ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Can gaming addiction push kids toward serious mental health crises? Does social media influence increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression in teens?To answer these questions, we are joined by Dr. Bhavna Barmi and Anshu Bedi. Dr. Bhavna Barmi is a Senior Clinical and Child Psychologist and the founder of Happiness Studio. Anshu Bedi is a teacher at Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School with over 32 years of experience mentoring preteens.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Bhavna Barmi explains that signs of stress or distress in children should never be ignored.Anshu Bedi talks about how many parents today expect perfection from their children and stresses that this can leave them unprepared for real-world challenges.00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Mental Health Challenges Among Kids07:32 – Holistic Development of Children11:32 – Attention Span Issues in Students15:07 – Modern Parent-Teacher Connections18:10 – Bullying and Peer Pressure21:27 – Emotional Signals in Children25:13 – Academic Stress in Children29:50 – Reduced Family Interaction on Children34:36 – Consequences of Body Shaming40:38 – Happiness Clinics & Mental Health Support42:54 – Social Media Impact on Young Minds49:52 – Current Parenting Challenges1:05:56 – Emotional Stress in Counsellors

Rekha Gupta is the Chief Minister of Delhi, following the BJP's return to power in the capital after 27 years. Her political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).She is an elected MLA from the Shalimar Bagh constituency and has previously served as General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi. She was also a member of the party’s national executive committee.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Rekha Gupta speaks about Delhi’s pollution and her government’s plans to tackle it. She also discusses key priorities, including better public transport, stronger last-mile connectivity, and her vision for a cleaner, better-governed Delhi.*Timestamps*00:00 – Coming Up00:00 – Introduction01:13 – One Year as Delhi CM03:42 – Delhi’s Pollution Crisis08:36 – Dust Mitigation Measures10:26 – Garbage Mountains13:44 – Waste Treatment Plants15:01 – Solutions to Delhi’s Air Pollution17:51 – Lunch for Slum Dwellers20:45 – ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy21:51 – School Admissions & Fee Regulation27:46 – School Safety & Monitoring31:14 – Expectations of Delhi Residents33:31 – Healthcare System37:10 – Parks for Children38:49 – Public Washrooms & Civic Sense43:29 – Hospital Bed Allocation45:55 – Two Female CMs Among 28 States47:01 – Being a Woman Leader53:38 – Priorities as Chief Minister

Neena Gupta is a versatile actress and author, known for playing a wide range of characters. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Woh Chokri' and 'Uunchai'.Sanjay Mishra is loved for his humour and strong comic timing. He is well known for films like Golmaal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Total Dhamaal, and Dilwale. He has also received praise for his serious roles in films like 'Aankhon Dekhi' and 'Vadh'.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Mishra talks about being repeatedly cast in comic roles and how this typecasting has affected his career. He also shares his thoughts on changing audience tastes and why many films today feel overly loud and exaggerated.Neena Gupta speaks about her journey from Delhi to Mumbai, describing those early days as scary and lonely. She talks honestly about her struggles in the film industry and the advice she gave her daughter, Masaba Gupta. Both actors also discuss their upcoming film Vadh 2, which releases in theatres on February 6.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:37 – Neena Gupta’s on-screen appearance02:35 – Eating habits during film shoots06:09 – Story behind ‘Vadh’ title12:29 – Sanjay Mishra’s ‘cool’ avatar14:57 – Neena Gupta’s viral family post17:53 – Neena Gupta’s education at NSD21:10 – Evolution of Hindi cinema25:30 – Neena Gupta’s career turning point29:27 – Art cinema vs mainstream cinema32:03 – Late success in acting career40:45 – Elderly care in India & abroad43:31 – Neena Gupta’s early struggles in Mumbai47:38 – Typecasting in Films51:12 – Neena Gupta on Acting in ‘Gandhi’55:58 – Initial TV Work of Neena Gupta59:58 – Impactful Roles of Sanjay Mishra1:05:28 – Characters in ‘Vadh 2’

UGC Regulations 2026 are witnessing protests in North India with General Category students raising concerns that these rules could increase discrimination. They also worry about weak safeguards against false complaints and unclear mechanisms for addressing their grievances.What is the purpose and scope of the UGC Equity Regulations? Are the protests against the new regulations organic? How do the new regulations differ from the 2012 regulations?In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, answers it all.00:00 – Introduction02:58 – UGC 2026 Regulations10:48 – Implicit Discrimination Concerns13:47 – Equity Committee Structure21:10 – Bias in Faculty Hiring28:28 – Social Reform in Education37:47 – General Category & Marginalised Sections42:09 – Inequality in Indian Society47:51 – Merit-Based Selection55:04 – Caste & Social Bias in Education59:60 – Explicit & Implicit Discrimination1:03:55 – Caste Discrimination Complaints1:09:33 – Discrimination Definition1:15:28 – Caste Representation in Academia1:23:12 – Political Debate on New UGC Guidelines1:26:18 – Gen Z in India1:41:03 – Caste Representation1:53:38 – BJP & Upper-Caste Vote Bank1:58:26 – Reservation Debate2:02:20 – “Batenge to Katenge” Slogan2:09:42 – Caste-Sensitive Politics

