This blog is the space where I hope to share the journey with my latest work-in-progress book “I’ll do it my way”. The book is a filmography that looks at the significant films of Aamir Khan, studying his evolution as an actor across time. To do this, it combines research of media coverage over the last 20 years, film analysis and perspectives from his significant directors.
The book is not an authorized biography or the story of Aamir’s life, but an independent research initiative that combines the story of his films, with his growth as an actor, while analysing his impact on the cinematic consciousness of a nation.
So why a book on Aamir Khan? I’m often asked this question by many who have followed both my writing and my work over the last decade. The answer to this is simple.
This book happened to me. And since the time I have begun working on it, it has been written not from the perspective of an ardent fan, but from the viewpoint of one who has always been a passionate follower of world cinema.
In the context of contemporary Indian cinema, it’s true that Aamir’s approach to his craft makes him stand apart. But even more significantly, he has also transformed the approach to film production itself, beginning with Lagaan. An understanding of his work is important to put contemporary Indian cinema in perspective.
Of course, the book has had its share of ups and downs… And some of the ‘low’ phases almost had me quitting this book. But with 80% of the book done, it’s important to me to complete this journey for its own sake.
Some of the earlier thinking on the book was done on my personal blog here. But as the work reaches it’s final phase, I think it’s a good idea to separate the two. So the creation of a new blog as my thinking space for the writing of my book… And here’s where the journey begins.
Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions on this blog. Any collaboration on the writing of this book is welcome!
