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.
Articles by
Article Hindi
Zwigato trailer: Delves into the hardships of being a food delivery rider
Directed by Nandita Das, the drama set during the pandemic stars Kapil Sharma and Shanana Goswami.
Article Hindi
Maja Ma song ‘Boom Padi’: Madhuri Dixit-Nene takes to the dance floor in this lively garba number
The first song, composed by Souumil and Siddharth, is a foot-tapping festive track sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Osman Mir.
Review Hindi
Matto Ki Saikil review: Prakash Jha leads this sentimental saga of socio-economic inequality
Written and directed by M Gani, the Hindi film is a patchy yet heartbreaking look at the bleak class divide in modern India.
Article Hindi
Plan A Plan B trailer: Opposites attract in this messy rom-com
Riteish Deshmukh and Tamannaah Bhatia play a divorce lawyer and a matchmaker respectively who inevitably fall in love in this Netflix film directed by Shashanka Ghosh.
Article Hindi
Chup song ‘Gaya Gaya Gaya’: Dreamy track by Amit Trivedi highlights a new romance
Written by Swanand Kirkire, the whimsical romantic duet has been sung Rupali Moghe and Shashwat Singh.
Article Tamil Telugu
Yashoda teaser 2: Samantha plays a pregnant woman who fights for her survival
Directed by Hari-Harish, the sci-fi thriller looks tense and action packed.
Article Hindi
Kacchey Limbu is a story I have lived with for a long time, says filmmaker Shubham Yogi
The writer-director’s debut feature, revolving around two siblings, is being premiered at Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September.
Article Hindi
Kacchey Limbu trailer: A young woman tries to find her path in life
Written and directed by Shubham Yogi, the Hindi film follows the coming-of-age story of two siblings.
Article English
What’s Love Got To Do With It? trailer: A documentary filmmaker follows her friend’s arranged marriage
Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the English film stars Lily James, Shazad Latif, Emma Thompson, Shabana Azmi, Sajal Aly and Asim Chaudhry.
Article Assamese Hindi 1 more
Zwigato, Goldfish, Ariyippu, Mariam and Tora’s Husband to be screened at Busan International Film Festival
The Indian films will be showcased at the A Window on Asian Cinema section next month.
Article Hindi
Good Bad Girl trailer: Samridhi Dewan plays a young woman who enjoys bending the truth
Created by Vikas Bahl and directed by Abhishek Sengupta, the series is due to be streamed soon on SonyLIV.
Article Hindi Kannada 3 more
PS – 1 trailer: Mani Ratnam’s period drama sets up an epic saga of rule, grandeur and intrigue
Starring Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jayam Ravi, Karthi, Trisha, the first film in the series has been adapted from Kalki’s classic Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan.
Article Hindi
Goodbye trailer: A family grieves after the sudden death of their matriarch
Written and directed by Vikas Bahl, the feature film shows a family falling apart before coming together again.
Article Hindi
Teachers' Day special: To Sir and Ma'am, with love
This Teachers' Day, we pick 10 on-screen teachers who showed us how to influence and change lives.
Article Hindi Kannada 2 more
Shivamma, Maagh to be premiered in competition at Busan International Film Festival
The Indian films are eligible for the New Currents award, the FIPRESCI award, the NETPAC award, and the KB New Currents Audience award.
Article English Hindi 4 more
Faraaz, Ariyippu, Meghdoot, All That Breathes lead Indian lineup at BFI London Film Festival
The Hansal Mehta film is making its world premiere, Shaunak Sen’s award-winning feature will compete in the documentary section.
Review Hindi
Cuttputlli review: This serial killer suspense thriller is rushed and predictable
Directed by Ranjit M Tewari, the tepid drama features Akshay Kumar as a police officer chasing down a killer who targets schoolgirls.
Article Hindi Kannada
The Storyteller, Hadinelentu to be premiered at Busan International Film Festival
The two Indian films will compete in the newly introduced Jiseok section at the Korean festival next month.
Article Hindi
Jamtara: Sabka Number Ayega (Season 2): The gang returns for a bigger scam
Directed by National award-winner Soumendra Padhi, the new season finds the young scamsters involved in the murky world of politics as well.
Article Hindi
Plan A Plan B teaser: A matchmaker and a divorce attorney fall in love
Riteish Deshmukh and Tamannaah Bhatia star in the Netflix romantic comedy due to be released on 30 September.