Alaka Sahani
Alaka Sahani is a Senior Editor with The Indian Express, Mumbai. She received the National Film Award for Best Film Critic, 2013. Her Swarna Kamal citation states that the jury recommended her for the award for “highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip by delving deeper into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers”. In her articles and interviews, she goes beyond the tried-and-tested templates to offer insights into the workings of Indian cinema. Her choice of subjects is eclectic: from A-listers to emerging talents; the history of Indian cinema and its various trends; many strands of contemporary India and world cinema. While watching movies has been her lifelong passion, she also closely follows theatre in Mumbai.
Articles By Alaka Sahani
Breaking Bread
Kashmiri filmmaker Mehvish Rather, whose debut documentary Kandurwan: Baking History was screened at the Dharamshala International Film Festival recently, on why she returned to her roots.
The importance of garba in National Award-winning Gujarati film Hellaro
An award-winning film turns a Kutchi folktale into a parable about the suppression of women by patriarchy
Escape to the Hills
The 8th edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival is ready with an eclectic line-up of movies.
‘The movie is about contradictions of the present times’
Through the story of a widow who wishes to live by herself, Kislay’s Aise Hi explores social structures which surround us and a culture of repression.
‘The movie is about contradictions of the present times’
Kislay, who has written and directed the movie Aise Hi (Just like that) talks about the idea behind it and its making.
Sci-fi acts as a prism to help look at reality: Cargo director Arati Kadav
Writer-director Arati Kadav spoke on her love for sci-fi and the binaries of life and death.
The story gets better
The MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival will showcase new voices and stories that enrich Indian cinema.
I want my film to be a remembrance of old times: Gamak Ghar director Achal Mishra
"I wish to make films about the ordinary, everyday life, relating to — but hopefully not restricted to — my personal experiences and memories," says director of Gamak Ghar Achal Mishra.
Hopefully, the audience will be able to reflect on their own family: About Love director Archana Atul Phadke
"I like observing small ecosystems and the rhythms within them. As an intimate portrait, it was important for me to keep the crew small and non-intrusive," says Phadke.
Priyanka Chopra: If you want the sky, you’ve to find a way to reach it
Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra talks about playing a real-life character in The Sky Is Pink, and the need to support talent.
‘Cinema is writing history through characters,’ says Director Gurvinder Singh
Director Gurvinder Singh on his new film, which will premiere in India at Jio MAMI, and why a filmmaker is a political being.
India in a nutshell
Nooreh, the story of a girl from an Indo-Pak border village in Kashmir, and Gujarati feature film Hellaro to open the Indian Panorama at IFFI, Goa.
Twinkle Khanna: I can complain about the pothole or crack a joke about it
As author Twinkle Khanna creates a platform for women-oriented content, she talks about having an irreverent tone and her many other roles.
Action movies are about the intelligence of the plot: Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan about his recent film War and why he loves action entertainers so much
Even after my son’s death, I found joy in living: The Sky is Pink director
Mumbai-based Shonali Bose, 54, on dealing with grief, drawing on real life to make movies and her film-making choices as a woman.
Roam Rome Mein is a feminist film with a male protagonist: Tannishtha Chatterjee
Actor Tannishtha Chatterjee on making her directorial debut with Roam Rome Mein and why Indian industry needs better producers.
In spite of stress, I love film promotions: Sonam Kapoor
Actor Sonam K Ahuja is gearing up for her next release, The Zoya Factor, co-starring Dulquer Salmaan.
A series has its own grammar: The Family Man director Krishna DK
Director-writer duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK on their new series The Family Man, and an ordinary hero who does an extraordinary job.
I try to make it difficult for myself by not picking easy roles: Dulquer Salmaan
Dulquer Salmaan on his upcoming Hindi film, parenting and trying to keep things real in four industries.
The Discovery of India
MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival announces 10 movies that make it to the 'India Gold' competition section.