Category: Book Reviews

Posted on

Bhima’s Wife: Kavita Kane does it again

Just like her previous books Kavita Kane brings to life a neglected character. This time around its Hidimbi. The novel takes the readers through a roller coaster of a journey whether its the fairy tale like love story and then the separation. By the end you appreciate Hidimbi’s strong inner strength. Kavita Kane gives a powerful feminist streak in terms of how Hidimbi is never reduced to a helpless victim.

Both our epics Ramayana and Mahabharata give solid scope for constant reinterpretation. The reason being the huge canvas with a diverse set of people. The most minor characters give scope for solid drama. Over the years Kavita Kane has emerged as a wonderful storyteller. The way she picks up forgotten women from the epics and gives voice to them makes for a delightful read.

Bhima’s Wife is another solid addition. The novel in brief focuses on the different facets of Hidimbi’s life whether it’s her marriage with Bhima in spite of the massive cultural divide and then the Pandavas abandoning her once she gives birth to a boy among other things. How Hidimbi status is often ignored as the first Pandavas’s daughter in law forms an important part of the novel as well.

A theme which strongly resonates in Bhima’s wife is challenging the traditional stereotypes attached with rakshasas. There is often a tendency to slot them as cannibalistic figures. But Kavita Kane shows how the so called uncivilized has higher moral standards than Pandavas. This especially comes out in the kinds of questions raised by Hidimbi on acceptance, identity and dignity.

She doesn’t spare Bhima as well in spite of the deep love. For example, there is a part where Hidimbi questions him on how an innocent family became a collateral damage for the Pandavas to survive in the burning of a Lacquer house. Chapters like these bring out the fiery spirit of Hidimbi as well as challenging traditional perceptions.

Mention must also be made of how the novel presents Bhima. Bhima is often associated with brute strength. But here Kavita Kane showcases him as a flawed and vulnerable human being. There is a visible romantic side to Bhima in the chapters post Hidimbi’s pregnancy. How he takes care of her like a small child is adorable. The readers wish that he listened to his heart rather than trying to be an ideal son.

The novel also dwells into superior attitude showed by the Pandavas. A sense of supremacy in how they view the clan of Hidimbi isn’t spell out loud but it comes out effectively. By the end the readers feel that Hidimbi was used by Kunti and co for their selfish plans and then later abandoned.

However, the biggest strength of Bhima’s wife is how Kavita Kane brings alive the different shades of Hidimbi in her characteristic style. Yes, a sense of repetitiveness can be felt for those familiar with her work, still there is a lot to admire. The book starts off with Hidimbi being scared of her brother but as the novel progresses, she emerges as a strong woman. This can be especially seen in Hidimbi bringing together the warring tribes. How she maintains peace and harmony with her powerful presence is a perfect example of the novel’s feminist streak.

Final word: Bhima’s Wife is a solid read for those who enjoy mythological retelling as well as fans of Kavita Kane’s earlier works.

Posted on

The Palace of Illusions: A gripping psychological insight

Novelist Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni does a good job in not giving a voice to Draupadi: but there is also a contemporariness by analyzing the expectations Draupadi was burdened with. Both as a woman of five husbands and queen of Hastinapur. The subtle wit of Draupadi along with an unapologetic attitude makes The Palace Of Illusions a very engaging read.

The character of Draupadi in the epic Mahabharata shares than one similarity with the famous Helen of Troy. Both the women are treated as the major reasons behind the massive conflicts when in actuality it was the actions of men which drove the situation. Coming to Draupadi she is easily one of the most complex personalities in Mahabharata. A woman often becoming a pawn in the ego tussles of the men around her. Someone with not much say going through the worst of humiliations.

There have been numerous retellings of both Mahabharata and Ramayana: however there have been far and few when it comes to retelling of epics from the main female protagonist point of view. Before The Palace of Illusions there was Yagnaseni written by Pratibha Roy. Pratibha Roy also did a fine job in presenting Drapudi’s point of view by taking the popular perceptions head on. There is a visible angst in the way the protagonist questions things. The Palace of Illusions is another worthy addition.