Rajeev Shukla is often described as one of India’s most well-connected public figures. Jokingly, many call him ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla. Over the years, he has built friendships across political party lines and developed close ties with Bollywood stars, leading businessmen, and cricketers alike.In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rajeev Shukla has worn many hats. He began his professional journey as a journalist in Kanpur. Today, he represents the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Minister of State in a Congress-led government, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and has earlier been the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL).In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev Shukla reflects on why he is often called “everyone’s friend” and how he has managed to maintain relationships across political divides. He speaks about his early days in journalism, his association with the Gandhi family, and his decision to join the Congress party. He also shares his deep love for cricket and fondly recalls his time as the manager of the Indian cricket team.

Indrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership, and public policy. She has many years of experience covering the Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian point of view. Earlier, she served as the Diplomatic Editor at The Times of India.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Indrani Bagchi talks about how Donald Trump’s policies have changed America. She says the U.S. tariffs on India feel personal and explains how India should respond. She also points out that Europe has been hit the hardest by Trump’s foreign policy. According to her, the forces Trump has unleashed in America will not disappear anytime soon.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction1:21 – The West vs China6:21 – How Pakistan Balances USA and China11:33 – China’s Influence in Asia16:49 – Trump’s MAGA Worldview23:01 – China’s Economic Leverage36:57 – Why India Needs ‘MIGA’ Movement42:02 – India as Counterbalance to China55:08 – Indian diaspora vs Chinese diaspora influence1:04:24 – India’s Flexible Foreign Policy1:16:22 – India’s Long-Term Vision for US

Gaddam Dharmendra is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who joined the service in 1990. He served in senior diplomatic roles for over three decades and was India’s Ambassador to Iran from 2019 to 2023. He is known for his deep understanding of West Asia, sanctions, and regional politics. Dr Waiel Awwad is a Syrian-born journalist based in South Asia who covers Middle East affairs. He has reported from several war zones. During the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, he was caught in an ambush while reporting from the ground and narrowly escaped execution. Also joining the podcast is ANI Director Ishaan Prakash. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Iran crisis and the future of the Khamenei regime. They talk about possible US intervention, whether Iran’s Khamenei regime could fall, and who might take over if that happens. The conversation also examines what the people of Iran truly want and how today’s protests differ from the 1979 Iranian Revolution.00:00 — Introduction 01:13 — Inside Iran’s Protests 12:42 — Gulf States Against US Strike Over Iran 16:35 — Trump’s Appeal to Iranian Protesters 22:09 — Iran Regime Change Soon? 25:08 — Iranian Institutions 27:50 — Iran’s Nuclear Program 37:28 — US-Iran Negotiation Talks 48:25 — The Iran–Israel Conflict 51:10 — US Sanctions on Iran 57:20 — US Media Coverage of Iran 1:06:28 — Pro-Government Rallies in Iran 1:13:45 — Iran’s Economic Crisis

Sukanta Majumdar is a Lok Sabha MP from Balurghat and serves as Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region in the NDA government.In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sukanta Majumdar discusses the high-stakes politics of West Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls.He claims that Bengal government documents were found at Pratik Jain’s residence, whose company, I-PAC, handles the political campaign of the TMC.Sukanta also speaks about West Bengal’s changing demographics and their political impact, concerns over democracy under the TMC and the Left’s alleged alignment with the TMC.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:57 – ED vs Mamata over I-PAC Raids06:42 – President’s Rule in Bengal?10:02 – Bengali vs Non-Bengali Politics14:42 – Infiltration in West Bengal20:45 – Demographic Changes in Bengal24:33 – Who Will Be BJP’s CM Face?29:32 – Amartya Sen and SIR Controversy34:59 – Jobs Crisis in Bengal38:42 – Rise of New Parties in Bengal Politics42:16 – Industrial Decline in Bengal50:28 – Post-Poll Violence in Bengal56:55 – BJP’s Roadmap for 2026 Bengal Polls

