The Stranger In The Mirror

The Stranger in the Mirror is an autobiography chronicling filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's journey from his childhood in Delhi to his emergence as a prominent director in Hindi cinema. The narrative covers his early years in advertising and his transition into feature filmmaking. Co-authored with Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, this memoir provides insights into the making of Mehra's notable films including Rang De Basanti and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. The book incorporates perspectives from various industry professionals and collaborators who have worked with Mehra throughout his career. The text moves between personal anecdotes and professional milestones, examining the creative process behind Mehra's filmography and his experiences in the Indian film industry. Behind-the-scenes accounts detail the challenges and triumphs of bringing his cinematic visions to life. This autobiography explores themes of artistic persistence, cultural identity, and the evolution of Indian cinema through one filmmaker's lens. The narrative serves as both a personal memoir and a document of changing times in Bollywood.

Readers appreciate the behind-the-scenes insights into Rakeysh Mehra's filmmaking process and personal journey. Many note the book's straightforward writing style and candid discussion of both successes and failures in his career. Readers liked: - Detailed accounts of making Rang De Basanti and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - Personal anecdotes about working with actors like Aamir Khan - Inclusion of rare photographs - Honest discussion of box office failures Common criticisms: - Too much focus on early life/childhood stories - Some sections feel rushed or incomplete - Limited depth on certain films - Writing can be uneven between chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (156 ratings) Amazon India: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) Notable reader comment: "The book reads like a casual conversation with Mehra himself - unpretentious and real" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have gone deeper into the creative process behind Delhi-6 and Mirzya" - Amazon reviewer

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🎬 Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra started his career making advertising films and has worked with brands like Coke, BPL, and American Express before venturing into feature films. 🏆 The book reveals how Mehra's film "Rang De Basanti" was screened at the United Nations headquarters, making it the first Indian film to achieve this distinction. 📝 The autobiography's title "The Stranger in the Mirror" comes from Mehra's experience of watching his own life unfold as if he were an observer rather than the protagonist. 🎭 Co-author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta conducted over 25 interviews with prominent Bollywood personalities, including A.R. Rahman and Aamir Khan, to provide multiple perspectives on Mehra's journey. 🌟 Before becoming a filmmaker, Mehra was a successful swimmer who represented India internationally and held a national record in swimming during his youth.