Aamir Khan launches the Latest Hit, Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl, An Autobiography with Khalid Mohamed and Published by Om Books International at Roseate House, Aerocity
Aamir Khan launches the Latest Hit
Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl
An Autobiography with Khalid Mohamed
Published by
Om Books International
At Roseate House, Aerocity
Om Books International along with Roseate House, Aerocity celebrated the launch of Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl: An Autobiography with Khalid Mohamed, on 30thApril, 2017. The stunningly produced autobiography was launched by Chief Guest, Bollywood icon Aamir Khan who spoke about Asha Parekh’s immense contribution to Hindi cinema of the 60s and 70s.
On the occasion, Asha Parekh, Khalid Mohamed and Publisher, Ajay Mago shared their experiences of putting together the book.
Present on the occasion was also actor and politician Mr. Shatrughan Sinha.
About the book
Asha Parekh, an alumnus of Bombay’s The J.B. Petit Girls’ High School, devoted after-school hours to learning classical dance from exacting gurus. Given a break as a leading lady by Filmalaya Studio’s Sashadhar Mukherjee, she debuted opposite Shammi Kapoor in the entertainer Dil Deke Dekho (1959). Instantly, the audience and the critics agreed, “A star is born.” Followed a concatenation of silver and golden jubilee hits, which established her as the quintessential Hit Girl.
Her innumerable dance ballets on stage have earned her immense acclaim, at home and overseas. Among her other facets, she has been involved since decades in running a charitable hospital. She was Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (1998-2001) and has been associated with the Cine and TV Artistes’ Associations and other organisations dedicated to the welfare of film industry workers, technicians and actors. She turned producer and director with several top TRP-rated TV serials like Kora Kagaz and Palash ke Phool. Currently she has chosen to retire from acting, but adds, “Never say never.” She lives by the famed Juhu shoreline in Mumbai.
About the co-author
Khalid Mohamed, co-author
During his stint as film critic and media editor of The Times of India, and Filmfare editor, Khalid Mohamed would frequently interview Asha Parekh, queen of the marquee who had captured the public imagination right from the black-and-white movies to the colourful holiday-mood entertainers. A single question, “So why haven’t you attempted an autobiography yet?” led to Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl packed with rare pictures, memorabilia and candid speak.
Ajay Mago, Publisher, Om Books International: Asha Parekh’s name always cropped up in drawing room debates on cinema when I was a mere toddler. As the reigning queen of Bollywood for nearly two decades, her contribution to India’s cultural history remains unparalleled. In her string of hits, she brought grace, charm, wit, humour, and pure entertainment to our lives. The runaway girl of Caravan has given Om Books International another runaway success: Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl: An Autobiography with Khalid Mohamed.
Khalid Mohamed, co-author: The 1960s dominated by vibgyor entertainers — breezy romances often located in hilltowns — has been a special yet underrated decade of Hindi cinema. Growing up in that decade also meant growing up on the gamine charm and élan of Asha Parekh. Hence The Hit Girl was a god-sent opportunity to look back at that era with affection and belated appreciation. I lucked out that Asha Parekh agreed to the book without any procrastinations and allowed me to trace her many-splendoured journey through the wonderworld of cinema. Moreover, there were many little-known aspects of her personality and stardom to discover on the way. In sum, it’s been a thoroughly satisfying experience to collaborate on the autobiography of a fine lady and an artiste.
Mr. Kush Kapoor, General Manager, Roseate House, Aerocity: We are extremely delighted to launch veteran Bollywood actor Asha Parekh’s book ‘The Hit Girl’ at Roseate House New Delhi on 30th April 2017. Our hotel feels privileged to be chosen as the exclusive hospitality partner for the event in Delhi NCR.
Ravish Kapoor, Innovative Invitations: It is such an honour to curate the invitation card for the launch of Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl. I grew up watching her movies. She is not only Loved in Tokyo but all over India for her classic portrayals in Bollywood.
Mr. Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer, Vistara: We’re delighted to associate with this landmark event that celebrates the life of a legendary actress, who personifies grace, style and elegance and whose on-screen performance has gripped hundreds of millions of people around the world. Vistara truly values Ms. Asha Parekh’s many contributions to Indian arts and stands proud to host her on-board Vistara, as she celebrates this milestone occasion of the launch of her autobiography.
Mr Mikey Todd, Director- Sales & Marketing, Audi Gurgaon: We feel extremely honoured to be given the opportunity to be luxury automotive partner of Asha Parekh: The Hit Girl Book launch. On behalf of my entire team of Audi Gurgaon, I would like to wish Ms. Parekh all the very best for this new development and continued success for all her future endeavours.
Mr Anuj Kushwah,Founder & MD Witlinger: Being part of such events gives us immense pleasure, and for being associated with the Asha Parekh book launch, I feel privileged on behalf of Witlinger, which is the official pouring partner on the diva’s Big Day. I am glad that with the association, we could amalgamate with the literature and were present to quench the thirst and be the perfect companion for everyone present on the launch. Will be coming up with more certain associations like these.
About Om Books International
One of the largest English language trade publishers in the Indian subcontinent, Om Books International has been a name to reckon with for over five decades in the Indian publishing and retail industry. Headquartered in Noida, OBI has a diverse publishing list including cinema, biography, memoir, mind-body-spirit, photo essay, art, architecture, lifestyle, fiction — commercial and literary.It counts amongst its notable authors Khalid Mohamed, Mushtaq Shiekh, Bharathi S Pradhan, Nasreen Munni Kabir, Rauf Ahmed, Kamala Das, William Dalrymple, Vir Sanghvi, Christopher C Doyle and Abhay Vaidya.
Om Books International has a stellar line-up of Gourmand World Cookbook Award Winners: Vikas Khanna, Maria Goretti, Michael Swamy, Shazia Khan, Aditya Mehendale and SaranshGoila.
OBI has an equally strong and varied children’s publishing programme under its imprint, OmKidz.