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar served in the Indian Foreign Service for over three decades. During his distinguished career, he served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, and held key diplomatic assignments in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Today, Ambassador Sajjanhar regularly writes and speaks on issues related to international relations and India’s foreign policy.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sajjanhar discusses the United States’ actions in Venezuela and what this means for global politics. He also talks about Chinese weaponry, which he claims failed to perform during the Venezuelan crisis. The conversation further explores why Indian godmen enjoy a massive following in South American countries, a phenomenon that often surprises many.Ambassador Sajjanhar also shares his views on Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, the way the US is handling trade negotiations with India, and what the future may hold for India’s foreign policy.00:00 – Introduction01:08 – US move to capture Maduro legitimate?04:33 – Narco-terrorism charges against Venezuela05:54 – When US captured Manuel Noriega (1989)08:27 – Can the US run Venezuela?11:41 – Venezuela is not just about oil15:21 – Venezuela & Sathya Sai Baba connection17:54 – Can Trump buy Greenland?20:17 – Europe on Venezuela crisis & Greenland24:31 – Putin’s war in Ukraine legitimate?26:20 – China’s weapons failed in Venezuela29:05 – China vs USA: The No. 1 global rivalry34:00 – Will China invade Taiwan?37:10 – India’s response to Maduro's capture41:54 – India’s crude oil needs44:19 – India–USA trade tensions50:14 – India’s pivot towards China52:28 – China–Pakistan–Bangladesh nexus

J. Sai Deepak is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India and a well-known author. His books include 'India, That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution' and 'India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of a Sandwiched Civilisation.'In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the demographic changes taking place in India’s border areas and how these shifts could impact India’s democracy, governance and policy-making. He explains why India needs a special Immigration Task Force to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.He also discusses the SIR controversy, the North-South divide and also describes demography as the last battle to protect Hindu civilisation and warns that India cannot afford to take this issue lightly.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:22 – SIR Exercise Across India06:47 – Illegal Migrants in West Bengal14:04 – Mamata’s Stance on Illegal Migrants20:05 – Politics Around Illegal Migration24:42 – How India’s Border Areas Have Changed31:00 – How India Can Address Illegal Migration32:55 – Pawan Kalyan’s Political Influence34:18 – North–South Population Debate40:33 – The North–South Divide46:11 – Tax Devolution in India52:09 – How Owaisi Won Seats in Bihar59:07 – Left vs Right Wing01:04:02 – Oxford Union Debate Controversy01:12:43 – Demographics and Cultural Debates

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), and Dinkar Srivastava, former diplomat and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.They discuss the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, the future of the Awami League, and the role of Sheikh Hasina. The conversation also revolves around at growing concerns about minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. Is there a rising wave of Islamisation? And how should India move forward in its ties with Dhaka?Pakistan is also in focus. The guests talk about the rise of Asim Munir, the new boss of all things military and nuclear in Pakistan. Can the threat of another terror attack from Pakistan be ruled out?The episode also explores how China and the United States are shaping choices in South Asia, and what India’s response should be in a changing regional scenario.00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – Why Asim Munir Took CDF Role 05:54 – The Fall of Pervez Musharraf 07:43 – Can Pakistan Attack India Again? 15:03 – Will Bangladesh Hold Elections in February 2026? 25:37 – Imran Khan vs Asim Munir 32:39 – Rising Islamisation in Bangladesh 44:20 – Rohingya Crisis Explained 47:15 – Role of Pakistan Army in Politics 51:03 – When ISI Trained Guns on Dinkar Srivastava 01:11:40 – Anti-India Sentiment in Bangladesh 01:23:50 – India as the Standard in Pakistan 01:30:15 – India’s Neighbourhood Strategy

Gaur Gopal Das is a life coach, author, and motivational speaker. He studied at the College of Engineering, Pune, and briefly worked with Hewlett Packard. Soon after, he chose a very different path and became a monk and has been living in an ashram in Mumbai for the past 26 years. Over the years, he has studied ancient Indian philosophy along with modern psychology. For more than two decades, he has travelled across the world, sharing his thoughts with students, professionals, charities, and institutions. He has also spoken at the United Nations. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gaur Gopal Das talks about whether religion and spirituality can be separated, and whether marriage is becoming an outdated idea. He shares insights into the life of a monk and explains why he chose this path. In this New Year special episode, he also speaks about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and explains, in simple terms, what dharma truly means.00:00 – Introduction00:52 – Life of a Monk07:56 – Understanding Spirituality14:30 – Why Monks Wear Orange?19:29 – Controlling Desires23:03 – Dealing with Anger30:49 – Spirituality vs Religion34:38 – Power of Chanting Mantras45:25 – Why Modi Gifted Gita to Putin?57:39 – Who Should One Read Gita01:03:33 – Spirituality and Politics01:09:47 – Living with Differences01:12:36 – Gen X vs Gen Z01:17:43 – India and Its Adversaries01:25:09 – Parenting in Digital Times01:36:26 – Importance of Family Love01:38:42 – Marriage an Outdated Concept?01:46:33 – Gaur Gopal Das Married?01:50:43 – How Relationships Grow01:54:51 – Fixing Broken Relationships02:00:04 – Couples Staying Together for Children02:07:15 – Real vs Fake Gurus02:09:44 – Handling Others’ Pain02:14:36 – Does Fame Change Friends?02:19:02 – Healthy Habits for Life

