ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Dr Vikram Sampath is an author and historian known for his books on V.D. Savarkar, Tipu Sultan and Gauhar Jaan, among others. He is the founder of the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research and the co-founder and director of Naav AI, which uses artificial intelligence to bridge language barriers.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Sampath questions why India’s history remains centred around Delhi and discusses how NCERT textbooks have shaped our understanding of the past. He speaks about Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar and Tipu Sultan, and challenges the influence of Leftist historians on India’s historical narrative.This episode explores how India can reclaim and rewrite its history.00:00 – Introduction1:15 – History Textbooks in India4:51 – Cholas, Ahoms and Marathas10:09 – Narrative of Indian History14:36 – India’s Cultural Geography18:18 – Historical Research Projects23:24 – Bias in Historical Writing29:37 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy35:23 – Ancient Texts & Language Barriers40:36 – History of Buddhism52:21 – Religious Conversion58:00 – Forgotten Women in Indian History1:04:12 – Kashmir’s Historical Documentation1:10:51 – Portrayal of History in Movies1:16:10 – Future of History Education1:25:19 – India’s Musical Heritage

Mandakini is an actress best known for her role in Raj Kapoor’s iconic film Ram Teri Ganga Maili. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she discusses working with Raj Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor, her controversial scenes and how she got her screen name. She also addresses her rumoured links with Dawood Ibrahim, the gunshot controversy and why she eventually quit films.0:00 – Introduction0:51 – Story Behind 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili'9:53 – Working With Raj Kapoor11:04 – From Yasmeen to Mandakini12:41 – Working With Rajiv Kapoor14:02 – Controversial Scenes18:16 – Raj Kapoor’s Vision21:53 – Bollywood: Then vs Now25:16 – Rumoured Links to Dawood28:07 – Performing Live Shows Abroad31:48 – Gunshot Controversy35:17 – Why Mandakini Quit Films

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 – Introduction1:13 – Life in Gurugram2:33 – Village–City Divide3:55 – Civic Order vs Social Order5:47 – Why India Looks So Poor6:57 – Swanky Airports and Broken Cities10:51 – India’s Obsession With Useless Issues14:24 – Leaving Gurugram18:22 – Bengaluru Has Become a Hellhole19:36 – Why Indian Cities Are Unliveable22:30 – Is Goa India’s Most Cosmopolitan Place?29:30 – What’s Wrong With Kerala?33:42 – Kerala’s Healthcare35:58 – Kerala Mothers40:06 – Indian Parents and Education47:19 – North India vs South India52:51 – Servility, Saluting and Class in India55:10 – How Indians Treat Salespeople55:48 – How Indians Treat Waiters1:02:59 – Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us1:03:22 – The Attention-Span Crisis1:08:35 – Cockroach Janata Party1:13:11 – Why Gen Z Is Screwed by Equality1:13:52 – India’s Employability Crisis1:26:53 – Unemployment Among Educated Women1:31:54 – Exam Leaks and Student Protests1:35:42 – Freedom of Expression in India1:40:25 – “Vijay Was My Classmate”1:42:57 – Mani Ratnam and Tamil Cinema1:44:45 – Vijay’s Political Rise1:55:13 – Caste and Public Toilets1:59:46 – Manu Joseph’s Stand-Up Film2:04:48 – Left-Wing vs Right-Wing Politics2:09:11 – Why Ancient History Is Unreliable2:12:43 – Leaving Journalism and Writing Fiction2:15:50 – His Take on ‘Godi Media’

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 – Introduction00:36 – Bihar Floods4:08 – Water Treaty with Bangladesh11:05 – Women’s Employment Scheme17:23 – Jobs in Bihar23:31 – Bihar’s Education System27:29 – Skill Development31:48 – Migration35:50 – Alcohol Ban36:50 – NDA Alliance43:00 – BJP’s Bankipur Defeat50:15 – Reservation53:40 – Road and Bridge Collapses

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 – Introduction0:34 – Acting Style3:05 – Family's Reaction to Acting4:12 – Moving to Mumbai6:58 – Studying at FTII9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan34:15 – Working in Manto37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors42:17 – Importance of Small Details44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan59:07 – Being an Outsider1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers1:12:43 – Conclusion