Dawood, Bollywood, Mumbai Police vs Mafia, 1993 Bomb Blasts & Pak's ISI | D Sivanandhan | EP-359
D. Sivanandhan is one of Mumbai’s most respected former Police Commissioners, a man who saw the city’s darkest days up close, from the bloody gang wars of the 1990s to the 1993 bomb blasts that shook Mumbai. He led the fight against Dawood Ibrahim’s underworld empire and is known for cleaning up the mafia.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, D. Sivanandhan takes us back to that era, when gangsters ruled the streets, businessmen were shot in broad daylight, and the Mumbai Police decided to strike back.He talks about how the cleanup began, the underworld’s deep links with Bollywood and real estate, and how Dawood’s network thrived with Pakistan’s ISI. D. Sivanandhan also shares what went wrong during the 26/11 terror attacks and what it truly takes to protect a city like Mumbai.00:00 – Introduction01:42 – The Book 'The Brahmastra Unleashed'05:35 – 90s Mumbai Underworld16:48 – How Powerful the Underworld Was20:45 – Dawood & the 1993 Bomb Blasts25:46 – Transition from Karim Lala to Dawood31:26 – Dawood vs Chhota Rajan43:13 – The Underworld’s Pact46:40 – Politics & Mumbai Police58:28 – Bollywood's Underworld Connection01:09:13 – Reel Encounters vs Real Violence01:12:04 – The 26/11 Attacks01:23:21 – New-Age Threats & Security Gaps01:32:12 – Rise of Cybercrime
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1:37:49
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1:37:49
EP-358 | “India is just screwing parts together…” HCL Co-Founder Ajai Chowdhry on 'Make in India'
Ajai Chowdhry is one of India’s leading tech visionaries and a co-founder of HCL, the company that helped build India’s computer revolution. Over the decades, he has advised governments and industry leaders on how to make India a true technology powerhouse.He is also the chairman of the EPIC Foundation, an initiative aimed at developing electronic products of national importance and driving India toward self-reliance in technology.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajai Chowdhry talks about the real state of ‘Make in India’: are we truly manufacturing, or just assembling parts? He shares his insights on India’s tech product gap, China’s deep grip on the electronics supply chain, and what India must do to build world-class technology from the ground up.He also opens up about his journey with HCL, the early days of India’s tech scene, and why the next big challenge for the country is not coding, but creating. Ajai Chowdhry also talks about how AI is reshaping the future of jobs, and why, without strong R&D, ‘Make in India’ will remain just a slogan.Timestamps00:00 - Coming Up02:24 - Introduction03:28 - Why India Has No Global Product13:27 - Layoffs in the Tech Industry17:40 - India Trapped in US–China Trade War?20:25 - Why India Needs Its Own Tech IP27:02 - The Push for Data Localisation38:47 - The Making of HCL45:55 - Indian Industries Ready for the AI Boom?51:50 - Human vs Machine: Who Wins?56:16 - Quantum Computer Ops in India01:03:38 - The Fight Over Rare Earths01:07:28 - Nurturing Tech Talent in India01:12:11 - Family & Early Life
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1:18:00
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1:18:00
EP-357 | Punjab’s Drug Crisis, Jobs, ‘Vote Chori’, Congress & Sikh History | Jaiveer Shergill
Jaiveer Shergill is a Supreme Court lawyer and national spokesperson of the BJP. He is known for his sharp arguments, nuanced views, and fearless commentary. Once among the Congress party’s national spokespersons, he made headlines when he quit the party, citing “sycophancy over merit,” before joining the BJP.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaiveer Shergill opens up about Punjab’s drug crisis, unemployment and migration, his take on the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign, and the state of Congress politics today.He also speaks about how the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has failed to deliver on its promises in the state. Furthermore, he talks about faith, Sikh history, and the need to revive Punjab’s spiritual legacy.00:00 – Coming Up02:24 – Introduction03:36 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis11:18 – India’s Silent Security Threat15:29 – Punjab’s Youth Migration22:14 – BJP’s Future in Punjab30:24 – Influence of Diaspora in Punjab39:15 – Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations51:00 – Rahul Gandhi’s Style of Politics01:00:14 – Diljit Dosanjh Controversy01:08:51 – Quick Reactions on Stars, Politicians & Food01:24:45 – Rift Between RSS and BJP?01:29:19 – Cultural Significance of ‘Jore Sahib’
