EP-368 | This viral Udaipur wedding makeup artist was once banned in Bollywood
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
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EP-367 | Yoga, Stroke Among Youth, Gym Myths, Brain Health & Diabetes | Top Neurologist Explains
Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji is one of India’s top neurologists with over 28 years of experience. After serving in the Armed Forces Medical Services, he joined Max Healthcare in 2006, where he continues to practice as a senior neurologist.He has spoken at medical forums across India and abroad, published several research papers, and received many honours, including the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Medal.In this episode of the ANI Podcast, Dr Mukherji explains why young adults are increasingly getting strokes and what causes them. He also talks about the reality of yoga, the impact of air pollution, and how recreational drugs are harming the youth. Furthermore, he shares what the government needs to focus on to improve healthcare in India.00:00 – Introduction01:00 – Strokes in Young Adults02:53 – Can a Neck Massage Cause a Stroke?04:16 – Early Warning Signs of Stroke06:39 – What Can Save the Brain During a Stroke08:06 – What To Do in a Stroke Emergency11:50 – Genetics, Diabetes & Stroke Risk12:23 – Pollution, Dementia & Stroke Link16:33 – Party Drugs, Energy Drinks20:10 – Heat Stroke vs. Brain Stroke22:40 – Is Migraine a Warning Sign?26:06 – Work–Life Balance & Discipline27:45 – The Junk Food Trap31:24 – Memory Lapses & Dementia34:56 – Rapid-Fire Session46:46 – Alzheimer's Disease49:46 – Are Phones Destroying Kids?56:00 – Nicotine’s Invisible Damage58:16 – India’s Health Policies01:01:09 – Is Healthcare Becoming a Business?01:03:11 – What Made Dr Mukherji Stay in India?01:04:59 – The Future of Brain Science
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EP-366 | Himani Shivpuri on Working with Shah Rukh, Govinda, Aishwarya, David Dhawan & BTS of DDLJ
Himani Shivpuri is famous for playing motherly and memorable character roles in Hindi Cinema. She has acted in many hit films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hero No. 1, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Bandhan, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Himani Shivpuri shares fun stories about Govinda. She talks about special moments from the sets of Hum Aapke Hain Koun and recalls behind-the-scenes memories from DDLJ.She also speaks about the reality of theatre. She says that Hindi theatre pays very little, which is why actors often need other jobs. In comparison, Marathi and Gujarati theatre have stronger audiences and pay much better.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:12 – From Theatre to Cinema02:45 – Hum Aapke Hain Koun & DDLJ Breakthrough10:34 – 'Humrahi' on Doordarshan20:00 – Working with YRF, Karan Johar & Sooraj Barjatya 22:42 – Why Actors Quit Hindi Theatre25:48 – Govinda on Set32:33 – Hero vs Heroine Stardom42:28 – Schooling in Doon45:11 – Adopting Bhatwadi Village in Uttarakhand49:03 – Working with Shyam Benegal52:42 – Art vs Commercial Cinema54:51 – Dream to Work with Aamir Khan
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EP-365 | Delhi Blast: Pakistan’s Retaliation After Op Sindoor? | Sushant Sareen & Ashok Chand
On 10th November 2025, a terror blast near the Red Fort shook the capital. For the first time in over a decade, Delhi witnessed an attack in the heart of the city. Early investigations pointed to Pakistan-backed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The attackers were doctors and engineers. Is this the rise of white-collar terrorism in India? Was the Delhi blast a retaliation by Pakistan after India struck Jaish’s headquarters during Operation Sindoor? Was this an intelligence failure, or did Indian agencies actually manage to limit the damage?In this edition of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF, who is known for his sharp and unfiltered analysis of Pakistan and its security establishment. Ashok Chand, a former Delhi Police officer who investigated major terror cases, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the Red Fort attack in 2000 and the Jama Masjid blast.This episode is a deep dive into India’s security challenges, Pakistan-backed terror networks and why India cannot afford complacency.00:00 – Introduction01:48 – Red Fort 10/11 blast06:59 – Intelligence Networks vs Terror Modules10:25 – Psychology of Dr. Umar Nabi15:42 – The Red Fort 2000 Attack22:47 – Afzal Guru’s role in Parliament attack27:47 – The Ammonium Nitrate Case Study31:35 – ‘White-Collar’ Terrorism in India38:26 – Dr Shaheen’s Role as Jaish recruiter 47:51 – Delhi Car Blast: Retaliation for Op Sindoor?57:11 – Online Radicalisation1:01:46 – Delhi Blast: Suicide Bomber or Panic Blast?1:08:56 – What Drives a Suicide Bomber1:12:01 – 2010 Jama Masjid attack1:16:51 – Crime Scene Protocols After Terror Attacks1:20:41 – Poverty Creates Terrorists?1:25:29 – Judicial Hurdles in Terrorism Trials1:37:57 – Cross-Border Influence on Kashmiris
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EP-364 | PK vs Nitish vs Tejashwi: Who Will Win Bihar Polls? Inside Stories from the Ground
Arun Kumar is Associate Editor of the Hindustan Times, with over three and a half decades of experience covering Jharkhand and Bihar. Ravi Upadhyay is a Senior Journalist who has worked with the news agency UNI for several years in Chandigarh and Patna.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists break down the latest opinion polls, voter trends and ground realities from across the state. They analyse the Bihar elections to see who was ahead - Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, or how Prashant Kishor’s strategies influenced voters.They also talk about how women voters, youth participation, and high voter turnout shaped the Bihar elections, along with how media coverage might have influenced the results.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 00:35 – PK’s Influence in Bihar05:10 – Nitish’s Options Post-Election07:47 – Tejashwi vs Tej Pratap12:25 – Will Nitish Kumar Be Bihar CM Again?18:18 – Women Voters & High Turnout25:23 – Rahul Gandhi's Influence on Gen Z31:26 – ‘Jeevika’ Scheme33:53 – Bihar’s Unique Caste Politics38:27 – Social Media’s Role in Bihar Elections41:38 – Role of Jeevika Didis42:43 – Nitish Kumar's Health46:04 – Tejashwi’s Public Image48:57 – Muslim Voting Patterns
ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.
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