ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

On 10th November 2025, a terror blast near the Red Fort shook the capital. For the first time in over a decade, Delhi witnessed an attack in the heart of the city. Early investigations pointed to Pakistan-backed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attackers were doctors and engineers. Is this the rise of white-collar terrorism in India? Was the Delhi blast a retaliation by Pakistan after India struck Jaish’s headquarters during Operation Sindoor? Was this an intelligence failure, or did Indian agencies actually manage to limit the damage?In this edition of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF, who is known for his sharp and unfiltered analysis of Pakistan and its security establishment. Ashok Chand, a former Delhi Police officer who investigated major terror cases, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the Red Fort attack in 2000 and the Jama Masjid blast.This episode is a deep dive into India’s security challenges, Pakistan-backed terror networks and why India cannot afford complacency.00:00 – Introduction01:48 – Red Fort 10/11 blast06:59 – Intelligence Networks vs Terror Modules10:25 – Psychology of Dr. Umar Nabi15:42 – The Red Fort 2000 Attack22:47 – Afzal Guru’s role in Parliament attack27:47 – The Ammonium Nitrate Case Study31:35 – ‘White-Collar’ Terrorism in India38:26 – Dr Shaheen’s Role as Jaish recruiter 47:51 – Delhi Car Blast: Retaliation for Op Sindoor?57:11 – Online Radicalisation1:01:46 – Delhi Blast: Suicide Bomber or Panic Blast?1:08:56 – What Drives a Suicide Bomber1:12:01 – 2010 Jama Masjid attack1:16:51 – Crime Scene Protocols After Terror Attacks1:20:41 – Poverty Creates Terrorists?1:25:29 – Judicial Hurdles in Terrorism Trials1:37:57 – Cross-Border Influence on Kashmiris

Arun Kumar is Associate Editor of the Hindustan Times, with over three and a half decades of experience covering Jharkhand and Bihar. Ravi Upadhyay is a Senior Journalist who has worked with the news agency UNI for several years in Chandigarh and Patna.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists break down the latest opinion polls, voter trends and ground realities from across the state. They analyse the Bihar elections to see who was ahead - Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, or how Prashant Kishor’s strategies influenced voters.They also talk about how women voters, youth participation, and high voter turnout shaped the Bihar elections, along with how media coverage might have influenced the results.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 00:35 – PK’s Influence in Bihar05:10 – Nitish’s Options Post-Election07:47 – Tejashwi vs Tej Pratap12:25 – Will Nitish Kumar Be Bihar CM Again?18:18 – Women Voters & High Turnout25:23 – Rahul Gandhi's Influence on Gen Z31:26 – ‘Jeevika’ Scheme33:53 – Bihar’s Unique Caste Politics38:27 – Social Media’s Role in Bihar Elections41:38 – Role of Jeevika Didis42:43 – Nitish Kumar's Health46:04 – Tejashwi’s Public Image48:57 – Muslim Voting Patterns

Chirag Paswan is the Founder and Chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). He serves as the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries in the NDA government. His party is contesting 29 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Chirag speaks about his party’s prospects in the Bihar polls and shares his political ambitions. He calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi his inspiration and says PM Modi is the only reason he remains with the NDA.Chirag also takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s Gen Z appeal, calls Nitish Kumar a “necessity” for the NDA, and reveals why he aims to become a Vidhayak by 2030.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:38 – Tense Moments During Voting02:47 – Campaign Strategy05:15 – Ticket Distribution in NDA07:17 – Disappointment After the First Phase?09:46 – Rahul’s ‘Reservation in Army’ Remark14:09 – Why Decoding Bihar Is Difficult17:40 – Ram Vilas Paswan’s Legacy20:49 – How Chirag Paswan Differs from His Father25:49 – Is Nitish Kumar a Necessity for the BJP?31:18 – When Will Chirag Return to State Politics?33:54 – Image of a Bihari in 202536:49 – Casteism in Bihar46:39 – Challenges for the NDA

Prashant Kishor, a political strategist-turned-politician and founder of the Jan Suraj party, shares his unfiltered insights on Bihar's elections. He identifies migrant workers as the crucial 'X-factor' shaping voter sentiment and boldly predicts the end of Nitish Kumar's dominance. Kishor critiques Rahul Gandhi's appeal to youth, highlighting the disconnect. He discusses the powerful role of female voters and the complex Muslim-Yadav equation. Kishor emphasizes reform priorities for Bihar, underscoring education, land productivity, and the need for governance overhaul.

Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal (United). He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha discusses the dynamics of NDA's Modi-Nitish factor, record voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar election, and explains the Gen-Z factor in Bihar elections.Jha also speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the next CM. He addresses whether his son will be the political successor of Nitish Kumar.More on Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ claim and the possible influence of Prashant Kishor on Bihar politics.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction00:44 – Anti-Incumbency Factor in Bihar03:13 – Bihar Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana06:21 – Rahul Gandhi's ‘Vote Theft’ Claims09:08 – ‘Bahubali’ Candidates in Bihar Polls12:44 – Personality Factor in Bihar Polls14:43 – Bihar’s Trust in Nitish Kumar15:52 – Prashant Kishor Factor17:25 – Tejashwi Yadav & Family Politics Trend25:35 – ‘Gen Z’ Voter Factor in Bihar28:14 – Job Creation in Bihar32:20 – Future of Bihar Politics

Soha Ali Khan is an actor, author, podcaster, and one of the most articulate voices from the Pataudi family. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Soha opens up about fame, family, and finding her own identity away from the shadow of her legendary parents, Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.She talks about Rang De Basanti, why she chose to step away from films, and what shaped her journey. Soha also reflects on her brother Saif Ali Khan’s career and what it was like growing up in a household where wit, grace, and legacy coexisted.In a candid conversation, she shares her thoughts on the fear of self-censorship in cinema and the debate around 8-hour workdays for actors. Soha also opens up about motherhood, privilege, and protecting her daughter’s privacy in a world obsessed with celebrity culture.00:00 – Introduction02:01 – Family Traits Soha Inherited03:14 – Sharmila Tagore on Doing OTT Series07:57 – Did Saif Want to Be a Cricketer?11:44 – How Soha Got Her Role in Rang De Basanti15:12 – Facing Backlash as Filmmakers25:10 – Soha on Saif’s Career30:07 – Motherhood and Work33:48 – Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as a Father37:30 – Soha on Being a Podcaster41:48 – Sharmila Tagore as a Grandmother42:52 – How Soha Met Kunal45:23 – The Weight of Heritage46:29 – The Bhopal House Story47:29 – Rabindranath Tagore Connection50:45 – Chef Kunal or Chef Soha?53:17 – Soha’s Workout Routine56:05 – Privacy Concerns & Saif’s House Break-In01:00:21 – Parenting Rules

D. Sivanandhan is one of Mumbai’s most respected former Police Commissioners, a man who saw the city’s darkest days up close, from the bloody gang wars of the 1990s to the 1993 bomb blasts that shook Mumbai. He led the fight against Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld empire and is known for cleaning up the mafia.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, D. Sivanandhan takes us back to that era, when gangsters ruled the streets, businessmen were shot in broad daylight, and the Mumbai Police decided to strike back.He talks about how the cleanup began, the underworld’s deep links with Bollywood and real estate, and how Dawood’s network thrived with Pakistan’s ISI. D. Sivanandhan also shares what went wrong during the 26/11 terror attacks and what it truly takes to protect a city like Mumbai.00:00 – Introduction01:42 – The Book 'The Brahmastra Unleashed'05:35 – 90s Mumbai Underworld16:48 – How Powerful the Underworld Was20:45 – Dawood & the 1993 Bomb Blasts25:46 – Transition from Karim Lala to Dawood31:26 – Dawood vs Chhota Rajan43:13 – The Underworld’s Pact46:40 – Politics & Mumbai Police58:28 – Bollywood's Underworld Connection01:09:13 – Reel Encounters vs Real Violence01:12:04 – The 26/11 Attacks01:23:21 – New-Age Threats & Security Gaps01:32:12 – Rise of Cybercrime

