A still from the film Thithi A still from the film Thithi
FOR years, the one thing that the Mumbai Film Festival (MFF) sorely missed was the presence of industry’s A-listers. When curtains rolled down on its 17th edition on Thursday, the ceremony had not only enjoyed the footfall of “stars” like Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan, but also got a solemn promise that they would be back next year.
“I may not get an award on this platform ever, but I wish the festival’s winners to be chosen on merit. Next year, I promise to be there for the opening and closing ceremonies with heart and soul,” said Salman. With his tongue firmly in cheek, he said that organising this festival was the best thing Kiran Rao had done after marrying Aamir Khan. Other prominent guests at the closing ceremony included Riteish Deshmukh, Vidya Balan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Dibakar Banerjee, Jackie Shroff, Radhika Apte, Anushka Manchanda, Esha Gupta and Isha Ambani.
The festival — which was started in 1997 by a group of industry stalwarts headed by the late Hrishikesh Mukherjee — provided a window to excellence in cinema. In the International Competition section, Jayro Bustamante’s Ixcanul Volcano, the first Guatemalan film to be selected as an Oscar entry, bagged the top honour and Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Kyrgyzstan film, Sutak (Heavenly Nomadic), was the runner up. The grand jury prize in this segment went to Thithi, a movie made in rural Karnataka with a cast comprising villagers.
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In the India Gold section, Gurvinder Singh bagged the top honour for Chauthi Koot. The second prize went to Shlok Sharma’s Haramkhor, a Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrrer that was a festival favourite. The festival screened over 200 films from nearly 60 countries, and the next year’s edition is slated for October 20-27.
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
