Looking for the Big B: Bollywood, Bachchan and Me

In search of a one-man industry, a phenomenon, an urban demi-god, and a national icon. ‘Jessica,’ he pronounced, ‘you have known me for seven years. My life has changed seven times. You will never finish this book.’ ‘There is no reason why Amitabh Bachchan and I should appear in the same sentence. He is India’s most legendary film star—a mixture of Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino and Elvis, and with more than a hint of John Travolta. In a country like India where film stars are treated as gods, Amitabh Bachchan is the über-god, the Big B. As for me, I am English, almost thirty and not in the least bit famous.  But here I am in Bombay about to start writing his story. How did I get here? Why did I get here? Bombay is mayhem and Bollywood maddening. The Big B is strangely aloof, the magazines are full of lies, and no one is talking. I want to write a book that explodes the myths surrounding India’s most famous man. But is there anything there?’ Funny, irreverent and affectionate, Looking for the Big B is a fascinating look at the Bombay film industry and the story of a very unlikely friendship.