ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

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 her father-in-law, Bal Thackeray, shedding light on her marriage to Jaidev Thackeray and subsequent divorce.She also talks about the fight over Balasaheb’s legacy and Uddhav Thackeray’s political alliances with the Congress party & NCP.

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 a filmmaker.Having contested 3 Lok Sabha polls in 2004, 2009 and 2014, Jha explains why he entered the world of politics and later decided to quit.He also provides insights into Bihar's changing political landscape, emphasising the roles of Nitish Kumar, Prashant Kishor, and PM Modi.Talking about his upcoming project "Janadesh," Jha explores the ‘exploitation’ of Santana Dharma by a few self-proclaimed godmen.

Former powerful bureaucrat Kartik Pandian discusses his journey and potential succession to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. He talks about working under CM's direction, predicts BJD's 2024 win, addresses BJP-BJD nexus, and shares untold stories of Biju Patnaik. Pandian also reflects on Puri Jagannath Heritage Corridor project and Odisha's governance principles.

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 Contemporary China Studies.In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses China's economic growth and Xi Jinping's ambitions for global dominance. He elaborates on Xi Jinping's objectives through the Belt and Road Initiative and its potential implications for India and the world.Dr. Narasimhan suggests that India must exercise caution in handling border disputes with China, as faceoffs might occur along the Line of Actual Control with Beijing. He also delves into China's interests in the Indian Ocean region and provides insights into China's demographic transition.

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, has garnered widespread critical acclaim. With over 200 recordings, Subramaniam has not only produced numerous solo albums but has also collaborated with renowned musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Stéphane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci, and Jean-Pierre Rampal.Joining her is Kavita Krishnamurti, an acclaimed Indian playback and classical singer who has left an indelible mark on the music industry with a staggering 50,000 recorded songs in 45 different Indian languages. Recognized for iconic tracks like "Hawa Hawaii," "Bole Chudiyan," "Kay Sera Sera," and "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast," she was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2005.In this conversation with Smita Prakash, the duo reflects on their 25 years of musical partnership and its integral role in their love story. Kavita Krishnamurti delves into her journey from being a jingle singer to becoming one of Bollywood's leading playback singers. Meanwhile, Subramaniam Lakshminarayana shares insights into his unconventional path, obtaining an MBBS degree and later forsaking a medical career to pursue his passion for the violin. They also delve into the implications of artificial intelligence in the realm of music and singing. Subramaniam shares anecdotes of collaborating with legends like Yehudi Menuhin and Gangubai Hangal, while Kavita Krishnamurti reminisces about her experiences with stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar, and Manna Dey.

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 provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his relationships with actors Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, narrating how he played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.The discussion delves into the challenges faced during the filming of 'Khal Nayak,' addressing Sanjay Dutt's legal issues and navigating protests against the iconic song 'Choli Ke Peeche.' Ghai candidly addresses misconceptions about his choices of 'M' actresses and opens up about the dynamics with Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Sanjay Dutt, expressing his views on chemistry with the trio.

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 invaded Tibet and forced the 14th Dalai Lama to take refuge in India. He insists that for India to understand China, it must comprehend Tibet's situation. Sangay also describes Beijing as an expansionist country and details how Tibet sought India's assistance before China's invasion. He also sheds light on the role of Tibetans in the Indian Special Forces, taking on China.Sangay recounts his parents' struggle for survival and their journey to seek refuge in India amid the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He speaks about China's overarching strategy to assert itself as the sole superpower and its tactics in claiming territories. He also predicts that, under Xi Jinping's rule, Taiwan is susceptible to a potential attack from China in 2024.

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 stuntwoman.Rohit shares his thoughts on the evolving taste of the audience and why people are drawn to larger-than-life movies. He also decodes the magic behind the appeal of grand cinematic experiences and why he is committed to crafting laughter-filled comedies and high-octane action films. Rohit also spills the beans on his upcoming movie, 'Singham Again.' He explains why the 'Singham' franchise holds a special place in his heart and opens up about dealing with rejection in the industry.

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 ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses how India can exercise its soft power and emphasizes the necessity for the country to engage in this practice. He suggests India should leverage its rich traditions and heritage, exemplified by Bollywood movies and yoga.He also highlights Prime Minister Modi's leadership skills. He addresses critics of Sanatana, asserting that the term is eternal, and those who criticize it often lack a proper understanding of its meaning. Dr. Sahasrabuddhe contends that the perception of many is still heavily influenced by Western civilization and storytelling.He also addresses 'Hindi imposition' allegations against the central government. Furthermore, He argues that the Centre has no intention to rewrite or revise history but rather to revisit it with a fresh perspective.

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 directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film "A Death in the Gunj" in 2016. She further showcased her directorial skills in the anthology Lust Stories 2, contributing a short film titled "The Mirror," which explores the female gaze and challenges stereotypes about women's desires.In a recent ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Konkona delves into the role of her mother, veteran director and actor Aparna Sen, in shaping her life as an actor. She candidly discusses the comparisons drawn between her and her mother, emphasizing her journey as an accidental actor.Konkona also shares insider stories about her casting in "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer," for which she won a National Award. She talks about her experiences working with Manoj Bajpayee in the Netflix comedy series 'Killer Soup' and reflects on her directorial venture in Lust Stories 2, which garnered critical acclaim.She addresses the depiction of violence and sex in movies, highlighting the crucial role of a director's intention. Additionally, she talks about the love and experiences she gained from "Wake Up Sid" and also provides insights into her upcoming projects.