The year 2015 threw several surprises that awed us. Alaka Sahani lists some notable moments from Bollywood.
New Writer-Director Duo
According to Meghna Gulzar, it is Vishal Bhardwaj who made her end her sabbatical. We can compliment Vishal Bhardwaj for doing so. Together, they researched for over a year on the Aarushi Talwar murder case and how its investigation was botched up. Bhardwaj wrote the script of Talvar, which is the third feature film that Meghna Gulzar has directed. With some terrific performances, tight script and mature storytelling, Talvar is one of those 2015-releases which ticked all the boxes.
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Some of the top-rung young actors took risks and won appreciation. In Badlapur, Varun Dhawan played a doting husband and father who has made revenge his mission. Ranbir Kapoor appeared in two very different films and roles, with Bombay Velvet and Tamasha. However, it was Ranveer Singh who stole the show with his risky moves, appearing as a Maratha warrior in Bajirao Mastani, and as a confused rich boy in Dil Dhadakne Do. (Year 2015: When the web series formula arrived in India)
Varun Dhawan in Badlapur, Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha and Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani.
Southern Triumph
With the 2012-release Makkhi (Eega in Tamil), SS Rajamouli had cemented his reputation as a whiz kid of Indian cinema. This year, with the help of special effects and the highest-ever budget for an India movie, at Rs 175 crore, Rajamouli created an epic saga called Baahubali (pictured). This bilingual historic drama reportedly grossed Rs 600 crore apart from showcasing never-seen-before grand spectacle, also triggering widespread speculation about its sequel, thanks to its gasp-inducing climax.
“Baahubali: The Beginning” directed by S S Rajamouli starred Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah and Anushka Shetty in lead roles.
Ladies First
The power of female actors was once again established this year. Anushka Sharma headlined NH10, a thriller she produced. While essaying the tailor-made title role of Piku, Deepika Padukone showed the depth of her emotions and range of her craft. In Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani, her roles were not brilliantly written. Yet, she delivered captivating performances. Kangana Ranaut — who had sealed her place in the top league with 2014 Queen — set the box office ringing with Tanu Weds Manu Returns, impressing as the de-glamed Datto.
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Women power onscreen
Money Machine
For years, people have debated his innocence. They have also questioned his acting prowess. Yet, Salman Khan walked free after the Bombay High Court on December 10 acquitted him in a 13-year-old hit-and-run case that killed one and injured four. The HC overturned the order of a lower court, which had, in May, sentenced him to jail for five years. The cherry on the cake for Khan was the box-office collection of his two releases — Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo — which have amassed enough crores to create new Bollywood records.
Salman Khan in Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
Festive Spirit
After the funds crunch that threatened to make the organisers discontinue Mumbai Film Festival in 2014, many of the industry’s A-listers stepped in to lend their support as well as make its opening and closing ceremony a starry affair. Meanwhile, the International Film Festival of India, Goa, remained lacklustre.
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Priyanka Chopra in Quantico.
Global Foray
Priyanka Chopra emerged as one of the success stories of 2015. In spite of mixed reaction to the American series Quantico, she generated a lot of interest in India and abroad as Alex Parrish, an FBI recruit suspected of committing a terrorist attack. A big boost to Indian indie movies came with the success of Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan, which picked up two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Thithi and Umrika also brought international accolades.
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
