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

Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal (United). He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha discusses the dynamics of NDA's Modi-Nitish factor, record voter turnout in the first phase of the Bihar election, and explains the Gen-Z factor in Bihar elections.

Jha also speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the next CM. He addresses whether his son will be the political successor of Nitish Kumar.

More on Tejashwi Yadav, Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ claim and the possible influence of Prashant Kishor on Bihar politics.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

00:44 – Anti-Incumbency Factor in Bihar

03:13 – Bihar Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana

06:21 – Rahul Gandhi's ‘Vote Theft’ Claims

09:08 – ‘Bahubali’ Candidates in Bihar Polls

12:44 – Personality Factor in Bihar Polls

14:43 – Bihar’s Trust in Nitish Kumar

15:52 – Prashant Kishor Factor

17:25 – Tejashwi Yadav & Family Politics Trend

25:35 – ‘Gen Z’ Voter Factor in Bihar

28:14 – Job Creation in Bihar

32:20 – Future of Bihar Politics

Soha Ali Khan is an actor, author, podcaster, and one of the most articulate voices from the Pataudi family. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Soha opens up about fame, family, and finding her own identity away from the shadow of her legendary parents, Sharmila Tagore and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

She talks about Rang De Basanti, why she chose to step away from films, and what shaped her journey. Soha also reflects on her brother Saif Ali Khan’s career and what it was like growing up in a household where wit, grace, and legacy coexisted.

In a candid conversation, she shares her thoughts on the fear of self-censorship in cinema and the debate around 8-hour workdays for actors. Soha also opens up about motherhood, privilege, and protecting her daughter’s privacy in a world obsessed with celebrity culture.

00:00 – Introduction

02:01 – Family Traits Soha Inherited

03:14 – Sharmila Tagore on Doing OTT Series

07:57 – Did Saif Want to Be a Cricketer?

11:44 – How Soha Got Her Role in Rang De Basanti

15:12 – Facing Backlash as Filmmakers

25:10 – Soha on Saif’s Career

30:07 – Motherhood and Work

33:48 – Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as a Father

37:30 – Soha on Being a Podcaster

41:48 – Sharmila Tagore as a Grandmother

42:52 – How Soha Met Kunal

45:23 – The Weight of Heritage

46:29 – The Bhopal House Story

47:29 – Rabindranath Tagore Connection

50:45 – Chef Kunal or Chef Soha?

53:17 – Soha’s Workout Routine

56:05 – Privacy Concerns & Saif’s House Break-In

01:00:21 – Parenting Rules

D. Sivanandhan is one of Mumbai’s most respected former Police Commissioners, a man who saw the city’s darkest days up close, from the bloody gang wars of the 1990s to the 1993 bomb blasts that shook Mumbai. He led the fight against Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld empire and is known for cleaning up the mafia.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, D. Sivanandhan takes us back to that era, when gangsters ruled the streets, businessmen were shot in broad daylight, and the Mumbai Police decided to strike back.

He talks about how the cleanup began, the underworld’s deep links with Bollywood and real estate, and how Dawood’s network thrived with Pakistan’s ISI. D. Sivanandhan also shares what went wrong during the 26/11 terror attacks and what it truly takes to protect a city like Mumbai.

00:00 – Introduction

01:42 – The Book 'The Brahmastra Unleashed'

05:35 – 90s Mumbai Underworld

16:48 – How Powerful the Underworld Was

20:45 – Dawood & the 1993 Bomb Blasts

25:46 – Transition from Karim Lala to Dawood

31:26 – Dawood vs Chhota Rajan

43:13 – The Underworld’s Pact

46:40 – Politics & Mumbai Police

58:28 – Bollywood's Underworld Connection

01:09:13 – Reel Encounters vs Real Violence

01:12:04 – The 26/11 Attacks

01:23:21 – New-Age Threats & Security Gaps

01:32:12 – Rise of Cybercrime

Ajai Chowdhry is one of India’s leading tech visionaries and a co-founder of HCL, the company that helped build India’s computer revolution. Over the decades, he has advised governments and industry leaders on how to make India a true technology powerhouse.

He is also the chairman of the EPIC Foundation, an initiative aimed at developing electronic products of national importance and driving India toward self-reliance in technology.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajai Chowdhry talks about the real state of ‘Make in India’: are we truly manufacturing, or just assembling parts? He shares his insights on India’s tech product gap, China’s deep grip on the electronics supply chain, and what India must do to build world-class technology from the ground up.

