Anupama Chopra

This is an entertaining and informative look into the Bollywood film industry mirrored through career of Shah Rukh Khan, often called King Khan. It follows his life from childhood to the present , but at the same time offers information on the way the Hindi film industry has changed during his career.

There are plenty of fun and interesting anecdotes about his, but there is also some hard data about the changes in the industry. There is also some talk about how he induces mass hysteria aro... (show more)

This is an entertaining and informative look into the Bollywood film industry mirrored through career of Shah Rukh Khan, often called King Khan. It follows his life from childhood to the present , but at the same time offers information on the way the Hindi film industry has changed during his career.

There are plenty of fun and interesting anecdotes about his, but there is also some hard data about the changes in the industry. There is also some talk about how he induces mass hysteria around the world.

The book is very readable and fun look on the media persona of Shah Rukh Khan while also giving some insides to the real man as well.… (más)

If you're a fan of Bollywood films, then you already know who Shah Rukh Khan is... if you're not familiar with Indian cinema, you may recognize the name from Newsweek -- in 2008, Newsweek named him one of the 50 most powerful people in the world, and is widely considered by many to be the world's most successful movie star.

I read this biography out of interest in gaining a better understanding of the Bollywood industry and its most powerful players. In an industry where certain families control the majority of what goes on, Khan fought his way to the top without having any ties in the industry, without having any training or experience, and with nothing but sheer determination that he was going to "rule the screen".

It's a fascinating rags to riches story, and the biographer was careful to tell everything in a matter-of-fact manner -- she doesn't embellish or flaunt her subject, but discusses strengths and flaws in the same journalistic tone.

Honestly, I found the book absolutely captivating, and I still am amazed how this man -- with nothing but pure determination to be the best in the business (we're talking sleeping on park benches and not eating for days during his early acting jobs... he'd go shoot his part, then go sleep on a bench, then get up the next morning to go film again) -- actually accomplished everything he set his mind to.

Some people saw it as arrogance and pride, but Khan literally delivered on everything he claimed he would be. He's one of the world's most famous people, most powerful people, and possibly one of the richest people in India. And you know what he said when the biographer asked him if she could write this book about him? "I don't think that's necessary... I'm not really a worthwhile subject."

Hmm. Well now. That's the kind of celebrity whose status I don't begrudge one bit -- he deserves it.… (más)