Shahrukh Khan - Still Reading Khan (Hardcover)

~ Mushtaq Shiekh (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Splashy, audacious and bursting with color; a new book about Shah Rukh Khan captures all the brightness of Bollywood and the effervescence of the man himself.
Mumbai journalist Mushtaq Sheikh, a longtime friend of the superstar and his family, has created a huge, weighty tome packed with photos and reminiscences from Khan s life, from the schoolboy in Delhi enamored with the stage to the introspective star with a legendary sense of humor.
It s called Still Reading Khan, and was launched here in United States in January 2007 after its Mumbai release in October. Speaking at the Mumbai launch of the book, Khan viewed a video slide show about his life and told a celebrity-studded audience, The best part of today s function was when I saw my old home. It brought back memories of my mom and dad. I wish they were alive to see how much importance is given to me.
Shah Rukh Khan is Hindi cinema, Sheikh told India West in an email. Larger than life, glossy, glamorous and 70mm. So when I was writing about his life, I had to match it with what is expected from Shah Rukh Khan and his image. Like director Ashutosh Gowriker says, This is not a book: Still Reading Khan is a movie. That s exactly my reason for doing a coffee table format book.
What makes SRK fascinating for the hardcover fan is the depth with which Sheikh delves into Khan s father, Meer Taj Mohammad, a creative, idealistic man who speaks six languages and fought for India s freedom.

--India-West "Colorful New Book Captures Essence of Shah Rukh Khan"

Product Description

There's always been a patriarch for every field. He leads, people follow. He takes new paths -- praised if he`s successful, derided if he fails. But then somebody has to do the job. Somebody has to invent for the others to reinvent. Somebody has to stand up for our fifty six year old philosophy -- for the people, by the people, to the people.

Shah Rukh Khan did just that. He invades areas where no actor has ever been. A clear brand philosophy and a brilliant understanding of mass psyche has been the strength of the SRK product. He is probably the best brand ever churned out by Indian industry. Outrageous and outspoken in his interviews, he played to the masses and boy did he play it right. Then there is the proverbial pinch of salt. With which SRK takes himself. While his work reflects his passion, there has always been that wry black humour that grounds his reality. He has consistently stripped the idealistic glamour from his profession by branding himself a performer.

One section of this story deals with the portrait of the artist as an individual, while the other would be an analytical commentary of his body of work and closer look at the Shah Rukh phenomenon through his films. The books argues on several premises including that of visual pleasure and the erotic gaze to explain the strongest points of attraction that a Shah Rukh film holds for the audience.

The book would argue that the films under discussion have an underlying theme that binds them the skilled manipulation of visual pleasure and the subversion of the erotic into an acceptable mandate that nevertheless attracts the audience.

The book would talk about the emotions and economics of being the Shahrukh Brand.

The book would reveal a candid star talking unreservedly on his art and acting. Shahrukh Khan had stepped into the film world as an outsider, a young man bereaved from the loss of his parents, seeking solace, work and passion in an alien world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 458 pages
• Publisher: OM Books International; 1st U.S. edition (January 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8187107790
• ISBN-13: 978-8187107798
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #672,537 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shahrukh khan's scrap book, October 21, 2007

By	Bollywood Buff (West Palm, Fl, USA) - See all my reviews

If you like scrap book format coffee table books, then this is the book to get. Each page is filled with enough color and sites to keep any guest awake through the wee hours of a party when the crowds have thinned out or are too drunk to talk. The book is a lively walk through the actor's life from his parents' first meeting to his super stardom as the "King of Bollywood." But the story does not stop there, this is more than just an actor's ego centric ramble. The book takes you on a journey through Bollywood and Indian culture both in the past and today. I would recommend this book to anyone to loves Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood or colorful visual adventures.
If you want to see a good example of his acting then buy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Shahrukh Khan)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shah Rukh Khan, September 9, 2007

By	S. Qadri "SMQ" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

OF course...by far he is the best in Bollywood!!!! My sister was the happiest person in the world to receive this gift for her birthday! She loves KING KHAN!!! ......who doesnt???!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars King Khan!, July 23, 2007

By	A. PATEL - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am happy with this wonderfully illustrated and written coffe-table book about the King of Bollywood! I haven't finished the entire book because I am trying to savour every page but it is a must have for any SRK fan.