ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Rani Mukerji is one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed and versatile actors, renowned for her powerful performances in films such as Black, Mardaani, and Hichki. With a career spanning nearly three decades, she has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and continues to remain a beloved star among audiences. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rani speaks candidly, on her very first podcast, about her journey in cinema, winning a National Award for the first time, and her long-standing friendship with Shah Rukh Khan. She also shares her views on the recent debate around 8-hour work shifts in the film industry and explains why she prefers to stay away from the media and paparazzi. Beyond her on-screen life, Rani opens up about balancing family and career, and what continues to inspire her as an actor today.00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Winning the National Film Award05:15 – Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway Story07:31 – Challenges Faced by Immigrants09:08 – Preparing for a Character10:26 – Rani & Karan’s Kids Watched the Ceremony11:43 – Wedding Pictures & Privacy15:49 – Actresses and Their Private Lives18:40 – First Screen Test & Mom’s Reaction20:20 – Role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai21:36 – Backlash over Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna26:50 – Handling Setbacks After Success28:54 – Reinventing Herself32:14 – Creative Process During Hichki36:00 – Pausing Career for Her Daughter38:33 – Durga Puja Celebrations41:26 – Competition With Kajol?45:15 – Bringing Indian Women to the Forefront48:37 – Husband’s Support for Hichki51:29 – Deepika’s 8-Hour Shift Demand54:19 – Films Better Planned Today?55:57 – Who Shah Rukh Khan Gels With Better56:41 – Winning National Award After 30 Years58:06 – Directors Who Bring Out the Best in Her1:04:04 – Will Rani Mukerji Direct a Film?1:05:42 – Upcoming Projects1:07:38 – A Message for All Women

Dr. Ramakanta Panda is a renowned cardiac surgeon and Chairman of the Asian Heart Institute, a leading cardiac care hospital in Mumbai. He has performed over 30,000 successful cardiac surgeries. Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010, Dr. Panda has operated on several top Indian leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tarun Gogoi.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Panda discusses the rising cases of heart attacks among young people. He addresses whether the COVID-19 vaccine is linked to heart attacks.Dr. Panda also highlights how lifestyle changes are driving the rise of heart disease in India. He emphasises that diet, exercise and daily habits play a crucial role in preventing heart problems. Dr Panda also shares how he stays calm and focused while performing high-risk surgeries.00:00 – Introduction00:46 – Lifestyle Factor Behind Heart Attacks11:29 – COVID Vaccine and Heart Attack Link14:49 – Late-Night Habits & Heart Health21:46 – VIP Patients & High-Risk Surgeries25:39 – Health Insurance & Financial Security30:54 – Sugar & Processed Food36:22 – Heart Risk from Smoking & Alcohol40:41 – Veg Diet vs Non-Veg Diet52:04 – Akshay Kumar Fitness Routine59:53 – Surgery of Dr. Manmohan Singh1:01:56 – Emotional Stress & Heart Attack Awareness1:07:52 – Misconceptions About Heart Health1:13:16 – Heart Attack Symptoms1:17:02 – Self-Medication and AI Tools

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, while promoting Sikhism around the world. At 92, Tarlochan Singh has seen it all, from India’s Partition to the rise of India as a major power in South Asia.In Part 2 of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tarlochan Singh talks about Rajiv Gandhi’s Cold War with President Giani Zail Singh and the Bofors scandal. He also shares how Operation Blue Star changed India, and speaks on Hindu-Sikh unity, the farmers’ protest, Punjab’s drug crisis, and the role of the Sikh diaspora in shaping politics today.00:00 - Coming Up01:55 - Introduction03:13 - Bofors Scandal Stories17:57 - Sikh Diaspora After Rajiv’s Assassination19:14 - Sikh-Hindu Unity19:56 - Attempts to Break Sikh-Hindu Unity24:06 - BJP & Akali Alliance27:24 - Farmers’ Protest36:42 - Punjab Unemployment Fuels Drug Crisis38:00 - How Vajpayee Valued Punjab & Sikhs42:21 - Dr. Manmohan Singh Beyond Sikh Identity49:01 - Parkash Singh Badal’s Political Legacy and Life54:53 - Partap Singh Kairon and Indira Gandhi59:00 - Role of Sikhs in Modern Delhi1:04:06 - Khushwant Singh’s Contribution to Sikhs1:29:10 - Message to Young Sikhs in India & Abroad