Yagnaseni and The Palace of Illusions

Since the story of Drapaudi is well known I wouldn’t get into the plot. Instead, directly jump into my brief take on what makes The Palace of Illusions an engaging read. As earlier said Chitra Banerjee gives a contemporariness to the conflicts placed by Draupadi. For a large part of the novel Drapaudi is seen grappling with her complex emotions towards the five husbands. All the five fail her in different ways. The emotional labor faced by a woman in a relationship comes out in a stark manner. These complex emotions though aren’t just confined to marriage but also her role as a Hastinapur queen.

These portions have a relatable parallel to the balancing act of a modern woman. However, what makes The Palace of Illusions stand out is Draupadi’s sharp wit. There is an unapologetic attitude in the way Draupadi contemplates the situation around her. These includer her commentary on the flawed husbands or the dry humor about fate’s cruel sense of humor. These moments make the readers both chuckle and flinch.

By the end Draupadi emerges as a queen in her own right and not just as a wife of five husbands. Eventually her journey becomes a symbol of finding strength making this latest retelling a very contemporary read.

At the same time though Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni doesn’t shy away from presenting Draupadi with all her flaws. Whether it’s her jealousy towards the other Pandava women or having a certain vanity. But these elements make her a wholesome personality.

Mention must also be made of the track involving Karna and Draupadi. Yes, the writer has taken liberties here with zero mention of Karana’s wife, nevertheless an unsaid love between the two has come out well. Draupadi’s fascination with Karna during the swayamvar only to be sidelined later due to the prejudiced opinions of Krishna gives the novel some of its best moments.

Draupadi’s interactions with Krishna also adds an important layer to the novel. The friendship between the two has been etched well. Krishna comes across as a major confidant helping her to cope with challenges both personal and societal. Often times he comes across as a dearer one than the five husbands put together.

Final word: The Palace of Illusions is a must read for those who enjoy retelling of epics with a feministic tone.

Posted on

12 Years (My Messed-Up Love Story): More of a Bollywood romantic drama with some interesting topics

Chetan Bhagat does a good job in building up the love story while also making sure that the 12 years age gap doesn’t come across as cringeworthy. The conversations between the hero and the heroine have a good flow with well-established personalities. Mention must also be made of how Chetan Bhagat integrates different issues through a romantic drama. The novel though needed much a much better edit and a cut down on staple Bollywood elements

Most of Chetan Bhagat’s novels come across as a pitch for producers. Whether it’s the autobiographical novel 2 States or Half Girlfriend, Revolution 2020 and now 12 Years (My Messed- Up- Love Story). Chetan Bhagat’s latest follows the journey of the 33-year-old Saket Khuranna and a 21-year-old Payal Jain. Saket is recovering from the emotional wounds of a divorce while trying to chart a new career path of standup comedy. Payal Jain on the other hand is a young woman stepping into the corporate world. How the paths of these two cross and the various tribulations they go through with a happy ending forms the core of Chetan Bhagat’s latest.

As already mentioned Chetan Bhagat does a good job in building up the love story. The dilemmas which both go through before taking the big leap has been well written. What also helps the love story is the integration of hero’s standup comedy profession. This acts as a building block for Payal’s attraction as she finds Saket unique. How her presence helps Saket in navigating the emotional wounds of the first marriage makes the readers root for the couple. The novel’s ending with the two having a happy ending in a standup comedy act leaves the viewers in a happy mood.

Up until midway point the novel has a smooth flow especially for those who are acquainted with Chetan Bhagat’s style of love stories. A mention too must be made of the portion where the two are caught in the middle of a sexual act. It’s both laugh out funny as well as tragic.

However, once the separation sets in the novel follows a set template. Saket almost becomes a Devadas slipping into depression. He has also a major fall resulting in hospital treatment. The reactions of Saket is definitely understandable given his love for Payal and what she means to him, but these portions overstay their welcome.

