ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur, and Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian Foreign Service officer and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.Together, they discuss India’s narrative war against Pakistan and why winning this battle is crucial. Should India’s armed forces have a dedicated team to counter Pakistani propaganda in real time? Why does India still lack a strong and organised information-warfare system? How can India protect its global image?They also examine how Western think tanks publish anti-India reports that shape global opinion, and how India should respond.00:00 – Introduction01:17 – India vs Pak: Information Warfare07:06 – India vs Pak: Social Media Battle11:57 – India’s Fact-Checking System18:34 – Information Warfare: What Should India Do?23:10 – India vs Pak Narrative During War27:24 – Red Fort Attack & GPS Spoofing33:00 – Sanchar Saathi App & Surveillance Concerns40:54 – Phone Tapping44:56 – How Terror Networks Avoid Detection46:23 – Freedom of Speech vs National Security50:24 – Open-Source Intelligence and Data Leaks53:13 – National Security Rules for Tech Companies56:10 – Disinformation During Operation Sindoor01:00:18 – Western Media Bias Against India01:03:48 – Rise of Anti-Drone Systems01:06:28 – India’s Drone Challenge01:13:06 – Gaps in Internal Security01:16:01 – Grey-Zone Tactics & Diplomacy01:17:33 – Role of AI in Information Warfare01:22:36 – Need for a Unified Tech Framework01:26:29 – Hybrid Warfare Challenges with Pakistan01:28:19 – Possibility of Operation Sindoor 2?01:31:26 – Public Trust & Security Strategy

Bina Ramani is a fashion designer, author, and entrepreneur. She pioneered India’s boutique culture, played a key role in shaping Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village, and was a key witness in the Jessica Lal case.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Bina Ramani recalls memories of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor, and speaks about her romantic association with Shammi Kapoor. She also talks about her friendship with Rekha and her role in introducing her to Mukesh Agarwal.Bina Ramani shares anecdotes from her interactions with Indira Gandhi, including gifting her jewellery. She also reflects on her encounters with global icons such as Jackie Onassis and Yoko Ono.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:29 – Breaking Years of Silence02:37 – 'Bird in a Banyan Tree' & the Night of 199908:02 – The Jessica Lal Murder Case17:42 – Allegations of Evidence Tampering21:31 – Tihar Jail and the Reopening of the Case24:15 – How Fame Turned into Public Backlash26:25 – Media Trial & ‘No One Killed Jessica’ Movie28:49 – When Bollywood Sidelined Bina Ramani31:17 – Life Inside Tihar Jail36:44 – Ram Jethmalani and the Turning Point44:43 – The End of ‘Page 3’ Culture49:52 – Early Life & Raj Kapoor56:28 – Relationship with Shammi Kapoor01:06:16 – Why Shammi Kapoor Lived for His Audience01:08:27 – Binatone: A Product Named After Bina Ramani01:11:32 – Marriage, Affairs, and Turmoil01:19:37 – Her Career with the Taj Group01:22:12 – The Man Bina Ramani Connected with the Most01:36:11 – Who Was Pamela Bordes?01:44:06 – What Made Asha Puthli a Global Icon?01:51:46 – Interviewing Indira Gandhi01:58:24 – Chandraswami and Spiritual Scams02:08:06 – Money Laundering and the FBI Probe02:13:28 – Rekha’s Marriage to Mukesh Agarwal02:23:06 – What Led to Mukesh Agarwal’s Suicide?02:26:56 – Battling Cancer and Finding ‘Malabar Secrets’

Taran Adarsh is a leading film trade analyst and renowned critic. With decades of experience, he is considered one of the most trusted voices on box office trends and reviews.Bhawana Somaaya is an Indian film journalist, critic, author and historian. She was conferred the Padma Shri in 2017. She has written over 13 books on Hindi cinema and iconic Bollywood personalities.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Taran Adarsh exposes how social-media armies and personalised PR machinery are creating a new kind of burden on Hindi cinema. He explains how actors’ ‘big’ egos and reduced director control are hurting Bollywood today.Bhawana Somaaya talks about writing on Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, showing how stars bounce back from setbacks. She shares untold stories about Dharmendra and Yash Chopra and reflects on how Bollywood has changed since the 1970s.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:00 – PR Culture in Bollywood06:23 – Hema Malini–Dharmendra’s Marriage12:58 – Rajshri Films & ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ Review17:31 – Inside Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios22:01 – Generational Changes in Bollywood27:25 – Jaya Bachchan and the Paparazzi31:54 – Books on Amitabh Bachchan37:43 – Box Office Truths41:27 – ‘Saiyaara’ Review42:01 – Honest Reviews vs Actor ‘Ego’46:02 – Evolution of Film Reviews52:02 – Influencers & Media Credibility57:42 – Impact of AI and Social Media on Film Criticism1:02:19 – Modern Trend of Entourages1:05:39 – Evolution of Audience Preferences1:14:04 – Theatre Experience vs OTT Viewing

Talmiz Ahmad is one of India’s most experienced diplomats, with decades of work across West Asia, the Gulf, and global strategic affairs. A former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, he has watched world politics change from the front row.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Ahmad breaks down India–Russia ties and why the West is rattled by New Delhi’s independent foreign policy. He explains the new Saudi–Pakistan defence pact, China’s growing influence in the Gulf, and what these changes mean for India.He also discusses India’s role in the Middle East, the Israel–Gaza war, and why the era of unquestioned Western power may be ending.00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Takeaways from Putin’s India Visit05:58 – India’s Strategic Autonomy11:06 – Why the USA is Rattled14:48 – Conflicts in the Middle East23:45 – How the USA Broke the World Order39:24 – Saudi–Pakistan Defence Pact45:02 – Middle East’s View on India–Pakistan47:13 – Saudi Arabia’s Fight Against Terror52:09 – India’s Fight Against Terrorism

Madhuri Dixit is one of the film icons that India has loved for over four decades. From Mohini in 'Tezaab' to Nisha in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' and Chandramukhi in 'Devdas', her characters live on in people’s memories. Her dance, her expressions, her screen presence, they shaped an entire generation of moviegoers.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Madhuri Dixit opens up like never before. She talks about being booed at IIT Bombay, then dancing for 1.5 hours, her legendary partnership with Saroj Khan and working with Yash Chopra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.She also speaks about MF Husain visiting her home in Denver, her first meeting with Dr Nene, shifting to the US, pay parity, and her take on the 8-hour shift debate.And for the first time in her 40-year career, Madhuri plays a serial killer in 'Mrs Deshpande', releasing on JioCinema on December 19. She tells us what went into creating this raw and intense character.This podcast shows that behind the superstar is someone curious, grounded, and always ready to try something new.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:38 – Acting Journey04:12 – Family Support for Joining Films05:16 – Bond with Saroj Khan08:07 – Working with Directors & Crew10:27 – Actors Who Dance Well13:54 – Were Karisma and Aishwarya Competitors?17:12 – Women-Centric Roles20:36 – Playing a Serial Killer in Mrs. Deshpande24:44 – How OTT Has Changed Cinema27:23 – Taking a Break from Acting33:56 – Acting Then vs Now37:44 – Women Actors on Set40:25 – Remembering Dharmendra41:26 – Sanjay Dutt & the Khalnayak Shoot44:18 – Who Helps Madhuri Choose Her Roles Now?49:32 – Has Social Media Killed Stardom?57:24 – Will Madhuri Join Politics?58:49 – Films vs OTT: What Changed?