BOOK REVIEW
Salaam Bollywood The Pain and the Passion By Bhawana Somaaya
Spantech and Lancer, 1999, pp 250, $14.95
Anurima Banerji
hawana Somaaya announces rejected her first job offer as a film manipulation; how Sarika and Kamal in the opening pages of her journalist! But since that time in the Hassan made a commitment to each Bbook, Salaam Bollywood: late seventies, there has been no other after having an affair that also ‘‘There are more emotional wrecks looking back. produced a “love child”; how Dimple here than in any other place.” The Salaam Bollywood traces the ups and Rajesh Khanna endured their book is a reflective retrospective on and downs of being part of a stormy marriage before finally her years as a prominent journalist in narcissistic and image-obsessed breaking up. Somaaya also draws an the Mumbai film industry. “I have industry, which nevertheless rewards intimate portrait of Jaya and Amitabh heard so many secrets, read so many its members with unimaginable Bacchan’s playful interactions with scandals, that my soul feels soaked wealth, fame and power. The main their children, and makes moving to the skin…From a participant, I reason for reading the book would observations about the difficulties become a spectator. But the feeling perhaps lie in understanding the Rekha faced when she became the doesn’t last. Despite the shame and other side of stardom — for insights target of a vicious media campaign the scandal, the deprivation and the offered about popular actors, who are which sought to brand her as a degradation, the exhibitionism and generally inaccessible, or who malevolent Madam X. eccentricity, there is an energy, a fatal become larger than life, hyped or Overall, the anecdotes are attraction, about the world of cinema trashed by a hungry media trafficking entertaining, but one wishes Somaaya that is obsessive.” in sensationalism. However, would stay away from aphorisms and This obsession with the Somaaya doesn’t probe very deeply moralising {“Devotion to a job, to the obsession has paid off for Somaaya, behind the scenes, nor does she offer point where it comes in conflict with who has risen to the top of her a profound analysis of the motives your ideology, isn’t the right answer. vocation as a columnist for various and psyches of the celebrities she Loyalty shouldn’t be more important Indian dailies, and most notably, as a profiles. She gracefully skims the than the truth”). One would prefer reporter and editor for several film surface of the film world, unusually that she had concentrated more magazines, including G, Movie, and diplomatic about her revelations, closely on the details of the colourful Super. In addition to releasing this keen to steer clear of gossip- incidents she found herself involved book of memoirs, she has authored mongering or cutting up well-known in over the years. As it is, her stories Amitabh Bacchan — The Legend and personalities. often appear incomplete and Take 55. It is amazing that for such an She recounts some interesting truncated, ending abruptly before the accomplished professional, her relationships: how Shabana Azmi reader has a full appreciation of the original entry into the world of glitz became a good friend after teaching significance — or even the actual and glamour was totally accidental — her that journalist-star relations sequence — of events. She mixes while still a college student, she should be grounded in trust, not together lists of observations and
No. 120 39 encounters which make no sense as As a reporter, what was the process the latest fights that have erupted in they are jumbled together. by which she established friendly the latest hot spot in town. Excepting Undoubtedly, Salaam Bollywood relationships with superstars? The journals like Cinemaya, there are few would have benefitted from a good question remain unanswered. Also intelligent publications that feature dose of editing. Thankfully, missing in the book, strangely enough, film reviews, or try to assess the Somaaya’s sense of humour and her is any substantial comment about the quality of the products Bollywood energetic writing style rescue the difficulties of being a female journalist routinely churns out in its hackneyed book from becoming bland. in the sometimes seedy world of films, way. Describing the ordeal of trying to and the equally competitive world of Why do industrywallahs shy keep up an image of self-control in commercial publishing. Exploring away from dealing with themes front of actors, she describes, tongue these angles of experience could have beyond the tried-and-tested boy- and cheek, how “fasting and bladder lent a special dimension to Salaam meets-girl formula? Why is there no control were my two major lessons as Bollywood. experimental format outside of the a struggling journalist. After all, one The book reveals strikingly how song-and-dance routine? Is there cannot walk into a star’s make-up most film journalism has been reduced really space for alternative cinema? room and say, ‘Can I use your toilet to mere gossip about the lives of the What is the problem with Indian please?’ ” glitterati. Instead of exploring the cinema today, and why has it sunk to Somaaya makes it clear that she is power of cinema as an art form, film such crass depths to attract its seriously engaged with her journalism has hit an all-time low. Film audience? These are, unfortunately, profession. In a film industry magazines endlessly peddle rumours questions deemed outside the notorious for its nasty power games, and slander about stars, or function purview of the author’s ponderings. she has managed to avoid being used as instruments of publicity and hype With its mixing of personal as a mere puppet, neither has she for the newest, hippest kid on the commentary, on the lives of various participated in the elaborate block. 'Reports' are usually confined stars, with reviews of the state of the exchanges of bribes or experienced to exposing all kinds of sordid trysts industry, and throwing of light on the blackmail that lesser journalists are and liaisons, pointing fingers at those various scandals and controversies, prey to. How she managed to earn the who enter into backhand deals with Salaam Bollywood is an easy, breezy trust of her sources remains a mystery. the movie mafia, or gleefully detailing read. Women Bhakt Poets “No one can stop you - Mira set out in ecstasy. Modesty, shame, family honour - all these I threw off my head Flinging away praise and blame, I took the narrow path of knowledge. Tall the towers, red the windows - a formless bed is spread, Auspicious the five coloured necklace, made of flowers and buds, Beautiful armlets and bracelets, vermillion in my hair parting, The tray of remembrance in my hand - a beauty more true. Mira sleeps on the bed of happiness - auspicious the hour today. Rana, you go to your house - you and I annnot pull together. No one can stop you - Mira set out in ecstasy.” Mirabai
Available in an attractive hardbound edition. Contains accounts of the life and poetry of some of the most outstanding women in Indian history from the 6th to the 17th century - Mirabai, Andal, Avvaiyar, Muktabai, Janabai, Bahinabai, Lal Ded, Toral, Loyal. Many of these poems had never been translated into English before. 120 pages, profusely illustrated Price: Rs 100 (+Rs 15 postage) Overseas Price: US$ 10 Send advance payment to the Manushi address.
40 MANUSHI