Starry Nights By Shobhaa De

Starry Nights Shobhaa De’s superhit second novel Starry Nights is a sneak peek into the world of Bombay cinema, teeming with vicious, preening stars and insecure, high-society celebrities. It is a classic example of De’s gripping storytelling, and remains one of her bestselling titles today. Here’s the news-good or bad, readers decide. I have been askedto write a sequel to Starry Nights. Am I tempted? Yessss! Will Iwrite it? I am not sure. At this point, I genuinely think AashaRani should be left in peace. Her story has been told. Why disturbher? But, I have to say ever since that suggestion was made, I havebeen re-visiting Aasha Rani. I will only write a sequel if shecommands me to do so. Some characters are like that. It is they who call the shots. They decide how to shape thenarrative. And they also decide when they are done. Perhaps, likeme, Aasha Rani is confused as well? So many years later, people still ask me whether Aasha Rani wasbased on the popular star of the 80’s, Rekha. The honest answer is’not entirely’. But certainly, the enigmatic Rekha was aninspirational and alluring presence during the writing of the book.She continues to be so, till today, even though she has become arecluse . When I met her at my late cousin Gautam Rajadhyaksha’scondolence meeting earlier this year, I felt I was indeedface-to-face with Aasha Rani. In Rekha’s expressive eyes, I couldsee a life lived in clouds of mystery, and a great amount ofdisillusionment. Perhaps, that is the story of every actress in theworld. Not just a Bollywood siren. Starry Nights takes an unblinking, almost brutal look at what itis like to be a female star in an essentially male-dominatedindustry. The truth is, it’s harsh and difficult. It was so backthen, it is so even today. Showbiz does not spare anyone. AashaRani, my protagonist, is a survivor. She uses whatever she can-herphysical and emotional resources, to get ahead in a tough,demanding industry.