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1:35:01
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1:35:01
EP-356 | Prahlad Kakkar on Aishwarya-Salman Feud, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka, Ad Filmmaking & More
Prahlad Kakkar is one of India’s most iconic ad filmmakers. He is the man behind some of the most memorable commercials in Indian advertising history, including “Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby! Aha!” for Pepsi and the “2 Minutes!” Maggi noodles ad. Known for his sharp wit, creativity, and fearless storytelling, he is called the ‘adman’ of India. For over 40 years, Kakkar has changed how brands talk to people through advertisements.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prahlad Kakkar talks about the golden era of Indian advertising, his collaborations with Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Priyanka Chopra, and the unforgettable Salman-Aishwarya feud that made headlines.He shares insights into how ads became a mirror of Indian society, the craft of storytelling in 30 seconds, and why today’s advertising world lacks the madness and maverick spirit it once had.Timestamps00:00 – Intro 00:37 – Iconic Ads01:30 – Prahlad’s Favourite Ad06:16 – Pepsi Ad Story09:37 – Aishwarya’s Pepsi Casting12:54 – Aamir’s Pepsi Casting15:55 – Maggi Ad Idea24:14 – Maggi Ketchup Ad Story33:03 – Understanding Audience Pulse37:09 – When Actors Misfit Ads39:11 – Big B as Perfect Fit for Ad42:20 – Shabana & Smita Era47:54 – Aishwarya vs Sushmita51:18 – Aishwarya–Salman Feud55:34 – Sridevi & Hema Era59:30 – Ad Films vs Feature Films1:00:42 – Deepika–Priyanka 'Clash'1:02:47 – Quick Reactions on Stars
Sudhir Chaudhary is one of India’s most prominent television journalists, known for his sharp news analysis, bold opinions and decades-long career in broadcast media. He has been at the forefront of Indian journalism’s evolution and its many controversies.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sudhir Chaudhary opens up like never before, on the TRP-driven state of TV news, the pressure anchors face from political and corporate forces and the criticism that comes with being one of the highest-paid figures in Indian media.He speaks candidly about the ‘nano chip’ controversy, fake news allegations, the Naveen Jindal sting case and how every court eventually gave him a clean chit. Sudhir also reflects on his journey, his mistakes, what he’s learned from them and why he joined DD News after working at Zee News and Aaj Tak.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Is Sudhir Chaudhary the Highest-Paid Anchor?02:44 – TRP vs Reality in News Channels08:16 – Debates vs Real News Reporting09:46 – Editorial Freedom & Connecting with Viewers16:38 – Evolution of News Anchoring19:03 – Journalism Ethics in War Reporting21:53 – Challenges as a Ground Reporter24:38 – Misinformation During Op Sindoor27:11 – Rs 2000 Notes 'Nano Chip' Controversy30:14 – Uma Khurana TV ‘Sting’ Operation37:05 – Naveen Jindal ‘Extortion’ Case55:07 – Trolls, Labels & Comeback59:42 – Newsroom Politics Before 20141:11:04 – Politics & Professional Boundaries1:17:30 – The Red Tie Selfie with Trump1:21:40 – Organic Reach on Social Media1:23:49 – Career Moves & Running Own Show1:32:45 – Indian Work Culture & Values1:36:20 – YouTube Journalism vs Traditional Media1:41:26 – Deepfake Threats to Journalists1:45:10 – Working in Private Channels vs Public Broadcasting1:50:23 – Sudhir Chaudhary Making a Film?1:53:00 – Hollywood vs Bollywood Storytelling1:58:08 – Staying Real in Media Spotlight2:06:22 – Friendships in Media World
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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