ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Samir Saran is the President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank that provides independent analysis on security, strategy, the economy and development. He is known for his unfiltered views on global affairs, technology and India’s foreign policy.

In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses what comes next for Donald Trump after the Republican defeat in the US midterm elections and how India can deal with his administration. The discussion also covers the India–US trade deal, India–China ties and Pakistan’s decision to bet on Trump.

00:00 - Introduction
01:23 - Farhan Akhtar Comparison
02:54 - US Midterm Results
05:27 - Trump’s Next Move
07:36 - Iran War
09:30 - No Superpowers Left
12:30 - Middle East Perspective
18:44 - US Foreign Policy
20:50 - Trump Family Deals
21:56 - America’s Gulf Retreat
25:30 - Fears of Stronger Iran
27:48 - Weaponising Trade Routes
30:06 - India’s Multi-Alignment Strategy
33:53 - Defence Pacts Tested
36:06 - Tech Billionaires & Data Centres
39:43 - Democrats vs Republicans
43:30 - Better India–US Deal?
49:11 - Who Controls Trump?
51:06 - JD Vance’s Setback
52:30 - Rubio’s Jamnagar Visit
54:24 - Rare Earth Opportunity
55:46 - Investing in America
56:54 - Attracting Global Investment
59:56 - Trump, Putin and Xi
1:01:02 - Russian Oil Pressure
1:02:06 - Ukraine War’s Future
1:10:51 - Can America Contain China?
1:14:02 - Lessons from China
1:15:57 - Progressive Democrats and India
1:18:19 - Musk’s Political Gamble
1:20:36 - India–China Security Challenge
1:24:14 - China’s Manufacturing Dominance
1:28:38 - India’s Technology Future
1:31:00 - Pakistan’s Trump Bet
1:36:56 - Investigating Trump’s Deals
1:38:42 - US Presidential Race 2028
1:41:51 - Closing Remarks

Gulshan Sachdeva is a Professor and Jean Monnet Chair at JNU’s Centre for European Studies. His work focuses on Europe’s economy, its relations with India and the trade, transport and energy links between Europe and Asia. Ambassador Mohan Kumar served in the Indian Foreign Service for 36 years and was India’s Ambassador to France from 2015 to 2017. He has extensive experience in international trade and led India’s negotiations at global trade forums.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gulshan Sachdeva and Mohan Kumar discuss growing anger among Europe’s youth, the rising cost of living and why young Europeans fear they will be worse off than their parents. They also talk about immigration, the rise of right-wing parties, France’s debt crisis and Europe’s dependence on the US, Russia and China.

*Timestamps*

00:00 - Introduction
01:28 - Russian Gas Sales to Europe
08:40 - Young Europeans Protesting
13:26 - Educational Inequality in France
17:36 - Europe Prioritising Pensioners
20:17 - Europe’s Spending Limits
23:02 - Violent Protests in Europe
30:22 - Has Macron Failed France?
34:23 - Multiculturalism in Europe
36:41 - Europe’s Economic Failures
39:32 - Is Europe Turning Anti-Immigrant?
44:54 - Will the European Union Collapse?
47:58 - The Rise of Marine Le Pen
52:17 - Europe’s Dependence on Major Powers
56:00 - Europe and Indian Students
57:29 - India-Europe Ties
1:03:35 - Why Does Europe Talk Down to India?
1:08:24 - A Strong European Union
1:09:45 - Europe’s Security Challenges
1:12:50 - Protests in Serbia
1:14:28 - Europe, India and China
1:17:31 - Can Europe Recover?
1:19:45 - Lessons for India
1:22:20 - Closing Remarks

K. C. Bokadia is a filmmaker and producer known for films such as ‘Teri Meherbaniyan’, ‘Aaj Ka Arjun’ and ‘Phool Bane Angaray’. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares his experiences working with Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, Rekha and Sridevi. He recalls Rajesh Khanna’s lonely final days, Shah Rukh Khan refusing payment after a film flopped, and Rajinikanth and Nana Patekar offering him financial help during difficult times.

