ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Asian News International (ANI)
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ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.

  1. 2d ago

    EP-449 I “India Looks So Poor”: Manu Joseph on Broken Cities, Gen Z, Jobs, CM Vijay & PM Modi

    Manu Joseph is a journalist, columnist, novelist and screenwriter known for his sharp and often provocative observations on Indian society. He is the author of 'Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us' and the creator of the Netflix series 'Decoupled'. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses India’s broken cities, the jobs crisis facing Gen Z, and the decline of civic sense. He also speaks about Noida versus Gurugram, Vijay’s rise in Tamil Nadu politics, freedom of expression, privilege, merit and why India “looks so poor”. 0:00 – Introduction 1:13 – Life in Gurugram 2:33 – Village–City Divide 3:55 – Civic Order vs Social Order 5:47 – Why India Looks So Poor 6:57 – Swanky Airports and Broken Cities 10:51 – India’s Obsession With Useless Issues 14:24 – Leaving Gurugram 18:22 – Bengaluru Has Become a Hellhole 19:36 – Why Indian Cities Are Unliveable 22:30 – Is Goa India’s Most Cosmopolitan Place? 29:30 – What’s Wrong With Kerala? 33:42 – Kerala’s Healthcare 35:58 – Kerala Mothers 40:06 – Indian Parents and Education 47:19 – North India vs South India 52:51 – Servility, Saluting and Class in India 55:10 – How Indians Treat Salespeople 55:48 – How Indians Treat Waiters 1:02:59 – Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us 1:03:22 – The Attention-Span Crisis 1:08:35 – Cockroach Janata Party 1:13:11 – Why Gen Z Is Screwed by Equality 1:13:52 – India’s Employability Crisis 1:26:53 – Unemployment Among Educated Women 1:31:54 – Exam Leaks and Student Protests 1:35:42 – Freedom of Expression in India 1:40:25 – “Vijay Was My Classmate” 1:42:57 – Mani Ratnam and Tamil Cinema 1:44:45 – Vijay’s Political Rise 1:55:13 – Caste and Public Toilets 1:59:46 – Manu Joseph’s Stand-Up Film 2:04:48 – Left-Wing vs Right-Wing Politics 2:09:11 – Why Ancient History Is Unreliable 2:12:43 – Leaving Journalism and Writing Fiction 2:15:50 – His Take on ‘Godi Media’

    EP-449 I “India Looks So Poor”: Manu Joseph on Broken Cities, Gen Z, Jobs, CM Vijay & PM Modi

  2. 6d ago

    EP-448 | Samrat Choudhary on Bankipur, Migration, Alcohol Ban, Reservation, Jobs & Bihar’s Infra

    Samrat Choudhary is the first BJP leader to serve as the Chief Minister of Bihar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the Bankipur election result, Prashant Kishor, migration and jobs in the state. He also discusses the alcohol ban, reservation, infrastructure, the revival of sugar mills, and what his government plans to do next. 00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – Bihar Floods 4:08 – Water Treaty with Bangladesh 11:05 – Women’s Employment Scheme 17:23 – Jobs in Bihar 23:31 – Bihar’s Education System 27:29 – Skill Development 31:48 – Migration 35:50 – Alcohol Ban 36:50 – NDA Alliance 43:00 – BJP’s Bankipur Defeat 50:15 – Reservation 53:40 – Road and Bridge Collapses

    EP-448 | Samrat Choudhary on Bankipur, Migration, Alcohol Ban, Reservation, Jobs & Bihar’s Infra

  3. Sep 6

    EP-447 | “I Thought I Wasn’t Right for Mirzapur Role”: Rasika Dugal on Bollywood, OTT & Patriarchy

    Rasika Dugal is known for her performances in films and streaming series such as Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, Manto, Qissa and Out of Love. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, she is best known for playing Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur, a role that brought her widespread recognition. In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dugal discusses why she initially feared she was not right for Mirzapur and shares her experience of working with Pankaj Tripathi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. She also remembers Irrfan Khan and explains what he taught her about being a good co-actor. Dugal speaks about how streaming platforms have transformed her career, the challenges women-led stories face, and the patriarchal expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry. *Timestamps* 0:00 – Introduction 0:34 – Acting Style 3:05 – Family's Reaction to Acting 4:12 – Moving to Mumbai 6:58 – Studying at FTII 9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur 15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur 22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda 26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime 29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling 31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan 34:15 – Working in Manto 37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors 42:17 – Importance of Small Details 44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime 46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets 52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur 54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan 59:07 – Being an Outsider 1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema 1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors 1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers 1:12:43 – Conclusion

