Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist, election analyst, author and commentator. He is the founder of Vote Vibe and a regular columnist and television panellist. Mallika Bajaj is a digital transformation expert who studies how technology affects the way people learn, behave and think.

In this live edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, they discuss what Gen Z wants and why there is a disconnect between the government and young people. They also explain how algorithms work and why Instagram is becoming the next major platform for election campaigns.

00:00 – Introduction

00:58 – BJP Lost Gen Z Support?

06:22 – Algorithms & the Digital Divide

14:04 – BJP's Social Media Edge

19:58 – Q&A with Gen Z

20:51 – Foreign Apps & Data Leaks

26:39 – Need for Younger Politicians

34:08 – Fake Information in AI Age

42:10 – Gen Z's Political Grammar

45:35 – Job Creation

49:28 – CJP's Future Role

51:21 – Youth Representation in Parliament

56:41 – Legacy vs Independent Media

1:01:08 – Gen Z's Electoral Influence

1:06:02 – Political Labels

1:07:58 – Traditional Media

1:11:46 – The Right Way to Protest

1:17:26 – Political Influencers

1:21:19 – CJP's Political Ambitions

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

Ronnie Screwvala wears many hats: entrepreneur, investor, film producer and philanthropist. He built UTV into one of India’s biggest media companies, co-founded upGrad and established the Swades Foundation.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ronnie Screwvala speaks about the student anger, paper leaks and what is wrong with India’s education system.

He also discusses degrees versus skills, unemployment, AI, India’s competition with China, entrepreneurship, start-ups and why India must become a “no-collar nation”.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – AI Bubble

02:54 – China in AI Race

06:54 – India’s Service Economy

09:48 – Entrepreneurial Journey

14:41 – Rang De Basanti

16:46 – Licence Raj & Liberalisation

22:30 – Education and upGrad

26:39 – Quick Commerce

30:02 – Advertising Agencies

32:30 – India’s Television Revolution

38:47 – Did OTT Save Indian Cinema?

44:34 – Will AI Make Our Minds Dull?

47:38 – Education & Rural Digital Divide

52:56 – India’s Untapped Tourism

55:52 – Student Protests & Education Reform

1:03:15 – AI & Entry-Level Jobs

1:07:31 – Blue-Collar Work

1:13:11 – AI, Agriculture & Farming