Shuma Raha's Memoir Marked by a Bitter Undertone for Everyman
In the literary world, Westland Publishing has recently released a compelling memoir titled 'Viewfinder: A Memoir' by the renowned actor Amol Palekar. This book, priced at Rs 599, offers a unique perspective into Palekar's oeuvre that straddles both films and theatre.
Throughout his career, Palekar has faced numerous challenges due to his principles and unwillingness to compromise. His memoir discusses these challenges in detail, providing a candid account of his journey in the film industry. The memoir does not repeat earlier facts about Palekar's life and career but delves deeper into the obstacles he encountered and the lessons he learned.
Palekar began his career in banking for a stable income but was soon drawn to theatre. He was mentored by the legendary theatre director Satyadev Dubey and had close associations with several legends of his time, including playwright Badal Sircar, directors Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, actors Amrish Puri and Shashi Kapur, music composer Jaidev, classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar, and others.
One of the most significant moments in Palekar's career was when Basu Chatterjee asked him to play the lead in his film 'Rajnigandha', an understated urban romance, in 1971. Palekar's performances in this film and many others have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
The narrative in the memoir is described as having a certain rambling haphazardness, but this adds to its authenticity and personal touch. The memoir contains QR codes linking to clips of films that Palekar directed or acted in, providing readers with a visual journey through his career.
'Viewfinder: A Memoir' might serve as a valuable resource for those interested in understanding Palekar's career and contributions to Indian movies and theatre. It is a must-read for fans of Palekar and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes stories of the film industry. The book spans 320 pages and is available now at your local bookstore or online.
