Enakshi reviews Teen Sey Chhey, a book about films, by Bobby Ghatak. An exclusive for Different Truths.
Book: Teen Sey Chhey
Author: Bobby Ghatak
Rating: 3/5
Every man needs to find a peak, a mountain top or a remote island of his own choosing that he reaches under his own power alone in his own good time. ~ Alain Gerbault
Knowing that the Indian film industry holds a dominating position in the world, it would not be wrong to say that every Indian finds the gossip related to the film industry interesting. Whether it is the usual chores that the celebrities do or the news/ rumours surrounding their personal life, every aspect is brought forth in such a glittery way that one cannot avoid but to make the celebrities a part of their life.
Bobby Ghatak’s Teen Sey Chhey is an elaborate account of the lives of the people who set the wheels of this industry rolling.
Bobby Ghatak’s Teen Sey Chhey is an elaborate account of the lives of the people who set the wheels of this industry rolling. It is said that every man reaches his peak once in his lifetime. From there, either he remains constant or witnesses his eventual fall. Bobby deftly puts together anecdotes from the journeys of Amitabh Bachchan, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Salim-Javed, Shahrukh Khan, and several other renowned personalities who shaped Bollywood. Why do I say anecdotes? Because these chapters are not biographies. In fact, they have been written with a more nonchalant approach – calmly and casually.
Teen Sey Chhey subtly highlights the highs and lows of these actors. While some took a lot of time to reach the pinnacle of success like Amitabh Bachchan, some instantly got their share of fame the moment their movie was released. What the author tries to prove through this descriptive account is the plausibility of the idea of a monopoly that existed back then. Now, the Khans have lost their lustre and the newer faces are taking over. Sadly, even the newcomers have a temporary holding, for soon they would be replaced too.
… the filmmakers are ever ready to jump the bandwagon and grab the ideas from the current events in the country.
I especially found the chapters that highlighted the stereotypical approach of the writers and the opportunist behaviour of the directors to use the circumstances in which the country sailed as a propeller to push forth their idea of entertainment. For example, the idea of playing the role of bandits or landlords came into being because of the invasion by the British! Even today, the filmmakers are ever ready to jump the bandwagon and grab the ideas from the current events in the country.
One of the best things about being a reviewer is being able to critique literature and it came as a surprise to me when I found the author dissecting some of the blockbuster movies so minutely! It was interesting to read about Don, Love Story and Sagar. Even though there were plenty of others, I could not help but enjoy reading about these three!
I am not sure if I thought on the right lines but sometimes, the narrative sounded satirical.
I am not sure if I thought on the right lines but sometimes, the narrative sounded satirical. Whether or not the author aimed at mocking the mindset of the film producers, I enjoyed reading about the trend and the trendsetters. The language of the book is simple but poor editing and unclear sentences often break the flow. The font and typesetting make reading easier.
Even though this book comprises over 400 pages, it passed the muster when it comes to holding the attention of the readers. Overall, Teen Sey Chhey has an implied title that hints at the increasing number of celebrities who now rule Bollywood. This book also acknowledges the efforts of those who strived to make Bollywood famous.
Best wishes to the author!
Cover Photo from the internet and visual by Different Truths
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