ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Rahul Bose is an actor, director, and writer who has worked in more than 55 films in different languages. He is famous for picking meaningful roles. Movies like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, The Japanese Wife, and Chameli show how he prefers strong and thoughtful characters.Rahul is more than just a film personality. He was also a national-level rugby player and is currently the President of Rugby India. He is working hard to grow the sport. For him, rugby is not just a game; it’s a way to teach kids teamwork, discipline, and confidence.In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul talks about his 32 years in the film industry. He clears up some common myths, like the idea that Bollywood is only about glamour and big money.More about the process behind choosing a film, the debate between theatres and OTT platforms, and whether Bollywood is lacking in content.Timestamps00:00 – Coming Up01:53 – Introduction03:10 – Story Behind Carrying His Own Chair on Sets10:45 – Left's Influence in Bollywood12:21 – Working with Female Directors16:35 – Experience in South Indian Film Industry22:35 – Process Behind Choosing a Film26:45 – Script Improvisation28:45 – Journey into Rugby36:50 – Advice on Overcoming Fear40:50 – Role of Discipline in Sports43:43 – Rugby: A Costly Sport?50:10 – Benefits of Playing Rugby54:30 – Nutrition for Rugby Players01:02:35 – Rugby vs. Films01:04:30 – Theatres vs. Films vs. OTT01:07:58 – Impact of OTT on Storytelling01:13:32 – Lack of Quality in Bollywood Content?01:17:30 – Lessons from His Parents01:25:25 – Rahul Ever Regretted Doing a Film?01:30:12 – Laapataa Ladies & Thappad01:39:24 – Upcoming Projects

Tejashwi Yadav is a former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and the de facto chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. He currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the state. Before entering politics, Tejashwi was a professional cricketer. Today, he is seen as the political heir to Lalu Prasad Yadav's legacy and a key figure in shaping Bihar’s politics.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tejashwi Yadav responds to the 'Jungle Raj' jibe made by opposition leaders, referring to the years when his father and family governed Bihar.He says nothing has been done in Bihar under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar. He calls the Chief Minister "tired" and claims that corrupt officers are running the government. He also speaks about the caste census, the controversy over his son's name, Prashant Kishor, Chirag Paswan, and the Mahagathbandhan.*Timestamps*01:58 – Introduction02:32 – Welcoming a Second Child05:30 – BJP vs JDU in Bihar09:44 – Development in Bihar12:11 – Criticism of the Media17:30 – Is Nitish Kumar Unwell?20:08 – Who’s Really Running the Bihar Sarkar?24:35 – Can Nitish Return as CM Again?27:20 – INDIA Bloc’s Bihar Plan28:50 – Chirag Paswan vs Tejashwi Yadav30:29 – Tejashwi’s Plan for Bihar Polls32:00 – Tejashwi’s Son’s Name Row35:45 – RJD & Congress in Bihar Polls37:11 – Tej Pratap’s Love Controversy38:10 – Newcomers in RJD & Bihar Polls41:51 – Caste Factor in Politics42:25 – Caste Census46:20 – Media Colleges in Patna49:25 – Can Youth Trust Tejashwi?53:37 – Who’s the BJP’s CM Face in Bihar?

Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as Defence Secretary in the Ministry of Defence in November 2024. He is a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre and has held several key positions in the Government of India.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Defence Secretary clears the air around the India-Pakistan ceasefire, laying out the full sequence of events and stating that it was Islamabad that begged for a ceasefire. He also talks about Made-in-India weapons and how they turned out to be a game-changer.Defence Secretary speaks about China’s involvement in backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and highlights the gaps in India’s drone production. He also underlines the importance of reducing the defence procurement timeline from six years to two.He shares updates on the timeline for AMCA, India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, and addresses the speculation around whether India is planning to buy the American F-35A or the Russian Su-57E.Introduction – 00:00Defence Secretary Job Explained – 00:40India’s Defence Capabilities After Op Sindoor – 02:23Planning Behind Op Sindoor – 03:50New Normal After Op Sindoor – 05:50International Reaction to Op Sindoor – 07:32Pak’s Support to Terror Groups – 08:42Impact of Op Sindoor – 10:05How Pakistan Pleaded for a Ceasefire – 12:30India’s Drone Strategy – 13:46Made-in-India Weapons During Op Sindoor – 17:20India’s Defence Budget & Push for Transparency – 18:47Solving Delays in Defence Procurement – 23:54Future of India’s Defence Exports – 26:23India Buying the F-35A or Su-57E? – 31:20India’s 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Plans & HAL’s Role – 32:52Russia as India’s Biggest Defence Supplier – 35:47MRCA Procurement Process – 37:30What “Op Sindoor is On” Really Means – 40:25Pak’s Support from China During Op Sindoor – 43:47Asim Munir’s Meeting with Donald Trump – 46:07What Happens in CCS Meetings? – 49:23Working Relationship with the Three Service Chiefs – 51:09

Chandan Roy was born and brought up in Bihar. He studied mass communication in Patna and Delhi before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting. He rose to fame with his role as Vikas in the popular web series Panchayat.In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Chandan Roy shares what audiences can expect from Panchayat Season 4 and how it will be different from previous seasons. He also talks about his journey into acting and what inspired him to become an actor. Plus, he reveals an untold story about why he changed his name from Chandan Rai to Chandan Roy.Introduction – 00:00Panchayat Season 4 – 00:33What Makes Panchayat Special – 01:55Story Behind 'Vikas' Accent – 03:23Actors from Rural India – 05:52Creative Freedom on Set – 09:41From Bihar to Delhi to Mumbai – 11:02Inspiration Behind Name Change – 13:46Family Reaction to Panchayat – 14:42Working with Big Stars – 15:39Local Accent – 17:14Why He Left Journalism – 18:10

Khan Sir is a well-known teacher from Bihar, famous for his unique and engaging style of teaching, especially on topics related to current affairs. In 2020, he started his YouTube channel, Khan GS Research Centre. His honest and straightforward approach quickly gained popularity, and today, the channel has over 2.5 crore subscribers.He is admired for providing an affordable and comprehensive learning experience to students preparing for various competitive exams.In this podcast with Smita Prakash, Khan Sir speaks openly about many important issues. He discusses the Pahalgam attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. He also shares his thoughts on entering politics and gives his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.Khan Sir talks about the current education system, the unemployment situation in Bihar, and the reasons behind the state’s lack of infrastructure and development. He also speaks about mental health, the rising issue of depression, and how parenting has changed in today’s world.In a rare personal moment, he opens up about his marriage and addresses the controversy surrounding his wife wearing a ghunghat during the wedding reception.This is the most honest podcast Khan Sir has ever done.Timestamps00:00 – Coming Up01:22 – Introduction02:36 – Khan Sir’s Marriage10:01 – Khan Sir’s Classes20:40 – Indian Engineers' Motivation28:38 – Corporate Social Responsibility37:34 – Love for Bihar46:59 – AI’s Impact on Education51:58 – Pahalgam Attack56:21 – India–Pakistan Ceasefire1:02:30 – How to get Students’ Attention1:16:45 – Coaching Trend in Kota1:24:59 – Language Inferiority Complex1:26:44 – Snap Reaction Segment1:57:54 – Bihar’s Challenges2:06:00 – BPSC Paper Leak2:09:30 – Agniveer Recruitment2:16:02 – Views on Nitish Kumar2:25:28 – Caste Census and NRC

Reuven Azar is the Ambassador of Israel to India. He previously served as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel. He has also held several key positions in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Azar speaks about Israel’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. He claims that Iran was assembling nuclear warheads with the help of a clandestine group, and says that Israel is acting to defend not just itself, but the world.Ambassador Azar also says the United States was fully informed about the strike. He adds that elite Iranian forces were successfully targeted and emphasises that Israel will do everything it can to protect its people.He also shares his views on whether India should consider striking Pakistan’s nuclear sites.Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction02:04 – Israeli strikes Iran07:03 – Why Did Israel Strike Iran?10:15 – 'Operation Rising Lion'14:10 – US role in Iran-Israel conflict17:15 – “Radical regime” in Iran20:25 – Proxy battlegrounds for Iran24:20 – Narrative against Israel27:08 – Israel’s stand on Op Sindoor31:23 – US’s nuclear proposal to Iran34:53 – Involvement of Israeli Air Force 37:58 – Support for forces in Israel

Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus! Edition 6.0 is here, and it’s all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions.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 some heated topics, including Operation Sindoor and the new normal, India’s foreign policy challenges in 2025, ANI’s side of the story in the copyright debate, Elon Musk vs Donald Trump, and Rahul Gandhi’s “Narender Surrender” jibe at PM Modi.00:00 - Coming up03:07 - Introduction07:23 - ANI's Copyright Case48:57 - India Gets Invitation for G7 Summit01:01:33 - Operation Sindoor & Pak's narrative war01:26:50 - India-Pak Ceasefire01:28:05 - Hitting the Nur Khan airbase01:39:45 - Rahul's 'surrender' jibe at PM Modi02:02:35 - Trump-Musk fight02:17:11 - Caste Census02:19:20 - All-Party Delegation for Op Sindoor02:25:20 - Congress vs Shashi Tharoor02:26:25 - Mann’s ‘Sindoor’ Dig at Modi02:37:53 - Trump vs Harvard02:47:15 - Journalists writing books on Op Sindoor

Sonali Bendre began her career as a model before transitioning into the Indian film industry. She made her debut at the age of 19 with the film Aag. Over the years, she has acted alongside top stars like Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan. Known for her roles in films like Major Saab and Hum Saath Saath Hain, Sonali Bendre remains one of the most familiar and beloved faces in Bollywood.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sonali opens up about her acting journey and her book release, 'A Book of Books'. She talks about her marriage to Goldie Behl, becoming a mother, and her brave battle with cancer.Sonali also shares stories of working with the three Khans, welcoming Michael Jackson to India, and taking Dakota Johnson to temples. She addresses the viral video from an event with Raj Thackeray and sets the record straight.A passionate animal lover, Sonali also speaks about her new podcast centred around animals and her bond with them.Audio Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction 00:26 - Sonali Bendre's Book 07:50 - Importance of Reading 10:50 - Bucket List 11:34 - Battle with Cancer 16:57 - Family Support during Cancer 18:58 - Acting with Khans 22:22 - Sabbatical after childbirth 26:18 - Stories from 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' Set 30:48 - Favourite Co-stars 33:15 - Salman Khan as a co-star 35:33 - Relation with Ajay & Kajol 36:25 - Working on Sarfarosh 43:43 - Working on Films in Different Languages 46:20 - First Meeting with Husband 01:00:29 - Bollywood's pay disparity 01:04:30 - Dakota Johnson Visiting India 01:06:03 - Welcoming Michael Jackson 01:11:31 - Voicing Up for Stray Dogs 01:17:57 - Friendship in Bollywood 01:19:10 - Sonali’s Ultimate Dream Movie

Lieutenant General PC Nair is a retired officer of the Indian Army with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the Director General of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, where he played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region. Lt. Gen. Nair (Retd) has extensive expertise in dealing with insurgency, tribal dynamics, and border security. He is also recognised for his in-depth understanding of India’s internal security challenges, particularly in volatile regions such as Manipur, Nagaland, and the North East. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt Gen PC Nair (Retd.) discusses the proposed Rakhine Corridor in Myanmar, which has sparked political and military tensions in Bangladesh.He explains how China is expanding its influence through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and why the US seeks to increase its foothold via humanitarian aid in Myanmar. He also explores why Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, is delaying elections and the growing rift with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman. He also discusses the impact of militancy along the Myanmar border and how growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh affects India.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction 01:50 – Power Game in Myanmar’s Rakhine06:30 – China’s Ties with Myanmar’s Arakan Army11:57 – ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ in Rakhine14:00 – Yunus’s Interest in Rakhine Corridor19:27 – American Presence in Bangladesh23:17 – Muhammad Yunus vs Army27:16 – Kaladan Multimodal Project32:28 – Challenges on the Indo-Myanmar Border35:38 – Bangladesh's ‘Two Chicken Necks’41:43 – Revival of Lalmonirhat Airbase46:36 – Jamaat-e-Islami Comeback in B'desh48:54 – Myanmar’s Rare-Earth Mining51:43 – Militant Groups in Myanmar57:33 – India-Bangladesh Relations

