Komal Nahta is a film trade analyst, the Editor-in-Chief of 'Film Information', and a well-known television show host. With decades of experience in the film industry, he is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in box office analysis.

Bharathi Pradhan is a columnist, film critic, and author. She hosts podcasts and Lehren TV and writes a Sunday column for The Telegraph. She has been reviewing films since the 1970s, making her one of the most respected critics in the industry.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Komal Nahta exposes how box office numbers are being manipulated. He reveals how producers use block bookings and fake figures to inflate collections. He also talks about the culture of paid reviews, claiming that 9 out of 10 movie reviews are bought. He shares his views on what’s wrong with Bollywood and why films are struggling to connect with audiences.

Bharathi Pradhan discusses how PR companies have become powerful in Bollywood and how actors misuse them. She shares untold stories about Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and reflects on how the industry has changed since the 1970s. She also talks about the role of film critics and why they should stay honest to their readers, not cater to actors and producers.

00:00 – Introduction

01:58 – How movie critics review films

09:38 – The truth about Bollywood’s paid reviews

14:00 – Inside Bollywood’s PR game

21:12 – How box office numbers are manipulated

27:19 – Movies that got bad reviews but became hits

30:03 – Losing friends over honest movie reviews

43:31 – The rise of paparazzi culture

49:45 – What really makes a movie a hit?

1:01:42 – Remaking old classics and blockbusters

1:11:38 – The problem of over-PR in Bollywood

Kiran Rao began her career as an assistant director on the iconic film Lagaan and later went on to direct Dhobi Ghat (2010) and the critically acclaimed box office success Laapataa Ladies (2024). She graduated with a degree in Economics from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, in 1995, and later pursued her Master’s at AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kiran Rao delves into the intricacies of storytelling, the impact of cinema on our lives, and how films can be a powerful tool for messaging. She also shares her perspective on patriarchy, emphasising how men can be its victims.

She also opens up about her divorce from Aamir Khan, highlighting the mutual respect and strong bond they continue to share. More on the creative challenges in filmmaking and how she deals with an industry dominated by men.

00:00 - Introduction

02:27 - Movie Ticket Tax Row

06:55 - The Art of Storytelling in Bollywood

17:15 - Commercial Success vs. Critical Acclaim

23:12 - The Auditioning Process in Bollywood

24:54 - Working with Naseeruddin Shah

27:47 - Collaborating with Ashutosh Gowariker

28:52 - How SRK Behaves on Set

29:50 - Memories from Jamia University Days

32:39 - Women in a Male-Dominated Industry

38:49 - South Indian Films vs. Bollywood

48:25 - Laapataa Ladies vs. Animal

50:21 - Are Films Being Over-Promoted?

57:15 - Nupur’s Wedding

59:12 - Marriage & Divorce with Aamir Khan

01:02:45 - Nostalgic Memories from Dil Chahta Hai

Ruchi Ghanashyam joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1982. Over her 38-year career, she served at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and as High Commissioner to Ghana, South Africa, and the UK, where she retired in 2020. She was also a Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

Shaina NC is a fashion designer, politician, and social worker. She is the daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama. In 2024, she left the BJP and joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ruchi Ghanashyam shares her journey as a woman in the Indian Foreign Service and her experiences as a diplomat in Pakistan and the UK.

Shaina NC talks about her transition from fashion to politics. She shares her experience of contesting elections from the Mumbadevi constituency and addresses the ‘Imported Maal’ controversy. She also discusses the debate over politicians' looks.

For generations, leadership, diplomacy, and power corridors have been dominated by men. But trailblazers like Ruchi Ghanashyam and Shaina NC have shattered stereotypes, proving that gender is no barrier to success.

00:00 - Introduction

03:01 - Indian Tradition

08:19 - The Story of Banarasi Joda in Pakistani Weddings

09:41 - Indian Saree in the Fashion Industry

13:55 - Saina's Entry into Politics

16:19 - Women in the Foreign Service

18:55 - Ruchi as an Indian Woman Diplomat in Islamabad

21:11 - Contesting Elections from Mumbadevi

25:04 - The 'Imported Maal' Controversy

32:32 - Ruchi as High Commissioner to the UK

37:50 - Debate over Politicians’ Looks

44:13 - Snap Reaction Segment

01:10:06 - Why Did Saina Leave the BJP?

