Taran Adarsh is a leading film trade analyst and renowned critic. With decades of experience, he is considered one of the most trusted voices on box office trends and reviews.

Bhawana Somaaya is an Indian film journalist, critic, author and historian. She was conferred the Padma Shri in 2017. She has written over 13 books on Hindi cinema and iconic Bollywood personalities.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Taran Adarsh exposes how social-media armies and personalised PR machinery are creating a new kind of burden on Hindi cinema. He explains how actors’ ‘big’ egos and reduced director control are hurting Bollywood today.

Bhawana Somaaya talks about writing on Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, showing how stars bounce back from setbacks. She shares untold stories about Dharmendra and Yash Chopra and reflects on how Bollywood has changed since the 1970s.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – PR Culture in Bollywood

06:23 – Hema Malini–Dharmendra’s Marriage

12:58 – Rajshri Films & ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ Review

17:31 – Inside Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios

22:01 – Generational Changes in Bollywood

27:25 – Jaya Bachchan and the Paparazzi

31:54 – Books on Amitabh Bachchan

37:43 – Box Office Truths

41:27 – ‘Saiyaara’ Review

42:01 – Honest Reviews vs Actor ‘Ego’

46:02 – Evolution of Film Reviews

52:02 – Influencers & Media Credibility

57:42 – Impact of AI and Social Media on Film Criticism

1:02:19 – Modern Trend of Entourages

1:05:39 – Evolution of Audience Preferences

1:14:04 – Theatre Experience vs OTT Viewing

Talmiz Ahmad is one of India’s most experienced diplomats, with decades of work across West Asia, the Gulf, and global strategic affairs. A former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, he has watched world politics change from the front row.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Ahmad breaks down India–Russia ties and why the West is rattled by New Delhi’s independent foreign policy. He explains the new Saudi–Pakistan defence pact, China’s growing influence in the Gulf, and what these changes mean for India.

He also discusses India’s role in the Middle East, the Israel–Gaza war, and why the era of unquestioned Western power may be ending.

00:00 – Introduction

01:04 – Takeaways from Putin’s India Visit

05:58 – India’s Strategic Autonomy

11:06 – Why the USA is Rattled

14:48 – Conflicts in the Middle East

23:45 – How the USA Broke the World Order

39:24 – Saudi–Pakistan Defence Pact

45:02 – Middle East’s View on India–Pakistan

47:13 – Saudi Arabia’s Fight Against Terror

52:09 – India’s Fight Against Terrorism

Madhuri Dixit is one of the film icons that India has loved for over four decades. From Mohini in 'Tezaab' to Nisha in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' and Chandramukhi in 'Devdas', her characters live on in people’s memories. Her dance, her expressions, her screen presence, they shaped an entire generation of moviegoers.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Madhuri Dixit opens up like never before. She talks about being booed at IIT Bombay, then dancing for 1.5 hours, her legendary partnership with Saroj Khan and working with Yash Chopra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

She also speaks about MF Husain visiting her home in Denver, her first meeting with Dr Nene, shifting to the US, pay parity, and her take on the 8-hour shift debate.

And for the first time in her 40-year career, Madhuri plays a serial killer in 'Mrs Deshpande', releasing on JioCinema on December 19. She tells us what went into creating this raw and intense character.

This podcast shows that behind the superstar is someone curious, grounded, and always ready to try something new.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:38 – Acting Journey

04:12 – Family Support for Joining Films

05:16 – Bond with Saroj Khan

08:07 – Working with Directors & Crew

10:27 – Actors Who Dance Well

13:54 – Were Karisma and Aishwarya Competitors?

17:12 – Women-Centric Roles

20:36 – Playing a Serial Killer in Mrs. Deshpande

24:44 – How OTT Has Changed Cinema

27:23 – Taking a Break from Acting

33:56 – Acting Then vs Now

37:44 – Women Actors on Set

40:25 – Remembering Dharmendra

41:26 – Sanjay Dutt & the Khalnayak Shoot

44:18 – Who Helps Madhuri Choose Her Roles Now?

49:32 – Has Social Media Killed Stardom?

57:24 – Will Madhuri Join Politics?

58:49 – Films vs OTT: What Changed?

Namrata Soni is one of India’s most celebrated makeup artists. Over the last two decades, she has worked with the biggest names in the industry and even built her own beauty brand, 'Simply Nam'.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast, she talks about her early years, when female makeup artists were banned from working in Bollywood. She shares how Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan stood by her. Namrata also breaks down the truth about skincare, the Korean-skin myth, and why simple routines work best in India.

