User:Shrreya1991Vaisshanav/Bhawana Somaaya

Bhawana Somaaya born on 7 September, 1955 in Mulund (Mumbai, Maharashtra) is an author, critic and columnist. She graduated in Psychology and acquired a degree in LLB (Criminology) from Government Law College while simultaneously pursuing a degree in Journalism at KC College, Mumbai.

Bhawana Somaaya commenced her career in the late 70s as Chief Reporter with Free Press Journal's film weekly titled Cinema Journal then moved to Super as Special Correspondent. In 1981 she joined Movie as Assistant Editor and in 1985 was promoted as the Joint Editor. In 2000, she joined as Editor Chief in Screen, a film weekly of The Indian Express Group.

Her involvement with Hindi Cinema has not always been as a commentator. Critical of the unrealistic, stereotypical costumes of the Hindi film heroine, she had taken up a challenge from Shabana Azmi and turned designer.

She is the recipient of several prestigious awards and has contributed columns to various publications like The Observer, The Afternoon, Janmabhoomi, Pravasihe, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times, The Pioneer, Newstime, Chitralekha, Dainik Bhaskar and Sandesh.

Bhawana Somaaya has been on the Advisory Panel of CBFC. She has to her credit ten books in a span of 10 years which include Amitabh Bachchan – The Legend, Salaam Bollywood, Take 25 – Star Insights & Attitudes, The Story so far, Cinema – Images & Issues, Hema Malini – Authorised Biography, Fragmented Frames, Krishna – The God who lived as Man (translation), Bachchanalia and her latest book – Amitabh Lexicon.

She was the creative consultant to Enlighten Film Society and their website Dear Cinema; a guest lecturer at MET college and serving her second term on the Advisory Panel of Central Board of Film Certification. She also reviewed movies on Television in 2012 every Friday on Cinema Review, Zee Cinema.

Somaaya is currently working as an Editor of Blockbuster, a Bollywood film trade magazine. She does a weekly film review and a Sunday show on 92.7 Big Fm. She has currently two books in the pipeline.