Amitabh Bachchan — A Kaleidoscope, written by Vikas Chandra Sinha and Pradeep Chandra, is a book with rare photographs, illustrations, drawings and paintings on the megastar that tries to capture his life on and off the screen. It was launched last month. On his birthday (October 11), we, at Team Optimist, try to catch the essence of the book here…
He is a household name across the length and breadth of India — and even abroad. Even a child of eight years knows who he is. People who cannot read or write know him. People wait to see his shows on TV and on the big screen with the same enthusiasm. Actors are known to have fan clubs, but Kolkata has a temple dedicated to this megastar. People watch his movies not once or twice, but several times. He is the ‘son-in-law’ for Kolkatans because his wife, Jaya Bhaduri, is a Bengali!
Yes, we are talking about Amitabh Bachchan! The name, itself, is enough to make anyone sit up and take notice. A name that has become synonymous with Indian cinema. One of the finest actors of our times and a demigod for many, Bachchan, or Big B as he is fondly called by his fans, has had an indelible impact on the big screen, as well as the small. Naturally, there have been numerous exhibitions and books dedicated to him and his works. But the stature of Amitabh Bachchan — as both man and artist — is so large that no one single book can hope to comprehensively cover either his journey, or personality in their entirety.
“As an actor, Bachchan’s career spans an astounding five decades, having essayed myriad characters and having worked with some of the biggest names in the film industry. No words, adjectives, or superlatives would ever be enough to sum up the complete oeuvre of Amitabh Bachchan, the actor. What we’ve tried to do is reflect some of the highlights and lesser-known aspects of both his life and works in this book. Each chapter has been named after his films. So, one chapter may read: Amar Akbar Anthony and another: Anand, or Benaam. In all, there are 16 chapters in the book,” says Vikas Chandra, co-author.
“Amitabh Bachchan — A Kaleidoscope has tried to simulate the common fan’s view of a megastar. It attempts to provide a ‘360-degree view’ of a great man, but, above all, it’s a debt of gratitude to Bachchan who has brought so much joy into the lives of Indians,” says Pradeep Chandra, co-author.
While Vikas Chandra Sinha is a first-time author, Kaleidoscope is Pradeep Chandra’s fifth book and the second on Amitabh Bachchan. Although both the authors have been life-long fans of Bachchan, Vikas Chandra is an IIT and IIM graduate and a senior corporate executive, Pradeep Chandra is one of India’s leading photo journalists.
In Amitabh Bachchan — A Kaleidoscope, Pradeep Chandra and Vikas Chandra Sinha have embarked on the near-impossible task of chronicling the course of Bachchan’s life, from his early days till date. Filled with personal anecdotes from the man himself; quotes from his immediate family, closest friends and colleagues who have been witness to his rise to mega-stardom. With a collection of rare and never-before-seen photographs, beautiful paintings, sketches and movie stills, the book is a must-read for every Bachchan fan.
The book is available at all leading book stores and online sites across India.
The authors
Pradeep Chandra: Pradeep Chandra is known for his versatility. An eminent photographer, he has written coffee-table books on MF Husain, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aamir Khan. He is also an artist, who has participated in several art camps and group shows in India and abroad. As a photojournalist, Chandra has been associated with The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Week and The Sunday Observer, among others.
Vikas Chandra Sinha: Vikas Chandra Sinha is a first-time author and a lifelong Bachchan fan. He works in the corporate sector and has studied at IIT-Delhi and IIM-Ahmedabad. He has worked with some of the biggest corporate houses in India — Maruti Suzuki and the Tata Group — and is currently with the Mahindra Group. A student of history, art and films; this book was an opportunity for him to relive the Bachchan myth, along with a fellow art and film aficionado. He lives in Mumbai with his wife and two daughters.