01:13:24 - Dealing with Mental Health

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we take a deep dive into Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and how it continues to shape Indian politics. Joining the conversation are Dr. Guru Prakash Paswan, National Spokesperson of the BJP with a deep understanding of Dalit issues, and Kushal Mehra, a podcaster and author known for his sharp takes on politics and society.

They discuss the role of Dalit votes in elections, how Ambedkar’s vision is understood today, and the political battles fought in his name. The conversation also touches on the rise of Hinduphobia in Canada and the USA—why it’s happening, who is driving the narrative, and what it means for Indian communities abroad.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - Ambedkar's Legacy

12:52 – Neo-Feudalism in India

16:15 - Caste Discrimination in the USA

26:04 – Migration Patterns from India to the West

34:27 - Merit vs Quota

45:05 - ‘Hinduphobia’ in the USA

52:40 – Caste Census in India

58:04 – Dalit Icons statues

1:06:42 - Dalits & Babasaheb

1:18:53 – Indian Community in Canada & the USA

1:29:49 – Dalit Politics in Punjab

1:37:04 - Politics over Dalit Vote Bank

Pullela Gopichand is the second Indian to win the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship (2001). A former Olympian, he coached Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to Olympic success.

Honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1999, Gopichand is often called the ‘Dronacharya of Indian Badminton.’ Since 2004, he has been running an academy in Hyderabad, where players like Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap, H.S. Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, and Sameer Verma have trained and brought glory to India.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gopichand addresses the controversy around his remark that "only the rich should play sports." He clarifies that his concern is about the lack of support for athletes after retirement. He points out that while one in a hundred may reach the top, the rest need a safety net.

He also talks about how the government can do more to support athletes, the evolution of sports in India, and what it takes to create champions. He also discusses the impact of social media trolling on athletes’ mental health and the reality behind sports quota jobs.

00:00 - Introduction

00:49 - ‘Sports are for the Rich’ Controversy

08:05 - Securing an Athlete’s Future

13:44 - Post-Career Support for Athletes

19:54 - Wealth Disparity in Sports

25:27 - Government’s Role in Athlete Welfare

25:49 - Struggles of Athletes

28:04 - From Badminton Player to Coach

36:42 - How Sports Have Evolved

40:50 - Best Sports Choices for Kids

44:11 - Coaching Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu

48:08 - Bias in Coaching

53:16 - Dealing with Social Media Trolling

54:58 - An Athlete’s Diet: What It Takes

58:11 - Southeast Asian vs. European Players

01:01:25 - PM’s Role in Sports Development

01:02:48 - Sports Career Options: Then vs. Now

01:07:19 - Sports Quota Jobs

Born in Srinagar, Kunal Kemmu comes from a family of actors. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Zakhm (1998).

Kunal made his debut as a lead actor in Kalyug (2005) and went on to star in several films, including the Golmaal franchise, Go Goa Gone (2013), and intense dramas like Traffic Signal (2007) and Blood Money (2012).

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kunal opens up about the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in the 1990s and how it affected his family. He also shares why he chose to become an actor and what life was like growing up in Srinagar.

Kunal talks about the attack on his brother-in-law, Saif Ali Khan, and recalls the terrifying incident when his wife, Soha Ali Khan’s, house was robbed, explaining how he dealt with the situation.

He also discusses his directorial debut, Madgaon Express (2024), how fatherhood has changed him, and the important role fitness plays in his life.

00:00 - Introduction

00:44 - Growing Up as a Kashmiri Pandit

08:33 - Will Kashmiri Pandits Return to the Valley?

