My book not about Shah Rukh and mafia

My book not about Shah Rukh and mafia
Wednesday, August 01, 2007 14:02 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Noted film critic Anupama Chopra's latest book on Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has made headlines for its details on how mobster Abu Salem allegedly made threatening calls to the superstar, but the author says the chapter was "taken out of context" and there is more information of greater significance in the book.

"My book is called 'King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema', not 'Shah Rukh Khan and the underworld'," Chopra told.

"It's a 300-page book about the evolution of a superstar, a country and a film industry. In this, perhaps five or six pages are about Shah Rukh and the mafia. I think that was taken out of context and made into headlines. I don't want to add to that. Let people read the book first," she added.

Chopra's earlier book, "Sholay: The Making of a Classic", had won a National Award for being the best book on cinema. She followed it with "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: The Brave-Hearted Will Take the Bride".

Though there are quite a few recent books on Shah Rukh Khan, Chopra is unperturbed. She says her book has some unheard and unread information about the star.

"My book is a look at popular Hindi cinema through the life and films of Shah Rukh. So it's very different from the other SRK books. I believe there are connections and details here that haven't appeared before."

How much time did she take to write the book?

"It's taken four years from the time I first spoke to Shah Rukh about writing a book to August 2007 when it will finally be released."

The author describes Shah Rukh as an "emblematic icon" and says one cannot grade him.

Asked what she thought about the reported rivalry between Shah Rukh and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, she said: "I have no idea if there is or isn't any truth in this rivalry."

Known for his generosity, Shah Rukh, who has given hits like "Baazigar", "Darr", "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", "Dil To Pagal Hai", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Don", gave his full support to Chopra for the book.

"He has been very generous with his time and extremely supportive of the project. I have hounded him across the globe for three-and-a-half-years but he has never been impatient. Moreover, he read the manuscript but never asked me to change a single comma. I don't think I could have asked for more."

Anupama's husband Vidhu Vinod Chopra and sister Tanuja Chandra are well-known Bollywood filmmakers. Her mother Kamna Chandra is a scriptwriter and her brother Vikram Chandra is an award-winning novelist whose work includes "Red Earth and Pouring Rain" and "Love and Longing in Bombay". He has also written Hindi film scripts. However, Anupama says she has no plan to make a film.
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT