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.
Authors you can follow
More From Alaka Sahani
Never Have I Ever season 3: The troubled teen grows up
The new season of Never Have I Ever retains its freshness with its heart at the right place
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
Russo brothers: ‘The Indian film industry is so vibrant, it rivals Hollywood’
During their recent India visit, American filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo talked about tapping Indian talent and the challenges of mounting large-scale entertainers
Mon, Aug 08, 2022
Wedding Season movie Review: Suraj Sharma, Pallavi Sharda’s chemistry makes Netflix rom-com an enjoyable weekend watch
Set in New Jersey, Wedding Season, the movie, is as much about the insecurities and aspirations of desi parents as it's about second-generation young Indian-Americans following their dreams and choosing to live a life they deem fit.
Sat, Aug 06, 2022
‘My children have taught me that you can’t control everything’
Ahead of the release of Lal Singh Chaddha, an exclusive rapidfire with actor Kareena Kapoor Khan on bringing up her sons, Taimur and Jeh
Wed, Aug 03, 2022
Salaries of stars should be balanced against film’s budget: Alia Bhatt
Interacting with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, and The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta, during the Express Adda, Bhatt also offered several insights as a film industry insider.
Wed, Aug 03, 2022
Kareena Kapoor Khan: ‘I’m never running away from the fact that I’m 42’
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan on her forthcoming film 'Laal Singh Chaddha', shooting during pregnancy, love for comedies and owning her mistakes
Sun, Jul 31, 2022
What Ranveer Singh’s nude photos show
They show an actor comfortable with his sexuality and unafraid to take chances
Thu, Jul 28, 2022
Ranbir Kapoor, who returns to the big screen with Shamshera, has his heart set on his new avatars
Back after four years, the actor is ready to play diverse roles in reel and real life — his first double role, a mythological hero, a soon-to-be father
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
Koffee with Karan Season 7 Episode 1 review: Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh squeeze in some genuine moments between gossip, innuendos, puns
Koffee with Karan 7 premiere episode: Ranveer Singh exhibited his boundless energy and whacky sense of humour, while Alia Bhatt shared aww-inducing tales about married life.
Sat, Jul 09, 2022
Taapsee Pannu: ‘Getting into Mithali Raj’s shoes has been the toughest role of my career’
Taapsee Pannu on waking up to the achievements of cricketer Mithali Raj and women's cricket team, how getting eyeballs in a patriarchal society is a hustle and why female heroes aren’t celebrated enough
Sun, Jul 10, 2022
Tarun Majumdar, whose family entertainers are loved by all, dies at 92
With his passing away at SSKM hospital at 11.17 am on Monday, following prolonged illness, cinema has lost a great storyteller who made many heartwarming family entertainers. He was 92.
Tue, Jul 05, 2022
Pride Month: ‘Usually, caste discourse is not tolerated in queer spaces’
Writer-director Nishant Roy Bombarde on why he likes to delve into the lives of people on the fringes of society and the risks taken by indie filmmakers to tell queer stories
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
Pride Month: ‘Push boundaries, one step at a time’
Filmmaker Harshavardhan Kulkarni on directing Badhaai Do and checking his heteronormative gaze
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
‘It’s ironic that people celebrate my films during Pride Month but they won’t support my new work’
Ahead of the release of his memoir later this month, National Award-winning filmmaker Onir talks about identity, his journey and why LGBTQIA+ representation in films still has a long way to go
Sun, Jun 19, 2022
‘Flee is a double coming-out story’: Director Jonas Poher Rasmussen on his Oscar-nominated documentary
The Danish filmmaker on how a conversation with his childhood friend led to the making of Flee, that bagged three nominations at this year's Oscars
Sun, Jun 12, 2022
Great Freedom actor Franz Rogowski: ‘Delving into a new character is like being a tourist in a new country’
German actor Franz Rogowski on all that went into portraying a man imprisoned repeatedly for his sexuality, in the film Great Freedom.
Tue, Jun 07, 2022
Modern love: When the stars align
When it comes to relationships, some of India's top stars have shown maturity and transparency without caring about the constant social media scrutiny
Sun, Jun 05, 2022
The Miniaturist of Junagadh: Naseeruddin Shah, Rasika Dugal’s short film is a timely reminder
The Miniaturist of Junagadh, which travelled to several festivals before its online release, dwells on the loss of home and identity.
Tue, May 31, 2022
Panchayat Season 2: The comfort of familiarity
With its subtle humour and narrative that unfolds at a leisurely pace, Panchayat Season 2 presents with an astute perception of rural life.
Mon, May 23, 2022
City theatres plan summer activities for children
Gillo's Shaili Sathyu talks about working on a new play for children and post-pandemic challenges.
Thu, May 05, 2022
I wanted to highlight the sensitivity that the state machinery once had: Pada director Kamal KM
Writer-director Kamal KM on the making of his second feature, Pada, and why the story of a real-life protest has haunted him for 25 years.
Thu, Apr 28, 2022
Emerging screenwriters to receive mentorship from eminent filmmakers in SWA’s Script Lab
After a long and rigorous selection process, SWA has now chosen six writers, whose scripts will be mentored by some of the best contemporary writers/directors of the Hindi film industry, during its first Script Lab in May.
Mon, Apr 25, 2022
‘My stories are about us, about people around us’
Director Nagraj Manjule on his latest film, nurturing talent and his cinematic universe that propels his method of storytelling
Sun, Mar 27, 2022
Explained: When is a film declared tax free, and what are the benefits?
The Kashmir Files has been declared tax-free in several states. What qualifies a film to be declared tax-free? How much cheaper is it to watch a film that is tax-free? Which other films have been made tax free in the country?
Tue, Mar 22, 2022
The Adam Project is a descendant of Real Steel: Shawn Levy
Shawn Levy-directed The Adam Project, a new time-travel adventure featuring Hollywood biggies such as Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana and Jennifer Garner, is an emotional joyride about coming to terms with the past for a better future.
Fri, Mar 11, 2022