Sonal Pandya
Deputy Editor
Before writing features for Cinestaan.com, Sonal Pandya worked as a compositor on several animated films, including the animated version of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. She was also research assistant for Anupama Chopra on The Front Row and Star Verdict as well as the book, 100 Films To See Before You Die. Sonal prefers watching films with subtitles, even when she knows the language well, to better understand the dialogues. Her favourite Hindi films are Padosan (1968), Masoom (1983) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), though she can usually be found watching, or re-watching, any animated film when given the opportunity.
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Review
Panchayat (Season 2) review: Heart-warming series wonderfully balances comedy and drama
The ensemble cast, led by Jitendra Kumar, Raghuvir Yadav and Neena Gupta, continue to delight while Faisal Malik gets his moment to shine.
Article Hindi Punjabi 1 more
Wherever I will get a good film, I’ll go there: Wamiqa Gabbi
The Mai (2022) actress speaks about the stepping stones in her career and how she really enjoys auditioning at this stage of her life.
Article Hindi
Wamiqa Gabbi: I knew Vishal Bhardwaj would do something beautiful and different in Modern Love Mumbai
The actress speaks about her recent and upcoming projects with Amazon Prime Video and the stalled Netflix Baahubali prequel.
Review Hindi
Modern Love Mumbai review: Idealistic, hopeful tales that examine the strong bonds of romance and human connections
Filmmakers Alankrita Shrivastava, Hansal Mehta, Dhruv Sehgal, Vishal Bhardwaj, Shonali Bose and Nupur Asthana bring alive charmingly upbeat stories of different Mumbaikars involving grief, acceptance, friendship and, of course, love.
Article Gujarati
Missing teaser: Deeksha Joshi, Yash Soni are bound together in an unusual relationship
The Oho Gujarati web-series looks at the twisted relationship between an abductee and her captor.
Article Hindi
Panchayat (Season 2) makers speak of increased pressure while creating the latest season
The makers and stars of the show discussed Season 2 plotlines and audience expectations.
Article Hindi
Panchayat (Season 2) trailer: The village comedy returns with more laughs and new characters
Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta and Raghubir Yadav reprise their award-winning characters who handle panchayat duties in the village Phulera in this fan favourite Amazon Prime Video series.
Article Hindi
Prithviraj trailer: Akshay Kumar leads the charge on the battlefield
The period film, directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, sets up the warrior’s clash with Sultan Mohammad Ghori, who seeks to capture Chauhan’s territory.
Article Hindi
Aamir Khan shares behind-the-scenes info on music of Laal Singh Chaddha in first podcast
The actor-producer revealed he wanted audiences to have a chance to listen to the songs of the film before releasing the videos.
Article Hindi
Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapsi trailer: A son returns to challenge the status quo in his village
Starring Vaibhav Tatwawadi, the SonyLIV original series looks at weighty issues of patriarchy, caste and class.
Review Hindi
Thar review: Visually alluring Western noir with storytelling that is underwhelming
Anil Kapoor’s seasoned inspector investigates a series of murders only to uncover a larger plot in this intriguing feature by Raj Singh Chaudhary that fizzles out by its finale.
Review Marathi
Pet Puraan review: Sweet, heart-warming story of a couple’s journey to pet parenthood
Created and directed by Dnyanesh Zoting, the SonyLIV series starring Sai Tamhankar and Lalit Prabhakar is a refreshing, informative take on the joys (and stresses) of living with animals.
Article Hindi
Two Sisters And A Husband teaser: An unsettling love triangle
The teaser of the film, which will be premiered at the Tribeca Festival, shows the strained relationship between the trio who are linked together in a complicated manner.
Article Hindi
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 title track: Tanishk Bagchi gives a modern spin to 2007 chart-topper
Singer Neeraj Shridhar returns as Kartik Aaryan takes the lead in this sequel.
Article Hindi
40 years of Namak Halaal: The soundtrack by Bappi Lahiri is the star of this Prakash Mehra entertainer
The film, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Smita Patil, Parveen Babi and Waheeda Rehman, was released on 30 April 1982.
Review Hindi
Runway 34 review: This star-studded vehicle makes a shaky landing
Produced and directed by Ajay Devgn, the feature feels divided into two separate halves, a thrilling action drama and a showy investigative saga.
Article Hindi
Modern Love Mumbai trailer: Captivating stories of love and relationships set in the city of dreams
The anthology series features segments helmed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Hansal Mehta, Shonali Bose, Dhruv Sehgal, Alankrita Shrivastava and Nupur Asthana.
Review English
Invisible Demons review: Compelling documentary on the looming dangers of the climate crisis
Filmmaker Rahul Jain shows the dire environmental conditions of India's capital by examining the various causes of pollution and how we continue to ignore nature’s warnings.
Article English
First look: Dhanush strikes a superhero pose for Russo brothers’ The Gray Man
The Indian actor will star alongside Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas in the Netflix film.
Article
Cannes 2022: Deepika Padukone joins jury led by Vincent Lindon
The 75th edition of the annual film festival is being held from 17 to 28 May.