This is where the staple Bollywood elements kick in whether it’s parental opposition, separation and destiny bringing them back together. Hopefully these elements are toned down if the novel is made into a movie.

Keeping aside these things, Chetan Bhagat deserves appreciation for how he has integrated various societal aspects. Some of these include gender-based divorce laws from the perspective of men and the demands of unreasonable maintenance. Also, how society looks at age gaps along with the community aspect has come out well.

Final word: 12 Years (My Messed Up Love Story) is worth reading for fans of romantic fiction and also those who have grown on Chetan Bhagat novels.

Posted on

Mother Mary Comes to Me: An Unfiltered Memoir, Personal and Political

Arundhati Roy, in Mother Mary Comes To Me, offers an unflinching and deeply personal account of the complex mother-daughter relationship. Her vivid portrayal of a turbulent family dynamic and the hard life she endured is both compelling and raw.

Mother Mary Comes To Me is a potent mix of the personal and the political, interwoven with Roy’s signature humor. It’s a book that not only critiques but also finds moments of levity. There are scathing lines that will make you chuckle while still holding up a mirror to society. The memoir takes us through various facets of Roy’s life, notably her stormy relationship with her mother, Mary. A complex figure, Mary embodies both awe and fear in equal measure. As a character, Mary is not easily likable, but her inner strength demands respect.

Mary is a woman who defied societal expectations, challenging sexism and battling illness while raising her children. Her personal achievements are substantial. She founded Pallikoodam, a school in Kottayam, and in 1986 won a landmark Supreme Court case that granted Syrian Christian women equal inheritance rights in Kerala. By challenging the discriminatory Succession Act, Mary became a central figure in Indian social and legal history. It’s easy to see where Arundhati’s activism comes from—Mary was a trailblazer.

The dynamics between Arundhati and Mary are complex, filled with both admiration and fear. These emotions create a raw, relatable narrative that resonates not only with readers interested in activism but also those who appreciate a personal account of family struggles.

Roy’s depiction of her early life is particularly poignant, highlighting the struggles of Mary in raising her children and the toll it took on Arundhati and her brother. The memoir paints a vivid picture of Roy’s chaotic upbringing in a politically turbulent period of Indian history. Arundhati’s fight with her own burgeoning identity and emotions gives the memoir a raw, unflinching quality.

One of the most refreshing aspects of the memoir is Roy’s lack of poetic embellishment. For instance, when recounting the obscenity trials related to The God of Small Things, she does not shy away from bluntness. She writes, “Being accused of obscenity and corrupting public morality would be the first of the three criminal cases filed against me by separate, unconnected batches of five male advocates. One of which would briefly send me to prison.” This candidness, her refusal to sugarcoat the hardships she endured for her bold stance, makes for a harrowing but honest read.

The Narmada River Dam Project controversy also plays a crucial role in Roy’s life and activism. The book showcases how her opposition to the project became an essential part of her public persona. One of her most striking quotes touches on the fusion of her writing and activism: “I was soon being called a ‘writer-activist,’ a term which I found absurd because it suggested that writing about things that vitally affected people’s lives was not the remit of the writer. That needed an additional appellation. To me ‘writer-activist’ sounded a bit like sofa-bed.”

Another memorable passage touches on her stance as a nationalist, despite being branded an “anti-national” by critics. She reflects, “The more I was hounded as an anti-national, the surer I was that India was the place I loved, the place to which I belonged. Where else could I be the hooligan that I was becoming? Where else would I find co-hooligans I so admired? And who among us supposed equals had the right to decide who was ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ national?”

This memoir is not just an exploration of Arundhati Roy’s life, but a profound commentary on societal norms, political resistance, and the power of unfiltered truth.

