Sanaa: Radhika Madan’s new women-centred film heads to New York Indian Film Festival

Last seen as Lovely Khobre in Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s directorial debut Kuttey, Radhika Madan’s is now making headlines for her upcoming release. National Award-winning director Sudhanshu Saria’s new venture Sanaa, in which Radhika is playing the title character, is an official selection at the 23rd New York Indian Film Festival, slated to be held from May 11-14.

The movie - which boasts an interesting cast including Soham Shah, Shikha Talsania and Pooja Bhatt - revolves around a 28-year-old woman, who is fighting an internal battle caused by unresolved trauma.

Also read: Kuttey’s Radhika Madan: Female actors are still pushing for equal pay 

Commenting on the film being selected for what is said to be North America’s oldest and most prestigious film festival showcasing cinema from India and the Indian diaspora, Sudhanshu told IANS, “It is a great honour to have Sanaa selected for the official competition at the New York Indian Film Festival. This festival has been a longstanding champion of independent cinema from the Indian diaspora, and we are thrilled to have our film showcased alongside such diverse and compelling works. I am excited to attend the festival and engage with fellow filmmakers and audiences.”

Earlier, the film was screened at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and the 38th Santa Barbara International Film Festival. And that’s not all. Sanaa is also set to be a part of the 25th UK Asia Film Festival as an ‘Opening Film’. This festival is scheduled to take place from May 4-13.

The poster of the film is also quite intriguing. It shows Radhika’s character in the film as an ambitious and headstrong woman. The actress looks commanding in a sharp corporate getup, shiny black heels and a slick side-parted hairdo. Speaking about Sanaa, Radhika had earlier said, “Inhabiting the myriad dimensions of a character like Sanaa was one of the most thrilling experiences of my acting life. She is smart, unflinching, conflicted and emotional all at the same time. I also thoroughly enjoyed donning the girlboss look for this film. Viewers will witness a completely new side of me in Sanaa and I cannot wait for them to experience it.”

In the adventure-comedy Kuttey, Radhika acted alongside some prominent names from the industry - including Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ashish Vidyarthi and Kumud Mishra. Known for her work in films like Pataakha, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Ray, the actress had earlier said that the Hindi film industry might be more than 100 years old, but it’s only been about two decades or so when female-oriented films are given the kind of attention they deserve.