khamoshi: The Musical. Known for her skill in portraying deep and complex characters, she returned to the spotlight with the OTT series Heeramandi, earning significant critica...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 234
Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus! Edition 4.0 is here and it's all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions. Joining the chat 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: The India-Canada spat over the killing of Hardeep Singh...
Oct 31, 2024•2 hr 59 min•Ep. 233
In recent months, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a surge in attacks, with police encountering new strategies from terrorists. Who is fueling this renewed terror, and how can armed forces respond? To answer all these questions, we have former top cop Shesh Paul Vaid, who has witnessed the rise of militancy firsthand and the evolving landscape of J&K. He shares insights from his personal experiences, including surviving an attack, the release of Masood Azhar, and attributing recent violence to Pak...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 232
New Delhi-Ottawa relations have reached an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government officials and diplomats in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a figure who was designated as a terrorist in India and placed on Canada’s no-fly list. Both countries have since expelled top envoys and other diplomats as tensions over Nijjar's killing escalate. Trudeau accused India of interfering in Canada’s sovereignty, while Indi...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 231
Annu Kapoor is an entertainer who has worn many hats—actor, singer, director, producer, radio jockey, and television presenter—earning immense respect and recognition worldwide. He became a household name through iconic television shows like Antakshari and Wheel Smart Srimati. Known for speaking his mind, Annu Kapoor has appeared in over 100 films and numerous television shows. He has been honoured with two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and two Indian Television Academy Awards. In this...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 230
Krishnamurthy Venkata Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, becoming the youngest to hold this prestigious position. Subramanian's tenure as the Chief Economic Adviser was marked by his contributions to shaping India's economic policies during crucial years, including the Covid-19 pandemic. He is now India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he continues to represent India on global economic matters. I...
Oct 19, 2024•2 hr 18 min•Ep. 229
John Chambers is the Chairman of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the former CEO of Cisco. Under his leadership, Cisco became one of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies. Dr. Mukesh Aghi is the President and CEO of USISPF. He works closely with business and government leaders in both the U.S. and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two nations. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the evolution...
Oct 16, 2024•40 min•Ep. 228
Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a leader of the National People's Party (NPP). He began his political career as a campaign manager for his father, P.A. Sangma, a former Cabinet minister. After serving as an MLA and the Opposition Leader, he became the NPP President in 2016. Sangma was first elected Chief Minister in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Conrad Sangma discusses his alliance with the BJP, despite having the ...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 227
Revant Himatsingka is on a mission to encourage Indians to read food labels. His goal is to educate people about what they're consuming and to protect them from 'misleading' marketing tactics. By challenging FMCG giants, he aims to improve the quality of food products available in India. Originally from Kolkata, Revant moved to New York to study finance. He later earned an MBA from Wharton and completed a course in nutrition. In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Revant ex...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 226
It has been one year since Hamas launched a significant attack against Israel, which was one of the deadliest incidents in recent history. Over 1000 were killed, and over 250 people were taken hostage. In response, Israel initiated ground operations in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of casualties and continuing strikes. Amid this conflict, Israel has opened two new fronts in the war. They have targeted the entire Hezbollah leadership, including its chief, Hassan Nasrallah. This move has provoked a ...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 225
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are taking place for the first time in a decade, following the abrogation of Article 370. What role will Jammu play—can it be a kingmaker in government formation? How do the people of Jammu feel about the abrogation of Article 370? Is there a possibility for J&K to have a Hindu Chief Minister? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by two seasoned journalists from Jammu, Manoj Kaul and Arun Joshi, who have extensively cov...
Oct 05, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 224
Rasheed Kidwai is a senior journalist, political analyst, and author known for his insights into Indian politics and the Congress party. He has written extensively about the Indian political system and is the author of notable books like 24 Akbar Road. Kidwai regularly contributes to national media outlets and appears on prime-time debates for various news channels. Yana Mir is a journalist and political commentator from Jammu and Kashmir, known for her bold views on the abrogation of Article 37...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 223
Ajay Chrungoo is a prominent Kashmiri Pandit and the Chairman of Panun Kashmir, an organization advocating for the rights and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. He is known for speaking about the challenges faced by the Pandit community in the 1990s due to the insurgency in the Valley. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajay Chrungoo discusses the demand for a separate homeland, 'Panun Kashmir,' for Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir. He asserts that what happ...
Sep 30, 2024•58 min•Ep. 222
Tarun Chugh is a senior BJP leader, currently serving as the party's National General Secretary and in charge of Jammu & Kashmir. He has been strengthening the party's presence in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 30 years. His role in overseeing the BJP's activities in the region has made him an important figure in J&K's political landscape. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tarun Chugh expresses confidence that the BJP will form the government in Jammu & Kashmir w...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 221
Mir Junaid is a Kashmiri politician and social activist widely recognized for his strong support of the abrogation of Article 370 and his advocacy for peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. As the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, Mir Junaid has actively engaged in grassroots politics, with a focus on enhancing stability and fostering economic growth in the region. He is often seen as a strong supporter of India's sovereignty and integration of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has ...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 220
Raman Bhalla is currently serving as the working president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee. A senior leader in the Jammu region, Raman Bhalla has been elected twice to the J&K Legislative Assembly from the Gandhinagar constituency and has also served as the revenue minister in the J&K government. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Raman Bhalla talks about who has the upper hand in the Jammu region and what has changed since the abrogation of Articl...