Cyrus Broacha is a comedian, political satirist, podcaster, and author. He is best known for MTV India’s Bakra and his popular satirical show The Week That Wasn’t, which ran on television for over 17 years.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Cyrus shares behind-the-scenes stories from The Week That Wasn’t and MTV Bakra, along with his experience on Bigg Boss.He also talks about sitcoms and reality shows, the Parsis of Bombay, and opens up about crushes, colleagues, marriage, food, and Mumbai’s lifestyle.00:00 – Introduction00:30 – Bombay Hindi vs. Delhi Hindi05:29 – Animal Love Paradox in India08:57 – Bigg Boss Experience15:16 – The Secret of Lean Celebrities18:21 – BTS of ‘The Week That Wasn't’ & ‘MTV Bakra’24:51 – Gen Z & Tech Distractions28:52 – Indian Politics & Freebies Culture34:46 – Friendship with Kunal Vijayakar42:06 – Arnab Goswami & Pak Cricketers51:03 – Sitcoms & Indian Reality Shows55:40 – Parsis of Bombay1:02:20 – Crushes, Colleagues & Marriage1:10:26 – Food & Mumbai’s Lifestyle1:21:49 – Parenting & Podcasting

Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma is the titular King of Tripura and the founder of the Tipra Motha Party. His party runs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council and is also an ally of the BJP at the state level, making him one of the key voices from the Northeast.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pradyot talks about infiltration from Bangladesh, his demand for a separate state called Greater Tipraland, and why he feels the Northeast is facing a crisis of identity. He also explains why he wants a “Bihar-style SIR” in Tripura, slams vote bank politics, and raises concerns about the rights of indigenous people. Pradyot looks back at Tripura’s merger with India, the legacy of his royal family, and his own journey from student politics to leading a regional party.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:23 – Delay in the Tiprasa Accord06:10 – Demand for SIR in the Northeast13:52 – The Untold Story of Tripura’s Merger after Partition18:28 – Refugee Influx in Tripura32:43 – Local Identity vs. National Identity38:31 – NRC and the Demand for Greater Tipraland46:45 – Tribal Identity & Youth Aspirations in Tripura54:20 – Tripura Royal Family & Entering Politics1:00:24 – Snap Reaction Segment1:24:35 – Movies, Mimicry & Languages1:30:08 – Message to the Youth

Lobsang Sangay served as the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile from 2011 to 2021. He was the first person without a monastic background to hold this post. Born in 1968 in a refugee community in Darjeeling, India, he studied law at Delhi University. Later, he went to Harvard University to study international law and democracy, and is now an American citizen.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how China interferes in the local affairs of South Asian countries, including Nepal. He warns New Delhi to be cautious about its thaw with China, reminding that Beijing follows an expansionist policy. He also shares his thoughts on the future of the Tibetan movement and what India and other nations can do to support it.Sangay speaks about the question of the Dalai Lama’s successor and what it would mean for Tibet and China. He also explains why China is building the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra and what risks it poses. Finally, he reflects on life in India and abroad, and what Tibetans living in exile continue to hope for.Link to Episode 131: https://youtu.be/8WXWYRNhBOw*Audio Timestamps:*00:00 - Introduction01:14 - PM Modi's China Visit03:15 - Tibet's Stance on India-China Relation07:51 - India's China Trade Balancing Act10:25 - China's Pressure on India's Activism13:18 - Tibetans Hurt by India's China Thaw?17:53 - Is China Threatening Taiwan, Tibet?20:18 - Why Does Xi Keep Visiting Tibet?25:05 - Truth Behind Tibet's Chinese Rule27:55 - What Do Exiled Tibetans Want?29:48 - 'Voice For The Voiceless' Book32:24 - Tibetan Buddhism Under Chinese Rules?39:11 - Young Tibetans and Their Identity?42:51 - Where Will Next Dalai Lama’s Successor Be Born?44:17 - Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Process Explained?51:52 - Where Is the Real Panchen Lama?55:21 - China's Fake Dalai Lama Motives58:17 - Buddhist Nations and Dalai Lama's Future01:06:25 - Buddhist Festivals vs. China's Push01:11:42 - US Pushback on China's Narratives01:20:30 - Why Bollywood's Silence on Tibet Issue?01:23:15 - Does Lobsang Struggle with Identity?