Posted on

The Beast Within: A gripping police procedural reflecting society

Rudraniel Sengupta’s The Beast Within reminds the readers of the acclaimed web series Delhi Crime on more than one occasion, the humanization of the police officer by intermingling the professional and personal lives has a striking resemblance to the Shefali Shah starrer. However, the novel is worth a read specifically for those who like slow burn thrillers taking their own sweet time.

The broad storyline of The Beast Within is set around the investigation of a young girl’s death, she is a domestic worker presumed to have committed suicide. But as Prashanth and his team dig deeper the mystery widens, “there’s more to it than meets the eye”. The investigation dwells into the social and political landscape of the city examining different themes running parallel to the main story.

A strong aspect of the novel is how Rudraniel Sengupta has combined the social aspects with the police procedural. Both go along smoothly never cutting into each other or feeling out of place. Through the death of a young domestic worker the books touches on the social hierarchies and systematic issues. Rudraniel Sengupta’s knowledge of being in journalism previously is very evident in the way he has depicted the different sections of Delhi, whether its the ultra rich or the marginalized.

Mention must also be made of how Rudraniel Sengupta has shown the investigation process, there is nothing flashy or larger than life in the way Prashanth and his team go about the proceedings. There are passages in the novel where the police officers don’t find evidence, its often a slow process connecting all the small dots to find the bigger picture. This gradual unraveling also makes the novel interesting even though the slow burn nature isn’t for all.

As already mentioned the novel intermingles the professional and personal challenges faced by the police while handling tough cases. This juxtaposition has been done well by Rudraniel Sengupta. The readers feel the psychological and emotional toll faced by the men and women. This aspect comes out even more strikingly in the portions where Rudraniel Sengupta talks about the heavy dependence on bureaucracy cooperation

Often times the novel goes into numerous directions focusing on matters other than the case at hand, but the way these diversions condense into something important keeps the readers hooked.

Among the police officers the one who stands out the most is SI Meera. A former wrestler who wants to do real investigation not letting inconsequential things effect, her determination to make a strong difference is very palpable. Its a major highlight of the novel.

The ending of The Beast Within talks about the importance of pursuing justice even if its delayed and not perfect. Unlike the usual novels the writer doesn’t tie up everything, he leaves you with numerous thoughts about the beast within the various structural systems. The word beast in the title doesn’t confine itself to a particular individual but a larger society.

Posted on

The Queen of Mahismati: A satisfying conclusion

The best part of the Bahubali novels is the detailed manner in which Anand Neelakantan has sketched the character of Sivagamini unlike the movies where she is just one of the important characters. A major highlight of the third book is the depiction of the Kalekaya tribe who got a very raw deal in the first Bahubali movie.

The third part of Anand Neelakantan’s trilogy primarily focuses on the increasing rise of Sivagamini. In this final chapter she becomes a queen navigating various battles under the guidance of Maharaja Somadeva, she has to navigate numerous political intrigues. At the same time Sivagamini is also forced to make difficult choices regarding love and ambition.

Much like the first two books a major highlight of this one too is Mahadeva. There is a very endearing quality to him in terms of his righteous nature. It’s easy to see from where Bahubali gets the ideals of justice and a sense of what is right and wrong. Mahadeva more often than not feels like an odd one out when compared to the other key characters specifically Somadeva and Bijjladeva. The understated romance between them makes the readers wish that Sivagamini and Mahadeva had an happily ever after.

Another big strength of the novel is the subplot of Kalekaya’s. In the movie the subplot comes across as very jarring due to a lack of subtext however in the novel it’s a very different case. Anand Neelakantan has done a fine job in giving a social subtext into the civilazation of these people. The way Anand Neelakantan has presented the cultural background of the Kalekaya and their vanquished civilization gives the readers a fresh perspective.

Coming to the titular character the growth of Sivagamini continues to enthrall. On numerous occasions the inner strength of Sivagamini comes out in a striking manner. The various dilemmas that she goes through particularly regarding her feelings with Mahadeva makes you root for the woman in spite of her somewhat ruthless nature. Anand Neelakantan truly deserves distinction marks for how he has built the character over the three books. Wish the novels are made into a solid web series one day. Through the character of Sivagamini Anand Neelakantan has written an empowered woman someone is both bold and capable of handling any tough situation irrespective of how hard it may appear.

The war sequences have also been well conceptualized creating an immersive experience for the readers. There is a lot of detailing. Mention also be made of the impactful social commentary. There are many meaningful quotes in the novel, some of them are as follows

1 Evil happens not because there are evil men, but because good people stand by indifferent to the deeds of evil men.

2 Politics is about mining religion and selling what is holy

3 Give some charity and there will always be people to defend you, even if you have committed a series of murders

4 I don’t think the world is as evil as we all think. Even in the worst of men there is a sense of goodness. We need to water it with love and nurture it with trust.

As far as the other characters go Kattapa’s role is a static as ever with no fresh dimensions in comparison to the movie however the triology does give a better understanding of his personal life and his devotion to Mahismati kingdom. The character of Sivappa in the third novel too is disappointing. Its sad to see a character of great potential from the first part going waste.

Final word: The Queen of Mahismati is a treat for fans of Bahubali movies and lovers of fantasy novels.

Posted on

Chaturanga (Baahubali series part 2 novel): Notches above the first part showcasing a different facet to the epic character of Shivgamini

Chaturanga book cover

True to the title the novel often plays out like a game of chess with numerous power games. A strong aspect of the novel is that we see a different shade of Shivgamini on the flipside though the character of Kattapa’s brother Shivappa leaves a lot to be desired, he doesn’t carry the same weight as the first one. The novel also has some good political commentary

The impact of SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali movies is something undeniable irrespective of certain issues that both movies have. The two films have become a significant part of our pop culture altering the landscape of mainstream cinema significantly. Noted writer Anand Neelakantan novels based on the Bahubali movies serve as a prequel to the character of Shivgamini, how she comes to the kingdom of Mahismati and her back story.

The first book The Rise of Shivagamini focused on the turbulent childhood of the majestic queen. She was orphaned at a young age and also cruelly taken away from her foster family. Shivgamini is waiting for the day where she can avenge the death of her father blamed as a traitor. Running parallelly is the track of budding resentment against the Mahishmati kingdom, Kattappa much like the Baahubali movies is a devoted slave, however the younger brother Shivappa has a different personality he is much more of a rebel. Alongside this there are numerous other mini stories within the main one.

The second part of this series named Chaturanga is centered around Shivgamini’s rise to power and how she continues to pursue her goal of clearing the father’s name. Shivgamini is given the title of Bhoomipathi, the title Bhoomipathi essentially refers to a person owning or governing a piece of land in the context of feudalism. This position gives her more power, on the other hand Mahismati is amidst a major political turmoil. Chaturanga much like the first book is a mix of various elements like politics, ambition and loyalty among others.

A strong aspect of Chaturanga is undoubtedly the characterization of Shivgamini. Unlike the first part which was more of a filler here the character graph is much more interesting and layered. On numerous occasions a certain tender side comes out beneath a strong facade that she maintains. The writing is more much detailed on how a teenage girl evolves into a strong-willed woman due to the circumstances around her. The tender side of Shivgamini specifically comes out in the portions with the king Mahadeva. There is some nice, understated romance between the two.

What also works for the book is how the writer has depicted the political games in the style of a chess game. Many characters in the book come with interesting layers apart from Shivagamini. A very good example of this is king Somadeva. On the surface he may appear to be a good-natured person with certain serenity however he also has a very calculative nature. Another character worth mentioning here is Pattaraya. Pattaraya is a rich nobleman who is known for his ruthless and cunning nature. He is one of the evilest characters in the book at the same time Anand Neelankantan humanizes him with a psychological insight on how his actions are driven by the social milieu he was born in along with the adverse circumstances.

