ANI News ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla: Politics, Cricket, Bollywood & Power Corridors | EP-383 | ANI Podcast

Rajeev Shukla is often described as one of India’s most well-connected public figures. Jokingly, many call him ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla. Over the years, he has built friendships across political party lines and developed close ties with Bollywood stars, leading businessmen, and cricketers alike.
In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rajeev Shukla has worn many hats. He began his professional journey as a journalist in Kanpur. Today, he represents the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Minister of State in a Congress-led government, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and has earlier been the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev Shukla reflects on why he is often called “everyone’s friend” and how he has managed to maintain relationships across political divides. He speaks about his early days in journalism, his association with the Gandhi family, and his decision to join the Congress party. He also shares his deep love for cricket and fondly recalls his time as the manager of the Indian cricket team.

#anipodcast #smitaprakash #rajeevshukla #viratkohli #pakistan

00:00 – Coming Up
02:43 – Introduction
03:53 – Friends Across Party Lines
07:33 – How Journalism Has Changed
10:32 – Why Rajeev Shukla Chose Journalism
12:20 – Narendra Modi’s First TV Interview
16:27 – Ties with the Gandhi Family
18:35 – How Rajiv Gandhi Treated Journalists
19:37 – Bond with Sonia Gandhi
23:03 – Stories Against Former PM V.P. Singh
27:07 – Bond with P. V. Narasimha Rao
33:11 – 2004 Lok Sabha Polls & Vajpayee
44:16 – How Manmohan Singh Became PM
47:26 – Sonia Gandhi’s Top Aide Ahmed Patel
51:27 – Chandraswami’s Influence on Narasimha Rao
55:33 – Benazir Bhutto’s Interview
01:00:55 – Future of India–Pakistan Cricket Matches
01:05:30 – Ego Clashes Inside the BCCI
01:07:08 – Cricket’s Match-Fixing Era
01:09:55 – Snap Reactions Segment
01:16:34 – How Media Benefits Retired Cricketers
01:26:00 – Gifted a Book to Prince Charles
01:28:55 – Shah Rukh Khan’s Airport Detention
01:30:53 – Amitabh Bachchan’s Political Exit
01:40:51 – Then Competitors as Journalists
02:11:21 – Best Phases of Life

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