The longest kiss
I read this book on the life and times of Devika Rani authored by Kishwar Desai. I could not keep the book away. The incredible passion for film-making shared by Devika with her husband Himanshu Rai and the efforts they took to establish Bombay Talkies, the first well equipped professional film studio in India had me spellbound. Bombay Talkies produced stars such as Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Leela Chitnis, Hansa Wadkar and Madhubala. The twist in the story comes with the untimely death of Himanshu Rai that leaves Devika alone and up against men who were employed by Himanshu or trusted friends of Himanshu. But Devika fights them and wrests control over Bombay Talkies. Her defiance and courage is most remarkable. Just when things are under her control, Devika meets Svetoslav, a Russian artist from a well off and cultured family. Both fall in love with each other. Devika, fed up of the ugly daily struggle at the studio, decides to wind up, sell her shares and marry Svetoslav to live peace...