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
Review
Tokri review: Father-daughter relationship shows love and understanding
The emotional clay animated short film revolves around a loving family that has fallen on hard times.
Review Marathi
Adnyat review: An unsatisfactory venture into the meaning of life and death
The National Award winning short is technically stunning, but leaves a lot to be desired.
Article Hindi
9 memorable film roles of the singing star Suraiya – Death anniversary special
On her 14th death anniversary, a look at some of the singer-actress's standout works.
Review Malayalam
Thankamma review: Make way for the ferry-woman
The no-nonsense nonagenarian earns her keep by ferrying passengers back and forth in Alappuzha, Kerala.
Article English (India) Hindi
MIFF 2018: Legendary animator Bhimsain Khurana honoured with retrospective
The 82-year-old filmmaker, who began his journey with the Films Division as a background artist in 1961, was felicitated with screenings from his illustrious career at the Mumbai International Film Festival.
Article Hindi
Birthday special: 10 outstanding songs of singer Sudha Malhotra
On her 81st birthday today (she was born on 30 January 1936), here are a few of her well-known numbers.
Article Hindi
10 memorable Suman Kalyanpur songs – Birthday special
On the singer’s 81st birthday today (28 January), we revisit some popular songs from her career.
Article Hindi
75 years of Prithvi Vallabh: In love and war with Sohrab Modi, Durga Khote
As a new series, Prithvi Vallabh, is premiered on television, we revisit Sohrab Modi’s grand old film which, incidentally, turns 75 this October.
Article Hindi
Kavita Krishnamurthy's hat-trick — birthday special
On her 60th birthday today (she was born on 25 January 1958), a look at the memorable songs that helped Krishnamurthy win a Filmfare Award for three consecutive years.
Article American
Priyanka Chopra's A Kid Like Jake receives standing ovation at Sundance Film Festival
The Hollywood film, co-starring Jim Parsons, Claire Danes, and Octavia Spencer, had its world premiere at the festival on Tuesday (23 January).
Article Hindi
The ‘A’ inspired posters of filmmaker J Om Prakash — birthday special
For the producer-director’s 92nd birthday today (he was born on 24 January 1926), we go through some posters from the films he directed, all beginning with ‘A’.
Article American Hindi
Irrfan Khan heads to Sundance Film Festival after Filmfare win
The actor is in Park City, Utah to promote his Hollywood film, The Puzzle.
Article Hindi
It's official! Prateik, Sanya Sagar get engaged
The actor and his longtime girlfriend exchanged rings on Monday (22 January) in Lucknow.
Article Hindi
Veterans Rishi Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Jeetendra, Ranjeet, Danny, Paintal reunite: See picture
Kapoor shared a photograph from a recent meeting with his 1970s and 1980s co-stars on Twitter.
Article American
Priyanka Chopra joins Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer at Sundance Film Festival for A Kid Like Jake
The actress is in attendance at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah to promote her next Hollywood film.
Article Hindi
Kajol to act in Pradeep Sarkar’s Ela?
The actress is said to begin shooting for the Hindi film this week.
Article Hindi
80th anniversary special: Revisiting Mehboob Khan’s Watan
The film, starred M Kumar, Bibbo, Yakub and Maya Banerjee.
Article Hindi
How Geeta Bali landed her iconic roles in Sohag Raat, Albela and Baazi
On her 53rd death anniversary, we look back at how the successful, vivacious actress was cast in her most popular films.
Article
Dhadak's release postponed to 20 July
The remake of the Marathi blockbuster Sairat (2016) introduces Ishaan Khattar and Janhvi Kapoor.
Article Hindi
Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar opens big in China, earns Rs48 crore
According to a Forbes report, the film should collect more revenue in its first weekend in China than it did in its entire run in India.