    EP-447 | “I Thought I Wasn’t Right for Mirzapur Role”: Rasika Dugal on Bollywood, OTT & Patriarchy

  4. Sep 3

    EP-446 | “China Had 20 Minutes to Warn People”: Lobsang Sangay on Nepal–Tibet Floods

    Lobsang Sangay served as the democratically elected Sikyong, or President of the Central Tibetan Administration, from 2011 to 2021. He became its top political leader after the Dalai Lama gave up his political authority. Born in 1968, Sangay grew up in a Tibetan refugee settlement near Darjeeling, India. He studied at Delhi University and Harvard Law School before becoming an American citizen. In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sangay discusses the Nepal–Tibet floods and questions why China failed to issue a timely warning that could have saved hundreds of lives. He also alleges that Beijing censored videos and controlled the information coming out of Tibet. Sangay also speaks about Xi Jinping’s health, the purges within the PLA, China’s plans for Tibet, the Dalai Lama’s succession and the risk of China weaponising water. 0:00 – Introduction 1:34 – Tibet–Nepal Flash Floods 2:24 – Internet Shutdown in Tibet 4:17 – Could China Have Warned Nepal? 6:51 – Why China Is Hiding the Truth 9:02 – The Real Death Toll in Tibet 10:58 – China Blocks Journalists and Scientists 12:18 – Melting Glaciers and 2030 Warning 15:06 – Dams, Earthquakes and AI Data Centres 23:51 – Nepal’s Rescue Efforts 28:12 – China’s Information-Control Playbook 30:16 – International Water-Sharing Laws 34:38 – China’s Mega-Dam on Brahmaputra 36:52 – India–China Ties and Tibet 39:17 – China’s Claims Over Arunachal 43:15 – Purge of PLA Generals 46:00 – Xi Jinping’s Health 48:23 – Xi Jinping’s Succession Problem 52:12 – China’s Ethnic Unity Law 56:12 – Chinese Police Station 58:31 – Dalai Lama’s Succession 1:02:32 – Will There Be Two Dalai Lamas? 1:12:17 – Chinese Pressure on Nepal 1:14:59 – Tibet’s Future 1:22:29 – Nepal Rejects Foreign Rescue Teams 1:25:27 – The Human and Economic Cost 1:27:05 – Conclusion

    EP-446 | “China Had 20 Minutes to Warn People”: Lobsang Sangay on Nepal–Tibet Floods

  5. Aug 30

    EP-445 I Baba Ramdev Unfiltered: Hindu Rashtra, Kangana Ranaut, Gen Z, Modi, Yoga & Deep State

    Baba Ramdev is a yoga guru turned businessman, known for taking yoga into millions of homes in India and around the world. He runs Patanjali, an Indian consumer goods company that competes with major FMCG giants. Baba Ramdev also frequently makes headlines for his views on Hinduism, politics and national issues. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Baba Ramdev explains his idea of a Hindu Rashtra, responds to criticism over becoming a businessman, shares his views on the performance of the Modi government, and talks about how he sees Gen Z and protests in India. 0:00 – Introduction 1:55 – Hindu Rashtra 7:30 – Religion and Conversion 18:19 – Youth Protests and Unemployment 25:00 – India Against Corruption and CJP 28:29 – Gen Z and a Changing India 33:57 – Black Money and Corruption 36:00 – Modi Government’s Report Card 44:39 – Youth’s Expectations from Modi 49:36 – Yoga Guru Turned Businessman 53:06 – Daily Routine 54:22 – Patanjali Products and Legal Battles 1:00:14 – Ayurveda vs Allopathy 1:04:28 – Rahul Gandhi 1:05:36 – Business Advice 1:09:31 – A Caste-Free India 1:13:48 – Gurukuls, Youth and Addiction 1:19:13 – Free Speech and Godi Media 1:22:38 – Deep State 1:27:46 – Succession Plan 1:29:46 – Ramdev’s Legacy 1:32:29 – Sings a Song 1:34:34 – Conclusion

    EP-445 I Baba Ramdev Unfiltered: Hindu Rashtra, Kangana Ranaut, Gen Z, Modi, Yoga & Deep State

  6. Aug 27

    EP-444 | How India Blinded, Numbed & Paralysed Pakistan’s Air Force | Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra

    Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is a former fighter pilot who served in the Indian Air Force for more than 39 years. In January 2025, he took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the IAF’s most important operational commands. Just months later, he led the command during Operation Sindoor. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Air Marshal Mishra explains how India blinded Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and achieved air superiority, gaining the ability to strike anywhere inside Pakistan. He also speaks about the operational freedom given to the Indian Air Force and the role of women pilots in striking terror hubs in Pakistan. The conversation also covers drones, indigenous weapons and whether India is ready for Operation Sindoor 2.0. 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – IAF’s Planning for Op Sindoor 06:16 – IAF’s Precision Strikes 11:37 – Op Sindoor’s Target Selection 17:21 – Women Pilots in Op Sindoor 21:25 – Mental Makeup of IAF Pilots 28:09 – Decision-Making Behind Op Sindoor 32:44 – Psyche of Pakistan’s Military 39:00 – IAF’s 314-km S-400 Strike 45:42 – Blinding Pakistan’s Air Defences 54:30 – PM Modi’s Adampur Visit 58:27 – IAF’s Core Team for Op Sindoor 1:03:48 – BrahMos 1:08:06 – Drone Warfare 1:18:37 – Operation Safed Sagar 1:29:58 – Pakistan’s Attempts to Find S-400 1:29:58 – Narrative Warfare 1:42:26 – Track 2 Diplomacy

    EP-444 | How India Blinded, Numbed & Paralysed Pakistan’s Air Force | Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra

  7. Aug 26

    EP-443 | FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani on Fake Paneer, Edible Oil, Misleading Labels & Quick Commerce

    IAS Rajit Punhani is the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the organisation responsible for setting food-safety standards and regulating the country’s food industry. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Punhani explains what the FSSAI mark on a product actually means and why it does not mean that every product has been tested or certified by the regulator. He addresses concerns surrounding fake paneer, misleading food labels, excessive sugar in packaged drinks and baby food, palm oil, synthetic colours, protein supplements and ultra-processed food. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:29 – What FSSAI Logo Means 8:31 – Misleading Food Labels 14:14 – Drinks in Europe vs India 20:57 – Palm Oil Reality 25:27 – Sugar in Baby Food 30:04 – Indian Thali 32:54 – Nutrition Labels 37:05 – ‘Zero Sugar’ Meaning 39:36 – Food Industry Lobbying 42:54 – Fake Paneer and Food Adulteration 50:08 – Quick-Commerce Apps 53:58 – Dark Stores and Cloud Kitchens 58:17 – Street Food and Reused Cooking Oil 1:00:27 – Shortage of Food Safety Officers 1:04:16 – Food Recalls and Unsafe Products 1:08:10 – Protein Supplements 1:10:43 – Ultra-Processed Food 1:14:06 – Synthetic Colours in Food 1:16:53 – How Consumers Can File a Complaint 1:21:10 – Conclusion

    EP-443 | FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani on Fake Paneer, Edible Oil, Misleading Labels & Quick Commerce

  8. Aug 19

    EP-442 | Sanjeev Sanyal on Education Crisis, Coaching Mafia, Youth Anger, Taxes, AI & Economy

    Sanjeev Sanyal is a historian, economist and author. He currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he explains why India’s education system is failing its youth and why Indian degrees no longer guarantee jobs. He also speaks about India’s large population, the future of the economy, the falling rupee, AI and income tax. The podcast also explores the story behind INSV Kaundinya and India’s forgotten maritime and civilisational history. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:00 – India's Education System 4:28 – How China Conducts Exams 9:36 – Youth Unemployment 25:16 – Theory vs Real-World Skills 29:04 – India's Economic Outlook 32:01 – India's Private Investments 36:08 – GDP Growth vs Consumption Gap 39:22 – Foreign Media Narratives 47:47 – India-US Trade Deal 51:03 – Fall of the Rupee 57:35 – India's Growth Story 1:02:43 – Are Indians Overtaxed? 1:05:47 – Global Birth Rate Crisis 1:17:43 – INSV Kaundinya 1:25:21 – Indian History 1:29:27 – What's Next for Sanyal?

    EP-442 | Sanjeev Sanyal on Education Crisis, Coaching Mafia, Youth Anger, Taxes, AI & Economy
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About

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.

Information

  • Creator
    Asian News International (ANI)
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    449
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Asian News International (ANI)
  • Show Website
    ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

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