Celebrating the success of good cinema is highly contagious. For each time the Rock on!! team broke into shrieks of joy with the announcement of a nomination or award for them at the Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Award...
The films cast and crew radiated youthful exuberance at the Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Awards
Celebrating the success of good cinema is highly contagious. For each time the Rock on!! team broke into shrieks of joy with the announcement of a nomination or award for them at the Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Award,one was tempted to join them. Their unbridled on-screen energy and bonding which had held the viewers spellbound only got better as they secured their place in the Bollywoods roll of honour last Wednesday evening with six awards.
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Throughout the glitzy evening,the team stuck together. They made a pretty picture with Farhan Akhtar (minus those rock-star curls,but dishy nonetheless) took his seat between his spunky wife Adhuna and singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan. Ehsaan Noorani,full of boyish charm,and Loy Mendonsa,who kept exchanging glances with other team members,were nearby. Mehr Jesia and Arjun Rampal were seated slightly away from the team. But that didnt stop them from exchanging notes with the team. And Ritesh Sidhwani made sure they had a strong presence by turning up with at least 10 family members and friends.
Right behind them was a very pretty and very nervous Shahana Goswami,who was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor (Female) Award,accompanied by super-excited Niharika Khan,who designed the costumes for the film. Even though Khan kept complaining about the absence of an award for costume,she was full-o-beans,probably the only one who kept on cheering all the winners.
Emotions ran high. When Jason Wests name was announced as the winner of the Best Cinematography trophy,his wife Suneeta Rao,one of Indias favourite pop singers,was in tears. As the team cheered West,the kurta-clad cinematographer smiled a happy smile. He showed no signs of being in a hurry despite a 5 am shooting schedule the next morning,even after Khan reminded him about it. Probably,the loving glances that his wife kept on showering on him made it worthwhile.
Even though she cheered loudly for others,Adhuna was more restrained in her reaction when Akhtar came back with his trophy for the Most Promishing Newcomer (Male). A wide smile,a hug and a pat on his back is all that the talented director-actor got.
The person who remained calm all through the jubilation was director Abhishek Kapooras if preferring to soak in the celebration very silently. He must have been ecstatic when Akhtar and Goswami thanked him effusively. But each time he chose to respond to it with a proud smile. Another person who remained quiet was Dominique Cerejo,the nominated singer of very soothing Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein from Rock On!!.
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If any other team managed to match the Rock on!! teams hurrahs,then it was the neighbouring Jodhaa Akbar team,which collected as many as six trophies. Their action was justified as the film bagged most of the top honours,including Best Film,Best Director,Best Actor (Male) and Best Actress (Popular Category). They had a strong presence with Ronnie Screwvala,Zarina Mehta,Ashutosh Gowarikar,Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Hrithik Roshan,Sunita Gowarikar,Ila Arun and Haider Ali (whose loud cries could be heard across the ground).
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
