ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Ashok Choudhary is the Minister of the Rural Works Department in Bihar. He is known to be close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and also serves as the National General Secretary of the Janata Dal (United). He is considered one of the most influential ministers in the Bihar cabinet. Before joining JD(U), he was the Bihar Congress chief.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ashok Choudhary talks about reports questioning Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's fitness to lead the state and the defamation case against Prashant Kishor.He also speaks about his time as Bihar Congress chief and what led to the decline of the party in the state. He calls Rahul Gandhi a good human being but says he is superficial when it comes to politics. Ashok Choudhary also shares his views on Tejashwi Yadav and the caste census.00:00 – Introduction00:40 – Nitish Kumar Fit to Lead Bihar?05:26 – Migration from Bihar08:10 – Future Plans for Bihar11:52 – Law and Order Situation in Bihar13:13 – Defamation Case Against Prashant Kishor17:52 – Startups in Rural Areas20:50 – Is JD(U) a Rural Party?21:21 – Chirag Paswan Miffed with NDA?22:07 – NDA Seat Sharing Rift24:12 – Prashant Kishor vs Nitish Kumar26:30 – Caste Politics in Bihar29:00 – NDA's Promise for Bihar31:53 – Operation Sindoor

Poonam Dhillon, a timeless icon of Indian cinema, began her journey as a model and rose to fame after being crowned second runner-up at Miss India 1977. She debuted at 16 with the blockbuster Trishul, and later went on to act in popular movies like Noorie, Red Rose, and Teri Kasam, she shared the screen with legends such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Rishi Kapoor, becoming a beloved figure in Bollywood’s golden era.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Poonam Dhillon takes us through her remarkable career, from her accidental entry into films to navigating the industry’s challenges as a young actress. She shares nostalgic anecdotes about shooting 'Trishul' with Amitabh Bachchan, her bond with co-stars like Farooq Sheikh. She also started the idea of vanity vans with her company, Vanity. Poonam opens up about her personal life, including her early marriage, raising her kids, and balancing work and family.She also discusses her role as president of CINTAA, where she fights for better pay for small-time actors, and her time with the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. Poonam shares her brief stint in politics with the BJP in 2004 and her work with NGOs for causes like organ donation. With warmth, she talks about her love for theatre and her hope to support new artists.00:00 – Introduction03:16 – Working in film Trishul05:56 – Debut scene with Amitabh Bachchan07:37 – Why Yash Chopra chose Poonam?09:18 – Working with Rajesh Khanna13:31 – Fan crowd for Rajesh Khanna14:05 – Shooting with Kumar Gaurav16:03 – Costume designers in the 1980s20:55 – Working with Rishi Kapoor23:31 – Do directors go strict on their own kids?27:30 – Kamal Haasan’s lesson on punctuality30:28 – Working in television34:03 – Robbery at home35:38 – Working for street children38:25 – Why was Poonam upset with her marriage?40:48 – Life after divorce42:00 – Friends’ reaction after divorce43:35 – Bollywood’s 80s dating & marriage stories47:53 – Off-screen moments with co-stars49:29 – Introducing vanity vans51:52 – Dining at Rishi Kapoor’s home55:18 – How Yeh Vaada Raha film was pitched59:36 – 80s heroines avoided abuse01:01:07 – Handling emotions after shooting01:04:61 (or 01:05:01) – Managing finances & investment01:12:58 – Lessons for children01:15:16 – Working with FCAT & CINTAA01:23:08 – Joining BJP & social work01:25:16 – Offered Rajya Sabha seat

Shambhavi Choudhary, a young parliamentarian from the Lok Janshakti Party, and Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, passionately discuss Bihar's political landscape. Samrat defends the NDA's achievements in infrastructure and women's empowerment while attacking rival parties, branding them as corrupt. Shambhavi counters critiques on her political ascent, emphasizing her commitment as a Dalit woman MP. Together, they highlight the NDA's resilience and ambition for the upcoming elections, showcasing a vibrant picture of Bihar's progress.

Prashant Kishor, a prominent political strategist and the founder of Jan Suraaj, discusses his ambitions to reshape Bihar's political landscape. He candidly addresses the challenges posed by dynastic politics, emphasizing the role of caste in current dynamics. Kishor outlines his vision for job creation and combating migration, while critiquing political figures like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. He also touches on the influence of digital media in modern politics and the potential for transformative change in his home state.