Pavneet Singh is an author, teacher, and content creator who makes videos on geopolitics, foreign affairs, and international relations. Over the years, he has carved a niche for himself by simplifying geopolitics into layman’s terms, making it easy for everyone to understand. He also runs a popular YouTube channel called SpyGamesPavneet.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pavneet discusses how governments are being toppled in South Asia, with Nepal serving as the latest example. Is there a foreign hand at play, or was it truly a people’s revolt? He also shares his views on the India–US trade dispute and why ties between the two countries have hit their lowest point in the last two decades.Pavneet further discusses Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China after seven years, and whether India should be cautious in resetting its ties with Beijing. The conversation also touches upon Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, the Russia–Ukraine war, and even the role of the so-called ‘Deep State’ in India.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Nepal’s Gen Z Protests05:22 – Social Media’s Role in Nepal Protests11:33 – Regional Politics and Nepal’s Stability17:24 – Foreign Influence in Nepal’s Crisis20:33 – Regimes Toppled in South Asia24:25 – India’s Approach to Regional Stability31:18 – China’s Vision and Regional Ambitions36:16 – India’s Strategic Autonomy & the SCO Summit42:26 – India–China Thaw & Nuclear Proliferation47:00 – America’s Deep Game in Pakistan49:37 – Regime Degradation in South Asia54:52 – The India–China Border Issue1:04:32 – Peter Navarro’s Anti-India Comments1:10:09 – India’s Adaptive Foreign Policy1:15:19 – Gen Z’s Geopolitical Awakening

Amod Kanth is a former IPS officer who served in the Delhi Police and is known for handling some of India’s most high-profile and sensitive cases. He was the investigating officer in the Jessica Lal murder case and played a key role in probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Kanth also headed the Crime Branch and later founded Prayas, an NGO working for children and youth.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amod Kanth speaks about the motive behind Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and what really went on behind the scenes. He also talks about the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and how the Jessica Lal case changed India, highlighting the crucial role of media activism. He shares first-hand accounts of policing during turbulent times, the challenges of maintaining law and order, and the lessons these landmark cases hold for India’s governance and society.00:00 – Introduction02:59 – Jessica Lal Murder Case11:09 – Big Names at the Party When Jessica Was Murdered20:08 – Jessica Lal Murder Investigation23:24 – Cover-Up in the Jessica Case30:16 – Manu Sharma's Surrender34:09 – Court Acquitted All Accused in the Jessica Case35:52 – How Media Scrutiny Reopened the Jessica Case44:15 – BMW Hit & Run Case57:28 – Sting Operation on BMW Hit & Run Case01:02:34 – Why the Witness Flipped in BMW Hit & Run Case01:07:11 – Romesh Sharma Chopper Case01:14:47 – Romesh Sharma's Connection with Mafias01:20:01 – Bhindranwale & Operation Blue Star01:30:00 – Indira Gandhi's Assassination01:32:44 – How Did Delhi Police Handle the 1984 Riots?01:42:28 – Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination01:48:58 – Why Rajiv Gandhi Neglected Security01:51:20 – Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Probe01:56:58 – Delhi After Rajiv Gandhi's Death01:59:08 – Amod Kanth's 'Prayas JAC Society'02:03:44 – Joining Politics

