ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Komal Nahta is a film trade analyst, the Editor-in-Chief of 'Film Information', and a well-known television show host. With decades of experience in the film industry, he is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in box office analysis. Bharathi Pradhan is a columnist, film critic, and author. She hosts podcasts and Lehren TV and writes a Sunday column for The Telegraph. She has been reviewing films since the 1970s, making her one of the most respected critics in the industry.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Komal Nahta exposes how box office numbers are being manipulated. He reveals how producers use block bookings and fake figures to inflate collections. He also talks about the culture of paid reviews, claiming that 9 out of 10 movie reviews are bought. He shares his views on what’s wrong with Bollywood and why films are struggling to connect with audiences.Bharathi Pradhan discusses how PR companies have become powerful in Bollywood and how actors misuse them. She shares untold stories about Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and reflects on how the industry has changed since the 1970s. She also talks about the role of film critics and why they should stay honest to their readers, not cater to actors and producers.00:00 – Introduction01:58 – How movie critics review films09:38 – The truth about Bollywood’s paid reviews14:00 – Inside Bollywood’s PR game21:12 – How box office numbers are manipulated27:19 – Movies that got bad reviews but became hits30:03 – Losing friends over honest movie reviews43:31 – The rise of paparazzi culture49:45 – What really makes a movie a hit?1:01:42 – Remaking old classics and blockbusters1:11:38 – The problem of over-PR in Bollywood

Kiran Rao began her career as an assistant director on the iconic film Lagaan and later went on to direct Dhobi Ghat (2010) and the critically acclaimed box office success Laapataa Ladies (2024). She graduated with a degree in Economics from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, in 1995, and later pursued her Master’s at AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kiran Rao delves into the intricacies of storytelling, the impact of cinema on our lives, and how films can be a powerful tool for messaging. She also shares her perspective on patriarchy, emphasising how men can be its victims.She also opens up about her divorce from Aamir Khan, highlighting the mutual respect and strong bond they continue to share. More on the creative challenges in filmmaking and how she deals with an industry dominated by men.00:00 - Introduction02:27 - Movie Ticket Tax Row06:55 - The Art of Storytelling in Bollywood17:15 - Commercial Success vs. Critical Acclaim23:12 - The Auditioning Process in Bollywood24:54 - Working with Naseeruddin Shah27:47 - Collaborating with Ashutosh Gowariker28:52 - How SRK Behaves on Set29:50 - Memories from Jamia University Days32:39 - Women in a Male-Dominated Industry38:49 - South Indian Films vs. Bollywood48:25 - Laapataa Ladies vs. Animal50:21 - Are Films Being Over-Promoted?57:15 - Nupur’s Wedding59:12 - Marriage & Divorce with Aamir Khan01:02:45 - Nostalgic Memories from Dil Chahta Hai

Ruchi Ghanashyam joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1982. Over her 38-year career, she served at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and as High Commissioner to Ghana, South Africa, and the UK, where she retired in 2020. She was also a Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan.Shaina NC is a fashion designer, politician, and social worker. She is the daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama. In 2024, she left the BJP and joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ruchi Ghanashyam shares her journey as a woman in the Indian Foreign Service and her experiences as a diplomat in Pakistan and the UK.Shaina NC talks about her transition from fashion to politics. She shares her experience of contesting elections from the Mumbadevi constituency and addresses the ‘Imported Maal’ controversy. She also discusses the debate over politicians' looks.For generations, leadership, diplomacy, and power corridors have been dominated by men. But trailblazers like Ruchi Ghanashyam and Shaina NC have shattered stereotypes, proving that gender is no barrier to success.00:00 - Introduction03:01 - Indian Tradition08:19 - The Story of Banarasi Joda in Pakistani Weddings09:41 - Indian Saree in the Fashion Industry13:55 - Saina's Entry into Politics16:19 - Women in the Foreign Service18:55 - Ruchi as an Indian Woman Diplomat in Islamabad21:11 - Contesting Elections from Mumbadevi25:04 - The 'Imported Maal' Controversy32:32 - Ruchi as High Commissioner to the UK37:50 - Debate over Politicians’ Looks44:13 - Snap Reaction Segment01:10:06 - Why Did Saina Leave the BJP?01:13:24 - Dealing with Mental Health

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we take a deep dive into Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and how it continues to shape Indian politics. Joining the conversation are Dr. Guru Prakash Paswan, National Spokesperson of the BJP with a deep understanding of Dalit issues, and Kushal Mehra, a podcaster and author known for his sharp takes on politics and society.They discuss the role of Dalit votes in elections, how Ambedkar’s vision is understood today, and the political battles fought in his name. The conversation also touches on the rise of Hinduphobia in Canada and the USA—why it’s happening, who is driving the narrative, and what it means for Indian communities abroad.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:17 - Ambedkar's Legacy 12:52 – Neo-Feudalism in India16:15 - Caste Discrimination in the USA26:04 – Migration Patterns from India to the West34:27 - Merit vs Quota45:05 - ‘Hinduphobia’ in the USA52:40 – Caste Census in India58:04 – Dalit Icons statues1:06:42 - Dalits & Babasaheb1:18:53 – Indian Community in Canada & the USA1:29:49 – Dalit Politics in Punjab1:37:04 - Politics over Dalit Vote Bank