Namrata Soni also did the makeup for the bride at the viral Udaipur wedding, which is being called the “wedding of the year” because of its star-studded guest list and the number of Bollywood celebrities who attended.

Watch this podcast to know the real truth about skincare and makeup in India.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:32 – The Myth of ‘Korean Skin’

01:33 – Skincare Steps to Avoid if You Have Fillers

03:42 – The 10-Step Skincare Routine

06:53 – The Right Age to Start Your Skincare Journey

06:22 – The No-Makeup Look & Celebrities

11:36 – Unrealistic Expectations of Brides

14:16 – Top Celebrities Namrata Has Worked With

15:43 – Working With International Icons

16:38 – The Reality of the ‘No-Makeup Makeup Look’

18:05 – Why Skin Prep Is Key Before Makeup

20:05 – Sonam Kapoor’s Bridal Looks

22:52 – The Pressure of Walking Into a Makeup Store

29:35 – Being Banned by the Union

32:05 – Gender Bias in Bollywood

41:02 – Delhi vs Mumbai Fashion

Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji is one of India’s top neurologists with over 28 years of experience. After serving in the Armed Forces Medical Services, he joined Max Healthcare in 2006, where he continues to practice as a senior neurologist.

He has spoken at medical forums across India and abroad, published several research papers, and received many honours, including the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Medal.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast, Dr Mukherji explains why young adults are increasingly getting strokes and what causes them. He also talks about the reality of yoga, the impact of air pollution, and how recreational drugs are harming the youth. Furthermore, he shares what the government needs to focus on to improve healthcare in India.

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Strokes in Young Adults

02:53 – Can a Neck Massage Cause a Stroke?

04:16 – Early Warning Signs of Stroke

06:39 – What Can Save the Brain During a Stroke

08:06 – What To Do in a Stroke Emergency

11:50 – Genetics, Diabetes & Stroke Risk

12:23 – Pollution, Dementia & Stroke Link

16:33 – Party Drugs, Energy Drinks

20:10 – Heat Stroke vs. Brain Stroke

22:40 – Is Migraine a Warning Sign?

26:06 – Work–Life Balance & Discipline

27:45 – The Junk Food Trap

31:24 – Memory Lapses & Dementia

34:56 – Rapid-Fire Session

46:46 – Alzheimer's Disease

49:46 – Are Phones Destroying Kids?

56:00 – Nicotine’s Invisible Damage

58:16 – India’s Health Policies

01:01:09 – Is Healthcare Becoming a Business?

01:03:11 – What Made Dr Mukherji Stay in India?

01:04:59 – The Future of Brain Science

Himani Shivpuri is famous for playing motherly and memorable character roles in Hindi Cinema. She has acted in many hit films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hero No. 1, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Bandhan, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Himani Shivpuri shares fun stories about Govinda. She talks about special moments from the sets of Hum Aapke Hain Koun and recalls behind-the-scenes memories from DDLJ.

She also speaks about the reality of theatre. She says that Hindi theatre pays very little, which is why actors often need other jobs. In comparison, Marathi and Gujarati theatre have stronger audiences and pay much better.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – From Theatre to Cinema

02:45 – Hum Aapke Hain Koun & DDLJ Breakthrough

10:34 – 'Humrahi' on Doordarshan

20:00 – Working with YRF, Karan Johar & Sooraj Barjatya

22:42 – Why Actors Quit Hindi Theatre

25:48 – Govinda on Set

32:33 – Hero vs Heroine Stardom

42:28 – Schooling in Doon

45:11 – Adopting Bhatwadi Village in Uttarakhand

49:03 – Working with Shyam Benegal

52:42 – Art vs Commercial Cinema

54:51 – Dream to Work with Aamir Khan

On 10th November 2025, a terror blast near the Red Fort shook the capital. For the first time in over a decade, Delhi witnessed an attack in the heart of the city. Early investigations pointed to Pakistan-backed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attackers were doctors and engineers.

Is this the rise of white-collar terrorism in India? Was the Delhi blast a retaliation by Pakistan after India struck Jaish’s headquarters during Operation Sindoor? Was this an intelligence failure, or did Indian agencies actually manage to limit the damage?

In this edition of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF, who is known for his sharp and unfiltered analysis of Pakistan and its security establishment. Ashok Chand, a former Delhi Police officer who investigated major terror cases, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the Red Fort attack in 2000 and the Jama Masjid blast.

This episode is a deep dive into India’s security challenges, Pakistan-backed terror networks and why India cannot afford complacency.