10:37 - Life in Bombay vs. Kashmir

12:17 - Entering the Industry as a Child Actor

18:50 - Transitioning from Child Actor to Adult Roles

22:36 - Working with Different Directors

24:00 - Directing 'Madgaon Express'

29:50 - Film on the Kashmiri Pandit Exodus

32:47 - Conversations at Actors' Family Dinners

35:40 - Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Incident

42:18 - Growing Up in the Public Eye as an Actor’s Kid

45:27 - How Social Media is Affecting Children

47:49 - Love for Travel

53:35 - Staying Physically Fit

1:06:37 - What’s Coming Up in 2025

General Upendra Dwivedi is currently serving as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. Before that, he was the Deputy Chief of Army Staff for Information Systems and Coordination and the General Officer Commanding of the IX Corps.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Army Chief shares his views on several key issues. He discusses how the situation of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has changed after the abrogation of Article 370 and also talks about the Indian Army's role in implementing the theme of ‘Terrorism to Tourism” in Kashmir Valley.

He also opens up about the Pakistani Army’s mindset regarding PoK and the motive behind infiltration bids by Pakistani terrorists.

General Dwivedi also addresses how AI is transforming battlefields across the world and how the Indian Army is utilizing this technology. He emphasizes that civilian support for the army plays a major role and explains how an average citizen can be helpful to the Indian Army. He highlights the disengagement between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

General Dwivedi further reflects on the role of women in the Indian Armed Forces. He also discusses the budget allocated for the defence sector and the priorities that need to be addressed to boost the army's performance.

00:00 – Introduction

01:06 - India-China border Disengagement

04:20 - Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Army Chief

07:32 - Trump’s pitch to sell stealth fighters to India

11:43 - Security situation along LoC

14:16 - Decline in militancy in Kashmir

16:47 - Mindset of Pakistani Army

22:24 - Drones: Future of Warfare

27:46 - Is Agnipath scheme helping Army?

30:42 - ‘Gray zone’ and ‘Hybrid’ warfare

38:31 - AI and Indian Army

48:56 - Two classmates leading Indian Armed Forces

55:59 - Recruits in the Indian Army

59:22 - Budget allocation for Defence

1:06:23 - Army pay scale compared to private sector

1:12:02 - Civilian support for Army

1:16:55 - When Army Chief visited Mahakaleshwar Temple

1:19:05 - Childhood of Army Chief

1:22:30 - Emotional impact of losing friends in combat

Jaya Kishori started her spiritual journey at the age of seven. Raised in a spiritual environment, she developed a deep love for spiritualism, leading her to become a motivational and spiritual speaker. Her mission is to instill faith, positivity, and the importance of family, emphasizing that good parenting shapes successful and virtuous individuals. She ensures her teachings are simple and relatable for all ages.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaya Kishori speaks about finding a balance between spirituality and a materialistic lifestyle, addressing the Dior bag controversy and how she deals with online criticism. She also talks about ego, the highs and lows of fame, and the importance of family support in her journey. Sharing her experience of studying the Bhagavad Gita, she talks about sacrifice, spirituality, and why she chose to change her name.

She also discusses whether visiting temples or following a Satvik lifestyle is necessary for devotion, why today's youth feel disconnected from spirituality, and why some parents use their children for money. She also talks about the rise in suicide cases, the misuse of laws, how to handle anger, and the importance of chanting in life.

00:00 - Introduction

01:46 - Dior Bag Controversy

09:45 - Online Criticism

13:36 - Ego & Adulation

16:29 - Career & Family Support

18:21 - Bhagavad Gita

20:48 - Sacrifice vs. Spirituality

23:49 - How to Deal with Failure

28:03 - Why Jaya Kishori Changed Her Name

30:29 - Devotional Journey

34:43 - Visiting Temple Importance

37:11 - Youth and Spirituality

44:11 - Satvik Life

51:12 - How to Become a Spiritual Speaker

54:46 - Kids in Spirituality & Devotion

57:41 - Parents 'Misusing' Children for Money

01:03:44 - Sacredness vs. Hypocrisy

01:05:23 - Snap Reaction Segment

01:36:36 - Misuse of AI

01:43:28 - Rise in Suicide Cases & Misuse of Laws

01:49:58 - Finding Hope in Difficult Times

01:53:00 - Jaya Kishori's Go-To Chant

01:57:01 - How to Handle Anger