Trump and FIFA, Satluj and a Bihar By-Poll | Seema Says
Is the US president dictating what happens at the football World Cup? Why did Zee5 release Satluj and why is it no longer available? And what’s interesting about the Bankipur by-poll in Bihar? The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti answers.
24 Jun 2026
US-Iran MoU, Starmer Gone, Defection Game and Ram Temple ‘Theft’
The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti speaks to Jahnavi Sen on what the Iran-US MoU means, Kier Starmer’s resignation, why so many political leaders are changing sides and allegations of financial irregularities and theft at the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
Seema’s recommendations:
1. The brilliant goalkeeper of the Iranian football team, Alireza Beiranvand - watch this 22 second-long save. • Alireza Beiranvand Save | Belgium 0-0 IR I... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nf5ShYerQ)
2. The Mahabharata by Vyasa, transcreated by P Lal, originally published in monthly series starting in 1968, the book published in 1980 by The Writers Workshop - https://www.instagram.com/writerswork (https://www.instagram.com/writerswork)... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHk4aG5mazZDZy0zczFmekI2SzJRZHo4dmp1UXxBQ3Jtc0tuXzVpNkoweXR3a3hyV3VaVmpMYjM4SUtaamN1NnE0cDJaUlRjUVpZNlR1MURUWEd2bVpUZ3FWVGJsZVZQZWU5Ym1fRVIwa0ZaRTZKNGJQNWtJdjI5aW5DNkc1NUVUVkxqc2tiY0l2QkIzYU9UY0hlTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fwritersworkshopindia%2F%3Fhl%3Den&v=K4ZbvyNgnf0)
Jahnavi’s recommendation: The Voice of Hind Rajab • The Voice of Hind Rajab - Official Trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrssPpqv6vc)
24 Jun 2026
Cockroaches, Not a 'World' Cup and What BJP Is Doing in Punjab
Why is Seema reading a book on camera? Why is everyone asking Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign? Why are football fans so upset about this World Cup? And what's the BJP's plan in Punjab? The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti fields these questions from Jahnavi Sen in this episode of Seema Says.
Seema's recommendations:
1. Gore gore, o baanke chhore • Gore Gore O Banke Chhore - Old Hindi Songs... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkErlBw-8_k)
2. Why China got rich and India didn’t, by David Oks. ”But China’s explosive growth wasn’t simply a matter of “freeing the markets,” reducing the role of the state, and announcing that it was now glorious to get rich; nor was it simply a matter of government intervention to support the manufacturing sector and subsidies for favored companies. China succeeded because it spent decades on the basics of human development and social modernization. India did not. The rest is just commentary.” https://substack.com/home/post/p-2003 (https://substack.com/home/post/p-2003)... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbl81YXpMQ0YxYzVqb0Y0eFZlM0ZBeDJUbGhoZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsTGdGM2RrWWFmQl91NXVGMEZUNmNmZ1JhSHZVcXhWUkx2ekI3TEg1VFlpSnZOTG9CR0xmWkFoZnc0UGY2XzM4OWJaajU0OThSd3A3YVlqVUtxUE0zTUZNeXZRZGhYbmtzOTZjOUNlZ3dLZldyVG5WWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Fhome%2Fpost%2Fp-200363170&v=AbbZflHwTYI)
3. Joe Sacco: The Once and Future Riot. The book not getting an Indian edition, though it was supposed to, as publishers said it has a map which is objectionable. • Joe Sacco | The Once and Future Riot | Com... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDRZzQ6XbXE) (We eventually located the said map on page 17, but it is the size of three postage stamps, and could have easily been taken out or stamped on, like the many copies of The Economist or Time magazine were when they published a map of India the authorities do not agree with) • I think Penguin India Is Looking For Excus... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olVspVxI1Sg)
Jahnavi's recommendation:
Empire of AI by Karen Hao / empire-of-ai (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk5zSHdraVJueHBGZmJoYktHV2ZXUTRvZ05tZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttTHFSMzlOZjJ6bE45ZE5vLWtEbUZUd3ZLaUh5d1VBTGxmOWpvYjQ5d2V3bHpuYXpwV1UzNE5hQkJBY3NZS0lQUTJSTHhHMi1ySklFcUlSOEZERE9GaUZZWWZKUlF6aGo0QnlDRVpuYm05dW1pTUlCTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F222725518-empire-of-ai&v=AbbZflHwTYI) and https://airesistlist.org/ (https://airesistlist.org/)
29 Apr 2026
A Joyless Election, Energy Woes, Palantir Manifesto and Where’s the Football?
