EXPLAINED: 2 | Vintage Vibes

South Central 70: Can Vijay break DMK–AIADMK hold? | Bennix–Jayaraj case: Why verdict stands out

In this episode on South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. They are joined by The Deccan Herald’s Assistant Editor Sivapriyan and journalist and translator Kavitha Muralidharan.

Newslaundry · Apr 12

South Central 68: The electoral mood in Kerala, trans bill horror

South Central turns to Kerala this week: will Pinarayi Vijayan make a comeback, or can the United Democratic Front cash in on anti-incumbency? Hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by senior journalists MG Radhakrishnan and Sreejan Balakrishnan, along with TNM’s Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, to unpack the…

Newslaundry · Mar 29

South Central 67: Trans Bill 2026, BJP’s war on self-identification, KD song and misogyny

In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026, which has triggered protests across the country. They are joined by advocate Arvind Narrain of the Alternative Law Forum, who was part of the panel of lawyers who fought for IPC…

Newslaundry · Mar 22

South Central 63: TNM turns 12 and here is how we got this far

The News Minute turns 12 on February 21, and to commemorate, in this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna bring together the old and new team of TNM. The group goes over how TNM started – a one-room venture with an intern and one reporter, and traces…

Newslaundry · Feb 22

South Central 62: Naravane memoir, LAC China claims and questions for the govt

This week, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the controversy over former Army Chief General MM Naravane's unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, and the political storm it has stirred in the Parliament. They are joined by senior journalist and founding editor of The Wire, MK Venu, and Caravan…

Newslaundry · Feb 15

South Central 60: India-US trade deal and Karnataka’s plan to bring back student elections

In the first session, hosts Pooja Prasanna and Anisha Sheth discuss the India-US trade deal and the recently announced reduction in tariffs. They are joined by senior journalists Smita Sharma and TK Arun. 

Newslaundry · Feb 8

South Central 60: UGC rules protests and the myth of ‘misuse’, Kerala SNDP-NSS breakup

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the new UGC equity regulations and the protests around them. They are joined by TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal and rights lawyer Mridula Vanangamudi.

Newslaundry · Feb 1

Rahul Gandhi-Kanimozhi hold cordial talks, no decision on seat sharing

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers. This week’s edition is by Shabbir Ahmed and Pooja Prasanna.

Newslaundry · Jan 29

South Central 59: Cinema, politics and the war on film critics

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the organised hate campaigns against film reviewers in the country. The discussion spans themes including the communal profiling of actors and reviewers and delves into whether fan culture catalyses the polarisation of films based on nationalism, religion, and gender politics.…

Newslaundry · Jan 25

How one word in AR Rahman’s BBC interview led to patriotism test

AR Rahman is one of India’s most celebrated and globally recognised artists. For decades, his music has shaped how the country sees itself and how the world sees India. And yet this week, Rahman found himself in an extraordinary position: having to publicly reaffirm his love for his own country.

Newslaundry · Jan 23