Pullela Gopichand is the second Indian to win the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship (2001). A former Olympian, he coached Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to Olympic success.Honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1999, Gopichand is often called the ‘Dronacharya of Indian Badminton.’ Since 2004, he has been running an academy in Hyderabad, where players like Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap, H.S. Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, and Sameer Verma have trained and brought glory to India.In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gopichand addresses the controversy around his remark that "only the rich should play sports." He clarifies that his concern is about the lack of support for athletes after retirement. He points out that while one in a hundred may reach the top, the rest need a safety net.He also talks about how the government can do more to support athletes, the evolution of sports in India, and what it takes to create champions. He also discusses the impact of social media trolling on athletes’ mental health and the reality behind sports quota jobs.00:00 - Introduction00:49 - ‘Sports are for the Rich’ Controversy08:05 - Securing an Athlete’s Future13:44 - Post-Career Support for Athletes19:54 - Wealth Disparity in Sports25:27 - Government’s Role in Athlete Welfare25:49 - Struggles of Athletes28:04 - From Badminton Player to Coach36:42 - How Sports Have Evolved40:50 - Best Sports Choices for Kids44:11 - Coaching Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu48:08 - Bias in Coaching53:16 - Dealing with Social Media Trolling54:58 - An Athlete’s Diet: What It Takes58:11 - Southeast Asian vs. European Players01:01:25 - PM’s Role in Sports Development01:02:48 - Sports Career Options: Then vs. Now01:07:19 - Sports Quota Jobs

Born in Srinagar, Kunal Kemmu comes from a family of actors. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Zakhm (1998).Kunal made his debut as a lead actor in Kalyug (2005) and went on to star in several films, including the Golmaal franchise, Go Goa Gone (2013), and intense dramas like Traffic Signal (2007) and Blood Money (2012).In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kunal opens up about the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in the 1990s and how it affected his family. He also shares why he chose to become an actor and what life was like growing up in Srinagar.Kunal talks about the attack on his brother-in-law, Saif Ali Khan, and recalls the terrifying incident when his wife, Soha Ali Khan’s, house was robbed, explaining how he dealt with the situation.He also discusses his directorial debut, Madgaon Express (2024), how fatherhood has changed him, and the important role fitness plays in his life.00:00 - Introduction00:44 - Growing Up as a Kashmiri Pandit08:33 - Will Kashmiri Pandits Return to the Valley?10:37 - Life in Bombay vs. Kashmir12:17 - Entering the Industry as a Child Actor18:50 - Transitioning from Child Actor to Adult Roles22:36 - Working with Different Directors24:00 - Directing 'Madgaon Express'29:50 - Film on the Kashmiri Pandit Exodus32:47 - Conversations at Actors' Family Dinners35:40 - Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Incident42:18 - Growing Up in the Public Eye as an Actor’s Kid45:27 - How Social Media is Affecting Children47:49 - Love for Travel53:35 - Staying Physically Fit1:06:37 - What’s Coming Up in 2025

General Upendra Dwivedi is currently serving as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. Before that, he was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for Information Systems and Coordination and the General Officer Commanding of the IX Corps.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Army Chief shares his views on several key issues. He discusses how the situation of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has changed after the abrogation of Article 370 and also talks about the Indian Army's role in implementing the theme of ‘Terrorism to Tourism” in Kashmir Valley. He also opens up about the Pakistani Army’s mindset regarding PoK and the motive behind infiltration bids by Pakistani terrorists.General Dwivedi also addresses how AI is transforming battlefields across the world and how the Indian Army is utilizing this technology. He emphasizes that civilian support for the army plays a major role and explains how an average citizen can be helpful to the Indian Army. He highlights the disengagement between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).General Dwivedi further reflects on the role of women in the Indian Armed Forces. He also discusses the budget allocated for the defence sector and the priorities that need to be addressed to boost the army's performance.00:00 – Introduction01:06 - India-China border Disengagement04:20 - Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Army Chief07:32 - Trump’s pitch to sell stealth fighters to India11:43 - Security situation along LoC14:16 - Decline in militancy in Kashmir16:47 - Mindset of Pakistani Army22:24 - Drones: Future of Warfare27:46 - Is Agnipath scheme helping Army?30:42 - ‘Gray zone’ and ‘Hybrid’ warfare38:31 - AI and Indian Army48:56 - Two classmates leading Indian Armed Forces55:59 - Recruits in the Indian Army59:22 - Budget allocation for Defence1:06:23 - Army pay scale compared to private sector1:12:02 - Civilian support for Army1:16:55 - When Army Chief visited Mahakaleshwar Temple1:19:05 - Childhood of Army Chief1:22:30 - Emotional impact of losing friends in combat