n this episode of Seema Says, The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti speaks to Managing Editor, Jahnavi Sen about why the Bengal elections are so concerning, whether India has given away its energy sovereignty, the Palantir CEO saying the quiet parts out loud, and the fact that no Indian broadcaster has bid to screen the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Seema’s recommendations:
1. Diljit Dosanjh on The Tonight Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf9CbQwCsCc
2. What Mysore’s accession to India tells us about India then and now - Sarayu Pani https://tattva.substack.com/p/mysore-chalo-and-the-power-of-aspirational?publication_id=95538
Jahnavi’s recommendation:
Anita Bharti and Shabani Hassanwalia in conversation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3s8QLp0ccw
15 Apr 2026
Why Hungary Matters, Making Sense of SIR Numbers and Jio-politics
The Wire’s Editor, Seema Chishti talks to Minal Saeed, The Wire’s Multimedia Head on why voters in Hungary have shaken up the world, not just Orban. Simplifying SIR and why media monopolies like that of Jio or Warner Brothers-Paramount are not good for consumers.
Seema’s recommendations:
1. Architecture and genocide: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n... terrific piece
2. The Missing Voices: Critical questions in times of Polycrisis - an interview with China watcher (also musician!) Kaiser Kuo https://nsi.org.za/project_activity/k...
Minal's recommendation:
1. Project Hail Marry
2 Apr 2026
What Does Iran and US Propaganda Tell Us About the War, Censorship in India
The Wire’s Editor, Seema Chishti sits down with The Wire’s Multimedia Head, Minal Saeed Khan to answer questions about the illegal war on Iran, Pakistan’s mediation role and the war propaganda coming from Iran and the US. Also, they discuss the noose of online censorship being tightened rapidly in India. Why are Indian celebrities just ‘brands’ and close to power, neither heroes nor gutsy like counterparts in other countries?
24 Feb 2026
Modi in Bibi’s Israel, JNU VC’s Caste-Speak, Pakistan Players and Indian IPL Owners
The Wire’s Multimedia Head, Minal Saeed Khan asks The Wire’s Editor, Seema Chishti on the significance of the timing of PM Modi’s visit to Israel this week, why are the statements of JNU VC, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit casteist, why has Lutyen’s bust been outed from Rashtrapati Bhawan and how the exclusion of Pakistani players from IPL-owner linked clubs in the UK and Australia is exposing the stranglehold of the shadow of India’s ruling party’s divisive politics on world cricket (and getting pushed back).
Seema recommends: PCCI Podcast: Project Milap, with Ahmer Naqvi, Mohammad Isam and Sharda Ugra, • Project Milaap with Sharda Ugra, Mohammad ...
Journey Through Time: A podcast series by David Olusega and Sarah Churchwell. The mini-series on the dark era of McCarthyism. What was the second Red Scare where government employees, creatives, and intellectuals were prosecuted for holding ‘un-American’ views? And how it echoes with today’s politics. https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts...
Minal's Recommendation: https://www.theguardian.com/world/202...
4 Feb 2026
Who is Afraid of the India-China Border + Indo-US Deal? Is it Cricket? The Many Meanings of Deepak
The Multimedia Head of The Wire, Minal Saeed Khan quizzes Seema Chishti, Editor, The Wire on goings on this week, what the censoring of the scoop by Caravan magazine on an ex army chief memoirs tells us, what is the India-US deal. One man standing for amity in Uttarakhand teaches us a lesson and is India in ICC furthering cricket’s cause or damning it?
Seema’s recommendations: 1. Absolute Jafar - graphic novel by Sarnath Banerjee
2. Aaj Jaane ki Zid na Karo: Arijit Singh’s version • Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo Arijit Singh L...
Minal's recommendation: 1. Bridgerton
29 Jan 2026
What does Minnesota tell us? Anti-UGC protests and the importance of Bulle Shah
In Seema Says, The Wire’s Multimedia Head, Minal Saeed Khan talks to Seema Chishti, The Wire’s Editor about key events these last few days that we need to note. The discussion ranges from debate over UGC’s new guidelines to the killings die to ICE actions in the US and the vandalisation of a Baba Bulle Shah shrine in Uttarakhand
14 Jan 2026
Is Iran Next? US Holocaust Museum Report and Coping with SIR
In Seema Says, The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti answers questions from The Wire’s Multimedia Head Minal Saeed Khan’s questions about events over this past week. What is happening in Iran? How should one read the US Holocaust Museum Report where India figures at number four among the list of nations at risk of mass violence? And how much of a threat to democracy is the SIR? Or is it just ‘procedural’ niggles?
