International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan has kicked off the awards here with the launch of "Lights, Camera Masala", a book that gives a detailed account of the Hindi film industry.

Bachchan, who has familiarised the world with Bollywood by organising the IIFA awards in different countries every year, launched the book at a hotel here Wednesday, two days before the awards ceremony Friday.

The book, by well-known critic Naman Ramachandran, is an insider's look at the glitz, grit and grandeur of Hindi cinema.

It takes the readers through the adventures of filmmaking through fictitious characters Vijay and Ravi. And to add substance to it, Ramachandran has spoken to Bollywood stalwarts like seasoned scriptwriters Salim and Javed, actors Amitabh, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai as well as filmmakers Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar.

Apart from chronicling the experiences of known names, "Lights, Camera Masala" also focuses on the unsung heroes of filmdom - the light boy, the makeup artist and others.

It gives a detailed account of the behind-the-scenes people who are an intrinsic part of the Hindi film industry machinery.

Sheena Sippy's photographs capture the grandeur of Bollywood that makes "Lights, Camera Masala" a visual extravaganza too.

Published by India Book House, the book is distributed by Jashanmal, a leading lifestyle store in Dubai.