Ajai Chowdhry is one of India’s leading tech visionaries and a co-founder of HCL, the company that helped build India’s computer revolution. Over the decades, he has advised governments and industry leaders on how to make India a true technology powerhouse.He is also the chairman of the EPIC Foundation, an initiative aimed at developing electronic products of national importance and driving India toward self-reliance in technology.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajai Chowdhry talks about the real state of ‘Make in India’: are we truly manufacturing, or just assembling parts? He shares his insights on India’s tech product gap, China’s deep grip on the electronics supply chain, and what India must do to build world-class technology from the ground up.He also opens up about his journey with HCL, the early days of India’s tech scene, and why the next big challenge for the country is not coding, but creating. Ajai Chowdhry also talks about how AI is reshaping the future of jobs, and why, without strong R&D, ‘Make in India’ will remain just a slogan.Timestamps00:00 - Coming Up02:24 - Introduction03:28 - Why India Has No Global Product13:27 - Layoffs in the Tech Industry17:40 - India Trapped in US–China Trade War?20:25 - Why India Needs Its Own Tech IP27:02 - The Push for Data Localisation38:47 - The Making of HCL45:55 - Indian Industries Ready for the AI Boom?51:50 - Human vs Machine: Who Wins?56:16 - Quantum Computer Ops in India01:03:38 - The Fight Over Rare Earths01:07:28 - Nurturing Tech Talent in India01:12:11 - Family & Early Life

Jaiveer Shergill is a Supreme Court lawyer and national spokesperson of the BJP. He is known for his sharp arguments, nuanced views, and fearless commentary. Once among the Congress party’s national spokespersons, he made headlines when he quit the party, citing “sycophancy over merit,” before joining the BJP.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaiveer Shergill opens up about Punjab’s drug crisis, unemployment and migration, his take on the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign, and the state of Congress politics today.He also speaks about how the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has failed to deliver on its promises in the state. Furthermore, he talks about faith, Sikh history, and the need to revive Punjab’s spiritual legacy.00:00 – Coming Up02:24 – Introduction03:36 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis11:18 – India’s Silent Security Threat15:29 – Punjab’s Youth Migration22:14 – BJP’s Future in Punjab30:24 – Influence of Diaspora in Punjab39:15 – Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations51:00 – Rahul Gandhi’s Style of Politics01:00:14 – Diljit Dosanjh Controversy01:08:51 – Quick Reactions on Stars, Politicians & Food01:24:45 – Rift Between RSS and BJP?01:29:19 – Cultural Significance of ‘Jore Sahib’

Prahlad Kakkar is one of India’s most iconic ad filmmakers. He is the man behind some of the most memorable commercials in Indian advertising history, including “Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby! Aha!” for Pepsi and the “2 Minutes!” Maggi noodles ad. Known for his sharp wit, creativity, and fearless storytelling, he is called the ‘adman’ of India. For over 40 years, Kakkar has changed how brands talk to people through advertisements.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prahlad Kakkar talks about the golden era of Indian advertising, his collaborations with Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Priyanka Chopra, and the unforgettable Salman-Aishwarya feud that made headlines.He shares insights into how ads became a mirror of Indian society, the craft of storytelling in 30 seconds, and why today’s advertising world lacks the madness and maverick spirit it once had.Timestamps00:00 – Intro 00:37 – Iconic Ads01:30 – Prahlad’s Favourite Ad06:16 – Pepsi Ad Story09:37 – Aishwarya’s Pepsi Casting12:54 – Aamir’s Pepsi Casting15:55 – Maggi Ad Idea24:14 – Maggi Ketchup Ad Story33:03 – Understanding Audience Pulse37:09 – When Actors Misfit Ads39:11 – Big B as Perfect Fit for Ad42:20 – Shabana & Smita Era47:54 – Aishwarya vs Sushmita51:18 – Aishwarya–Salman Feud55:34 – Sridevi & Hema Era59:30 – Ad Films vs Feature Films1:00:42 – Deepika–Priyanka 'Clash'1:02:47 – Quick Reactions on Stars