Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus!

Edition 5.0 is here and it's all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions.

Joining the chat are: Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

This episode dives into some topics, including the Ranveer Allahbadia-Samay Raina controversy, the Shama Mohamed tweet row, and Arvind Kejriwal's future in politics.

The group also discusses the Trump-Zelensky spat at the Oval Office and the ceasefire plan proposed by the USA President Donald Trump to stop the Russia-Ukraine war.

The group also digs into why Aurangzeb remains relevant in Indian politics and discusses the Hindi vs Tamil language war.

00:00 – Introduction

01:40 – Samosa Caucus Returns

18:50 – Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy

27:23 – Aurangzeb and Hindutva Debate

36:32 – Trump’s Policies on Campus Activism

49:15 – Shama Mohamed Tweet Row

1:00:46 – Rahul's Remark on Gujarat Congress

1:10:16 – Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Spat

1:24:05 – What Europeans Think of Russia

1:42:58 – Obesity and Diabetes

1:54:08 – Arvind Kejriwal's Future

2:10:16 – Debt of States in India

2:19:04 – Hindi vs Tamil Language War

Komal Nahta is a film trade analyst, the Editor-in-Chief of 'Film Information', and a well-known television show host. With decades of experience in the film industry, he is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in box office analysis.

Bharathi Pradhan is a columnist, film critic, and author. She hosts podcasts and Lehren TV and writes a Sunday column for The Telegraph. She has been reviewing films since the 1970s, making her one of the most respected critics in the industry.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Komal Nahta exposes how box office numbers are being manipulated. He reveals how producers use block bookings and fake figures to inflate collections. He also talks about the culture of paid reviews, claiming that 9 out of 10 movie reviews are bought. He shares his views on what’s wrong with Bollywood and why films are struggling to connect with audiences.

Bharathi Pradhan discusses how PR companies have become powerful in Bollywood and how actors misuse them. She shares untold stories about Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and reflects on how the industry has changed since the 1970s. She also talks about the role of film critics and why they should stay honest to their readers, not cater to actors and producers.

00:00 – Introduction

01:58 – How movie critics review films

09:38 – The truth about Bollywood’s paid reviews

14:00 – Inside Bollywood’s PR game

21:12 – How box office numbers are manipulated

27:19 – Movies that got bad reviews but became hits

30:03 – Losing friends over honest movie reviews

43:31 – The rise of paparazzi culture

49:45 – What really makes a movie a hit?

1:01:42 – Remaking old classics and blockbusters

1:11:38 – The problem of over-PR in Bollywood

Kiran Rao began her career as an assistant director on the iconic film Lagaan and later went on to direct Dhobi Ghat (2010) and the critically acclaimed box office success Laapataa Ladies (2024). She graduated with a degree in Economics from Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, in 1995, and later pursued her Master’s at AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kiran Rao delves into the intricacies of storytelling, the impact of cinema on our lives, and how films can be a powerful tool for messaging. She also shares her perspective on patriarchy, emphasising how men can be its victims.

She also opens up about her divorce from Aamir Khan, highlighting the mutual respect and strong bond they continue to share. More on the creative challenges in filmmaking and how she deals with an industry dominated by men.

00:00 - Introduction

02:27 - Movie Ticket Tax Row

06:55 - The Art of Storytelling in Bollywood

17:15 - Commercial Success vs. Critical Acclaim

23:12 - The Auditioning Process in Bollywood

24:54 - Working with Naseeruddin Shah

27:47 - Collaborating with Ashutosh Gowariker

28:52 - How SRK Behaves on Set

29:50 - Memories from Jamia University Days

32:39 - Women in a Male-Dominated Industry

38:49 - South Indian Films vs. Bollywood

48:25 - Laapataa Ladies vs. Animal

50:21 - Are Films Being Over-Promoted?

57:15 - Nupur’s Wedding

59:12 - Marriage & Divorce with Aamir Khan

01:02:45 - Nostalgic Memories from Dil Chahta Hai