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
Shiksha Mandal trailer: A massive education scam involving corruption and murder is uncovered
Inspired by true events, the upcoming MX Player series is directed by Syed Ahmad Afzal and stars Gauahar Khan, Gulshan Devaiah and Pavan Raj Malhotra.
Review Hindi
Delhi Crime (Season 2) review: Measured, compelling procedural that matches its stellar first season
The second season, led by the excellent Shefali Shah, takes us once again on-ground as the Delhi police tackles another gruesome case.
Review Hindi
Liger review: This Vijay Deverakonda-starrer makes no sense
The south star’s Hindi debut, written and directed by Puri Jagannadh, is unintentionally funny and lacks focus.
Article Hindi
Vikram Vedha teaser: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan have an epic face-off
The Hindi remake of 2017 Tamil thriller of the same name, written and directed by Pushkar–Gayathri, looks intense and exciting.
Article Hindi
Matto Ki Saikil trailer: Struggles of a labourer laid bare
Directed by M Gani, the slice-of-life film is due to be released on 16 September.
Article Telugu
Godfather teaser: Chiranjeevi teams up with Salman Khan
Released on the south star’s 67th birthday, the upcoming action film, directed by Mohan Raja, is a remake of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Lucifer (2019).
Article Hindi
Cuttputlli trailer: Akshay Kumar is on the hunt for a serial killer
The suspense thriller, directed by Ranjit M Tewari, is set in a hill town were innocent victims are murdered in public spaces.
Article Hindi
Jogi teaser: Emotional drama to revisit the events of October 1984
The film, starring Diljit Dosanjh, Kumud Mishra, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Hiten Tejwani and Amyra Dastur, will look at the bonds of friendship in times of adversity.
Review Malayalam
Malayankunju review: Fahadh Faasil impresses in this survival drama
The Malayalam film features the actor as an abrasive man who aims to redeem himself after fighting for his life in a natural disaster.
Review Hindi
Dobaaraa review: Entertaining, enjoyable alternate reality tale that hooks you in
An official remake of the Spanish movie Mirage (2018), the Anurag Kashyap film starring Taapsee Pannu is a tense, alluring puzzle that absorbs you in its thrilling story.
Article Hindi
Pippa teaser: The fight for the birth of a new country
The war drama, led by Ishaan Khatter, tells the tale of the 48-hour Battle of Garibpur during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
Review Hindi
Raksha Bandhan review: Loud, regressive tale of sibling bonds
The Aanand L Rai film, starring Akshay Kumar, delves into problematic stereotypes and clichés while trying to tell the story of a man caring for his four sisters.
Article Hindi
Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach trailer – New season looks a sensationalized case of juvenile fratricide
Pankaj Tripathi’s Madhav Mishra is back to defend a young boy accused of murdering his younger sister in the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar series.
Article Hindi
Laapataa Ladies teaser: Hilarious situational comedy about two missing brides
Directed by Kiran Rao, the comedy drama is due to be released on 3 March 2023.
Article Hindi
Delhi Crime (Season 2) trailer: A new wave of murders rocks the national capital
Shefali Shah returns as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi as she leads her team through another shocking crime in the Netflix series.
Review Hindi
Darlings review: Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah lead this terrific dark comedy
The actresses play a mother-and-daughter duo who set out to teach an abusive husband, played by Vijay Varma, a lesson in this fine debut by Jasmeet K Reen.
Review Tamil
Victim review: Yet another patchy anthology that needed more work at the scripting level
While there is promise in the segments by Chimbu Deven and Venkat Prabhu, the one by Pa Ranjith is the saving grace of this SonyLIV anthology.
Article Assamese
TIFF 2022: Rima Das’s Assamese film Tora’s Husband to be premiered in Platform section
The film is one of ten features that will compete in the international section.
Article Hindi
Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach teaser – Pankaj Tripathi’s Madhav Mishra returns for a new outing
The third season of the crime series finds the popular character, advocate Madhav Mishra, taking on yet another challenge of a case.
Review Hindi
Good Luck Jerry review: Amusing remake that slips in its final act
The dark comedy, starring Janhvi Kapoor, has an exciting premise but is burdened with too many twists and characters that don’t get equal treatment.