South Central

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the Vijay Mallya podcast and why political patronage for big businessmen is detrimental. Joining them is senior business journalist Sucheta Dalal. In the second discussion, the hosts delve into the Bharat Mata image controversy in Kerala and the impact of university VCs and Governors endorsing such symbols.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction00:01:05- Announcements 00:05:40- Headlines00:11:05 - Vijay Mallya’s Half-Truths01:00:32- Saffornisation of Bharat Mata1:16:47 - Recommendations Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah over the state’s Chief Minister-ship. Professor Chandan Gowda joins them to unpack what this will mean for the state’s politics. In the second half, activist Shivasundar joins the hosts for a discussion on the hypocrisy of the RSS with respect to comments on the Preamble of the Constitution.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction00:01:46- Announcements 00:03:31- Headlines00:14:26 - Karnataka State Leadership00:35:31- Preamble 01:13:08 - Letters1:17:47 - Recommendations Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Vignesh Manickam

In this episode of South Central hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Reghunath discuss the censorship on director Honey Trehan’s film ‘Punjab95’, based on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and what the UDF’s win in the Nilambur polls in Kerala means for the state’s politics. Guests Honey Trehan, Amandeep Sandhu, and MG Radhakrishnan weigh in.All this and more—tune in.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction00:02:13- Announcements 00:03:20- Headlines00:08:00 - Punjab 95 & Censorship 01:02:25- Nilambur Election1:25:12 - Recommendations Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali

In Episode 32 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna speak with journalist Sivapriyan ETB about why the Keezhadi excavation challenges the Union government’s narrative and how the DMK is politicising it ahead of 2026.In the second half, lawyer Rohin Bhatt and journalist Leena Reghunath join to discuss the Sonam Raghuvanshi murder case in Meghalaya and what it reveals about caste, patriarchy, and forced marriages.All this and more—tune in.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

In Episode 31 of South Central, singer Chinmayi Sripaada joins hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath to talk about her years of isolation after speaking out against sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry. From being unofficially banned despite hit songs to the emotional impact of her recent Thug Life performance, Chinmayi reflects on what it means to be remembered again for her music.In the first half of the episode, the hosts also speak with senior journalist Nandini Chandrasekhar about the Chinnaswamy stampede in Bengaluru. As the Karnataka government distances itself from responsibility and the police are scapegoated, who is really accountable for the chaos that followed RCB’s IPL win?All this and more—tune in.Audio timecodes00:01:52- Introduction00:03.32 - Headlines00:09:14 - RCB Chinnaswamy Stampede00:19:43 - Chinmayi Sripaada001:08:49 - Letters 01:21:12- RecommendationsOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

In this episode of South Central hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the tragic stampede that occurred in Bengaluru during RCB’s post-win celebrations, and Kamal Haasan’s comment on Kannada’s origin. They are joined by journalists Venkat Ananth, Anisha Sheth and Professor Purushothama Bilemale. Audio timecodes00:00:00- Introduction00:03.43 - Headlines00.5.47 - RCB’s post-win tragedy00.40.53 - Kamal Hassan vs Kannada01.17.15 - RecommendationsOnce a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

In Episode 29 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the dichotomy of the BJP’s Muslim-messaging within India and abroad. In the second section, they also talk about whether art can be truly separated from the artist. Joining the discussion are The Wire’s editor Seema Chishti, Musician TM Krishna, and senior journalist Anna MM Vetticad. Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

In Episode 28 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Sudipto Mondal discuss if Shashi Tharoor is at a breaking point with the Congress party, and TNM-Newslaundry series on police excesses and impunity across India. Joining the discussion are lawyer and activist Vinay Srinivasa and TNM’s Chennai Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed. Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction00:02:04- Announcements 00:03:29- Headlines00:19:12 - Shashi Tharoor and Congress00:39:33- Police Excesses and Impunity1:17:50 - Letters1:20:42 - Recommendations 1:24:50 - Support TNM Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

In Episode 27 of South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the India–Pakistan ceasefire following Operation Sindoor and examine the role of the media during military escalation. They speak with defence expert Sushant Singh and senior journalist Prem Panicker.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00- Introduction00:01:58 - Announcements 00:02:38- Headlines00:12:50 - India-Pakistan00:41:25- Role of Media1:12:34 - Letters1:18:08 - Recommendations 1:24:18 - Support TNM Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber - Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.