King Of Bollywood Paperback – January 1, 2007

This is an enjoyable, insightful read telling both the rise of Shah Rukh Khan to superstardom and the rise of India cinema. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. To understand the country and people of India, you must understand their movies which reflect their cultures, religion, and worldview. India is as complex as America with bloody religious conflicts, terrorists attacks, the extreme poor living near the extreme rich. It is a nation with over three thousands years of history and is currently the the largest, by population, democratic country in the world. Many of the most popular Bollywood movies are fantasy musicals filled with fun dance and end happily, unlike the real world. Bollywood films become the key link for 2nd and 3rd generation Indians who live overseas. How they perceive their culture and roots if from these movies.Enter Shah Rukh Khan who came from a humble background to rise to the top of Bollywood. A Muslim boy who came a superstar in Hindu movies. His passion for movies and ambition continue to drive him. Neither terrorists, mobsters, or box office flops have stopped him.For anyone interested in Bollywood or India, I highly recommend this book. I do suggest, though, to wait to read this book until after watching several of the more popular Bollywood movies so you will have a frame of reference. A must see movie you need to watch is Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge (often just called DDLJ). Which translates to "The Brave-hearted Will Take the Bride". It is the movie which launched Shak Rukh Khan to superstardom and is the longest running movie in Indian Theaters (its still running to this day).

I loved how easy to read this is. There are some books when filled with this much information can be draggy to the point I will put the book aside. This is not true with King of Bollywood. 3-4 chapters whip by before I know it. I like everything about it.... maybe wish for more pictures. The year 2020 forced me into exploring Bollywood films after 5 years into K-Drama, which I loved. There's everything that US film has but much more with a positive vibe. The family films are delightful and historical are excellent. This book informed me quite well how the industry evolved from undesirable to be a global powerhouse. Nice read.

This book is very interesting and informative if you want to really want to know how and why Shah Rukh Khan became the GlobalInternational Superstar he is today, and also the reader will get an in-depth understanding of the world of Indian Cinema and how it contributed to him becoming the Iconic "King Of Bollywood." I am really glad I purchased this book. In my opinion, this is a must read for all Shah Rukh Khan fans.

Bollywoodmania is an addiction. For Westners that will discover and appreciate it in the next years (and be sure they will!) it is the disclosure of a fairytale world of moviemaking that was there all the time but that we simply didn't know. Well, when this will happen the first and probably most important gateway will be the actor and the movies interpreted by Shahrukh Khan. And after having seen some of these, no one will be able to resist curiosity on this great actor.Anuparma Chopra is a member of the Chopra family that makes up the establisment of Bollywood and is also an estimated journalist. From her priviledged point of view she has written this biography of the still young King Khan integrating his personality with the history of Bollywood cinema in the last 20-30 years. Naturally, the biography is authorized and as such may not contain episodes that are not consistent with the image modern Bollywood and Shahrukh Khan want to convey. All the less, there is a sincerity that transpires throughout the book and allows the reader to connect with the actor and his environment.The first part on the youth of the actor is full of episodes and sometimes takes on a mythical aspect, but that is a common feature of all biographies. The chapters on the later years are a little sketchy and skip many well known facts. But we must not forget that this book has and will have a different impact on Indians or the Indian-culture public and "Westner's". The Author wanted to write about something new or at least not well known to her main public, that practically reads at least two or three articles a day on Shahrukh Khan. Reading the Indian reviews of the book that criticize the small amount of new information this aspect is very evident.The book's point of force is the analysis of the reasons for Shahrukh Khan's success, that trascend the actor's talent and are deeply rooted in the transformation of Indian society and how modern Indians envision themselves in these years. An important weight is correctly given to the directors (Chopra and Johar) that have created Shahrukh's winning image and cinema personality, while some movies and directors he also worked with are only mentioned.The bibliography is quite extensive for a short biography such as this and cites many interesting books on Bollywood cinema. A filmography of the actor is missing and I would have appreciated a brief comment on his less well known movies.I suggest to read this book even if you are not a Shahrukh fan just to be updated on modern entertainment and on the reasons and pulsions that contribute to create our "collective imagination".

Good book for a start

Have read Shah Rukh Khan.Twice. …. so far, Began to binge on Bollywood films during the COVID epidemic and discovered not only Hindi films, but, my Favorite, SRK.The birth and growth of Indian films was quite fascinating …. particularly Director Yash Chopra.No in-depth missive here … just read it.

I just watched a movie called Dip Se on a whim, i was so bored of the same American themed movies. I was takrn aback by the storyline, the intense and charming leading actor. I have been hooked...on Hindi movies. So, of course, I wanted to know more of the background of Indian cinema. I thoroughly enjoyed reading King of Bollywood.

Interesting behind the scene read about SRK and India's movie industry. Keeping up with the plethora of names was a bit of a challenge, even though there was an index of names, as well as following the timeline as the narrative jumps out of sequence at times. However, I am a more informed fan and can watch to see how the industry morps now that the great producer and director, Yash Chopra, has passed away. PS: I learned SRK was in drag for a brief scene in the movie "Duplicate". I watched the movie. King Khan had some pretty legs. LOL.

Best

Very satisfying experience and I never expect to receive my item so fast!

Really enjoyed and enjoying reading this book. It is full of so many insights and interesting stories into the lives of all the amazing film makers who work extremely hard to entertain millions of people across the world every day with their stories. It was also sad to read about the darker side that has a huge impact on the lives of the the actors, directors, producers and crew of the film fraternity. Great book, loved it. Thank you.

Etant une fan de Shah Rukh Khan , j'ai apprécié ce livre qui met en lumière un parallèle intéressant entre le parcours cinématographique de SRK et l'évolution de l'Inde et l'ouverture de ce pays au monde.J'ai appris des anecdotes sur l'homme et l'acteur.Et ce livre écrit en anglais n'a pas été trop difficile à décrypter pour moi. ( avec l'aide d'un dictionnaire de traductions!)Un Bémol cependant, le livre écrit déjà depuis quelques années retrace l'histoire de SRK seulement jusqu'à l'année 2006.. Anupama ...on attend la suite de la saga dans un prochain livre! Racontes nous encore...Bref, à recommander pour les fans comme moi et pour les autres aussi qui sont curieux de découvrir l'homme, l'acteur, la star... le phénomène SRK!

The story of Shah Rukh Khan is very touching. A boy from a middle class family who became an actor and a world star with a huge fan following. Nothing is impossible. While reading the book you learn a lot for your own life and it's truly a book every Shah Rukh Khan fan should read.