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
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.
The legendary actor Balraj Sahni as remembered by his son
In a new biography of actor Balraj Sahni, son Parikshat recounts memories of his father’s off-screen life and the troubled yet loving relationship they shared.
Tanuja Chandra’s documentary debut, Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha, captures the life of her two elderly aunts in a North Indian village
Tanuja Chandra says that this documentary ended up teaching her a few things about life as well as cinema. Most of the conversations with her aunts were filled with banter even when they talked of serious subjects such as death.
Why actor-producer Devika Rani was truly the First Lady of Indian cinema
Actor, star, producer, studio boss. Devika Rani walked a path that few women in Indian cinema have managed to. As a new play on the pioneer gets ready to tour, a look back at her journey.
‘Writers reflect what is happening in society’
With their roots firmly in theatre, actors Rasika Agashe and Zeeshan Ayyub have been seeking original Indian plays and staging the best of them
‘Mythology is a source of political debate’
As Puducherry-based Adishakti group brings its latest play Bali to Prithvi Theatre, its artistic director and actor Vinay Kumar talks about their process and questions the notion of righteousness
‘I have been typecast after every film’
Kalki Koechlin, who will be seen in Sacred Games season 2, on what drives her to work across different platforms and being guided by her instincts.
Sacred Games is built around how power has always used religion: Anurag Kashyap
As the Netflix series Sacred Games returns this week, its makers talk about its broad canvas and intense drama.
Goshtarang tours schools for performances based on children’s stories
The Goshtarang initiative was launched in 2016 by NGO Quality Education Support Trust (QUEST) to make students of primary schools familiar with reading materials other than their textbooks.
‘Artists have a way of breaking national barriers’
Actor Shabana Azmi on playing head of naval intelligence in Steven Spielberg’s series, Halo, and exploring varied mediums.
‘Hindi cinema has become very macho’
Actor and filmmaker Gitanjali Rao on challenging sexist stereotypes in Bollywood and why Indian animation features lag behind mainstream films.
Deepak Dobriyal: I didn’t want to be branded a comedian
Actor Deepak Dobriyal on his Marathi film debut as a speech-impaired parent, significance of lead roles and avoiding comedies
A critic takes centrestage: What makes Shanta Gokhale a renaissance person
For nearly five decades, Shanta Gokhale, 79, has chronicled and critiqued literary and theatrical traditions in India. Looking back at a life of fullness, shaped by the arts.
On display: burlesque boots, kantha-stitch quilt, cigarette-holder… and a feel of ‘home’
Latest edition of Museum of Ordinary Objects showcases objects that people brought with them as they made Mumbai their home
The internalisation of tragedy is dangerous: Writer-director Anubhav Sinha
Anubhav Sinha on why he placed the camera on the shoulders of the privileged class to tell the story of caste-based atrocities.
As Motley turns 40, Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah take a trip down memory lane
In the 40 years and 42 productions since, many artistes, including Tom Alter, Kenny Desai and Akash Khurana, have been associated with the theatre group that came to be known as Motley.
Art should cause a positive stir: Actor Ayushmann Khurrana
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana on tackling caste in his new film, his formative years in theatre and an actor’s social responsibilities.
