Book Review: More shadow than substance

Dilip Kumar The Substance and The Shadow: An Autobiography
Publisher: Hay House India
Price: Rs 699
Pages: 456

The wait has been too long. But when Dilip Kumar chose to speak about his life via his autobiography, it was nothing less than the sweet fruit of patience – for fans and critics alike. The Substance and The Shadow: An Autobiography is treat for every cinema lover. It not only gives a glimpse of the golden era of Hindi film industry but also is a window to the past – many times Dilip Kumar gives a beautiful account of India before and after Partition. His writing brings to life the old cities of Lahore, Bombay and Pune.

Though the book claims to be an autobiography, it is narrated by the veteran actor to Udayatara Nayar, but nowhere the writing style differs from the personality mentioned in the pages. The style is as much Dilip Kumar as could be – disciplined, calm and reticent. Be it his tumultous relationship with Kamini Kaushal and Madhubala or his family feud with his elder sister, the writer keeps the tone so composed that one wonders if the events actually happened and caused such brouhaha as has been reported so many times! The reticence of his personality overpowers the writing so much that many events, like relationship with Kamini Kaushal, find nothing more than a mention in such a voluminous book.

The book gives a peek into almost nine decades of India's first method actor, his childhood memories in Pakistan and Bombay, his teenage years with friends and family and his journey from Yusuf Khan to Dilip Kumar. In terms of revelation, the book has nothing much to offer. Dilip Kumar tells what he wants to tell, and not what people want to hear. Major part of the book is taken up by his attachment with his family and wife Saira Banu. Saira appears so many times that it may well seem a book about her own than her husband, the credit may go to dear friend Nayar maybe? It also delves into his friendship with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, questioning the much talked-about rivalry of the trinity of that time. There are many instances and anecdotes of the film industry but not much about his personal relationships with his female friends.

One of the main sections is very interesting where his co-stars talk about the veteran. Reminiscences contains the articles written by 43 persons who know Dilip Kumar intimately. These articles reveal many more facets of the thespian. One of the best features of the book are the pictures which add to the glorious tribute of the bygone golden era of Bollywood.