Sep 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 219
Devender Singh Rana is a prominent BJP leader from Jammu and Kashmir, and the BJP candidate from the Nagrota constituency in the upcoming J&K elections. Formerly a close aide of Omar Abdullah, Rana also served as the Provincial President of the Jammu wing of the National Conference and held several influential roles in public service. But in 2021, he made a strategic shift to the BJP. Since then, he has been instrumental in expanding the BJP's influence in Jammu, especially by addressing lon...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 218
This is a historic election in Jammu and Kashmir, the first assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. With more than 40% of the candidates running as independents, could they play the role of spoiler? Will any party secure a full majority? Who holds the real power in Kashmir? What are the prospects for the PDP and NC? And how has the abrogation of Article 370 changed the valley? Most importantly, what do the people of Kashmir want? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita ...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 217
Talat Majid, an independent candidate from Pulwama backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, is emerging as a significant political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. With deep connections to the local community, Majid has been advocating for the people of Pulwama, pushing for solutions to key issues like unemployment, education, and the disenfranchisement of Kashmiri youth. His candidacy reflects Jamaat's continued influence in the region, particularly in its focus on socio-economic progress for the valley. In this...
Sep 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 216
Waheed ur Rehman Para is the PDP's candidate from the Pulwama constituency and currently serves as the Youth Wing President of the PDP. He is considered a close aide of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Para spent 19 months in jail on allegations of terror links. In 2020, young PDP leader won the DDC elections while being in NIA's custody. In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Para discusses the changes in the valley since the abrogation of Article 370. He mentions tha...
Sep 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 215
Lieutenant General PC Nair (Retd.) is a distinguished 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 known for his deep understanding of India’s internal security challen...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 214
Sajad Gani Lone leads the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference. He has served as an MLA for the Handwara constituency and was a minister in the PDP-BJP government. He is the youngest son of the Kashmiri separatist leader, Abdul Gani Lone. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sajad Lone contested from the Baramulla constituency but lost to independent candidate Engineer Rashid. Now, Sajad's party is contesting the Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls and He is running from Handwara and Kupwara, the on...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 213
Omar Abdullah, an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, has led the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference since 2009. He was the last Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly before its dissolution in 2018. He has served twice as an MP for Srinagar and was briefly a Union Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, resigning in 2002 to focus on party matters. Omar was detained under the Public Safety...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 212
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a prominent Indian actor recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema. He has delivered notable performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), and Manto (2018) among others. His work has earned him significant acclaim, with eight of his films being showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. Nawazuddin has also received several prestigious awards, including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and two Asia Pacific Scr...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 211
Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), is a former Commandant of the Army War College, Mhow, and an ex-Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps (XV). He previously served as the first Director General of the Territorial Army of the Indian Army. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. Pandey discusses Jammu & Kashmir's current security and political landscape. He talks about how Kashmiris are increasingly rejecting terrorism and addresses the challenges ...
Sep 01, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 210
From fitness trainer to podcaster, Ranveer Allahbadia, known as 'BeerBiceps,' has become a major figure in the digital world. He hosts 'The Ranveer Show,' one of India’s most-watched podcasts, and recently won the "Disruptor of the Year" award from PM Narendra Modi at the National Creators Awards 2024. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ranveer talks about his journey from gym sessions to podcast fame. He openly discusses his challenges, including criticism of his interviewin...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 27 min
After the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, Dushyant Chautala's newly formed Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) emerged as a kingmaker. He allied with the BJP and was sworn in as Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister. However, just before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP snapped ties with the JJP, and Dushyant Chautala was shown the exit door. The Lok Sabha poll results also brought no joy for the JJP, as the party lost its deposits in all 10 seats it contested. With the Haryana elections due in October, the ...
Aug 25, 2024•1 hr 15 min
From an engineer to 'Haseen Dilruba' of the Hindi film industry, Taapsee Pannu has carved out a niche in Bollywood over the past decade. Starting with roles in South Indian movies and working her way up to collaborating with Bollywood’s ‘Badshah,’ Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘Thappad’ actor has come a long way. Known for her candidness, Taapsee is not one to shy away from speaking her mind. In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Taapsee discusses her latest projects, including 'Phir Aayi...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Eknath Shinde is Maharashtra's Chief Minister and a key leader in the Mahayuti Alliance, which includes his party, the Shiv Sena (Shinde), along with the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction and the BJP. He rose to prominence after leading a significant split within the Shiv Sena, marking a new chapter in the party's history. Eknath Shinde is a staunch follower of Sena founder Bal Thackeray and often invokes his legacy in his political journey. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Eknat...
Aug 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Ajit Pawar is Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and a partner in the Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena Shinde faction. He is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who has served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister four times. In July 2023, Ajit Pawar split the NCP, a party founded by his uncle. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar faced a setback when his wife lost the election against Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, ...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 17 min