Through the character of Pattaraya there are some important dialogues too reflecting the current political atmosphere. For example, there is a dialogue where he says nothing sells like nationalism and religion in our country. This is very apt in our current socio-political atmosphere. Similarly, there is a dialogue about make up stories and repeating them so often that people will fall for it.

As an absolute contrast to the likes of Somadeva and Pattaraya there is the character of Mahadeva. The readers will like him immensely for his soft nature and overall kindness.

As already mentioned the character of Shivappa lacks the fire of the first one. This comes across as a disappointing aspect since he was the soul of the first one. Also, the novel suffers from a certain rushed nature in some scenes. There is an abrupt nature to the novel on some occasions. However, for most part Chaturanga is highly recommended for fans of Baahubali movies.

Posted on

Black Warrant (Confessions of a Tihar Jailer novel): A brilliant insider account

Co written by Sunil Gupta who worked as a jailer in Tihar the novel is both a crisp read and at the same time draws the readers into the notorious world

Black Warrant streaming on Netflix is easily one of the best shows in Hindi language. Vikramaditya Motwane along with Satyanshu Singh and others presented a very gritty picture of the deeply horrifying situations where it’s very difficult for a prisoner to reform. After reading the novel on which the web series is based it must be said that the directors have done absolute justice to the novel’s theme.

For those who haven’t read the book or seen the web series the novel is a memoir of Sunil Gupta who worked in the Tihar jail for a very long time. Sunil Gupta is known for his fantastic work in the field of prison reforms and overall administration. One of Sunil Gupta’s major achievements is starting Tihar’s first legal aid cell. Sunil Gupta is a recipient of India vision award for his contribution in the field of prison reforms. Sunil Gupta actually got a stable job in Indian Railways but he left the safety of that, instead he pursued his dream of donning the khaki uniform. In this process he became a jailer in the notorious place of Tihar.

Real and reel life Sunil Gupta

A strong aspect of the book is how Sunil Gupta along with Sunetra Choudhary presents the world of Tihar in a raw and gritty manner. There is no sense of artificially in the way Sunil Gupta has written about his encounters with controversial prisoners of various kinds. This includes Charles Sobhraj, Afzal Guru, Manu Sharma and some more.

A special mention must be made of how he describes the charisma and the power of Charles Sobharaj. The big reason for Sunil Gupta getting the job of a jailer was the recommendation of Charles Sobhraj. The huge influence that Charles Sobhraj wielded comes across strongly through the writings of both the authors.

Charles Sobhraj

Sunil Gupta’s description of both Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt is also very engaging. Talking about Maqbool Bhatt Mr Gupta says that he was highly educated and also pious. In fact Sunil Gupta used to practice English language skills with him. Following is a passage from the novel on Maqbool Bhatt.

 “It was very clear that Maqbool was a political prisoner and he was treated as one. Unlike others who would spend their time gossiping or trying to make trouble, all he did was read,” Mr Gupta writes in a chapter “The anatomy of hanging” (p.72). He described Bhatt as a victim of circumstances.

About Afzal Guru Sunil Gupta talks about how his attitude was different from the other prisoners regarding how they took execution. He writes that Afzal Guru began singing a Bollywood song while being informed about his execution. The song is ‘ Apne liye Jiye Toh Kya jiye, tu ji ae dil zamane ke liye’ (if you lived for yourself, you’ve hardly lived, live for the world). Afzal Guru claimed that he wasn’t a terrorist but had been labeled one. He added, ‘If I were a terrorist, I wouldn’t have ensured my child became a doctor.’

Sunil Gupta talking about Afzal Guru

Both the writers have presented the prisoners from a humanistic point of view. This is very visible in Sunil Gupta’s interactions with them. Another aspect of the novel is the message Sunil Gupta gives to jailers. He says they have a very important responsibility in bringing reforms and for that it’s important to have an empathetic attitude towards prisoners.

How the economic status of a prisoner plays a pivotal role in the jail has also come out well. If the prisoners are wealthy and have strong connections he can buy most things and these include air conditioners, food from hotels, women and more.

