ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

O.P. Choudhary cracked the UPSC exam at the age of 23 and was part of the 2005 batch of the Chhattisgarh cadre, the first batch after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. In 2018, he joined the BJP. During his 13-year career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the former Raipur Collector earned a reputation as a simple, hardworking, and dynamic officer.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, O.P. Choudhary talks about whether Nava Raipur can outperform cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. He also shares how Chhattisgarh is working to create more jobs, boost tourism, and change the way people see the state.00:00 – Introduction00:50 – Journey from IAS to politics08:58 – Posting in Dantewada15:09 – Naxalism in Bastar21:41 – Chhattisgarh Budget25:53 – Nava Raipur29:01 – IT Hubs in Nava Raipur34:48 – Welfare schemes38:42 – Sustainable Development44:53 – Tourism & Investment in Chhattisgarh47:35 – Online betting in the Gaming Sector51:35 – Rebuilding Agricultural Sector55:13 – Schemes for Transgender

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joins the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash in Raipur during the 'Vichaar for Viksit Chhattisgarh' Conclave.Mr. Sai has had a long political journey. He served as an MLA from 1990 to 1998 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Raigarh constituency in 1999. In 2006, he became the Chhattisgarh BJP president and later served as a Union Minister of State. He is also known to have close ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).In this episode of the ANI Podcast, He talks about the Waqf Act and what it means for the state, raises concerns about religious conversions, and explains his government's approach to dealing with Naxalism. He also speaks about action being taken against the mining mafia and the plans to develop Nava Raipur into a modern, world-class city.00:00 – Introduction00:39 – Childhood Stories05:42 – First time becoming 'Sarpanch'06:22 – Mentor for political journey07:57 – Promises after becoming CM13:23 – Mahadev betting app scam15:32 – Developments under BJP govt18:19 – From rice bowl to IT Park21:59 – Surrender policies for Naxalites24:04 – Skilling Naxals25:34 – End of Naxalism by 2026?29:22 – From Naxalism to Tourism in Chhattisgarh?33:00 – Mining Mafia34:26 – Waqf Act35:06 – Forced religious conversion39:01 – 'Ghar Wapsi' program for Hindus40:35 – 'Rubber stamp CM' Jibe43:23 – Mahtari Vandana Yojana45:18 – Odisha-Chhattisgarh Mahanadi Dispute46:17 – Working for youth development49:10 – Attacks on journalists

Abhijeet Bhattacharya is one of the most iconic voices in Bollywood, having lent his voice to several memorable tracks for Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, and Salman Khan. His voice became synonymous with Shah Rukh Khan in many hit songs. He won the Filmfare Award and the Screen Award for Best Singer for his song "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon" from Yes Boss.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Abhijeet discusses what's wrong with the music industry, as Auto-Tune and artificial intelligence are increasingly taking over. He also shares untold stories about legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Mohammad Rafi. Going down memory lane, he reveals why he chose to pursue a career in singing.Abhijeet also speaks about Sanatana Dharma, A.R. Rahman, and his controversial relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.Audio Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:53 – Singing as a Career05:45 – Stories of Lata, Kishore, & Rafi08:10 – Childhood Stories15:40 – How Directors Choose Heroines22:45 – How the Music Industry Evolved26:45 – Accent Influence in Singing33:02 – Singing with Jatin–Lalit35:18 – Udit Narayan Kiss Controversy39:15 – Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy41:25 – Udhayanidhi's Remarks on Sanatan Dharma43:05 – PR Advice46:43 – Pakistani Actors & Singers49:58 – Gandhi–Pakistan "Father of Nation" Row54:40 – Love for 90s Songs56:19 – Clash with Music Directors01:01:10 – Hit Songs01:05:40 – Songs for Shah Rukh Khan01:07:25 – Kishore Kumar & Mukesh Songs01:10:41 – Meeting Old Friends After Fame01:13:20 – AI in the Music Industry

Sonal Man Singh is a former Rajya Sabha MP, an Indian classical dancer and a Guru in Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance styles. She received the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2003.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sonal Man Singh shares untold stories about Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and the challenges artists faced during the 1975 Emergency. She also discusses whether art can be separated from the artist.She also speaks about today's cancel culture, how she got into dancing, the relationship between a Guru and Shishya, and what it takes to become a great dancer. She also shares her thoughts on whether today’s younger generation is losing interest in Indian classical dance.00:00 – Introduction00:56 – Dancing as a Career05:58 – Rajya Sabha Experience17:44 – Running Away from Home24:02 – Divorce24:55 – Kelucharan Mohapatra as a Guru30:29 – Guru-Shishya Parampara33:52 – Learning Odissi from Kelucharan Mohapatra37:56 – Support from Family Members39:18 – Story of Second Marriage42:34 – Experience Meeting Indira Gandhi47:57 – TM Krishna Getting Subhalakshmi Award Row49:43 – Limits of Artistic Expression53:59 – Inspiration to Be Creative57:41 – Interacting with Pupul Jayakar01:00:32 – Industrialists Backing Artists01:08:26 – Living a Private Life01:09:39 – Padma Award Story01:17:26 – Why She Was Sacked from Sangeet Natak Akademi01:20:10 – Cancel Culture01:31:38 – Personal Relationships01:35:51 – How to Handle Tough Times01:37:21 – Favourite Cities for Performance01:43:14 – Can an Atheist Emote Divinity in Dance?

