Book Review by #LITEROMA PUBLISHING SERVICES :: "Dipak to Dev" by Sharmila Maiti
** Thanks to our reviewer Reetwika Banerjee for reviewing the book on behalf of Literoma. **
The Bengali book "Dipak to Dev" by Sharmila Maiti was released during Kolkata International Boof Fair 2019. At first when Rohon invited me at the book launch ceremony, I felt very glad. Soon the gladness turned grey when I came to know that superstar Dev himself will be personally present in the stall to launch the book. Honestly speaking, I was confident to find it to be a publicity stunt by the organizers as arranging security of such a high rank celebrity in an open public forum like book fair was just next to impossible. Also, a massively popular public figure like Dev must not even have time to make it for the launch. As an author myself, I wished to meet Sharmila because it is always very special to meet the writer in person, that too at her own book launch, listen live to her inspirations behind conceptualizing the book, her messages to readers and so on... But I was taken aback when I discovered that Dev is really coming for the book launch and that whisked my impression over the whole episode!
At the release ceremony, Sharmila clearly called out that "Dipak to Dev" is not a Tollywood masala read, it is rather a motivational book capturing the life story of a determined struggler to an ultimate achiever. Being a seasoned journalist, she was right with her assumptions - readers at first glance would expect it to be a typical spicy book on the celebs and I was no exception.
Looking at the book's cover (collage of different characters enacted by Dev in superhit movies like Cockpit, Chander Pahar, Dhumketu, Chaamp, Challenge etc dissolved with an image of public addressal in the background), I was expecting it to be like 'the making of superstar Dev' kind storyline. But as I kept flipping through the pages, the book exposed me to a simple next door boy named Dipak Adhikary aka Raju - a cuddled son of his parents, a pampered boy of his jethima (aunt) and a fond child of his neighbours. Since childhood, he was lucky to be at the recipient side of parental love and affection, however not belonging to a financially lavish family, he had to face many challenges in early life. But it was his honest determination, perseverance and tolerance that helped in building what he is today. The evolution of Dipak to Dev was not an easy ride (as one can expect as well), but the kind of commitment and hardwork Dipak has given to sharpen his creative self, calls for a salute from every Indian who dreams to make it large. Today, the entire Bengali fraternity is proud to have a leader like Dev to follow who showed us the self made path to stardom through his own achievements.
Before every success, there is a divine moment. On a lighter note, the only thing which I found missing in the book is how did he get his first break to be cast as the lead of a full length Bengali commercial film? For any reader of this book, who aspires to become next Dev, it might have been the tipping point.
Coming to the book's printing aspect, it meets the Sristisukh standard - well knitted layout, decent interior designing and professional editing are aspects that govern Sristisukh's every title. The review will be incomplete if I don't appreciate the end to end efforts of Rohon, Saroj and Sauranshu right from designing and publishing of such a high profile book, ending perfectly with a grand book fair release. There is a lot to learn from them about perfect teamwork and crowd management as well.
I must congratulate Sharmila for capturing the journey of Dipak to Dev so vividly that every skeptical reader would bound to end the book with a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I feel lucky to know Sharmila personally and would definitely like to read more of her books in the years to come.
Overall I will rate the book as 4.5*/5* (especially for the concept) and recommend it as a motivational read.
The Bengali book "Dipak to Dev" by Sharmila Maiti was released during Kolkata International Boof Fair 2019. At first when Rohon invited me at the book launch ceremony, I felt very glad. Soon the gladness turned grey when I came to know that superstar Dev himself will be personally present in the stall to launch the book. Honestly speaking, I was confident to find it to be a publicity stunt by the organizers as arranging security of such a high rank celebrity in an open public forum like book fair was just next to impossible. Also, a massively popular public figure like Dev must not even have time to make it for the launch. As an author myself, I wished to meet Sharmila because it is always very special to meet the writer in person, that too at her own book launch, listen live to her inspirations behind conceptualizing the book, her messages to readers and so on... But I was taken aback when I discovered that Dev is really coming for the book launch and that whisked my impression over the whole episode!
At the release ceremony, Sharmila clearly called out that "Dipak to Dev" is not a Tollywood masala read, it is rather a motivational book capturing the life story of a determined struggler to an ultimate achiever. Being a seasoned journalist, she was right with her assumptions - readers at first glance would expect it to be a typical spicy book on the celebs and I was no exception.
Looking at the book's cover (collage of different characters enacted by Dev in superhit movies like Cockpit, Chander Pahar, Dhumketu, Chaamp, Challenge etc dissolved with an image of public addressal in the background), I was expecting it to be like 'the making of superstar Dev' kind storyline. But as I kept flipping through the pages, the book exposed me to a simple next door boy named Dipak Adhikary aka Raju - a cuddled son of his parents, a pampered boy of his jethima (aunt) and a fond child of his neighbours. Since childhood, he was lucky to be at the recipient side of parental love and affection, however not belonging to a financially lavish family, he had to face many challenges in early life. But it was his honest determination, perseverance and tolerance that helped in building what he is today. The evolution of Dipak to Dev was not an easy ride (as one can expect as well), but the kind of commitment and hardwork Dipak has given to sharpen his creative self, calls for a salute from every Indian who dreams to make it large. Today, the entire Bengali fraternity is proud to have a leader like Dev to follow who showed us the self made path to stardom through his own achievements.
Before every success, there is a divine moment. On a lighter note, the only thing which I found missing in the book is how did he get his first break to be cast as the lead of a full length Bengali commercial film? For any reader of this book, who aspires to become next Dev, it might have been the tipping point.
Coming to the book's printing aspect, it meets the Sristisukh standard - well knitted layout, decent interior designing and professional editing are aspects that govern Sristisukh's every title. The review will be incomplete if I don't appreciate the end to end efforts of Rohon, Saroj and Sauranshu right from designing and publishing of such a high profile book, ending perfectly with a grand book fair release. There is a lot to learn from them about perfect teamwork and crowd management as well.
I must congratulate Sharmila for capturing the journey of Dipak to Dev so vividly that every skeptical reader would bound to end the book with a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I feel lucky to know Sharmila personally and would definitely like to read more of her books in the years to come.
Overall I will rate the book as 4.5*/5* (especially for the concept) and recommend it as a motivational read.
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