Jaya Kishori started her spiritual journey at the age of seven. Raised in a spiritual environment, she developed a deep love for spiritualism, leading her to become a motivational and spiritual speaker. Her mission is to instill faith, positivity, and the importance of family, emphasizing that good parenting shapes successful and virtuous individuals. She ensures her teachings are simple and relatable for all ages.In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaya Kishori speaks about finding a balance between spirituality and a materialistic lifestyle, addressing the Dior bag controversy and how she deals with online criticism. She also talks about ego, the highs and lows of fame, and the importance of family support in her journey. Sharing her experience of studying the Bhagavad Gita, she talks about sacrifice, spirituality, and why she chose to change her name.She also discusses whether visiting temples or following a Satvik lifestyle is necessary for devotion, why today's youth feel disconnected from spirituality, and why some parents use their children for money. She also talks about the rise in suicide cases, the misuse of laws, how to handle anger, and the importance of chanting in life.00:00 - Introduction01:46 - Dior Bag Controversy09:45 - Online Criticism13:36 - Ego & Adulation16:29 - Career & Family Support18:21 - Bhagavad Gita20:48 - Sacrifice vs. Spirituality23:49 - How to Deal with Failure28:03 - Why Jaya Kishori Changed Her Name30:29 - Devotional Journey34:43 - Visiting Temple Importance37:11 - Youth and Spirituality44:11 - Satvik Life51:12 - How to Become a Spiritual Speaker54:46 - Kids in Spirituality & Devotion57:41 - Parents 'Misusing' Children for Money01:03:44 - Sacredness vs. Hypocrisy01:05:23 - Snap Reaction Segment01:36:36 - Misuse of AI01:43:28 - Rise in Suicide Cases & Misuse of Laws01:49:58 - Finding Hope in Difficult Times01:53:00 - Jaya Kishori's Go-To Chant01:57:01 - How to Handle Anger

Shikhar Dhawan, fondly known as 'Gabbar' by his fans, has had a remarkable cricket career. He won the Golden Bat twice at the ICC Champions Trophy, and holds the record for the fastest Test century by a debutant, In August 2024, he announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket.In this podcast with Smita Prakash, Dhawan talks about the pressure social media creates in team selection and shares his views on the controversial Yo-Yo test. He also recalls his Test debut alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.He opens up about his mindset during the Champions Trophy, the challenges of sledging, friendships off the field, and why India can't play in Pakistan.Dhawan also talks about his bond with his son, how spirituality has shaped his life, and his journey from being dropped in 2022 to his thoughts on the future of Indian cricket.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:21 - The Pressure of Social Media05:37 - Champions Trophy 202508:11 - Dressing room conversations11:07 - Yo-Yo test18:11 - Story behind selection in Indian Team19:33 - Playing with Sachin in his debut Test21:14 - Sachin Tendulkar's retirement22:41 - Timing, fate, and hard work26:34 - Breaking Gundappa Viswanath's record29:57 - A captain’s advice for openers33:35 - Understanding the opponent’s abilities35:22 - Champions Trophy records & Mindset40:51 - Bid to upskill cricket coaches in India47:35 - Sledging in cricket49:33 - Should Team India travel to Pakistan?50:43 - BCCI's new rulebook for players52:06 - IPL success story54:16 - Dhawan as captain58:27 - Getting dropped from Team India01:00:43 - Having a godfather in cricket01:04:36 - Relationship with his son01:10:38 - Spirituality in life01:13:27 - Retirement decision01:16:33 - Advice to young players01:17:56 - Importance of physical fitness01:24:49 - Legends 90 League01:27:01 - Rapid Fire Segment

Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) is one of the youngest startups in India's defence sector, focusing on developing homegrown technology and intellectual property.The company is working on cutting-edge defence solutions, including the Next-Generation Hybrid Personal Combat Armour, a non-lethal system to stop vessels at sea, the 360 Advanced Battle Interface (ABI), and an Anti-Drone Defense System. These innovations have already been adopted by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Ramaswamy Shivaraman, co-founder of BBBS and head of research and product development, discusses how the Indian government is supporting homegrown startups in defence and why the private sector needs more government backing in the industry.He also speaks about the role of AI in modern warfare and its integration into defence systems. He also highlights the challenges Indian startups face in exporting defence products and underscores the importance of promoting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the sector.*Audio Timestamps:*00:00 - Introduction 01:14 - India’s Defence Budget Allocation 02:38 - Anti-Drone System Deal 05:50 - How Big Bang Boom Solutions Started 09:14 - Products by Big Bang Boom Solutions 10:28 - Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War 12:24 - Govt’s Approach to Defence Startups 15:45 - Private Investment in Defence 18:07 - Deals with Indian & Foreign Govts 22:59 - Challenges in Foreign Markets 25:09 - Startups vs Big Defence Companies 30:14 - AI in Defence Systems 36:14 - AI and Drone Warfare 40:22 - Non-Lethal Naval Deterrence Tech 45:01 - Advantages of Doing Business in India 54:44 - Can Foreign governments invest in BBBS? 56:11 - Meeting with PM Modi 01:00:24 - Anti-Drone System: Vajra Shield 01:03:14 - PM Promoting Desi Defence Startups Abroad