Sanjeev Sanyal is a historian, economist, author, and currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.In this edition of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, he uncovers colonial ‘lies’ in India’s history. He talks about his project on INSV Kaundinya, showcasing India’s ancient maritime exploration.He speaks on the IndiGo crisis, freebies, pensions, and the future of India’s economy. He also explains urban challenges in Indian cities and GDP measurement tools.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction01:08 – INSV Kaundinya Sailing Vessel History04:54 – Sailing Training for INSV Kaundinya09:12 – The Forgotten Chapters of Indian History13:53 – Kalinga War & The Myths About Ashoka16:55 – Indian History and Language18:58 – India vs Big Tech: The Battle for Narrative31:13 – Can India Build Its Own Tech Platforms?33:44 – Indian Democracy37:12 – The West on India’s Growth41:42 – India Growing Without Creating Enough Jobs?46:05 – India’s Skill Development in the 20th Century51:44 – Universalisation of Education & NEP53:32 – Bureaucracy & the Changing World01:00:09 – Delhi Pollution01:04:40 – Infrastructure Crisis in India01:07:54 – Millionaires Leaving India01:10:55 – Indigo Crisis & Monopoly Problem01:11:53 – India’s Financial System01:15:58 – Impact of Freebies & Pensions01:22:03 – India’s Role in the Global Power Order01:27:25 – Is India’s GDP Data Reliable?

The much-awaited episode of The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus –Edition 7.0 is here, packed with raw, uncensored, and no-holds-barred conversations.Joining the panel are:Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORFTehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analystAnand Ranganathan, author and scientistAbhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict StudiesThis episode dives into issues like illegal immigration and demographic changes, rising radicalisation in Bangladesh, the Vande Mataram debate, the SIR showdown, internal security threats and India’s foreign policy challenges.The panel also talks about propaganda in cinema, marriage in the modern world, and much more.Don’t miss the sharp arguments and witty banter in this episode!*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction06:00 – Kangana, Mahua & Supriya at Jindal Wedding11:48 – India’s Road Safety Crisis18:35 – TV Panelists vs Anchors28:36 – The ‘Godi Media’ Label41:06 – Demography vs Democracy48:28 – Congress Leadership & Rahul Gandhi01:01:15 – India’s Education System01:16:20 – Hindu Temples01:26:48 – Islam in India01:35:03 – Radicalism in Bangladesh01:48:17 – Idea of Marriage in India01:59:31 – Media & Celebrity Culture02:10:20 – Putin’s Visit to India02:22:45 – Karnataka Hate Speech Bill02:30:18 – Hybrid Threats & Internal Radicalisation

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur, and Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian Foreign Service officer and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.Together, they discuss India’s narrative war against Pakistan and why winning this battle is crucial. Should India’s armed forces have a dedicated team to counter Pakistani propaganda in real time? Why does India still lack a strong and organised information-warfare system? How can India protect its global image?They also examine how Western think tanks publish anti-India reports that shape global opinion, and how India should respond.00:00 – Introduction01:17 – India vs Pak: Information Warfare07:06 – India vs Pak: Social Media Battle11:57 – India’s Fact-Checking System18:34 – Information Warfare: What Should India Do?23:10 – India vs Pak Narrative During War27:24 – Red Fort Attack & GPS Spoofing33:00 – Sanchar Saathi App & Surveillance Concerns40:54 – Phone Tapping44:56 – How Terror Networks Avoid Detection46:23 – Freedom of Speech vs National Security50:24 – Open-Source Intelligence and Data Leaks53:13 – National Security Rules for Tech Companies56:10 – Disinformation During Operation Sindoor01:00:18 – Western Media Bias Against India01:03:48 – Rise of Anti-Drone Systems01:06:28 – India’s Drone Challenge01:13:06 – Gaps in Internal Security01:16:01 – Grey-Zone Tactics & Diplomacy01:17:33 – Role of AI in Information Warfare01:22:36 – Need for a Unified Tech Framework01:26:29 – Hybrid Warfare Challenges with Pakistan01:28:19 – Possibility of Operation Sindoor 2?01:31:26 – Public Trust & Security Strategy

