A life-long passion for Indian cinema and entertainment has culminated in a book titled ‘150 Bollywood Encounters – the South African Connection’ by veteran community journalist and broadcaster Fakir Hassen.
The glossy 150-page book has been launched at glittering functions in both Durban and Johannesburg. Support at the events came from well-wishers across the board including captains of industry, community leaders, artists and entertainers, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, academics and the media.
DUT”s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa was the first person to receive a signed copy of the book from Hassen. The book was also personally handed to President Jacob Zuma who features in the publication. Zuma was delighted to receive the book in Durban. The publication was also given to Vayalar Ravi, the visiting Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India.
Edited by Robin Sewlal, Associate Director: Journalism at DUT (he also wrote the Foreword), the book comprises Hassen’s experiences with and opinions of 150 people associated with the Indian entertainment industry, most of them during their South African visits.
“No doubt there will be many tomes written by historians and academics but as my contribution to commemorate the 150th anniversary of our forebears, I decided that perhaps I should share my experiences with 150 people from the Indian entertainment industry that have left me with an impression that might be different from the usual,” Hassen explains.
The publication is filled with fantastic tales. Hassen gives very candid opinions of the actors on both his own actions which might have been done differently in retrospect and how genuine or not the stars are about their usual “politically correct” friendliness.
The book contains many colour photographs of South Africans inter-acting with the Bollywood ‘stars’.
‘150 Bollywood Encounters – the South African Connection’ is marketed by The Sunglow Network, and retails for R150,00. Personally-autographed books can be ordered by emailing savantikasewlal@yahoo.com As a launch offer, each book purchased is accompanied by an original DVD of a Bollywood movie.
Bulk orders are being taken from those who would like to present the book as a gift to family, friends, colleagues, employees, clients, customers and/or other stakeholders.