00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Journey into Films
05:39 - Signing Raaj Kumar
09:09 - Raaj Kumar’s “Jaani” Story
13:34 - Memories of K. Asif
15:49 - Working with Sanjeev Kumar
18:50 - Rajesh Khanna’s Stardom
21:25 - Casting Decisions
24:57 - Jackie Shroff in 'Teri Meherbaniyan'
25:26 - Working with Sridevi
31:01 - The Dog in 'Teri Meherbaniyan'
32:21 - Working with CM Vijay's Father
35:12 - Working with Amitabh Bachchan
36:55 - Rajinikanth’s Hindi Film Career
39:47 - Rekha’s Courage
44:11 - Rajinikanth’s Offer
46:02 - Nana Patekar’s Generosity
46:53 - Shah Rukh Khan Refused His Fee
49:29 - Signing Priyanka Chopra
53:59 - How Film Financing Changed
55:14 - Film Music, Remixes
56:38 - Underworld Funding
57:49 - Corporate Bookings
59:38 - Making Films for Indian Audiences
1:02:42 - Vanity Vans, Star Entourages
1:05:07 - Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar’s Differences
1:08:05 - Corporate Culture in Bollywood
1:09:13 - South Indian Film Industry
1:10:33 - Film Budgets

Luke Coutinho is an entrepreneur, author, and foundational medicine and lifestyle expert. He was named Fit India Champion for Lifestyle and Wellness in 2019 by the Fit India Movement.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Luke Coutinho discusses the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in India and the risks associated with using them as quick fixes.

He also shares his views on popular superfoods and protein supplements, and talks about healthy ageing, longevity and wellness trends such as biohacking.

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*Timestamps*

0:00 – Introduction
1:19 – Weight Loss Drugs
11:14 – Heart Health
15:13 – Natural Remedies vs. Medication
18:19 – Lifestyle Changes
22:33 – Wearables & Health Tracking
25:20 – Bio-Individuality
29:51 – Binge Drinking
35:20 – Air Pollution
39:59 – Indian Cooking
44:39 – Mindful Eating
49:07 – Late-Night Eating
53:11 – Foundational Medicine
55:56 – Biohacking
58:43 – Male Fertility
1:03:16 – Genetics & Diabetes
1:06:58 – Breathwork & Yoga
1:14:14 – Longevity
1:18:34 – Rapid Fire
1:24:19 – Parenting

Pankaj Chaudhary is the Union Minister of State for Finance, the Uttar Pradesh BJP President and a seven-time MP from Maharajganj.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the BJP’s strategy for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Yogi Adityanath’s leadership and Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA formula.
He responds to questions about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission’s credibility, Muslim voters, the RSS’s role in elections and growing dissatisfaction among young voters.
*Timestamps*
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Inflation & Unemployment
06:46 - SIR Controversy
10:57 - Deletions from Electoral Rolls
14:36 - BJP Losing Young Voters?
17:07 - Upper Castes & UGC Rules
18:20 - CJP Protests and Congress
19:51 - BJP’s 2024 UP Setback
24:04 - BJP Workers Being Rewarded?
27:19 - Akhilesh’s PDA Formula
29:06 - Third Front in UP Politics?
29:51 - AI Videos and Personal Attacks
31:30 - Mayawati’s Declining Influence
32:38 - Why Did BJP Lose Ayodhya?
33:43 - Yogi vs Akhilesh in Ayodhya?
34:36 - Ram Mandir Donation Theft
35:31 - Election Freebies
36:52 - BJP–RSS Relations
38:15 - Rahul Gandhi’s Attacks on RSS
39:35 - BJP’s Ticket Distribution
44:40 - Entry into Politics
48:43 - Gorakhpur’s Deputy Mayor Battle
57:31 - First Lok Sabha Election
01:00:35 - Muslim Voters & Owaisi
01:05:05 - UP’s Bureaucracy
01:05:52 - Firing Outside His Home
01:10:05 - Defending Party Workers
01:12:44 - How Modi and Shah Plan Elections
01:16:50 - When PM Modi Walked to His Gorakhpur Home
01:20:07 - Managing Stress and Family Time
01:21:15 - Closing Remarks