Celebrities turn authors, announce new books

New Delhi, Nov 9 Along with actor Priyanka Chopra's memoir 'Unfinished', which is slated for a 2021 launch, more celebrities from the world of Indian cinema have turned authors and announced new books. Here are some reads to look forward to.

Neena Gupta's 'Sach Kahun Toh'

Award-winning actor Neena Gupta's memoir, 'Sach Kahun Toh' will be published by Penguin Random House India'. This deeply intimate account of her extraordinary personal and professional journey will be published in the summer of 2021. It will chronicle her childhood days in Delhi's Karol Bagh, through her time at the National School of Drama, moving to Bombay in the 1980s and dealing with the struggles to find work. It will detail the big milestones in her life, her unconventional pregnancy and single parenthood, and successful second innings in Bollywood. A candid, self-deprecating portrait of the person behind the persona, it will talk about her life's many choices, battling stereotypes, then and now, and how she may not be as unconventional as people think her to be.

As per Gupta, 'In the first half of 2020, when the country went into lockdown to battle the Covid-19 crisis, I found myself in Mukteshwar, a beautiful, scenic village in Uttarakhand. It was here I realised I had nothing to do other than battle my own thoughts. I started to reflect and relive my life's journey. Taking long, winding walks every day, appreciating the sounds of the birds and basking in the chill of the mountain air, I asked myself, "Why should I write a book? What do I have to say that could help and inspire someone?" And I realised two things, which made me immensely hopeful. My life has been festered with so many incidents that have made me and also broken me, and I needed to free myself by getting them out. Reflecting about my life, my journey and the things I've had to overcome will make me feel better and lighter. Secondly and more importantly, through the book I also want people to know that despite my flaws, my broken relationships and my circumstances in life, if I can get up, get going and look really good while doing so, so can you!'Gulzar's 'Actually... I Met Them: A Memoir'

A new book by renowned Indian poet, lyricist and film director Gulzar is set to be published by Penguin Random House India in 2021. According to the publisher, in this book, the working title for which is 'Actually... I Met Them: A Memoir', the author will recount his encounters with the stalwarts of Indian cinema, art, literature and music.

In this fascinating book, Gulzar Saab shares candid anecdotes from his association with some of the most eminent people he had known and worked with over a long period of time. From Satyajit Ray to R.D. Burman, Kishore Kumar, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Mahasweta Devi and Samaresh Basu, among others. In addition, there will be chapters on contemporary filmmakers, writers, poets, music, singers and actors. The book will open a window for readers to get to know some of the doyens of Indian art, culture and cinema through the lens of the gifted artist as he shares his special memories and experiences of working with them. Studded with rare photographs and scintillating humour, this book will be a compelling tale for a wide spectrum of readers.

The author of the book, Gulzar Saab, says, 'Memories don't dry up really. They keep floating somewhere between the conscious and the subconscious mind. It's a great feeling to swim there sometime. Pick up a few bubbly moments and cherish them again.'Adding, 'I was fortunate to be born in the era of some of the greatest masters, and was lucky that I actually met them. I got a chance to work with a few. There were Gurus, friends and colleagues among them.'

Sameera Reddy's debut book

Indian actress Sameera Reddy's debut book was announced by Westland Publications

( With inputs from IANS )