EP-436 | Education System, CJP, Degree vs Skills, AI, Movies, China & Startups | Ronnie Screwvala

EP-436 | Education System, CJP, Degree vs Skills, AI, Movies, China & Startups | Ronnie Screwvala

Author: Asian News International (ANI) July 29, 2026 Duration: 1:17:17

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


Conversations that shape our world often happen behind closed doors or in the quiet moments after the headlines fade. ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash pulls up a chair to those discussions, offering a direct line to the minds of influential figures. Hosted by veteran journalist Smita Prakash, this series moves beyond the soundbite, creating a space where politicians, athletes, artists, and thinkers can explore the nuances of the issues that define contemporary India and global affairs. The dialogue here is driven by curiosity and a commitment to depth, allowing guests to elaborate on their perspectives, their decisions, and the personal experiences that inform their public lives. You will hear candid reflections on current events, policy debates, and cultural shifts, all through the lens of those at the center of the story. Produced by Asian News International, the podcast leverages a legacy of journalistic access and integrity, ensuring every conversation is both insightful and substantive. It’s more than an interview; it’s an opportunity to understand the motivations and narratives driving today’s news. For anyone looking to move past the surface and engage with the substance of politics, society, and human endeavor, this podcast provides a consistently thoughtful and compelling listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Podcast Episodes