Sonal Pandya
Contributor
Articles by
Article
What makes Kaagaz Ke Phool special?
A look at legendary cinematographer VK Murthy's contribution to the film on its 58th anniversary today (2 January).
Article
In focus: Mubarak Begum (1936 - 2016)
Cinestaan.com remembers the singer who passed away in July 2016 by speaking with Bipin Choubal who made a documentary on her in 2007.
Article
In memoriam: The film personalities we bid goodbye to in 2016
From actor Rajesh Vivek to actress-turned-politician Jayalalithaa Jayaram, Cinestaan.com remembers the lives and legacies of the film personalities who left us this past year.
Article
From Harshvardhan Kapoor to Mawra Hocane: Here's how debutants fared in 2016
From Ritika Singh to Sanya Malhotra, the Hindi film industry welcomed many new faces. Here is a look at the new class of actors and actresses who joined the industry this year and survived even if their first film didn't.
Article
Vinod Pande: How Farooq Shaikh helped me with casting of Ek Baar Phir
When the filmmaker came to India, he took the help of Shaikh who guided him with a few endorsements, setting Pande along a chain reaction that eventually became the cast of Ek Baar Phir.
Article
Why filmmaker Vinod Pande is finally at peace
The director of Ek Baar Phir (1979) and Star (1982) talks to Cinestaan.com about his experiences of filming those films and his early days as a BBC Hindi broadcaster.
Article Hindi
5 instances of Naushad's creative genius
On the legendary music composer’s 97th birth anniversary, we examine five soundtracks in which he created new techniques to achieve the sound that he wanted.
Article
Hindi cinema needs more films to celebrate the Christmas holiday spirit
As we celebrate Christmas today, we look at Hindi cinema’s dismal record of capturing the holiday observed around the world.
Article
When Shammi Kapoor, Mohd Rafi teamed up to create ‘Taarif Karoon Kya Uski’
On the singer’s 92nd birth anniversary, a look at the lively number from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) which he and Kapoor worked on together to produce a classic.
Article Hindi Marathi
9 interesting facts on music composer Vasant Desai
On the 41st death anniversary of Vasant Desai, we look at his incredible achievements during a career spread over four decades.
Article
Video: Priyanka Chopra is Pantene's new global brand ambassador
Chopra joins popstar and actress Selena Gomez and mixed martial artist and actress Ronda Rousey as brand ambassadors for the popular hair shampoo brand.
Article
Kala Pani, Nalini Jaywant's atonement
On the petite beauty’s sixth death anniversary today (20 December), a look at Nalini Jaywant's landmark performance opposite Dev Anand.
Article
Video: When Simi Garewal shot Raj Kapoor playing with young Kareena and Ranbir
As the 92nd birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor falls today (14 December), we take a trip down memory lane to look back at a video when he celebrated with his grandchildren.
Article
Raj Kapoor birth anniversary: A look at posters, booklet art from RK Films
On the legendary filmmaker’s 92nd birth anniversary today (14 December), a look back at 18 glorious posters from the famous banner launched by Raj Kapoor.
Article
Smita Patil death anniversary: Remembering a rare talent
On the 30th anniversary of Patil’s untimely death today (13 December), Cinestaan.com presents a compilation of some remarkable scenes of the actress which remind us why she was considered among the finest actresses of her generation.
Article
The forgotten classics of music composer N Datta
On the music composer’s 89th birth anniversary today (12 December), a look back at his memorable compositions from his film career in Hindi and Marathi films.
Article
When Dilip Kumar starred as the businessman turned vigilante, Azaad
Before Bruce Wayne, there was Khan Sahib. Back in 1955, Dilip Kumar took on the mantle of a self-appointed defender who protects his town from criminals.
Article
Dilip Kumar and his leading ladies
Since 1944, the thespian has acted opposite almost all of Hindi cinema’s finest actresses. We celebrate his 94th birthday by looking back at the actresses with whom he created magic onscreen.
Article
When Ashok Kumar saved Bombay Talkies
For the legendary star’s 15th death anniversary today (10 December), a glance back in time to when he tried to save the studio that had launched him.
Article
Death anniversary: Knowing Khazanchi actress Ramola Devi?
The yesteryear actress is most well-known for her role in the pre-Partition hit Khazanchi (1941).