Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (4.6/5)
Genre: Film History, Indian Cinema, Essays

Book Review:
''Housefull'' is not just a book; it's a loving time capsule that transports you back to the era when Hindi cinema truly found its soul. Edited by Ziya Us Salam, this volume arrives as a fitting tribute to the 100-year journey of Indian cinema, focusing intently on the period that cinephiles unanimously call the ''Golden Age.''

What makes this book special is its chorus of voices. It's an oral history brought to life by the very people who lived it. Mahesh Bhatt's foreword sets a reflective tone, but the real gems are the personal stories that follow. You get a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the minds of icons like Dev Anand, who candidly talks about his journey from Lahore with just ₹35. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap offers a modern, critical perspective on that era's content versus today's technological advancements. There are touching tributes from family members, like Ashim Samanta's memory of his mother's tears that steered Shakti Samanta away from the Air Force and into films.

Salam skillfully weaves these anecdotes into a coherent narrative, connecting landmark films and the artists who made them. The book reminds us of a time when Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar composed for films, and when cinema was a true melting pot of cultures. It's a treasure trove of nostalgia, insight, and reverence for an era that, as the book suggests, we failed to fully follow. For anyone who loves Bollywood, this is an essential and deeply satisfying read.