Radhika Madan’s ‘Sanaa’ wins Best Director and Best Actor awards at the 25th UK Asian Film Festival

‘Sanaa’ starring Radhika Madan recently opened the UK Asian Film Festival this year and garnered immense critical acclaim. Directed by National Award-Winning Director Sudhanshu Saria, ‘Sanaa’ tells the story of a 28-year-old headstrong and ambitious woman working in Mumbai who is fighting an internal battle caused by unresolved trauma.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, ‘Sanaa’ opened the festival at the BFI Southbank in London where both, director Sudhanshu Saria and lead actor Radhika Madan marked their presence. The Festival took place from 4th May – 14th May 2023 and saw cinema lovers from across the globe coming together.

Now making all of us and India proud, ‘Sanaa’ has bagged two major awards at the prestigious film festival. Film’s director Sudhanshu Saria has been honoured with the Best Director Award and Radhika Madan won the Best Actor category at this year’s UK Asian Film Festival.

Also read: Fagun Thakrar at the 76th Cannes Film Festival’s Opening Night Ceremony and was Named Best Dress

Ecstatic with the win, film’s director and producer Sudhanshu Saria said in an official statement, “Sanaa is a special film and truly a personal journey for me. To see it connect so deeply with the audience has been rewarding. I’m grateful to UK Asian Film Festival for honouring me with the Best Director Award and opening their festival with Sanaa. I’m excited for the film’s release and have the masses watch Sanaa.”

Film’s lead star Radhika Madan also shared her excitement about winning the award and said, “I feel really overwhelmed to receive this award. Along with this, the audience’s reactions, the tears we shared, the warm hugs, and the feelings they expressed which had been swept under the carpet I think is also an award for me. I want to thank Sudhanshu for giving me so much belief. He empowered me and gave me so much love that I had no option but to love myself. It’s really overwhelming, and I thank the UK Asian Film Festival for this honor.”

Also read: Ali Fazal sports a rugged look in the first look poster of his character from Hollywood film Kandahar

Earlier too, ‘Sanaa’ made headlines with its world premiere at the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival where it was showered with immense love. The film also had its North American premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and received an exhilarating response.

The UK Asian Film Festival is organized by Tongues on Fire, a not-for-profit organization, and supported by the BFI and Arts Council England. The theme for this year is ‘Celebrating Our Stories,’ with a focus on films that centre on the British Asian experience. A special film indeed, ‘Sanaa’ addresses the subject of mental health trauma and how it can affect us. Produced by Sudhanshu Saria’s production house Four Line Films, the film also stars Soham Shah, Shikha Talsania, and Pooja Bhatt in key roles.