ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

M. Farook Sait is an attorney at law who moved to America from India in 1963, at the age of 23. He served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1972 to 2012. Over the past six decades, he has witnessed some of the most defining moments in American history.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Farook Sait discusses his early years in America, his experiences with racism, and the realities of the American Dream. He also talks about the H-1B visa debate and how life in America has changed for the Indian diaspora.For more information on PILOT's initiatives to support girls' education, visit https://impilot.org/00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Moving to the U.S. in 1963 04:04 – Discrimination in America 08:42 – Studying in Alabama 15:04 – Life in Segregated American South 18:54 – Love Story with Yvette 33:24 – Elvis Presley Fan 39:14 – John F. Kennedy’s Assassination 48:11 – The Watergate Scandal 50:22 – The 9/11 Attacks 54:05 – H-1B Visas 58:29 – Indian American Community 1:01:51 – ANI Documentary on ‘Indian Muslims Abroad’ 1:06:32 – Indian Diaspora’s Challenges Abroad 1:14:18 – Memories of Bangalore 1:17:18 – India’s Progress Over the Decades 1:23:07 – A Childhood Story from 1947

Pramod Sawant has been the Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. An Ayurvedic doctor by training, he succeeded Manohar Parrikar and led the BJP to victory in the 2022 Goa Assembly election.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Goa SIR controversy, allegations of voter roll manipulation and the BJP’s chances in the 2027 polls. He also responds to questions about expensive holidays, the taxi ‘mafia’, drugs, jobs and rising land prices in Goa. The conversation covers Rahul Gandhi, his RSS background and how Goa can grow while protecting its local culture and identity.*Timestamps*00:00 - Introduction01:20 - BJP’s Goa CM Face in 202703:30 - Manohar Parrikar’s Influence06:30 - Goa SIR Controversy11:10 - Rahul Gandhi’s Protest13:00 - Opposition Alliance in Goa17:10 - Free Electricity for Goans18:10 - Corruption Allegations Against the CM19:30 - Jobs and Unemployment21:40 - Ease of Doing Business in Goa22:30 - Industries, Shipbuilding and Education24:00 - Mining and Environmental Protection24:50 - Foreign Tourists26:10 - Negative Stories About Goa27:20 - Goa vs Thailand and Vietnam29:40 - Public Transport and Expensive Taxis30:30 - Why No Ola or Uber in Goa?32:00 - Power Cuts in Tourist Areas33:00 - Beach Cleanliness and Lifeguards33:40 - Stray Dogs and Cattle34:30 - Land Mafia Allegations36:00 - Rising House Prices37:00 - Protecting Goan Culture38:00 - Migrant Workers and Local Jobs39:30 - Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Action41:40 - Foreigners Running Businesses44:30 - Ayurveda and Politics46:00 - Sawant’s RSS Background47:00 - Rahul Gandhi, RSS and Minorities50:40 - Sawant’s Vision for Goa52:30 - Pothole-Free Goa and Tourist Safety53:40 - Message to Tourists54:20 - Closing Remarks

Lieutenant General K.J.S. ‘Tiny’ Dhillon is the former Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and has commanded the strategically important 15 Corps in Kashmir. Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor is the former Commandant of the National Defence Academy and has extensive experience in air operations, training and strategic affairs. Together, they have written Nobody’s War, Everybody’s War.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, they discuss the FlyDubai incident, the radicalisation of professionals and how drones are changing modern warfare. They also explain what India can learn from the Iran war, China’s growing military power, threats to India’s energy security and why the country must strengthen its indigenous defence manufacturing.*Timestamps*00:00 – Intro03:10 – FlyDubai Incident07:44 – Brave Passengers11:19 – Civilian Bravery18:51 – Hijack Codes23:56 – Teaching Children Safety30:04 – Drone Warfare35:05 – More Drones for India?37:58 – Iran’s War Preparations40:52 – US War Goals45:53 – Fighting Terrorism46:59 – Drones vs Soldiers49:55 – Op Sindoor & Defence Industry53:58 – China Arms Pakistan55:08 – Maritime Chokepoints56:34 – Oil & Gulf Security58:15 – China Gains from War?59:19 – War Room Decisions1:06:39 – India Ready for Next Crisis?1:07:50 – India’s Economic Challenges1:11:16 – India–China & Third Parties1:17:38 – India’s Military Power1:20:14 – Politics & National Security1:24:03 – Why They Wrote the Book1:25:49 – Advice for Youth1:30:35 – Manufacturing in India1:33:42 – Closing Remarks

Vivek Agrawal is a crime author and investigative journalist who has spent more than three decades reporting on crime, terrorism, organised crime and national security. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he takes us inside Mumbai’s underworld, its rivalries, networks and connections with the city’s business and film circles.He also talks about Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan, the relationship between the underworld and Bollywood, and how extortion and traditional criminal networks evolved into real estate and business operations.*Timestamps*0:00 – Introduction1:22 – Chhota Rajan’s Origin Story6:24 – Haji Mastan, Karim Lala & Varadarajan Mudaliar11:05 – Rise of Dawood Ibrahim20:35 – Chhota Rajan vs Dawood30:04 – Arun Gawli-Dawood Gang War32:11 – 1993 Bombay Bombings47:48 – Sanjay Dutt’s TADA Case53:00 – Crime Reporting56:00 – Dawood’s Portrayal in Bollywood1:00:06 – D-Company at Present1:01:23 – Karachi Module Uncovered1:02:58 – Ajit Doval’s Covert Operations1:07:21 – If Dawood Returns, Who Gets Exposed?

