Library Journal Review,
July 1 2007

Alter, Stephen. Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief: Inside the World of Indian Moviemaking. Harvest: Harcourt. Aug. 2007. c.288p. photogs. index. ISBN 978-0-15-603084-7. pap. $15.
Chopra, Anupama. King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema. Grand Central. Aug. 2007. index. ISBN 978-0-446-57858-5. $24.99. FILM

Bollywood, the moniker associated with the global phenomenon of Indian filmmaking, cranks out over 900 movies a year that reach billions around the world. As its influence grows, Western scrutiny of the Indian film industry and its stars is becoming increasingly popular. Alter, the author of numerous nonfiction books on India, grew up, works, and lives in that country and proves to be a singularly intelligent and insightful guide through Indian cinema. Documenting the making of the movie Omkara, Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, Alter investigates the constituent elements of Bollywood films. Interviews with Indian actors, directors, choreographers, producers, and musicians contribute to understanding the complex cinematic order of expected plots, character archetypes, songs, dances, and endings.

As star of the longest-running film in Indian cinema history, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (“The Brave Heart Will Take the Bride,” commonly referred to as DDLJ), Shah Rukh Khan makes several cameo appearances in Alter’s book. Journalist Chopra, who belongs to an esteemed Indian filmmaking clan, focuses on Khan’s story to explicate the idiosyncrasies and intricacies of Indian film. How a Muslim without family connections became the preeminent star of his generation in a majority Hindu nation whose film industry is dominated by family-controlled interests is compelling. That film stars are revered is old hat, but Khan has essentially been deified by billions, and the unfolding of this iconic worship is one of King of Bollywood’s delights. Both Alter’s and Chopra’s books are strongly recommended for all popular film and media collections; Alter’s text will appeal to both general and more specialized audiences.
—Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX  

© Anupama Chopra 2007