Zoravar
Zoravar remembered distantly the cold winter night on which he had gone to watch ‘Phool’ by the same director. It was the lost movie he had watched before fate had twisted him in ways from which he would never recover.
-Maharsh Shah, ‘Zoravar’.
Entertaining and engaging read for the old Bollywood cinephiles.
This is a story of a superstar from his days as a sixteen year old movie buff to entering the world of post-independence dacoits and criminals. His courageous escape from the criminal world to struggling to make a breakthrough in Hindi cinema.The glittery and the shady world of cinema is well depicted in the book. His walk of fame and difficulties to hold on to his dream.
Zoravar’s strong hatred and dislike for the revered Bollywood star Dilip Kumar and the Devdas movie angle is a delight to read.
Although the book is narrated through the eyes and mind of a fictional character, the events and the people around him are real which makes the book lively. I liked how the behind the reels persona of actors like Dev Anand, Suraiya, Raj Kapoor, Kishore Kumar are incorporated within the story. The research and knowledge of the author about the 50’s and 60’s Hindi cinema is applaudable.
Love the cover illustration reminds one of the vintage hand painted Bollywood posters. Thank you Harpercollinsindia, Maharsh Shah and thereaderstribe for this lovely book.
Bombay Reader 