Milind Deora is a former Union Minister of State and prominent Mumbai politician who joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after spending over two decades in the Congress. Known for his candid views on governance, democracy, and Mumbai’s development, Deora has often been at the centre of key political debates.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he opens up on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, why he left the Congress, and discusses Trump’s tariffs on India. He also speaks about democracy within political parties, while slamming the protests against the SIR issue.Deora shares his views on Mumbai’s lost decade due to internal party politics, explains why certain sections cannot digest Prime Minister Modi’s success, and talks about the road ahead for the Shiv Sena.Timestamps00:00 – Coming Up02:08 – Introduction03:29 – Why He Left Congress06:24 – Freedom of Speech in NDA07:36 – Reasons for Leaving Congress14:26 – Manmohanomics vs. Modinomics15:30 – Young Leaders Betraying Congress?18:00 – Hindi–Marathi Language Row22:08 – Mumbai’s Lost Decade28:54 – Mumbai’s Infrastructure32:38 – Garbage & Pothole Issues38:13 – Mumbai’s Development46:17 – Can Mumbai Regain Its Global Status?49:06 – Marine Drive vs. Bandra–Worli Sea Link50:38 – Mumbai’s Food Culture52:11 – Pani Puri vs. Bhel Puri53:05 – Udupi Hotel vs. Irani Café53:29 – Gateway of India vs. CSMT53:57 – Mumbai’s Local Trains54:29 – Puran Poli vs. Shrikhand56:55 – Mumbai’s Dabbawalas58:04 – Bollywood01:00:12 – All-Party Delegation on Operation Sindoor01:05:17 – ‘Vote Chori’ Controversy01:06:45 – Central Agencies Being Misused?01:12:57 – Remembering the 26/11 Attack01:22:04 – Why Didn’t India Retaliate After 26/11?01:24:48 – Munir’s Nuke Threat Against India01:27:30 – Should India’s Youth Enter Politics?01:30:22 – Meeting with PM Modi01:31:36 – Equations with the Gandhis After Leaving Congress

How does the Opposition make its strategy to counter the ruling government in Parliament? Who is responsible for running the House? Why was the Monsoon Session of Parliament completely washed out? What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit? Why has the Opposition made the ‘Vote Chori’ row its main weapon against the government? Was there really a BJP vs. BJP fight in the Constitution Club polls?To answer these questions and give you the inside scoop, this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by ANI correspondents who closely cover Parliament and political parties, Suchitra Mukherjee, Siddharth Sharma, Nishant Ketu, Amit Kumar, along with Naveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief.00:00 – Introduction00:50 – Opposition’s Strategy in Parliament04:59 – Parliament Session Washout: Who Is to Blame?06:40 – Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar?09:12 – What is Zero Hour in Parliament?12:37 – BJP vs BJP in Constitution Club Polls?21:09 – Jaya Bachchan’s Selfie Chaos24:39 – Shashi Tharoor vs Congress?25:58 – Restrictions on Media at BJP & Congress HQs?30:59 – ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations by Opposition36:05 – Which MP Says No to Giving Bites?40:21 – Covering Parliament as a Reporter42:25 – Women MPs Bonding in Parliament48:00 – Congress Removes the ‘Alcohol Abstention’ Clause52:09 – Priyanka’s Role in Congress54:27 – Man/Woman of the Match of the Parliament Session57:44 – The Man Behind Dhankhar’s Resignation1:01:03 – Story Behind Akhilesh Jumping Barricades1:05:15 – BJP–RSS Bonhomie1:08:41 – Can NDA Lose Its Majority?1:11:27 – Impact of Operation Sindoor1:13:08 – Manish Tewari & Shashi Tharoor Sidelined?1:15:44 – Experience of Covering Operation Sindoor