Rajpal Yadav began his acting journey with television before making a mark in films like Shool (1999) and Jungle (2000).Rajpal has delivered iconic performances in films such as Hungama, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Chup Chup Ke and Bhool Bhulaiyaa series, among others, where he impressed audiences with his blend of humor and comic timing.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajpal Yadav opens up about his iconic comic roles and his views on nepotism in Bollywood. He highlights how actors from non-film backgrounds carve their path in the industry.He also discusses his time at the National School of Drama (NSD), and the lifelong friendships he formed with fellow actors who went on to achieve success in Bollywood.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:45 – Love for Theatre02:42 – Typecast in Comic Roles06:05 – Boundaries of an Artist08:53 – Playing Multiple Characters16:08 – Insecurity Among Actors23:11 – Turning Point of Career31:50 – Bollywood and its Audience36:54 – PR Companies in Bollywood42:07 – Family Background44:14 – Nepotism Debate47:39 – Iconic Comic Roles52:00 – Roles in Sequel Movies54:23 – Rapport with Actors57:04 – Bonding with Directors1:01:40 – Life After NSD Days1:05:26 – Upcoming Projects1:06:55 – Quitting Politics1:13:07 – Directorial Venture

Shashi Shekhar is the founder of AI for India, an initiative focused on building a strong ecosystem for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in the country. He is also the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster.In this episode of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shashi Shekhar talks about the battle of narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor and how false narratives against India are often amplified in the West through misinformation and fake news.He highlights the role of AI platforms in this ongoing narrative warfare. He also discusses the outreach efforts by the all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor and stresses the importance of strong engagement and clear communication of India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.Shashi Shekhar further explains why the global Indian diaspora, along with film celebrities, sports personalities, and spiritual leaders, must take a moral stand and speak up in support of India’s narrative.Audio Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction 02:08 - Narrative wars of Operation Sindoor 08:37 - Fighting Fake Narrative 17:23 - Balakot: Facts vs Bias 24:56 - J-10 Hype & Narrative Building 31:08 - Religious Spin by Western Media 34:53 - The Karachi Bombing Confusion 39:18 - Social Media’s Impact on Conflict 46:44 - Indian-Origin Billionaires 01:02:41 - US-Pakistan Relations and Propaganda 01:06:21 - Does Public Opinion Affect Govt? 01:10:23 - Why Film Industry Quiet on India-Pak War?

Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey is a former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). He led a crucial operation in 2003 to capture terrorist Ghazi Baba, who was responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. During the operation, Dubey was shot multiple times, and one of the bullets still remains lodged in his body. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery.Sanjiv Krishan Sood is a retired Additional Director General of the BSF. In his 38 years of service, he served along all of India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including 8 years on the Line of Control and in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, both officers talk about what it takes to guard India’s borders and how difficult it is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control. They also speak about Operation Sindoor and what goes on in the mind of a soldier posted at the border.The conversation also covers the operation against Ghazi Baba, the Attari–Wagah border ceremony, and the growing threat from drones.*Audio Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction01:25 – BSF Foils Drone Entry Near Amritsar08:25 – Challenges of Drone Warfare09:56 – Challenges of Terrorist Hunt in Pahalgam13:26 – BSF’s PK Shaw Case21:40 – Will Pakistan Strike Back?25:31 – India’s Anti-Drone Strategy28:02 – Gazi Baba Encounter38:32 – Cost of Killing Gazi Baba40:16 – Operation Sindoor & Bahawalpur Attack44:36 – Troop Morale After Attacks47:01 – Troops Emotions vs Public Rage52:53 – Role of Human Informants01:00:40 – India-Pakistan Peace Talks Recalled01:03:28 – Firing Decision on Border01:10:37 – Recalling Funny Incidents on the Border01:15:22 – Wagah Ceremony Debate01:19:36 – Dealing with PTSD01:23:40 – Operation Blue Star01:27:07 – Do Soldiers Get PTSD Counselling?

