I let loose the movie buff in me when I registered to review Kitnay Aadmi Thay on Blogadda. The 'completely useless Bollywood trivia' as the tagline says, is written by Diptakirti Chaudhury who is a salesman when he is not watching, talking or writing about films.
The book starts with a chapter focused on the opening credits right from the 70s and 80s era to the current trends. Only a keen viewing and deep research can result into a wonderful chapter like this. Rest of the book unfolds like a movie plot with chapters like '10 movies to have not been made', '11 Legendary confrontations' etc. Apart from being a list the chapters also contain some known and unknown trivia. You tend to smirk when there's a mention of your favourite film/scene in a list. I couldn't stop either when the 'football with sharbat-e-jannat glasses' scene from Andaz Apna Apna appeared in 'Beyond the boundary - 10 sports'.
There are some lists surprise you at the very end. The 'Baap of all lists' talks about all the filmy fathers and gives a one line mention to the baap of them all in the end, 'rishtey mein to hum tumhare baap hote hain...'. Even a non Amitabh Bachchan fan can feel the aura of the man and the power he has over the film-goers. Or Comissioner De Mello popping up in 'Christian Brothers'.
The 'Killer Kaun' quiz excites you and you curse yourself for not getting the answers right.
The humour stays intact and sometimes will have you in splits. Of course I do not agree with all the lists and would like to have my own additions but then the author agrees that "the book is incomplete... I can assure you its more fun this way". I had fun picking out some errors though like Sanjana and Kareena Kapoor are not cousins but aunt and neice (can give myself a little pat on the back).
But like a true blue Hindi picture 'all's well that ends well' and the book ends on a fantastic note (you have to read it to know what I am talking about).
The End I Samaapt I Khatm
Book: Kitnay Aadmi Thay
Author: Diptakirti Choudhury
Publisher: Westland
Price: Rs 275
Pages: 301
This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!
Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteSanjana-Kareena was not an intentional error for people to spot! It was a genuine mistake, which I will correct in future editions. Thanks again for that.
And KK did say that line to his wife. See this link from 1:50 onwards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjwUj6IuiQs&feature=relmfu
:)
DeleteI know it wasn't intentional.
And sorry for the KK goof up, my bad. Will delete it.
Hey nice review.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a surprise - you got the Author's Comment on your Review - Awesome.
I was the part of the same Book Review Program.
Here is my take on the Book
http://vyoworld.blogspot.in/
thanks a lot.
DeleteYup it was nice of him :)
being a filmi keeda I am very much eager to read this book just by going through the review.Help me get it.
ReplyDeleteI'll give you my book :)
Deletewah kya baat hai.I will give same comments every time.Get prepared.
DeleteIt is a very well composed book. Good content as well. A MUST-HAVE for all bollywood fans. Though the book has very rich content but still I would like to suggest to "Diptakirti Sir" to include more trivia in his next book. This book has much of lists, not so many trivias. That was the only let down for me (though I really enjoyed reading the book)
ReplyDelete