Thursday, August 23, 2012

Kitnay Aadmi Thay? by Diptakirti Chaudhuri - A Review

Bollywood, as much as cricket, and perhaps more in recent times, is a national passion. It is the one industry that unites us, inspires us and often incites us. Bollywood is a conversation-starter for people who have just met; and it is a part of the historical accounts of lives of many of us, who remember incidents in their life by the movies which released contemporaneously. Film-stars in our country are often demi-gods, and often like mortal members of our own families. They give us a taste of reality sometimes, and drive us into fantasy land at others. Bollywood is an institution which is impossible to sum-up in a few words. Volumes of books might be insufficient to capture in totality the stories of Mumbai Filmdom, both, which occur on-screen and off the screen. However, a worthy effort has been undertaken by Diptakirti Chaudhuri in a book of trivia to document some 'useless' (as stated on the cover), but immensely interesting facts about Bollywood in a neatly packaged book called - Kitnay Aadmi Thay?

This book is a joyride through and through, beginning with its very title. The eyes of my friends glittered with a perverted connotation the moment I told them I am reading a book called "Kitnay Aadmi Thay?" For others, this legendary dialogue from an iconic movie refreshed memories, and immediately led to imitation of the dialogues of Thakur, Gabbar, Basanti, Jai, Veeru, Soorma Bhopali, the Jailor - each in himself a distinct fabled character. A perfect companion during my metro journies for about a week, this book took me deep into the part magical, part controversial world of Hindi films, and revealed some facts which I hope I remember to share with authority during filmi social conversations.

Are you one of those who thinks beyond what a movie depicts on screen? Are you interested in remembering all the records made on the filmfare award stage? Do you wish to know what lies behind the perfectionist image Aamir Khan has arrived at today? Does your mind often think of the movies which got their names from past melodies? Do you have your own list of who is the best 'ma', 'beta', 'bhai-behen' etc. among the characters essayed in Indian film industry? Are you fond of humble anecdotes of bollywood veterans which are recounted as fables by industry experts? I can unleash a fairly long chain of such questions, and if one or more of them are answered in a 'yes' by you, trust my word, Kitnay Aadmi Thay? is the book for you.

The author warns you on the very cover- 'Completely Useless Bollywood Trivia'. Well, ask me, and I won't tell you the information contained in this book is useless by any standards. For us, who take pride in the grandeur and madness of bollywood, having before us a collection of its many less known facts and facets is a boon. Presented in a manner so intriguing that by reading the very headings which give a peek into forthcoming pages you start forming your own content in your head, this book does its best to interact with the reader. Bollywood, after all, can't be special only to one. The author, in fact, invites the readers to sit with a pencil, and add notes of his own at places where his memory reveals more than the author's research.

I think this book should be a recommended reading for those with academic interest in Indian Film Studies. Okay. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but this book is what I would strongly recommend to all Hindi film enthusiasts. Bollywood is an indispensable part of our lives, one that has also found its way into our popular culture. Folk songs during traditional rituals have been replaced by prominent bollywood melodies. Dialogues are quoted during routine conversations for an added emphasis and to find resonance. Ingrained so deep in the sociological fabric, Indian film industry does deserve its own literature- the kind which is in reach of the ordinary reader/viewer. Kitnay Aadmi Thay is a humble, but laudable effort in the same direction by author Diptakirti Chaudhuri. Kudos to him! And from me, a rating of 3 stars on 5.

PS- I have been dying to find an opportunity to post here some of my favorite moments from Bollywood. This post, perhaps, has the perfect space for them. There are infinite, but I have culled them down to five iconic scenes. Are any of these your favorite too? 

The love of an austere Sunil Dutt for an untouchable girl - Sujata. The subtle, yet poignant romance of this film touches your heart, and pours out through your eyes.

No scene can come close to competing with this one when we remember epic climaxes. Tears amid  roars of recorded laughter, Hrishikesh Mukherjee sure knew how to regale and involve his viewers.

Who has not danced to this song in weddings of near and dear ones? A song, which is a story in itself. This film - the best from the Barjatya house.

The great coming together of Aamir and Salman - this movie is rightly called a cult comedy. And this song - one that  I invariably look forward to when I begin watching this film.

The best of this man. SRK's talent and charm regained their former, glorious spot in my heart the moment I heard his 'Sattar Minute' speech in this epic movie.

(Reviewed on request from Westland Publications)

12 comments:

  1. Nice compilation of your favorite bollywood moments. Anand,andaaz apna apna,chak de,though all belonging to different genres are top in my list of movies to watch before one leaves this planet..;)

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    1. Absolutely! And thanks for leaving a comment. Book reviews usually go comment-less. I love those people who take the pain of going through them and leaving a feedback :)

      You did not identify with Sujata. It is a beautiful movie. Do see it when you have a chance.

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  2. okay i tell u a little secret,i dont get much time to search for new novels,so for the past few months all i do is go to this certain blog called NASCENT EMISSIONS, read the meticulous book reviews(all of them mind you) and buy the books with atleast 3 or more stars, and life has become easy,u try that blog too..:p

    and yeah i'll watch that movie for sure..:D

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    1. Oh my god! Now that is ultra sweet! If my blog had a resume, this would have worked as the ultimate testimonial :) :) :)

      People do criticise me on and off for including book reviews in what is essentially a personal blog. But then, books are an indispensable part of my personal life. Hence, they have got to be here!

      Thanks again Apooorv. All this encouragement means a lot.

      PS- Read Barnabas' review too. I quite liked the book :)

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    2. Di u just doing fine, criticism is inevitable,see it like this way that some like Saumya "the romantic,opulently imaginative writer" more then Saumya "the Reviewer". But the end point is everyone wants to read what you write.:)
      And then you always have me aur kya chahiye..heheh..:p

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    3. Ha ha! The opulently imaginative writer is facing an acute dearth of time at present. Hence the imagination is not able to take flight. And kya karein, have to keep the blog running :)

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  3. Being an ultimate bollywood fan, i loved this review. Will be reading the book Sooon! :)
    And Chak de India! Sigh! SRK at his best!

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    1. I know! Chak De India! and Swades show SRK at his sublime best. Hope you like the book as much as I did :)

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  4. i want to say with this quote "The golden rule of writing is to write what you care about. If you care about your topic, you'll do your best writing." Jerry Spinelli.. so keep on writing whether people like it or not but you are doing very well by sharing all these stuffs ... and the book & topic which you have selected is endless sky Bollywood is a very wide enough to describe... there are plethora of topic which you can write on Bollywood...and this book is just a glimpse of the Bollywood....!! must say that you have very nice analytical skill...in terms of judging & writing..!!!

    Thank you!!

    anant jain!! :)

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    1. Spinelli's quote is something I was not aware of. Thanks for sharing it with me. And much gratitude for all the encouragement you show towards this blog.

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  5. The book specifies in details what 'Extraa Innings' states while showing movies on Sony and Sony-Max.....No kind of continuity or story telling. Seems like reading small magazine articles. Got bored and never tried reading again !!

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    1. And the same patchiness worked rather well for me!

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