Rahul Bose is an actor, director, and writer who has worked in more than 55 films in different languages. He is famous for picking meaningful roles. Movies like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, The Japanese Wife, and Chameli show how he prefers strong and thoughtful characters.Rahul is more than just a film personality. He was also a national-level rugby player and is currently the President of Rugby India. He is working hard to grow the sport. For him, rugby is not just a game; it’s a way to teach kids teamwork, discipline, and confidence.In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul talks about his 32 years in the film industry. He clears up some common myths, like the idea that Bollywood is only about glamour and big money.More about the process behind choosing a film, the debate between theatres and OTT platforms, and whether Bollywood is lacking in content.Timestamps00:00 – Coming Up01:53 – Introduction03:10 – Story Behind Carrying His Own Chair on Sets10:45 – Left's Influence in Bollywood12:21 – Working with Female Directors16:35 – Experience in South Indian Film Industry22:35 – Process Behind Choosing a Film26:45 – Script Improvisation28:45 – Journey into Rugby36:50 – Advice on Overcoming Fear40:50 – Role of Discipline in Sports43:43 – Rugby: A Costly Sport?50:10 – Benefits of Playing Rugby54:30 – Nutrition for Rugby Players01:02:35 – Rugby vs. Films01:04:30 – Theatres vs. Films vs. OTT01:07:58 – Impact of OTT on Storytelling01:13:32 – Lack of Quality in Bollywood Content?01:17:30 – Lessons from His Parents01:25:25 – Rahul Ever Regretted Doing a Film?01:30:12 – Laapataa Ladies & Thappad01:39:24 – Upcoming Projects

Tejashwi Yadav, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and the current Leader of the Opposition, dives into the political chaos of Bihar. He critiques PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar, claiming their leadership has led to stagnation and corruption. Tejashwi tackles the contentious 'Jungle Raj' label and discusses his party's strategies for upcoming polls. With humor, he also addresses personal topics, like the controversy surrounding his son's name, and emphasizes the need for a caste census to address social inequalities in Bihar.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Defence Secretary of India and a seasoned IAS officer, discusses the significant impacts of Operation Sindoor and how Pakistan was the one pleading for a ceasefire. He reveals insights on India's drone strategy, highlighting the need for advancements in domestic capabilities. Singh also touches upon the game-changing role of Made-in-India weapons and the urgency to reduce defense procurement timelines. Notably, he provides updates on India's fifth-generation stealth fighter, emphasizing the strategic contexts involving China and Pakistan.

Chandan Roy was born and brought up in Bihar. He studied mass communication in Patna and Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. He rose to fame with his role as Vikas in the popular web series Panchayat.In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Chandan Roy shares what audiences can expect from Panchayat Season 4 and how it will be different from previous seasons. He also talks about his journey into acting and what inspired him to become an actor. Plus, he reveals an untold story about why he changed his name from Chandan Rai to Chandan Roy.Introduction – 00:00Panchayat Season 4 – 00:33What Makes Panchayat Special – 01:55Story Behind 'Vikas' Accent – 03:23Actors from Rural India – 05:52Creative Freedom on Set – 09:41From Bihar to Delhi to Mumbai – 11:02Inspiration Behind Name Change – 13:46Family Reaction to Panchayat – 14:42Working with Big Stars – 15:39Local Accent – 17:14Why He Left Journalism – 18:10

Khan Sir, a popular teacher from Bihar and founder of Khan GS Research Centre, dives deep into pressing issues in this candid discussion. He sheds light on terrorism, political dynamics, and India's education system, emphasizing the need for reform and transparency. Khan Sir also reflects on his personal journey, including his recent marriage, and shares perspectives on mental health and rising unemployment in Bihar. With vivid insights on leadership and social responsibility, this conversation is both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India and former Foreign Policy Advisor, discusses critical global security issues. He unveils Israel's recent military actions against Iran, highlighting the threat from Iran's nuclear ambitions and military capabilities. Azar emphasizes Israel's role in defending not just itself but also world security while revealing that the U.S. was informed about their strikes. He provocatively questions India's stance on potential military action against Pakistan's nuclear sites, shedding light on intricate international alliances and tensions.