The Stranger in the Mirror – Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra – An Honest, Unpretentious Autobiography

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 Rang De Basanti – The movie that raised our heartbeats and piqued our patriotism. Delhi-6, the movie that showed us the mirror and acted as a reminder to introspect and kill the ‘Kala bandar’ inside. Bhaag Milka Bhaag is the tale of the unsung hero that laid bare the atrocities in British India and during Pakistan formation. By now you would have understood whom I am referring to. The man behind the legendary modern classics – Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The Stranger in the Mirror is a reflection of his life which gives us the most important lesson of our life. Never give up.

The Stranger In the Mirror - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

The man with a talent to envy

Whole through the book I could only envy the creative talent and the unrelenting perseverance of this soft-spoken man. While the book doesn’t delve deeply into his childhood and teenage, deep-diving into his professional life is a pandora’s box for aspiring filmmakers. Notwithstanding the stream of work, his life is a book in itself. It gives you practical lessons on how to think beyond the obvious, how to stretch your boundaries, and how to be the fire that lights the enigma of life.

Delhi 6

After reading the book, I went back and watched Delhi-6 again because as a teenager, I was unable to perceive the vision that the author has materialized. Right from the symbolism of Masakali to the mirror, everything looked different and powerful. The message that he wanted to convey and how we went on to rewrite the climax so as to give it a shot again speaks highly about his conviction in his craft.

The giver

While his friends would vouch for him for being a philanthropist, he has proved it beyond doubt by giving due credit to each person who contributed to his movies.  Despite being a man with so many personal connections, when no one stood for him, he found a way out himself instead of pinning the responsibility on his friends.

The relationships

It is interesting to see how he has been attached to his loved ones and despite being an introvert, he has managed to have some cherishable friendships. This is a testimony for youngsters who aspire to start something with their friends. A foreword by AR Rahman and an afterword by Aamir Khan. It is the icing on the cake for this book. The book is preciously wrapped by a foreword and an afterword.
Overall the book is a learning experience for everyone irrespective of the stream of work. It is also a lesson about not giving up and persevering vehemently. 
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