Amitabh Bachchan, the brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy yesterday launched the IIFA commemorative book - 'Lights, Camera, Masala!' at the plush Dubai five star hotel Grand Hyatt, during the ongoing IIFA Weekend
The book LIGHTS CAMERA MASALA is an insider's look at the glitz, grit and grandeur of Hindi Cinema , the world's largest film industry. It is a celebration of contemporary Hindi cinema , popularly known as Bollywood. The book documents the fascinating process of making a typical commercial Hindi film through the adventures of a pair of fictitious characters called Vijay and Ravi as they endeavor to make a Hindi film of their own.
Famous film personalities - from seasoned scriptwriters such as the Salim-Javed duo, to celebrated actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, and renowned directors like Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar - all share their experiences and provide fresh insights into film making. Lights Camera Masala also records the stories of the behind-the-scenes people who are such an intrinsic part of the Hindi Film industry machinery - a light boy, a make-up artist, a choreographer among others. Featuring the emergence of stars as brands and culminating with the glitzy IIFA awards, the book is a visual extravaganza.
Sheena Sippy's stunningly evocative photographs capture the grandeur, grit and madness that is 'Bollywood'. Luxuriously packaged in an avant-garde design with over-the-top special features, including a fold-out poster and a star studded pinwheel, Lights, Camera, Masala!is a rich tribute to the chaotic, entertaining world of Hindi cinema.
The book has been authored by Naman Ramachandran, a screenwriter, film-maker, film festival programmer and film critic who writes for several publications including the British Film Institute's prestigious Sight and Sound. Naman is currently attached to several Hindi films, British and American projects as screenwriter and/or director. He divides his time between London, Los Angeles and Mumbai.