The Making of Om Shanti Om Book will be Launced in Mumbai Today

"I feel every day with Shah Rukh is a discovery," says the screenplay writer of Om Shanti Om, Mushtaq Shiekh whose book ‘Making of Om Shanti Om’ will be launched amidst grand fanfare in Mumbai today.

Having known SRK for the last 12 years as a journalist, friend, biographer (his book ‘Still Reading Khan’ is a detailed account of Khan’s personality and life) and now as a close associate, Shiekh feels, "if Shah Rukh trusts, then he trusts completely." Shiekh has earlier written ‘Asoka the Book’ and ‘Devdas-The Indian Hamlet’ besides penning several top telly soaps.

Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om is busy tickling a sense of déjà vu amongst audiences worldwide. This ode to seventies embellished with colors of life and rocking superstar six pack abs has had a pied piper effect. How have you tried to chronicle such a film as this? "Those who’ve liked OSO will like the book. There are lots of glamorous photographs taken by a German photographer Jochen Mang. There are a lot of on location shots, candid shots. It’s a very in your face book. There’s a circus happening, Bollywood ishtyle. It’s a handy book. It is not as heavy as ‘Still Reading Khan’. You can take it to bed," says Shiekh.

They who may be unaware, Mushtaq played a cameo in OSO as the street urchin who gives ‘Om Makhija’ (name of SRK’s character in OSO) a piece of his mind. Also you couldn’t have missed him dancing-n-sauntering his way into the camera as the end credits rolled in. “I’ve got an unbelievable response for my cameo. Rekhaji said I was sensational. After this I can retire as an actor,” Mushtaq chuckles. What according to you is the reason for the tremendous success of Om Shanti Om? “I think it’s the magic of unadulterated entertainment. If it puts pudding on your face, it says so. It has an unapologetic outlook. Full blown entertainment never fails.”

The audience response was expected, but were you guys anticipating fantastic reviews from cinema critics? “I have always said why make a critic to be an alien. OSO just proves how cinematic brilliance can be appreciated both by the audience as well as the critics,” Shiekh signs off.

‘The Making of Om Shanti Om’ has been published by Om Books International and is priced at Rs 695/- It will be formally launched at a gala event with the OSO team celebrating in style. It goes without saying that the who’s who of Bollywood would be present at Badshah’s Bash. Do check out the exclusive video and images from this happening event tomorrow on IndiaFM.

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