How the corruption is deep rooted across all levels of the prison has come out starkly. A good example of this is the case involving Kohli and his employer Pandher. They both were found guilty of rape and murder of a 14 year old girl. While Pandher was acquitted because of his rich background. Kohli a poor housekeeper on the other hand was hanged. This gives a very stark picture on how the rich can get away.

Final word: Black Warrant (Confessions of a Tihar Jailer Novel) is a must read just like the web series.

Posted on

Kamal Haasan (A Cinematic Journey): An amalgamation of Kamal’s craft and the influence of politics

Kamal Haasan (A Cinematic Journey)

This book written by noted film personality K Hariharan is not your conventional biography, it comes across as more of an academic study. For the many Kamal Haasan fans and serious movie buffs the book is a must read.

The filmography of Kamal Haasan is a delight for any true cinephile. The legendary actor has done so many versatile roles both in offbeat and mainstream cinema. Kamal’s penchant for experimenting with different get ups has enthralled his fans over decades. He has many admirers among different age groups and is still going strong. To pick up 40 plus movies out of his illustrious career is a very difficult task for any writer, but K Hariharan does a good job in selecting them which not only reflect Kamal Haasan’s craft but also the influence of politics.

Kamal Haasan in Nayakan

Kamal Haasan and K Balachander: A major highlight of the book is undoubtedly the chapters covering Kamal Haasan’s early movies with the legendary K Balachander. The role of K Balachander in shaping up Kamal’s career is immense and this comes across very strongly. K Balachander’s movies always had a socio political context.

The influence of the Dravadian moment in how K Balachander wrote his characters particularly the women coming across as very strong makes for a fascinating read. Topics of sexuality and the frustration of unemployed youth often found place in K Balachander’s cinema.

The characters which Kamal Haasan played were often surrounded by strong women making him a feminist symbol, this quality made him very endearing to the female audiences of various age groups.

Interpretation of lost and found themes: Another interesting aspect of the book is how K Hariharan looks at the lost and found themes in the movies of Kamal Haasan. A particular mention must be made of his analysis on Michael Madan Kamaraju released in the year 1990. This comedy of errors focuses on three siblings growing up in different places and finally reunited with their mother.

He compares Michael Madan Kamaraju to other famous Indian movies Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Raj Kapoor’s (Awaara) which also has the themes of lost and found. K Hariharan puts these movies in the context of many families losing their loved ones while fleeing borders during the tumultuous partition.

Kamal Haasan in Michael Madan Kamaraju

Mention must also be made of the chapter covering Kamal Haasan’s cross over hit Ek Duuje Ke Liye. The nervousness which Kamal Haasan went through (because it was his first Hindi film) while filming the movie and how it went on to defy many odds makes for a very good read. The success of Ek Duuje Ke Liye opened doors to Bollywood for the likes of K S Chitra and K J Yesudas. Interestingly you also had the likes of Lata Mangeskhar, Asha Bhonsle and Udit Narayan making a foray into Tamil and Telugu film industry as a reverse phenomenon.

Another interesting thing about the book is the analysis of Kamal Haasan’s commercial movies. K Hariharan looks at them as part of industrial products. Kamal Haasan viewed commercial filmmakers as simple and honest human beings not governed by philosophies either moral or ethical.

Talking about one of Kamal Haasan’s most political movies Hey Ram there is an interesting analysis on how the initial script was based on the character of Nathuram Godse. Later it became a fictionalized tale of an agonised Hindu wanting to kill Mahatma Gandhi as he suffers a personal loss during the partition. There is a detailed explanation of a scene involving Naseeruddin Shah playing the on screen Mahatma Gandhi. During the shooting in Ooty the musicians were rehearsing the hymn Vaishnava Jana Toh. As soon as Naseeruddin Shah walked in to the set as Mahatma the noisy location went silent and every one walked up to the old man to join in the prayers. K Hariharan describes how Kamal Haasan had Goosebumps all over his body.

