In the picture

Here8217;s some great news for anyone who8217;s interested in understanding the essence, method and substance of mainstream Hindi cinema but is fed-up of reading esoteric analyses and theories. Oxford University Press has brought out a book called Talking Films Conversations on Hindi Cinema with Javed Akhtar by Nasreen Munni Kabir. The 150-page book simple and lucid reads like an exhaustive interview where the poet, lyricist and screenplay writer discusses everything from his early influences and his equation with his parents to his life and work in the film industry.

Moreover, Akhtar dips into his own experiences to examine varied aspects of screenplay, dialogue and lyric writing and the process of film making. Not only do his observations offer a serious glimpse into the conventions of Hindi cinema, often, he comes up with remarkably honest, sometimes disturbing insights into relationships, people and the ways of the human mind. Grab a copy, now.

Talking Films 8212; Conversations on Hindi Cinema with JavedAkhtar, price: Rs 295.