The Central government took everyone by surprise by announcing a caste census, a move that has long been the poll plank of the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi. What prompted this sudden decision? Will it truly pave the way for social justice? And how will it impact the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal?In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we delve into these critical questions with three journalists.Joining us are Pallavi Ghosh, Senior Editor at CNN-News18, known for her in-depth reporting and years of ground-level political coverage; Gautam Lahiri, senior journalist and President of the Press Club of India; and Shekhar Iyer, senior journalist, former Senior Associate Editor at Hindustan Times, and a familiar face on prime-time television debates.Watch this conversation on the politics, implications, and future of the caste census.Note: This episode was recorded on May 2, 2025, five days before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor.00:00 – Introduction 01:03 – Caste Census 06:58 – Timeline of National Census 12:09 – Caste Census in West Bengal 15:53 – Impact of Waqf Amendment Act in Bengal 22:14 – Factions in TMC 24:37 – Mamata vs INDIA Bloc 27:09 – Minority Votes in Bengal 33:41 – Rahul's Bihar Fight 39:44 – NDA’s Game in Bihar 43:21 – Caste Survey in Karnataka 48:55 – DKS vs Siddaramaiah 51:23 – What’s BJP’s Plan for Tamil Nadu?

Lieutenant General D’Cunha is the Director General of Army Air Defence (AAD). He assumed command as the Chief of Army Air Defence in 2023. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Corps of Army Air Defence in December 1988.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how India’s air defence system foiled a bid by Pakistan to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar.He discusses how India’s indigenous 'Aksahteer', intercepted and neutralised projectiles from Pakistan and showcased India’s dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare.Air Marshal Kapoor praises the efficiency of guns as an aerial shield against Pakistani drone attacks, highlighting their role as an undisputed form of air defence and their success in destroying Pakistan’s drones.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction 00:47 – Pakistan's Attempt to Target Golden Temple05:37 – India’s Air Defence System13:02 – India's Akashteer System20:26 – Drone Strikes by Pakistan on India28:15 – Role of Guns in Air Defence32:48 – Evolution of Drone Warfare37:35 – Rahul-Jaishankar Row43:53 – Pakistan Using Civil Air Traffic as a Shield49:15 – Red Team Concept52:16 – Warning to Pakistan’s Military Leadership56:27 – Strategy of the Indian Army

Byju Raveendran is a teacher and engineer, and the founder of BYJU’S, once India’s most valuable edtech startup, valued at 22 billion dollars. Divya Gokulnath, his wife and co-founder, played a key role in shaping BYJU’S content and brand.BYJU’S saw a rapid rise followed by a sharp fall due to financial losses, governance issues, and legal troubles. Its fast expansion and multiple acquisitions put pressure on its operations and finances. Regulatory investigations and investor backlash made things worse, leading to layoffs, insolvency concerns, and a damaged reputation.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Byju and Divya break their silence on the controversies surrounding them, from the $1.2 billion term loan case in the U.S. to legal battles and company acquisitions. Byju also opens up about the mistakes that led to the downfall of India’s edtech giant.Will there be a BYJU’S 3.0? What is the couple up to now? Why are they in Dubai? The founders reveal it all in this tell-all podcast.*Timestamps*00:00 – Coming Up00:00 – Introduction01:02 – 'Fugitive' Tag03:32 – Lookout Notice by ED06:45 – $1.2 Billion Term Loan Case in the U.S.10:53 – Fight with U.S. Lenders17:46 – BYJU’S Legal Crisis19:44 – BYJU’S: Rise and Fall24:04 – Aakash Institute Acquisition26:09 – WhiteHat Jr. Acquisition29:35 – Work Culture at BYJU’S31:13 – Sales Model of BYJU’S34:19 – USP of BYJU’S37:22 – Media Narratives on BYJU’S42:24 – BYJU’S–BCCI Dispute45:12 – BYJU’S Ad Deal with Messi & SRK50:11 – India’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem54:20 – Parents’ Refund Complaints59:28 – BYJU’S: Highs and Lows1:02:41 – BYJU’S 3.01:08:06 – Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship1:13:05 – Introduction to Co-Founder Divya Gokulnath1:15:00 – Divya Gokulnath’s Family Background 1:21:37 – Divya & Byju’s Marriage1:25:12 – BYJU’S ‘Education for All’ Initiative1:30:00 – Byju's Family Under 'Threat'1:37:56 – BYJU’S Insolvency1:42:51 – ‘International Fugitive’ Tag1:52:08 – BYJU’S 3.01:59:57 – The India Story

