PARVEEN BABI [Paperback] Upadhyay, Karishma

This is by far the definitive work on Parveen Babi's life. Rigorously researched and beautifully written, it was difficult to put down once I started. A must read for anyone with any interest in the Indian film industry because it captures so much more than her life. It also shines a light on the flower children of Bollywood.

Just finished reading this book by Karishma Upadhyay “Parveen Babi A Life ”. What an amazing book! I don’t have words to describe how well the book is written. Well researched. It was not a gossipy, voyeuristic bookI was scared that it would be salacious gossip but, this book is refreshingly everything but that.What breaks my heart is that the film industry had an Illustrated Weekly column of 1980’s, written by Parveen, documenting her mental illness and it was 40 years back!I loved the way the author built Parveen’s mental illness into the life journey, without stigmatising it.What an intelligent, beautiful mind and it broke my heart as the book was nearing its end... a tragedy that another life was snuffed out due to untreated mental illness.Nothing, nothing has changed on the conversation or stigma around mental illness since then. It seems unbelievable but sadly true. It’s feels weird that one of the key characters in Parveen’s life is also embroiled in Sushant Singh Rajput’s life, on a similar topic of mental illnessParveen’s professionalism, work ethic, her quote on competition and her always being dignified, rising above pettiness, when dealing with professional colleagues, despite being dropped from films really was a great takeaway.A great book. Really altered the perception, misconceptions and mystery surrounding Parveen Babi.A must read!

Book is great, it encapsulates her journey from Junagadh to Mumbai. She suffered a lot, went through trials and tribulations. This book really gives u insights about mental illness how it can change ur life and this book is more relevant today than any other time. a must read.

The Parveen Babi autobiography by Karishma Upadhyay is one of the best written on the face behind the mask of of our celluloid stars.Unlike many an autobiography which ends up as a cut and paste job which just goes through the glamour of stardom this is different.It tries to ferret out the agony and ecstasy in Parveen's life.The best chapters are the ones showing how she was slowly losing her mind to schizophrenia with her paranoia centred around Amitab Bachan. Through the memories of her friends ,relatives and co stars we go through the greek tragedy which was her life. From the early days of life in the fringes of mini royal family to her adoloscence in Ahamedabad to her precarious stardom in Mumbai we are taken on an empathetic journey .We see the vulnerable love hungry human being more than a star As she was no great shakes as an actress the author does not tarry much on her films and roles.How she was exploited by her men like Kabir Bedi to Mahesh bhat is detailed. Bhat even exploited her mental illness by making Arth about it, viewing which probably made the schizoid process in her swerve out of control.Her promiscous life style in a conservative society may have been the beginning of the schizophrenic illness which spelled her doom.Her relation with her Guru U G Krishnamurthy is an enigma.The author could have avoided the umpteen references to Stardust Magazine.A great book about the Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood.

It is a well researched book on an extraordinary woman who lived life on ger own terms. Parveen Babu was a real hippie & when times were good, she had the most fun. It is so good to know that there were people in India like her who had the wind under their sail rather than the prudish, regressive peopke that we Indians are better known for.Tgere are many unanswered questions about her life but the author has tried her best with research. Alas, a glorious life came to an abrupt end but I hope Babi realised in her dying moments that she had a good one.

Given the fact that mental health amongst bollywood stars is still a tabooed subject and with the recent controversy surrounding SSR's death who was another bright star allegedly suffering from mental illness. This book gives you that rare, humane insght to the mind of a bright woman, a star who was born not only with beauty and brains but also a demon called schizophrenia. The writer has in the most sensitive manner pieced together a tale that one must read to learn that not all that glitters is gold.

A must read by Karishma Upadhyay... Traces the journey of one of Bollywood's most iconic star and lays bare very little known details about her life!

Excellently researched and very well written,this book is unputdownable.I read this book in a single sitting.The book has numerous anecdotes and insider stories on the beautiful actress and we get to know the real person behind the mentally ill moviestar.

A comprehensive account of the life of the late Bollywood superstar, Parveen Babi. On screen, she gave the most mesmerising performances but behind the camera, Parveen's real life was in tatters in so many ways. She lived, entertained and left this world all alone. In a world where you can be anything, be kind!

Well written , very interesting, couldn’t put the book down once started., also great book to promote mental health awareness

I have read several Bollywood biographies this year, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. It is well researched, narrated with empathy, and inadvertently shines a spotlight on how little has changed in Bollywood when it comes to mental health conversations and perceptions.A fascinating, crisply edited tale of one of India's most famous faces of her time, this book is definitely worth a read. Recommended!!

Honestly, I never expected it to be above average. However I was surprised to find this book so entertaining. This was a tough job as it is impossible to get into the mind of someone so delusional as Babi but credit to author for maintaining the grip through out the course.Worth money spent certainly.

The actresses life has always been intriguing which made the book an interesting read . While it was well researched and fact based, the timelines were a bit all over the place.Overall, well written and interesting!