Entertainment

Aparna Sen’s Sonata Celebrates Its Eighth Anniversary

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2025

The film Sonata is devoid of any true ‘sannata’ (silence). The three main characters engage in extensive dialogue, yet very little actually occurs within its 90-minute runtime. This cinematic exploration of post-menopausal sexuality delves into the complexities of being a woman past her prime, tackling themes of guilt and societal expectations.
Where are the Indian films that celebrate the sexuality of middle-aged women? Sonata offers a psychological glimpse into the lives of three unmarried women navigating a mid-life crisis: Aruna Chaturvedi, Dolon Sen, and Subhadra Parekh, who are a professor, a banker, and a journalist respectively. This 103-minute film centers around their emotional journeys, culminating in a global event that puts their daily joys and sorrows into a new perspective.

Shabana Azmi and Aparna Sen perform with a self-aware theatricality, embodying two longtime friends comfortable enough to express themselves freely without fear of misunderstanding or damaging their relationship. Their real-life friendship lends an authenticity and warmth to their characters, allowing them to break social norms—kicking back, being candid, and expressing raw emotions. Shabana shines as the unpredictable and self-seeking Dolon Sen, a character who is both vigorous and compassionate, navigating her turbulent emotions in the well-decorated living room shared with her more reserved friend for two decades.

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Aparna Sen remains a striking presence on screen; it’s clear the camera adores her, and she reciprocates that affection. As she puts it, “In this film, I aimed to explore various dimensions of the feminine gaze. To broaden this exploration, I introduced two supporting characters in addition to the three leads—a maid to break class boundaries and a transgender woman. These characters were not part of the original play by Mahesh Elkunchwar, which inspired the film. I also altered the ending to include a tragic global event that not only highlights their personal fears but also strengthens their friendship.”
Aparna’s husband, Kalyan Sen, steps out of his academic life to portray her character’s love interest. This isn’t the first time Aparna has cast her spouse; in the film Paroma, her former husband Mukul Sharma played a romantic partner to Raakhee Gulzar’s character.
This marks Shabana’s fourth collaboration with Aparna Sen, a project she takes great pride in. “Portraying Dolon Sen was a joy. The character is willful and humorous, with a quicksilver temperament—uninhibited and delightful. I truly appreciated the opportunity to embody Dolon, which was graciously offered to me by Rina (Aparna Sen) instead of keeping it for herself. Dolon is whimsical, demanding, yet warm and loving. Where else in Hindi cinema do we find such a nuanced character?”
Lilette Dubey joins the two women as a spirited journalist with a turbulent relationship. Known for her vibrant persona, she often bursts into dance to the well-known song, Babu dheere chalna. Although her entry is somewhat predictable, her presence adds to the dynamic.
When the three women come together, their easy camaraderie and fluent banter reflect years of unshakeable friendship. Viewers leave Sonata with a fresh perspective on femininity that challenges the portrayals typically found in cinema.
Beneath the lighthearted exterior, Aparna Sen’s work resonates with deeper themes of emotional intensity and conflict. While Sen plays a woman who has turned away from love, Lilette Dubey portrays a character trapped in an abusive marriage, and Shabana Azmi undertakes the most intricate role, uncovering layers of suppressed desires through her character’s journey.
The success of Sonata lies in the fact that these actresses mirror their real-life free-spirited natures on screen. The trio humorously claims they aren’t ‘even’ feminists, yet beneath this playful self-deprecation lies a profound void that defines the lack of narratives celebrating the sexuality of middle-aged women in India.

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Entertainment

Taare Zameen Par Child Actor Now a Dentist in the UK

Published

18 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Sachet Seth, who played Yohaan Awasthi in the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, is now a certified dentist in the United Kingdom. He played the role of Ishaan’s elder brother in the popular movie.

While actor Darsheel Safary continued his career in the film industry, Sachet chose a different path. He studied dentistry and earned his degree from D Y Patil University.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Sachet later received a gold medal in periodontology. He is now a registered dental practitioner in the UK.

Apart from dentistry, Sachet is also passionate about aviation. In 2024, he shared a photo from an aircraft cockpit and spoke about his excitement after completing his first flight. He said the experience inspired him and encouraged him to pursue more opportunities in aviation.

In Taare Zameen Par, Sachet played Yohaan, the disciplined and academically successful elder brother of Ishaan. Despite his achievements, Yohaan cared deeply for his younger brother and supported him through his struggles with dyslexia.

Speaking about his experience working on the film, Sachet recalled that he and Darsheel had a lot of fun during the shoot. He said director and actor Aamir Khan helped the young actors understand their scenes and emotions before filming.

Released in 2007, Taare Zameen Par marked Aamir Khan’s directorial debut. The film tells the story of Ishaan, a young boy with dyslexia who faces difficulties at school and home. His life changes when his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, recognizes his condition and helps him discover his talent for painting.

The film remains one of the most loved and influential movies in Indian cinema.

Entertainment

Sanvi Sudeep Hits Back at Trolls over Ganesha Tattoo

Published

23 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Singer and actor Sudeep’s daughter, Sanvi Sudeep, has strongly responded to online trolls who criticized her for getting a Ganesha tattoo on her back.

The tattoo recently became a topic of discussion on social media. Reacting to the criticism, Sanvi questioned why she should seek anyone’s permission for decisions about her own body.

“Do I need your permission to get a tattoo? Do I need your approval for every decision in my life?” she said.

Sanvi stated that negative comments do not affect her. However, she said it was disappointing to see people spending so much time and energy trolling her online. She added that some people may be making such comments only to gain attention.

She also addressed criticism over calling her father, actor Sudeep, an “old man.” Sanvi said that she is his daughter and that she will always refer to him that way in a loving manner. She accused some people of looking for any reason to spread hate.

Responding to comments about her achievements, Sanvi said that people are free to express their opinions, but she is not obligated to follow everything they say. She criticized anonymous users who hide behind screens and judge the lives of public figures.

Sanvi further said that constant public attention often affects the personal lives of celebrities and their families. According to her, it becomes difficult to celebrate family occasions or spend private moments with loved ones because of public scrutiny.

She also claimed that some of the people who criticize her online later approach her and her family for photographs when they meet in person. Calling the situation “sad,” she urged people to be more respectful on social media.

Her remarks have sparked fresh discussions online about celebrity privacy and social media trolling.

Entertainment

Woman in Saree Impresses Internet with Michael Jackson-Inspired Dance Moves

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

A content creator from India has gone viral on social media for performing Michael Jackson’s famous dance moves while wearing a traditional saree. The video features Komal Kumari dancing to the King of Pop’s iconic song Billie Jean.

The performance stands out because Komal executes challenging moves, including body isolations, robotic popping, and the legendary moonwalk, with remarkable ease. Many viewers were amazed by her ability to perform such technical steps while dressed in a saree.

The video is presented as a humorous skit. It imagines a situation where Komal’s mother watches the 2026 musical film Michael and becomes obsessed with Michael Jackson’s dance style. The creative concept added an extra layer of entertainment for viewers.

Social media users flooded the comments section with praise. One user wrote, “She’s literally a good dancer though.” Another commented, “Woohooooo.. you go girl,” while a third added, “Mammm u got some movesssss.” Many people appreciated the unique blend of Indian tradition and global pop culture showcased in the performance.