Dr Vikram Sampath is an author and historian known for his books on V.D. Savarkar, Tipu Sultan and Gauhar Jaan, among others. He is the founder of the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research and the co-founder and director of Naav AI, which uses artificial intelligence to bridge language barriers.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Sampath questions why India’s history remains centred around Delhi and discusses how NCERT textbooks have shaped our understanding of the past. He speaks about Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar and Tipu Sultan, and challenges the influence of Leftist historians on India’s historical narrative.This episode explores how India can reclaim and rewrite its history.00:00 – Introduction1:15 – History Textbooks in India4:51 – Cholas, Ahoms and Marathas10:09 – Narrative of Indian History14:36 – India’s Cultural Geography18:18 – Historical Research Projects23:24 – Bias in Historical Writing29:37 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy35:23 – Ancient Texts & Language Barriers40:36 – History of Buddhism52:21 – Religious Conversion58:00 – Forgotten Women in Indian History1:04:12 – Kashmir’s Historical Documentation1:10:51 – Portrayal of History in Movies1:16:10 – Future of History Education1:25:19 – India’s Musical Heritage

Manu Joseph is a journalist, columnist, novelist and screenwriter known for his sharp and often provocative observations on Indian society. He is the author of 'Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us' and the creator of the Netflix series 'Decoupled'.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses India’s broken cities, the jobs crisis facing Gen Z, and the decline of civic sense. He also speaks about Noida versus Gurugram, Vijay’s rise in Tamil Nadu politics, freedom of expression, privilege, merit and why India “looks so poor”.0:00 – Introduction1:13 – Life in Gurugram2:33 – Village–City Divide3:55 – Civic Order vs Social Order5:47 – Why India Looks So Poor6:57 – Swanky Airports and Broken Cities10:51 – India’s Obsession With Useless Issues14:24 – Leaving Gurugram18:22 – Bengaluru Has Become a Hellhole19:36 – Why Indian Cities Are Unliveable22:30 – Is Goa India’s Most Cosmopolitan Place?29:30 – What’s Wrong With Kerala?33:42 – Kerala’s Healthcare35:58 – Kerala Mothers40:06 – Indian Parents and Education47:19 – North India vs South India52:51 – Servility, Saluting and Class in India55:10 – How Indians Treat Salespeople55:48 – How Indians Treat Waiters1:02:59 – Why the Poor Don’t Kill Us1:03:22 – The Attention-Span Crisis1:08:35 – Cockroach Janata Party1:13:11 – Why Gen Z Is Screwed by Equality1:13:52 – India’s Employability Crisis1:26:53 – Unemployment Among Educated Women1:31:54 – Exam Leaks and Student Protests1:35:42 – Freedom of Expression in India1:40:25 – “Vijay Was My Classmate”1:42:57 – Mani Ratnam and Tamil Cinema1:44:45 – Vijay’s Political Rise1:55:13 – Caste and Public Toilets1:59:46 – Manu Joseph’s Stand-Up Film2:04:48 – Left-Wing vs Right-Wing Politics2:09:11 – Why Ancient History Is Unreliable2:12:43 – Leaving Journalism and Writing Fiction2:15:50 – His Take on ‘Godi Media’

Pavan Malhotra is one of Hindi cinema’s finest actors, known for his powerful performances across films, television, theatre and OTT. In a career spanning over 45 years, he has delivered memorable roles in films like ‘Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro’, ‘Black Friday’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ and ‘Jab We Met’.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pavan Malhotra talks about his journey in cinema, working with legendary actors and directors, Bollywood’s PR culture, typecasting, political films and changing approach of new actors.00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – Working On ‘Gandhi’ Film 05:32 – Theatre’s Marxist Influence 11:40 – Political Films & Selective Outrage 15:34 – ‘Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro’ Story 22:06 – Indian Parallel Cinema 27:04 – Amrish Puri’s Advice 31:36 – ‘Black Friday’ & Anurag Kashyap 38:52 – BTS of ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ 46:10 – Bollywood’s New-Gen Actors 49:46 – Legacy Of Om Puri 54:20 – Bollywood PR Culture 57:42 – OTT vs Theatre 1:02:23 – Rakesh Bedi’s Bollywood Journey 1:07:33 – Making Of ‘Punjab 1984’ 1:12:05 – Art Of Storytelling 1:19:48 – Indian Culture & Traditions

Mahesh Jethmalani is a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and a former Rajya Sabha MP. He has represented the BJP in several high-profile legal battles over the past four decades.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mahesh Jethmalani speaks about his father Ram Jethmalani's legacy.The conversation also covers 2002 Gujarat riots, 26/11 Mumbai attacks, judicial reforms, anti-defection law, Vande Mataram debate and NEET student protests.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 00:54 – NEET protests 10:51 – Anti-defection law 22:35 – Article 370 & Ram temple 29:20 – Ram Jethmalani's legacy 39:20 – High-profile cases 43:45 – LK Advani's leadership 48:13 – 2002 Gujarat riots 1:00:20 – 26/11 terror attacks trial 1:05:16 – 'Cockroach' remark by CJI 1:11:17 – Ram Jethmalani's courtroom drama 1:15:19 – Handling BJP cases 1:18:11 – Modi-Trump relationship 1:27:30 – Indus Waters Treaty 1:31:28 – Judicial reforms 1:43:19 – Vande Mataram debate 1:49:06 – Harshad Mehta case