A REALISTIC PORTRAYAL OF LIMELIGHT CHIAROSCUROS
Book: Coming Back Home Author: Anuradha Prasad
Though a lot of movies and television shows have been made about the reality behind the making of movies and television shows and how the realistic side of the actors working in these productions is, few books have explored this genre. The author Anuradha Prasad comes up with the book “Coming back home”, which details the ugly underbelly of the small screen and the Bollywood world, and how some actors cope with such pressures and even then come out unscathed and successful.
The storyline follows Arpita, who being the fresh face of Ponds India and thus landing a leading role in the small screen’s most popular channel, was able to snub the casting couch of Bollywood. But, Riku, a small town man with handsome looks and big-time Bollywood dreams accepts the male romantic lead beside Arpita on the small screen, as he is unable to bag big movies as the main lead. He having no ethics and raring to make it at any cost, uses Arpita for his clever machinations. He makes it to the dizzying heights of stardom after leaving her. Arpita, finding herself abandoned by her dream man, then tries to make it again in this ruthless industry that only celebrates success. Will Arpita be able to take hold of the opportunities to rise again? What will happen in the lives of Arpita and Riku? The narrative then goes on to answer these questions.
The front cover of the book shows an actress in the limelight with a clapperboard and other movie production paraphernalia; but in the background, a common market scene is shown with roadside flower vendors and a loving couple walking on the road. This portrays that the protagonist, though being in the media glare and appearing tough outside, has dreams and aspirations like that of a common girl. The blurb at the back cover also gives a genuine insight into the story and readers interested in books with emotional complexities and absorbing drama will surely pick up the book after reading the blurb.
The writing style could’ve been better; but the characters have been explored in depth. Also the characters, like the story, are chiaroscuros of sorts, with greyish shades of various proportions, and are not plainly black or white. The narrative is a roller-coaster ride, with emotional intricacies and many important feministic themes and questions thrown in. The story also keeps the reader grounded for inspiration; and the narrative flow is also good, though the storyline is a tad predictable.
This is an entertaining and stunning tale, which is as fiendishly veracious as it is emotionally resonant. The author’s persuasiveness in unfolding the grim details, along with the authenticity that it entails, makes the narrative compelling. This book, told in an uncompromising and original voice, should be read for getting a realistic portrait of the life of movie stars and television actors in the limelight.