In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the ‘vote chori’ press conference by the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi and anyone else casting doubts on the election process. Senior investigative journalist and Executive Editor of The Scroll, Supriya Sharma, joins them.

In the second part of the discussion, the hosts discuss the criminal trial of Bishop Franco Mulakkal, a powerful priest of the Catholic church. Franco was tried for rape, based on a complaint by a nun–the first ever such case in the country. They are joined by Nidhi Suresh, who spoke to the survivor nun, to trace her side of the story.

Read Nidhi Suresh's Story: Against God’s men: A nun, a bishop, and the trial of India’s Catholic Church

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the conviction of former Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna in the first of four cases of rape against him. The panel, joined by TNM Karnataka bureau chief Anisha Sheth, weighs in on why the judgement is a milestone for survivors of sexual assault. In the second part of the discussion, the panel discusses the controversy surrounding the 71st National Film Awards and whether the awards are being excessively politicised to suit a Hindu majoritarian agenda. Former journalist and film producer Miriam Joseph joins the hosts to weigh in on whether the Awards have lost their credibility.

Audio Timecodes  

00:00:00- Introductions

00:01:46: Support TNM 

00:06:35 - Headlines 

00:13:44 - Prajwal Revanna Conviction

00:35:15 - National Awards

01:10:43 - Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the Bajrang Dal attack and consequential arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh-- Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis--both part of the Sister Assisi Mary Immaculate Convent. They are joined by senior advocate and founder of the Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves, who speaks about the trend of right-wing attacks on Christians in the country. In the second part of the discussion, the panel looks at the TCS’s decision to lay off staff and whether big companies can force employees to leave. The panel also weighs in on whether AI plays a part in this, pointing towards an impending employment crisis. The hosts are joined by guests Sriram Rajagopal and A Welkin. 

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introductions

00:01:54: Support TNM 

00:02:40 - Headlines 

00:10:28 - Attacks on Christians 

00:50:53 - TCS layoffs 

01:24:21 - Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the life and legacy of V.S. Achuthanandan with environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan and senior journalist Sreejan Balakrishnan.

Then, they look at the recent gag orders related to reporting on Dharmasthala, and revisit older allegations and data on deaths in the temple town, with TNM’s Karnataka Bureau Chief Anisha Sheth.

Audio Timecodes 

00: 00:00- Introduction

00:01:20- Headlines 

00:08:09- Support TNM

00:09:50 - VS Achuthanandan's Legacy 

01:10:02- Dharmasthala Case & Gag Orders 

1:31:12- Recommendations

 Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Raghunath first discuss actor Vijay’s entry into Tamil Nadu politics. They are joined by senior journalist Kavitha Muralidharan and TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahamed, who speak at length about whether Vijay will impact the state’s politics and if his party’s followers, who are predominantly fans of his films, are politicised enough to give him an election win. In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by Captain Amit Singh and Captain Sam Thomas, who weigh in on the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash and the controversy surrounding what may have happened in the cockpit in the final moments.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Announcement

00:03:08- Introduction

00:03:35- Headlines

00:11:23 - Vijay in TN Politics

00:41:39- Air India Crash Report 

1:22:26 - Recommendations 

Watch or Listen to Let Me Explain| Bodies, Bones, and Silence: The Questions Haunting Dharmasthala

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the Vijay Mallya podcast and why political patronage for big businessmen is detrimental. Joining them is senior business journalist Sucheta Dalal. In the second discussion, the hosts delve into the Bharat Mata image controversy in Kerala and the impact of university VCs and Governors endorsing such symbols.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:01:05- Announcements 

00:05:40- Headlines

00:11:05 - Vijay Mallya’s Half-Truths

01:00:32- Saffornisation of Bharat Mata

1:16:47 - Recommendations

 Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah over the state’s Chief Minister-ship. Professor Chandan Gowda joins them to unpack what this will mean for the state’s politics. In the second half, activist Shivasundar joins the hosts for a discussion on the hypocrisy of the RSS with respect to comments on the Preamble of the Constitution.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:01:46- Announcements 

00:03:31- Headlines

00:14:26 - Karnataka State Leadership

00:35:31- Preamble 

01:13:08 - Letters

1:17:47 - Recommendations 

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Vignesh Manickam

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Reghunath discuss the censorship on director Honey Trehan’s film ‘Punjab95’, based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and what the UDF’s win in the Nilambur polls in Kerala means for the state’s politics. Guests Honey Trehan, Amandeep Sandhu, and MG Radhakrishnan weigh in.

All this and more—tune in.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction

00:02:13- Announcements 

00:03:20- Headlines

00:08:00 - Punjab 95 & Censorship 

01:02:25- Nilambur Election

1:25:12 - Recommendations 

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 32 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna speak with journalist Sivapriyan ETB about why the Keezhadi excavation challenges the Union government’s narrative and how the DMK is politicising it ahead of 2026.

In the second half, lawyer Rohin Bhatt and journalist Leena Reghunath join to discuss the Sonam Raghuvanshi murder case in Meghalaya and what it reveals about caste, patriarchy, and forced marriages.

All this and more—tune in.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 31 of South Central, singer Chinmayi Sripaada joins hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath to talk about her years of isolation after speaking out against sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry. From being unofficially banned despite hit songs to the emotional impact of her recent Thug Life performance, Chinmayi reflects on what it means to be remembered again for her music.

In the first half of the episode, the hosts also speak with senior journalist Nandini Chandrasekhar about the Chinnaswamy stampede in Bengaluru. As the Karnataka government distances itself from responsibility and the police are scapegoated, who is really accountable for the chaos that followed RCB’s IPL win?

All this and more—tune in.

Audio timecodes

00:01:52- Introduction

00:03.32 - Headlines

00:09:14 - RCB Chinnaswamy Stampede

00:19:43 - Chinmayi Sripaada

001:08:49 - Letters 

01:21:12- Recommendations

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.

Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.

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To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here

Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.