Rakesh Roshan began his career as an assistant director on the film Anjaana (1969) and later went on to direct the action drama Khudgarz (1987).

With films like ‘Karan Arjun,’ ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai,’ ‘Koi... Mil Gaya,’ and the Krrish franchise, Rakesh Roshan has earned his place as a seasoned filmmaker across multiple genres in the Hindi film industry.

In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rakesh reveals the magic behind filmmaking and his unique style of directing Bollywood films. He explains the 'K' connection in his movie titles.

Rakesh also talks about how his father’s legacy was lost and how the ‘The Roshan’ docu-series on Netflix contributed to its revival.

Rakesh also shares his experiences of working with veteran actresses like Rekha, Hema Malini, and Jaya Prada. He also opens up about his bond with Rishi Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, and Jeetendra.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Making of ‘The Roshans’

05:03 – Working with leading actresses

11:00 – Vision as filmmaker

17:47 – Friendship with Rishi Kapoor

22:13 – Funds for Bollywood Movies

25:38 – ‘K’ Letter Obsession

32:46 – Story behind the bald look

37:36 – Backstory of ‘Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai’

42:25 – Mentoring Hrithik Roshan

51:41 – Fitness secret

57:15 – Family values in South Indian movies

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

Ruchi Ghanashyam joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1982. Over her 38-year career, she served at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and as High Commissioner to Ghana, South Africa, and the UK, where she retired in 2020. She was also a Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

Shaina NC is a fashion designer, politician, and social worker. She is the daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama. In 2024, she left the BJP and joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ruchi Ghanashyam shares her journey as a woman in the Indian Foreign Service and her experiences as a diplomat in Pakistan and the UK.

Shaina NC talks about her transition from fashion to politics. She shares her experience of contesting elections from the Mumbadevi constituency and addresses the ‘Imported Maal’ controversy. She also discusses the debate over politicians' looks.

For generations, leadership, diplomacy, and power corridors have been dominated by men. But trailblazers like Ruchi Ghanashyam and Shaina NC have shattered stereotypes, proving that gender is no barrier to success.

00:00 - Introduction

03:01 - Indian Tradition

08:19 - The Story of Banarasi Joda in Pakistani Weddings

09:41 - Indian Saree in the Fashion Industry

13:55 - Saina's Entry into Politics

16:19 - Women in the Foreign Service

18:55 - Ruchi as an Indian Woman Diplomat in Islamabad

21:11 - Contesting Elections from Mumbadevi

25:04 - The 'Imported Maal' Controversy

32:32 - Ruchi as High Commissioner to the UK

37:50 - Debate over Politicians’ Looks

44:13 - Snap Reaction Segment

01:10:06 - Why Did Saina Leave the BJP?

01:13:24 - Dealing with Mental Health

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we take a deep dive into Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and how it continues to shape Indian politics. Joining the conversation are Dr. Guru Prakash Paswan, National Spokesperson of the BJP with a deep understanding of Dalit issues, and Kushal Mehra, a podcaster and author known for his sharp takes on politics and society.

They discuss the role of Dalit votes in elections, how Ambedkar’s vision is understood today, and the political battles fought in his name. The conversation also touches on the rise of Hinduphobia in Canada and the USA—why it’s happening, who is driving the narrative, and what it means for Indian communities abroad.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - Ambedkar's Legacy

12:52 – Neo-Feudalism in India

16:15 - Caste Discrimination in the USA

26:04 – Migration Patterns from India to the West

34:27 - Merit vs Quota

45:05 - ‘Hinduphobia’ in the USA

52:40 – Caste Census in India

58:04 – Dalit Icons statues

1:06:42 - Dalits & Babasaheb

1:18:53 – Indian Community in Canada & the USA

1:29:49 – Dalit Politics in Punjab

1:37:04 - Politics over Dalit Vote Bank

Pullela Gopichand is the second Indian to win the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship (2001). A former Olympian, he coached Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to Olympic success.

Honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1999, Gopichand is often called the ‘Dronacharya of Indian Badminton.’ Since 2004, he has been running an academy in Hyderabad, where players like Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap, H.S. Prannoy, Sai Praneeth, and Sameer Verma have trained and brought glory to India.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gopichand addresses the controversy around his remark that "only the rich should play sports." He clarifies that his concern is about the lack of support for athletes after retirement. He points out that while one in a hundred may reach the top, the rest need a safety net.

He also talks about how the government can do more to support athletes, the evolution of sports in India, and what it takes to create champions. He also discusses the impact of social media trolling on athletes’ mental health and the reality behind sports quota jobs.

00:00 - Introduction

00:49 - ‘Sports are for the Rich’ Controversy

08:05 - Securing an Athlete’s Future

13:44 - Post-Career Support for Athletes

19:54 - Wealth Disparity in Sports

25:27 - Government’s Role in Athlete Welfare

25:49 - Struggles of Athletes

28:04 - From Badminton Player to Coach

36:42 - How Sports Have Evolved

40:50 - Best Sports Choices for Kids

44:11 - Coaching Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu

48:08 - Bias in Coaching

53:16 - Dealing with Social Media Trolling

54:58 - An Athlete’s Diet: What It Takes

58:11 - Southeast Asian vs. European Players

01:01:25 - PM’s Role in Sports Development

01:02:48 - Sports Career Options: Then vs. Now

01:07:19 - Sports Quota Jobs

Born in Srinagar, Kunal Kemmu comes from a family of actors. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Zakhm (1998).

Kunal made his debut as a lead actor in Kalyug (2005) and went on to star in several films, including the Golmaal franchise, Go Goa Gone (2013), and intense dramas like Traffic Signal (2007) and Blood Money (2012).

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kunal opens up about the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in the 1990s and how it affected his family. He also shares why he chose to become an actor and what life was like growing up in Srinagar.

Kunal talks about the attack on his brother-in-law, Saif Ali Khan, and recalls the terrifying incident when his wife, Soha Ali Khan’s, house was robbed, explaining how he dealt with the situation.

He also discusses his directorial debut, Madgaon Express (2024), how fatherhood has changed him, and the important role fitness plays in his life.

00:00 - Introduction

00:44 - Growing Up as a Kashmiri Pandit

08:33 - Will Kashmiri Pandits Return to the Valley?

10:37 - Life in Bombay vs. Kashmir

12:17 - Entering the Industry as a Child Actor

18:50 - Transitioning from Child Actor to Adult Roles

22:36 - Working with Different Directors

24:00 - Directing 'Madgaon Express'

29:50 - Film on the Kashmiri Pandit Exodus

32:47 - Conversations at Actors' Family Dinners

35:40 - Saif Ali Khan Stabbing Incident

42:18 - Growing Up in the Public Eye as an Actor’s Kid

45:27 - How Social Media is Affecting Children

47:49 - Love for Travel

53:35 - Staying Physically Fit

1:06:37 - What’s Coming Up in 2025