00:00 – Introduction

01:48 – Red Fort 10/11 blast

06:59 – Intelligence Networks vs Terror Modules

10:25 – Psychology of Dr. Umar Nabi

15:42 – The Red Fort 2000 Attack

22:47 – Afzal Guru’s role in Parliament attack

27:47 – The Ammonium Nitrate Case Study

31:35 – ‘White-Collar’ Terrorism in India

38:26 – Dr Shaheen’s Role as Jaish recruiter

47:51 – Delhi Car Blast: Retaliation for Op Sindoor?

57:11 – Online Radicalisation

1:01:46 – Delhi Blast: Suicide Bomber or Panic Blast?

1:08:56 – What Drives a Suicide Bomber

1:12:01 – 2010 Jama Masjid attack

1:16:51 – Crime Scene Protocols After Terror Attacks

1:20:41 – Poverty Creates Terrorists?

1:25:29 – Judicial Hurdles in Terrorism Trials

1:37:57 – Cross-Border Influence on Kashmiris

Arun Kumar is Associate Editor of the Hindustan Times, with over three and a half decades of experience covering Jharkhand and Bihar. Ravi Upadhyay is a Senior Journalist who has worked with the news agency UNI for several years in Chandigarh and Patna.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists break down the latest opinion polls, voter trends and ground realities from across the state.

They analyse the Bihar elections to see who was ahead - Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, or how Prashant Kishor’s strategies influenced voters.

They also talk about how women voters, youth participation, and high voter turnout shaped the Bihar elections, along with how media coverage might have influenced the results.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:35 – PK’s Influence in Bihar

05:10 – Nitish’s Options Post-Election

07:47 – Tejashwi vs Tej Pratap

12:25 – Will Nitish Kumar Be Bihar CM Again?

18:18 – Women Voters & High Turnout

25:23 – Rahul Gandhi's Influence on Gen Z

31:26 – ‘Jeevika’ Scheme

33:53 – Bihar’s Unique Caste Politics

38:27 – Social Media’s Role in Bihar Elections

41:38 – Role of Jeevika Didis

42:43 – Nitish Kumar's Health

46:04 – Tejashwi’s Public Image

48:57 – Muslim Voting Patterns

Chirag Paswan is the Founder and Chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). He serves as the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries in the NDA government. His party is contesting 29 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Chirag speaks about his party’s prospects in the Bihar polls and shares his political ambitions. He calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi his inspiration and says PM Modi is the only reason he remains with the NDA.

Chirag also takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s Gen Z appeal, calls Nitish Kumar a “necessity” for the NDA, and reveals why he aims to become a Vidhayak by 2030.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:38 – Tense Moments During Voting

02:47 – Campaign Strategy

05:15 – Ticket Distribution in NDA

07:17 – Disappointment After the First Phase?

09:46 – Rahul’s ‘Reservation in Army’ Remark

14:09 – Why Decoding Bihar Is Difficult

17:40 – Ram Vilas Paswan’s Legacy

20:49 – How Chirag Paswan Differs from His Father

25:49 – Is Nitish Kumar a Necessity for the BJP?

31:18 – When Will Chirag Return to State Politics?

33:54 – Image of a Bihari in 2025

36:49 – Casteism in Bihar

46:39 – Challenges for the NDA

Prashant Kishor, the man who has designed winning election campaigns for leaders across party lines, is now in the political battlefield himself. After the first phase of the Bihar polls, Kishor speaks his mind like never before.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he calls migrant workers the “real X-factor” of this election. He claims that “Nitish is going” and that the people of Bihar want change.

He takes a dig at Rahul Gandhi over his appeal to Gen-Z voters, asking, “Why would India’s youth listen to Rahul Gandhi?”

Kishor also explains why Jan Suraaj will “force another election if needed,” denies any post-poll alliance, and shares his blunt view of the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal: “Their only weakness is a lack of patience and perseverance.”

An unfiltered conversation with the political strategist-turned-politician who has seen Indian politics from every side.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:10 – First Phase of Voting in Bihar

02:21 – Role Of Migrant Labourers

03:49 – End of Nitish Kumar's Era?

05:53 – Female Voters In Bihar

10:07 – Muslim Yadav Equation

12:15 – What do Muslims in Bihar Want?

13:05 – Role of Gen-Z in Bihar Election

19:15 – Caste Politics in Bihar

24:57 – What if Jan Suraaj Joins a Coalition?

27:35 – Jan Suraaj Ideology

34:41 – Comparison with Kejriwal

35:46 – Reforms in Bihar