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd) has served as the Director General (Inspection and Safety) of the Indian Air Force. He has also held the position of Commandant at both the Air Force Academy and the National Defence Academy. With over 7,800 hours of incident-free flying on various trainer, transport, and strategic aircraft, he is considered one of the stalwarts of Aerial Refuelling Operations in the Indian Air Force. He has also flown the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about India’s air defence system that stunned Pakistan. He discusses advanced systems like the S-400 and Akash missile systems, and explains how the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles.Air Marshal Kapoor praises India’s engineers, scientists, and the Air Force for developing indigenous technology capable of countering threats from Pakistan. He also comments on the continued support the United States gives to Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s well-known record of harbouring terrorists and supporting state-sponsored terrorism.00:00 - Introduction 00:39 - Operation Sindoor 05:08 - PM's Address to the Nation 09:53 - Air defence deal with Russia 19:19 - First day of Operation Sindoor 20:55 - Integrated Air Command and Control System 25:34 - Pakistan's drone & missiles attack 29:37 - Pak attacks on religious sites in India 34:05 - Pak's Nuclear threat 37:28 - 'Goli Ka Jawab Gola' 42:53 - Global aviation view on India-Pak crisis 45:56 - India's plan amid current conflict 50:42 - Talks only if PoK is returned 52:27 - Sargodha Airfield 54:34 - Is Karachi Port destroyed? 57:45 - Russia-Ukraine Conflict 1:02:16 - Indian vs Pak Air Force 1:07:15 - Will Pakistan strike again? 1:11:09 - US F-series fighter jets 1:12:48 - India's most potent weapon 1:15:18 - Ceasefire status

Lieutenant General Satish Dua (Retd) served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and was also the Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps. He played a key role in planning and executing the Uri surgical strikes in Kashmir.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares insights on the evolving nature of drone warfare between India and Pakistan, and how India's air defence systems have responded. He also speaks about the deep sense of patriotism among Indian youth and their unwavering commitment to the country.General Dua further explains why Pakistan has targeted temples, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure and contrasts it with India’s focused strikes on terror sites within Pakistan.Note: This episode was recorded on May 10 at 11 AM, before the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction00:45 – India vs Pakistan: Drone Warfare09:53 – Pakistan Targeting Civilians15:03 – India’s Patriotic Youth29:00 – Pakistan’s Nuclear Threat35:02 – Disinformation in the Media44:38 – CCS Meeting Chaired by PM Modi52:59 – India-Pakistan Territorial Issues1:01:59 – U.S. Role in India-Pakistan Tensions1:12:33 – The Idea of India

