Karishma Upadhyay’s Parveen Babi: A Life is an insightful look at the star's life

Parveen Babi created a storm in commercial Hindi cinema in the 1970s with her sensuous, glamorous and bold portrayal of characters.

Breaking the mould of the traditional sari-clad, sanskari (well-behaved) heroine, she redefined the role through several films. Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Shaan (1980) and Kaalia (1981) are but a few examples.

Off screen too, Parveen Babi's bohemian and unabashed lifestyle fuelled the gossip columns in the film glossies of the day, and her appearance on the cover of Time magazine, a first for an Indian movie star, created a stir.

Yet, despite all the media coverage and speculation about her life, Parveen Babi has remained something of an enigma.

In her book Parveen Babi: A Life, veteran film journalist Karishma Upadhyay traces the journey of a shy but ambitious girl from an aristocratic family in Junagadh, Gujarat, to a life of merciless scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight in what is often called 'Bollywood'.

Exploring facets of the actress’s life with depth and sensitivity, Upadhyay lays bare little-known details about Parveen’s doomed romances, her obsession with the spiritual guide who advised her to quit films, the tumultuous years of battling mental illness and her tragic demise.

Rich with insights from the star’s friends, former lovers and colleagues, the book captures the nuances of an extraordinary life — the highs and lows of finding fame, love and solace, only to lose it all.

Upadhyay has been entertainment editor at the Times Now television channel and celebrity editor at People magazine's Indian edition and has contributed articles for several publications, including the India Today and Forbes India magazines and The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Telegraph and The Hindu newspapers.

Parveen Babi: A Life has been published by Hachette India.