Bina Ramani is a fashion designer, author, and entrepreneur. She pioneered India’s boutique culture, played a key role in shaping Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village, and was a key witness in the Jessica Lal case.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Bina Ramani recalls memories of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor, and speaks about her romantic association with Shammi Kapoor. She also talks about her friendship with Rekha and her role in introducing her to Mukesh Agarwal.Bina Ramani shares anecdotes from her interactions with Indira Gandhi, including gifting her jewellery. She also reflects on her encounters with global icons such as Jackie Onassis and Yoko Ono.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:29 – Breaking Years of Silence02:37 – 'Bird in a Banyan Tree' & the Night of 199908:02 – The Jessica Lal Murder Case17:42 – Allegations of Evidence Tampering21:31 – Tihar Jail and the Reopening of the Case24:15 – How Fame Turned into Public Backlash26:25 – Media Trial & ‘No One Killed Jessica’ Movie28:49 – When Bollywood Sidelined Bina Ramani31:17 – Life Inside Tihar Jail36:44 – Ram Jethmalani and the Turning Point44:43 – The End of ‘Page 3’ Culture49:52 – Early Life & Raj Kapoor56:28 – Relationship with Shammi Kapoor01:06:16 – Why Shammi Kapoor Lived for His Audience01:08:27 – Binatone: A Product Named After Bina Ramani01:11:32 – Marriage, Affairs, and Turmoil01:19:37 – Her Career with the Taj Group01:22:12 – The Man Bina Ramani Connected with the Most01:36:11 – Who Was Pamela Bordes?01:44:06 – What Made Asha Puthli a Global Icon?01:51:46 – Interviewing Indira Gandhi01:58:24 – Chandraswami and Spiritual Scams02:08:06 – Money Laundering and the FBI Probe02:13:28 – Rekha’s Marriage to Mukesh Agarwal02:23:06 – What Led to Mukesh Agarwal’s Suicide?02:26:56 – Battling Cancer and Finding ‘Malabar Secrets’

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.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:00 – PR Culture in Bollywood06:23 – Hema Malini–Dharmendra’s Marriage12:58 – Rajshri Films & ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ Review17:31 – Inside Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios22:01 – Generational Changes in Bollywood27:25 – Jaya Bachchan and the Paparazzi31:54 – Books on Amitabh Bachchan37:43 – Box Office Truths41:27 – ‘Saiyaara’ Review42:01 – Honest Reviews vs Actor ‘Ego’46:02 – Evolution of Film Reviews52:02 – Influencers & Media Credibility57:42 – Impact of AI and Social Media on Film Criticism1:02:19 – Modern Trend of Entourages1:05:39 – Evolution of Audience Preferences1:14:04 – 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 – Introduction01:04 – Takeaways from Putin’s India Visit05:58 – India’s Strategic Autonomy11:06 – Why the USA is Rattled14:48 – Conflicts in the Middle East23:45 – How the USA Broke the World Order39:24 – Saudi–Pakistan Defence Pact45:02 – Middle East’s View on India–Pakistan47:13 – Saudi Arabia’s Fight Against Terror52:09 – 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.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:38 – Acting Journey04:12 – Family Support for Joining Films05:16 – Bond with Saroj Khan08:07 – Working with Directors & Crew10:27 – Actors Who Dance Well13:54 – Were Karisma and Aishwarya Competitors?17:12 – Women-Centric Roles20:36 – Playing a Serial Killer in Mrs. Deshpande24:44 – How OTT Has Changed Cinema27:23 – Taking a Break from Acting33:56 – Acting Then vs Now37:44 – Women Actors on Set40:25 – Remembering Dharmendra41:26 – Sanjay Dutt & the Khalnayak Shoot44:18 – 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.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:32 – The Myth of ‘Korean Skin’01:33 – Skincare Steps to Avoid if You Have Fillers03:42 – The 10-Step Skincare Routine06:53 – The Right Age to Start Your Skincare Journey06:22 – The No-Makeup Look & Celebrities11:36 – Unrealistic Expectations of Brides14:16 – Top Celebrities Namrata Has Worked With15:43 – Working With International Icons16:38 – The Reality of the ‘No-Makeup Makeup Look’18:05 – Why Skin Prep Is Key Before Makeup20:05 – Sonam Kapoor’s Bridal Looks22:52 – The Pressure of Walking Into a Makeup Store29:35 – Being Banned by the Union32:05 – Gender Bias in Bollywood41:02 – Delhi vs Mumbai Fashion