Kamal Haasan’s natural flair for comedy has also come out well along with his passion for experimenting with different characters. One slight drawback of the book is that his two Telugu classics Swathi Muthyam and Sagara Sangamam needed more exploration. Even the chapter on Mani Ratnam’s Nayakan doesn’t give much insight except for the very famous breakdown scene.

Kamal Haasan in Swati Muthyam

Posted on

Animal’s People: A haunting account of Bhopal gas tragedy aftereffects through a fictional story and setting

The novel Animal’s People deals with many significant themes like abuse of human rights whether it is the people coming from the lower sections of society or the differently abled ones, the huge impact of environmental degradation and lastly resilience of human spirit enabling people to fight all odds among others. Indra Sinha truly deserves all the appreciation the book has got. Though first published in 2007 the novel still feels very relevant

Animal’s People Novel

The Bhopal gas Leak is one of the biggest tragedies in the history of mankind. Apart from the huge death toll the leak also led to survivors having major health problems like respiratory issues, blindness and other maladies resulting from exposure to toxic gas. Although many years have passed since then the horrors of that period can never be forgotten particularly for the residents of that area. The Bhopal Gas tragedy also had a major impact on both environment and economy of our country.

In 2023 Yash Raj Banners Produced a show called The Railway Men focusing on a few unsung heroes who put their lives at stake saving as many lives as they could on that fateful night. First time director Shiv Rawail did a terrific job in exploring the moral corruption within the political landscape like the chief of the union carbide factory getting away with his sins. The series also presented a realistic picture of the terrible aftereffects.

The Railway Men directed by Shiv Rawail

Indra Sinha’s 2007 novel on the other hand is set in the fictional city of Khaufpura, this place is home to a devasting gas explosion. It goes without saying the place of Khaufpura and the events there resemble the immense tragedy of the Bhopal Gas leak. Coming back to this novel the story focuses on a young man of 19 years. He was born just a few days before the explosion of chemical factory. This young man calling himself Animal walks on all fours with a twisted back. Although born with a terrible condition he never looks for sympathy, in fact he rejects all kinds of sympathy sprouting profanities for most part and obsessing about sex. His life undergoes a significant change with the entry of an American doctor called Elli. Elli wants to open a free clinic for the still suffering townsfolk. This is the brief outline of the very disturbing Indra Sinha novel.

A strong aspect of Animal’s people is how Indra Sinha has written the main character. There is an infectious energy with a never say attitude about this 19-year-old boy. He often becomes a narrator giving the readers an insight into the major divide between the have and have nots in the area of Khaufpura, this young man also represents the lives of many individuals whose life have undergone extreme changes because of the devastating catastrophes like this.

In spite of his language bordering on profanities on numerous occasions there is also a certain endearing quality to him. A lot of dark humor is generated with his character often leaving the viewers in splits. Good examples of the dark humor are the following lines

“Is it kind to remind a blind man that he could once, see? The priests who whisper magic in the ears of the corpses, they’re not saying, “Cheer up, you used to be alive.’ The juxtaposition of the devasting atmospherics and the dark humor has been wonderfully done by Indra Sinha.

Apart from his spunky nature the novel also does a very good in job in exploring how at times he is haunted by the ghosts of the past and a hidden desire to be loved.

As already mentioned, Indra Sinha’s Animal’s people also dwells into numerous socio-political themes. A very good example of this is about the difficulty in achieving social justice, how the government’s need to protect corporate companies makes things very complicated.

The environmental degradation and its terrible consequences also comes out very strong in Indra Sinha’s writings. The novel often feels like a wakeup call for the common man.

Another important part of the novel is the theme of identity. There are some occasions in the novel where our protagonist is seen struggling internally concerning his appearance as an animal however towards the end, he finally does make peace with it. This acceptance of his new identity comes out strongly in the line “Stay four- foot, “I’m the one and only Animal.”

For those who haven’t still read this excellent novel please do read it, Animal’s People is a must read for serious readers.