He also opens up about his journey with HCL, the early days of India’s tech scene, and why the next big challenge for the country is not coding, but creating. Ajai Chowdhry also talks about how AI is reshaping the future of jobs, and why, without strong R&D, ‘Make in India’ will remain just a slogan.

Timestamps

00:00 - Coming Up

02:24 - Introduction

03:28 - Why India Has No Global Product

13:27 - Layoffs in the Tech Industry

17:40 - India Trapped in US–China Trade War?

20:25 - Why India Needs Its Own Tech IP

27:02 - The Push for Data Localisation

38:47 - The Making of HCL

45:55 - Indian Industries Ready for the AI Boom?

51:50 - Human vs Machine: Who Wins?

56:16 - Quantum Computer Ops in India

01:03:38 - The Fight Over Rare Earths

01:07:28 - Nurturing Tech Talent in India

01:12:11 - Family & Early Life

Jaiveer Shergill is a Supreme Court lawyer and national spokesperson of the BJP. He is known for his sharp arguments, nuanced views, and fearless commentary. Once among the Congress party’s national spokespersons, he made headlines when he quit the party, citing “sycophancy over merit,” before joining the BJP.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaiveer Shergill opens up about Punjab’s drug crisis, unemployment and migration, his take on the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign, and the state of Congress politics today.

He also speaks about how the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has failed to deliver on its promises in the state. Furthermore, he talks about faith, Sikh history, and the need to revive Punjab’s spiritual legacy.

00:00 – Coming Up

02:24 – Introduction

03:36 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis

11:18 – India’s Silent Security Threat

15:29 – Punjab’s Youth Migration

22:14 – BJP’s Future in Punjab

30:24 – Influence of Diaspora in Punjab

39:15 – Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations

51:00 – Rahul Gandhi’s Style of Politics

01:00:14 – Diljit Dosanjh Controversy

01:08:51 – Quick Reactions on Stars, Politicians & Food

01:24:45 – Rift Between RSS and BJP?

01:29:19 – Cultural Significance of ‘Jore Sahib’

Prahlad Kakkar is one of India’s most iconic ad filmmakers. He is the man behind some of the most memorable commercials in Indian advertising history, including “Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby! Aha!” for Pepsi and the “2 Minutes!” Maggi noodles ad. Known for his sharp wit, creativity, and fearless storytelling, he is called the ‘adman’ of India. For over 40 years, Kakkar has changed how brands talk to people through advertisements.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prahlad Kakkar talks about the golden era of Indian advertising, his collaborations with Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Priyanka Chopra, and the unforgettable Salman-Aishwarya feud that made headlines.

He shares insights into how ads became a mirror of Indian society, the craft of storytelling in 30 seconds, and why today’s advertising world lacks the madness and maverick spirit it once had.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro

00:37 – Iconic Ads

01:30 – Prahlad’s Favourite Ad

06:16 – Pepsi Ad Story

09:37 – Aishwarya’s Pepsi Casting

12:54 – Aamir’s Pepsi Casting

15:55 – Maggi Ad Idea

24:14 – Maggi Ketchup Ad Story

33:03 – Understanding Audience Pulse

37:09 – When Actors Misfit Ads

39:11 – Big B as Perfect Fit for Ad

42:20 – Shabana & Smita Era

47:54 – Aishwarya vs Sushmita

51:18 – Aishwarya–Salman Feud

55:34 – Sridevi & Hema Era

59:30 – Ad Films vs Feature Films

1:00:42 – Deepika–Priyanka 'Clash'

1:02:47 – Quick Reactions on Stars

Sudhir Chaudhary is one of India’s most prominent television journalists, known for his sharp news analysis, bold opinions and decades-long career in broadcast media. He has been at the forefront of Indian journalism’s evolution and its many controversies.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sudhir Chaudhary opens up like never before, on the TRP-driven state of TV news, the pressure anchors face from political and corporate forces and the criticism that comes with being one of the highest-paid figures in Indian media.

He speaks candidly about the ‘nano chip’ controversy, fake news allegations, the Naveen Jindal sting case and how every court eventually gave him a clean chit. Sudhir also reflects on his journey, his mistakes, what he’s learned from them and why he joined DD News after working at Zee News and Aaj Tak.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:20 – Is Sudhir Chaudhary the Highest-Paid Anchor?