Seema's recommendation:
1. https://www.simonandschuster.com/book... The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd Robinson
2. Kochi-Muziris biennale is a must-see, if you can. https://www.kochimuzirisbiennale.org/
Minal's recommendation:
1. All About Love by Bell Hooks
2. Why Is History So Controversial in Today’s India? Romila Thapar and Namit Arora Explain • Why Is History So Controversial in Today’s...
18 Dec 2025
Bill to End MGNREGA, 14 Years Jail for Ex ISI Chief, Sinking Rupee
In this episode, The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti talks about the new Bills introduced in parliament just before its close, the context behind the 14-year sentence to former ISI chief Faiz Hameed in Pakistan, what it means for the rupee to hit low after low, and the Netflix vs Paramount bidding on Warner Bros. Seema’s recommendations: 1. A terrifying (and terrific) read on a nuclear device put in the Himalayas by the CIA and the Indians to spy on China, that has gone missing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2... 2. The book, ‘Slow Poison’ by Mahmood Mamdani, on issues around Idi Amin and his successor Museveni – on identity and colonialism in Africa. [Mamdani had to leave Uganda when Amin ordered Asians out in 1973.] Jahnavi’s recommendations: 1. Sukanya Shantha’s series on the NIA: https://thewire.in/tagspecial/The-For... 2. The new Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man: https://www.netflix.com/title/81458424
10 Dec 2025
What Indigo Fiasco, SC Comment on BLOs and Putin’s Visit Have in Common
The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti breaks down some of the big recent headlines - why we should be concerned about monopolies like Indigo, the importance of Karnataka’s hate speech Bill and what FIFA giving a ‘peace prize’ to Donald Trump says about the world.
Seema’s recommendation:
It is the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’. But is Vivaldi Still the Soundtrack of the Seasons? A conversation With Dr Hannah French.
https://podcasts.apple.com/dz/podcast/is-vivaldi-still-the-soundtrack-of-the-seasons/id708371900?i=1000737783585&l=fr-FR
A may-wish-to read:
Viral Acharya’s paper on monopoly capitalism in India and its ill effects https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BPEA_Spring2023_EM-Panel_Acharya_unembargoed_updated.pdf
Jahnavi’s recommendation:
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451608/enter-ghost-by-hammad-isabella/9781529919998
3 Dec 2025
Getting Ready for Putin, Why Stats Being C-Grade Matters, No Snooping on Phones & MF Husain is GOAT
Minal Saeed Khan asks and Seema speaks about the Indian dilemmas around Russian President Putin’s visit to New Delhi, why the government should not be snooping on your phone. Also why Indian stats being designated C-grade by the IMF matters to ordinary Indians + the picture painted by the fact that one of the world’s finest artists, MF Husain’s museum has opened in Qatar.
26 Nov 2025
The Mamdani-Trump Bromance and Lessons it Has for India
The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti talks about the Zohran Mamdani-Donald Trump meeting in the White House Oval Office, the four labour codes recently notified by the Union government and the questions they raise, and why independent filmmakers had to resort to a public plea regarding showings at multiplexes and film distribution.
Seema's recommendations:
1. A review of the just-retired Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai’s tenure by Gautam Bhatia
2. Two exhibitions: Aban Raza and film posters
Jahnavi's recommendation: Now You See Me: Now You Don't
19 Nov 2025
Sheikh Hasina Verdict, Bihar Results and Indian Football
The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti takes on this week's big news in a new episode of Seema Says: a Bangladesh tribunal has given former PM Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal the death sentence for 'crimes against humanity' during last year's protests; the NDA has swept Bihar; and India's football management is in chaos, with matches on hold.
Seema's recommendations:
A review of Heaven Lake, written by Vikram Seth on travelling in China by Jeremiah Jenne - done as part of vintage reviews on China Books Review.
Bodkin, on Netflix – A drama set in Ireland – a journalist, researcher and a podcaster in search of a real-crime story for a podcast
Jahnavi's recommendation: An easy, quick and fudgy brownie recipe for the winter, from none other than Katherine Hepburn
Around 3:20, Seema has said 2006 instead of 2008. The error is regretted
Contact Seema Says
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Seema Says?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