Tigmanshu Dhulia is a filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, and casting director, best known for Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011). His films, often critically acclaimed and explore human relationships, social issues, and the nuances of Indian culture.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tigmanshu takes a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his childhood in Allahabad- now known as Prayagraj- and what makes the city so special to him. He reflects on his days at the National School of Drama (NSD), his friendships with those who made a mark in Bollywood, and how he got his first break as a director. He also shares how legendary filmmaker Shekhar Kapur played a crucial role in shaping his career.Tigmanshu doesn’t hold back in criticizing corporate influence in Bollywood, calling out how films are often sold even before they are made. He also shares untold stories about Shah Rukh Khan and Irrfan Khan.From rising ticket prices to his upcoming Bollywood project, this conversation is a straight talk about the Hindi Film Industry.00:00 - Introduction00:22 - Childhood Memories of Allahabad05:13 - Recalling NSD Days10:44 - Working as an Assistant Director12:22 - Getting Credit as a Casting Director17:12 - Collaborating with Shekhar Kapur23:17 - Experience in the TV Industry24:49 - Working on Dil Se30:24 - Impact of Irrfan Khan’s Demise36:34 - Working with Favorite Actors45:17 - Experience in Gangs of Wasseypur50:02 - Corporate Interference in Filmmaking58:48 - The Cult of Sanjay Leela Bhansali01:04:57 - Lack of Focus in Today’s Actors01:09:06 - Working in the OTT Space

Raza Murad comes from a family of actors and is known for his astounding voice. He started his career with the film 'Ek Nazar' in 1972 and became famous for his versatility, especially in villain roles. He has worked in over 200 films and has been featured in several popular Bollywood films, including Prem Rog, Henna, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, and Ram Lakhan. He continues to leave his mark with roles in films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, Jodhaa Akbar, and Bajirao Mastani.In this Mumbai edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Veteran Actor talks about his journey into Bollywood. He shares insights into how the Hindi Film Industry has changed over the last 50 years.He also shares stories about legends like Raaj Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Rajesh Khanna, and Raj Kapoor. He discusses his experiences working with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ashutosh Gowariker and how they tell their stories on the silver screen.More on why Bollywood movies aren’t clicking as much today and what stardom truly means.Audio Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:35 - Working with Amitabh & Rajesh Khanna11:55 - Experience with Hrishikesh Mukherjee22:21 - Raj Kapoor as a Director25:26 - Regret of not interacting with Raj Kapoor30:08 - Raza Murad’s voice: Asset or drawback?33:31 - Media favoritism towards actors36:20 - Did Raaj Kumar commit a crime?40:44 - Funny stories about Raaj Kumar48:41 - Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali55:56 - Upcoming projects with Sanjay Leela Bhansali57:18 - Collaboration with Ashutosh Gowariker59:21 - Why was Mughal-e-Azam never remade?01:01:21 - Why aren’t films succeeding today?01:03:49 - Controversy during Padmaavat release01:05:51 - Old actors vs. today's stars01:08:01 - Teaching at FTII01:09:14 - Ranveer Allahabadia controversy01:12:41 - Raza Murad’s childhood love story01:14:47 - Raza Murad’s wedding01:18:16 - Maintaining relationships in cinema01:20:19 - Zeenat Aman’s second marriage01:21:45 - Battling Depression in Bollywood

Yogi Adityanath's government has completed eight years in Uttar Pradesh, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister in the state's history and the only one to serve two consecutive terms.In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Yogi Adityanath discusses his government's achievements over the past 8 years and shares his vision for making Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy. He also defends his bulldozer action, stating that strict measures are necessary to eliminate 'Mafia Raj' in the state.He addresses concerns about Muslim safety in Uttar Pradesh and explains why the Mandir-Masjid debate resurfaces from time to time. Additionally, he reflects on what went wrong for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.The conversation also covers Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, the Kumbh tragedy, Aurangzeb, freedom of speech, and the Constitution controversy.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:24 – 8 Years of Yogi Sarkar04:55 – Transformation of Ayodhya08:32 – Aurangzeb Controversy13:09 – Muslims' Safety in U.P19:59 – Sambhal Excavation Controversy24:17 – Kumbh Tragedy32:11 – Muslim Vote Bank Politics37:53 – Constitution Row42:19 – Kunal Kamra Joke Controversy43:28 – ‘Batenge to Katenge’ Slogan51:17 – Pride in ‘UP Identity’53:42 – Waqf (Amendment) Bill Controversy56:08 – Delimitation Debate & Language War1:01:40 – Foreign Funding in 2024 LS Polls1:07:44 – Rahul Gandhi1:10:35 – $1 Trillion Economy Aim for UP

