The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee — Jai Arjun Singh
I picked up The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee by Jai Arjun Singh because I have been a fan of Hrishikesh Mukherjee for as long as I can remember. Having grown up watching his films, I thought a deeper look into his world would be a compelling read. The fact that Singh has also written a book on Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was another reason I picked it up.
And it did not disappoint.
If you have watched Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films and want to understand what went behind them, this book has plenty to offer. The amount of research is evident. The detailing is extensive enough that I can see myself returning to the book while revisiting his films.
What I particularly liked was that the book goes beyond reviewing the films. It explores the stories behind them—the whys and hows, the choices Mukherjee made, and the thinking behind his style of filmmaking. It made me look at some familiar films with a slightly different lens.
There are moments when the detailing can feel a little too much, and I did find myself getting bored occasionally. But for someone who takes cinema seriously, that is a small price to pay.
If you are a filmy and a fan of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, I would recommend this book.
If you haven’t watched his films, start with Anand and Gol Maal—two films that show very different sides of his range. Then look at his filmography and decide if you want to enter his world a little deeper.
And if you happen to be in Pune, I’ll be happy to lend you my copy.