Aseem Chhabra is rapidly consolidating a reputation for writing eminently readable biographies of popular Bollywood stars, without even interviewing the subjects of his books. He is the author of Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, The Star (2016; Kapoor was unwell), Priyanka Chopra: The Incredible Story of a Global Bollywood Star (2018; Chopra wanted to write her own biography), and, more recently, Irrfan Khan: The Man, the Dreamer, The Star (Khan has been unwell, suffering from a neuroendocrine tumour, a rare cancer; 2020, Rupa Publications, Rs 500). Chhabra, journalist, writer and festival director of the New York Indian Film Festival, has lived in the US for several decades, and regularly spends time in India. His books reflect an interest in the careers of acclaimed Bollywood actors, whose work has also transcended into Hollywood and/or world cinema.

The book on Irrfan is a delightful read. Well researched, Chhabra quotes a number of people who worked with Irrfan closely—including Mira Nair, Meghna Gulzar, Tigmanshu Dhulia and Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, the Bangladeshi director of Doob (No Bed of Roses), starring Irrfan—and the book is peppered with insights and anecdotes.