The recent train hijacking and the Noshki convoy attack have raised serious questions about Pakistan losing control of Balochistan. Is the Baloch insurgency entering a new phase? Can Pakistan’s army crush the rebellion? Is China pressuring Pakistan to act harshly to protect CPEC? Is India secretly involved, as Pakistan claims? What exactly do the Balochs want?To answer all these questions, the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by Tilak Devasher, an author, expert on Pakistan, and a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board.He also discusses Pakistan's unstable political landscape. Imran Khan remains in jail, and tensions between Punjab and Sindh are rising. With growing insurgencies and internal conflicts, is Pakistan heading toward another breakup like 1971?00:00 - Introduction01:52 - Baloch Train Hijack08:29 - Noshki Bus Attack10:11 - Should India Help Balochistan?14:12 - Women's Involvement in the Baloch Armed Movement19:55 - Half-Widow Concept in Balochistan24:59 - The West Ignoring Balochistan29:05 - India Involved in Baloch Insurgency?36:59 - Baloch Rebels Targeting Only the Pakistan Army?37:54 - Can India Step Into the Baloch Issue?39:20 - Sardars vs. Young Baloch Movement43:27 - Who Are the Leaders of the Balochistan Movement?46:52 - Is Balochistan’s Situation Similar to 1971?49:43 - Impact of the Baloch Crisis on the CPEC Deal52:48 - What Is the Pakistan Army’s Next Move?55:33 - Can Balochistan Win Without Sindhis & Pashtun Support?01:01:25 - Who Calls the Shots in Pakistan?01:05:36 - How Are Pakistanis Reacting to the Train Hijack?01:07:39 - Will Trump Step In?01:11:44 - Why No Western Sanctions on Pakistan’s Death Squads?01:21:00 - Mufti Shah Mir Killed—Who's Behind It?

Rakesh Roshan began his career as an assistant director on the film Anjaana (1969) and later went on to direct the action drama Khudgarz (1987).With films like ‘Karan Arjun,’ ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai,’ ‘Koi... Mil Gaya,’ and the Krrish franchise, Rakesh Roshan has earned his place as a seasoned filmmaker across multiple genres in the Hindi film industry.In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rakesh reveals the magic behind filmmaking and his unique style of directing Bollywood films. He explains the 'K' connection in his movie titles.Rakesh also talks about how his father’s legacy was lost and how the ‘The Roshan’ docu-series on Netflix contributed to its revival.Rakesh also shares his experiences of working with veteran actresses like Rekha, Hema Malini, and Jaya Prada. He also opens up about his bond with Rishi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, and Jeetendra.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Making of ‘The Roshans’ 05:03 – Working with leading actresses11:00 – Vision as filmmaker17:47 – Friendship with Rishi Kapoor22:13 – Funds for Bollywood Movies25:38 – ‘K’ Letter Obsession32:46 – Story behind the bald look37:36 – Backstory of ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’42:25 – Mentoring Hrithik Roshan51:41 – Fitness secret57:15 – Family values in South Indian movies

Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus! Edition 5.0 is here and it's all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions. Joining the chat are: Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies This episode dives into some topics, including the Ranveer Allahbadia-Samay Raina controversy, the Shama Mohamed tweet row, and Arvind Kejriwal's future in politics.The group also discusses the Trump-Zelensky spat at the Oval Office and the ceasefire plan proposed by the USA President Donald Trump to stop the Russia-Ukraine war. The group also digs into why Aurangzeb remains relevant in Indian politics and discusses the Hindi vs Tamil language war.00:00 – Introduction01:40 – Samosa Caucus Returns18:50 – Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy27:23 – Aurangzeb and Hindutva Debate36:32 – Trump’s Policies on Campus Activism49:15 – Shama Mohamed Tweet Row1:00:46 – Rahul's Remark on Gujarat Congress1:10:16 – Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Spat1:24:05 – What Europeans Think of Russia1:42:58 – Obesity and Diabetes1:54:08 – Arvind Kejriwal's Future2:10:16 – Debt of States in India2:19:04 – Hindi vs Tamil Language War