UAE | Leisure

Indian cinema 'has gone places'

Dubai can never have enough of Amitabh Bachchan, the minute 'Big B' entered the Al Ameera Hall at the Grand Hyatt there was absolute chaos.

  • By Ritu Raizada, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Dubai can never have enough of Amitabh Bachchan. Even though he had addressed the media once in the morning, there was absolute chaos the minute the 'Big B' entered the Al Ameera Hall at the Grand Hyatt.

He was there to launch the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) commemorative book Lights, Camera, Masala!.

Written by screenwriter and film-critic Naman Ramachandran, this coffee-table book has been stunningly shot by veteran director Ramesh Sippy's photographer daughter Sheena Sippy.

Director Karan Johar opened the event, "The best thing to have happened to me is to be a part of Bollywood. Having travelled so much I have realised that finally, everyone's reacting to Hindi cinema these days. Where else in the world will you get a medium where we get to sing, dance and cry and still be at work?"

Star quotes

Referring to Sheena's book, Johar said that "it is based on the blockbuster Sholay, which was directed by her father Ramesh Sippy."

The book documents quotes from seasoned film personalities like Salim-Javed, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and directors Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheena fondly reminisced about her younger days. "I have seen Bollywood from a very young age and my book is my contribution to the industry and to my father who I have always seen working hard yet remains humble."

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers, Bachchan apologised for his hoarse voice saying that he was still recuperating.

"From being an object of ridicule to achieving great respect, Indian cinema has gone places. I have seen Sheena as a little child in frocks, visiting her father's sets.

"Her book is yet another endorsement of Bollywood. In these times of IT and computers, books have still not lost their charm. This book can easily take its place by your computer's side and be read at leisure," he said.

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