Vice Admiral Satishkumar Namdeo Ghormade served in the Indian Navy for 39 years and retired in 2022. He held several key positions, including serving as the 36th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations and Training), Controller of Personnel Services at Naval Headquarters, and Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command.Under his supervision, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was commissioned on September 2, 2022, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Vice Admiral Ghormade discusses the capabilities of the Indian Navy, compares them with the Pakistani Navy, and shares insights on who holds the edge in maritime operations. He also touches upon the external support Pakistan receives in building submarines.He highlights that Karachi Port is a critical hub for Pakistan’s military logistics and trade, and says that if it were to be neutralised, Pakistan’s war machinery would be severely impacted. He also speaks about how the ‘Make in India’ initiative is significantly strengthening India's naval capabilities.*Timestamps:*00:00 – Introduction 00:43 – Indian Navy’s Role 03:07 – Pakistan Navy’s Vulnerability 06:45 – Indian Navy vs Pakistan Navy 10:52 – Karachi Port Importance for Pakistan 14:29 – Indian Submarines on High Alert 19:11 – Rules of Engagement in Armed Conflict 22:59 – Operation Trident During the 1971 War 28:25 – PM Modi Meeting with 3 Armed Forces Chiefs 30:53 – Biggest Strength of the Indian Navy 35:06 – Turkey’s Support to Pakistan 39:09 – De-escalation in India-Pakistan Clash 46:11 – Citizens’ Role in War 51:06 – Advice to Media

Tilak Devasher is an author, an expert on everything Pakistan and a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Yash Sinha is the former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and also served as India’s Chief Information Commissioner.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the possible consequences Pakistan could face after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Yash Sinha talks about the mindset of the Pakistani people and how many of them see India as their eternal enemy. Tilak Devasher speaks about reports that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were using Chinese phones and how long Pakistan can last in the case of a long war.Note: This episode was recorded on May 6, 2025, a day before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.00:00 – Introduction01:28 – Mock Drills in India03:50 – UNSC Meeting on Kashmir06:29 – Foreign Relations of Pakistan09:15 – Internal Security Threats to Pakistan12:19 – USA’s Stand on India-Pak Tensions15:47 – How Pakistani Diplomats Behave24:38 – Chinese Phones Linked to Pahalgam Attack32:44 – Indus Water Treaty37:12 – Irrigation System of Pakistan39:44 – Dams and Hydro Projects43:50 – How India Creates Deterrence46:17 – China & the Flow of the Brahmaputra River49:04 – Blockade in the Indian Ocean50:31 – Recalling the 1971 & 1965 Wars54:48 – Is India Ready for War?57:55 – Smuggling of Iranian Oil into Pakistan59:16 – China Backing Pakistan01:01:01 – Pakistan’s War Capabilities01:03:56 – Denuclearisation of Pakistan01:05:26 – Why Mock Drills Are Happening Now01:09:21 – Pakistan’s Psyche About India01:12:42 – Pakistanis Marrying Kashmiris01:16:42 – Social Media Accounts of Pakistani Celebs Banned01:19:57 – Role of the Streets in Policy Making

Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon (Retd), popularly known as ‘Tiny Dhillon’, is a highly decorated officer with a distinguished career spanning over 39 years. He has served as the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence). He earned widespread recognition for leading unconventional, people-centric operations during his tenure as the head of the XV Corps in Kashmir.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. Dhillon (Retd) discusses Pakistan’s hollow nuclear threats against India and explains why Islamabad remains uneasy about developments in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.He also shares practical advice for civilians on what to do in the event of war or an emergency-like situation, and emphasises why Indians should not fear mock drills. Towards the end, he delivers a clear message to all citizens: stay alert and report any suspicious activity around you.Note: This episode was recorded on May 6, 2025, a day before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.00:00 – Introduction00:51 – Mock Drills in India09:56 – Radicalisation in India15:38 – Pakistani Nationals Living in India19:55 – Coverage of Troop Movements25:21 – Public Outrage After Pahalgam Attack31:42 – Indus Water Treaty42:52 – Punjabi Influence in Pakistan47:50 – Pakistan's Nuclear Option54:58 – Pahalgam Terror Attack1:07:56 – Local Support to Pahalgam Terrorists1:15:04 – Online Hate for Himanshi Narwal1:26:28 – Pakistan’s Barbaric Act1:29:43 – Launch of Second Book