02:44 – TRP vs Reality in News Channels

08:16 – Debates vs Real News Reporting

09:46 – Editorial Freedom & Connecting with Viewers

16:38 – Evolution of News Anchoring

19:03 – Journalism Ethics in War Reporting

21:53 – Challenges as a Ground Reporter

24:38 – Misinformation During Op Sindoor

27:11 – Rs 2000 Notes 'Nano Chip' Controversy

30:14 – Uma Khurana TV ‘Sting’ Operation

37:05 – Naveen Jindal ‘Extortion’ Case

55:07 – Trolls, Labels & Comeback

59:42 – Newsroom Politics Before 2014

1:11:04 – Politics & Professional Boundaries

1:17:30 – The Red Tie Selfie with Trump

1:21:40 – Organic Reach on Social Media

1:23:49 – Career Moves & Running Own Show

1:32:45 – Indian Work Culture & Values

1:36:20 – YouTube Journalism vs Traditional Media

1:41:26 – Deepfake Threats to Journalists

1:45:10 – Working in Private Channels vs Public Broadcasting

1:50:23 – Sudhir Chaudhary Making a Film?

1:53:00 – Hollywood vs Bollywood Storytelling

1:58:08 – Staying Real in Media Spotlight

2:06:22 – Friendships in Media World

Parikshit Sahni is one of Indian cinema’s most respected veteran actors, known for his memorable performances in Kabhi Kabhie, Tapasya, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, and PK. The son of legendary actor Balraj Sahni, he has carried forward a remarkable cinematic legacy with grace and depth.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Parikshit Sahni takes us through the golden era of Bollywood, sharing stories of working with icons like Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rakhee.

He opens up about his father’s advice, his early years in Moscow studying film direction, assisting Raj Kapoor on Mera Naam Joker, and how he became an actor. Sahni also talks about the magic of directors like Yash Chopra and Rishikesh Mukherjee, and what made films of the '60s and '70s truly timeless.

This episode is a nostalgic journey through the heart of Bollywood’s golden era, told by someone who lived it.

00:00 – Introduction

00:38 – Working with Hrishikesh Mukherjee

02:58 – Rivalries Among Actors in the 60s & 70s

04:38 – Being Balraj Sahni’s Son & His Film Journey

09:50 – Named by Rabindranath Tagore

10:40 – Living with Uncle & Poet Bhisham Sahni

13:30 – Studying Film Direction in Russia

16:34 – Assisting Raj Kapoor on 'Mera Naam Joker'

18:34 – Balraj Sahni’s Acting Secrets & Life

22:27 – Becoming an Actor by Mistake

25:53 – Yash Chopra’s Working Style

27:32 – Balraj Sahni’s Connection with Pakistan

30:35 – Working with Yash Chopra

34:01 – Working with Amitabh Bachchan

36:09 – Acting with Balraj Sahni in Pavitra Papi

39:23 – Friendship with Sanjeev Kumar

42:38 – Working in the Industry for Six Decades

46:04 – Working on 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam'

51:10 – Family

52:53 – Working with Dev Anand Sahab

54:03 – Writing Two Books

55:48 – Friends in the Film Industry

58:08 – Was Balraj Sahni’s House Grabbed by the Mafia?

1:01:35 – Closing Remarks

Saurabh Shukla is one of India’s most talented and loved actors, known for his roles in Satya, Jolly LLB, and Barfi. A National Award winner, he is admired for his natural acting and brilliant comic timing.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Saurabh Shukla talks about what acting really means, how he perfects his timing in comedy, and how he keeps his characters real and consistent across films.

He shares interesting stories about working with greats like Amrish Puri and Shekhar Kapur, his early struggles in the industry, moments of self-doubt, and the happiness of winning a National Award.

Saurabh Shukla also speaks about how Bollywood has changed over the years, why South Indian films are winning hearts, and how humour, language, and everyday life experiences help actors connect with their audience.

00:00 – Introduction

00:36 – Jolly LLB: Maintaining Character Continuity

02:29 – National Award: Reaction & Meaning

05:04 – Self-Doubt & Low Phase in Life

09:03 – Humour as a Defence Mechanism

14:28 – Sensitivity & Limits of Humour Today

17:28 – Working with Ranbir Kapoor on Barfi!

21:55 – Why I Didn’t Like Shakespeare

24:14 – Working with Shekhar Kapur on Bandit Queen

32:52 – Writing Satya & Making a Cult Film

47:08 – Why South Indian Films Connect More

49:28 – Working in Nayak & Lessons from Amrish Puri

54:50 – What It Really Means to Be an Actor

1:01:44 – Watching Content at 2x Speed

1:08:09 – The Challenge of “Lived” Experience

1:12:54 – Family Background & Early Influences

1:15:39 – How Language Has Evolved in Films

1:21:01 – Wearing the Director’s Hat

1:22:44 – Theatre vs Film vs OTT

1:26:15 – Closing