Aditi Rao Hydari unveils author Joy Bimal Roy’s memoir bundle-of-joy titled “Ramblings of a Bandra Boy” -- by Chaitanya  Padukone

Author Joy Bimal Roy comes off as an articulate, witty  and often brutally honest yet exuberant person.  Little wonder then,  his above attributes are generously peppered in the candidly engaging contents in his just-released book Ramblings of a Bandra Boy, From his full name it is evident that he is the multi-faceted son of revered legendary genius film-maker  Bimal Roy. Yes, the visionary music-savvy  film-producer-director  Bimal-da Roy who is known for his legacy of  landmark retro Hindi classics-movies  including ‘Do Bigha Zamin’, ‘Devdas’  Madhumati, Psrineeta, Yahudi, Sujata and Bandini

The much-awaited  ‘Ramblings of a Bandra Boy’ blockbuster book was formally unveiled at St. Paul’s Institute of Communication, Bandra  (West ) above the iconic book store Title Waves. Amidst thundering applause by the houseful audience,  the book was released by gorgeous movie-star-actress Aditi Rao Hydari ( ‘Anarkali’ of popular OTT shows Taj: Divided by Blood and  Sumitra of  ‘Jubilee and ‘Mehrunissa’ of ‘Padmavat’ movie )  The charismatic ‘mascot-guest’ Aditi happens to be a close family friend of the Roy family over past several years.

“Ramblings of a Bandra Boy” is a delightful compilation of Joy Bimal Roy’s articulate Facebook posts that recall episodes from his daily life, both recent and past. Each incident is a vivid description of an everyday event that blends the extraordinary and the mundane in a manner that entertains.

Joy brings to life a cast of characters from celebrities to household staff, who scheme and hatch plots, trying to present a particular version of themselves to the world but eventually revealing their true natures. Joy is very much a part of these happenings, sometimes playing the main

Named Shankar at birth, the only son of noted Indian filmmaker Bimal Roy, Joy was given a name that he proclaims perfectly matches his personality. Known for his joie de vivre, Joy sparks good cheer thanks to his characteristic, impromptu wit and big-heartedness.

An academic topper in English at the Bombay Scottish School, Joy was raised on books written by British authors –  Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse. You will detect a Wodehousian influence in some of  the acerbic witticisms  and candid irony that unravel social and showbiz facades, which gracefully lace Joy Bimal Roy’s written content

An affable man of multiple talents with a creative bent of mind, Joy has deviated from following a traditional career path but has remained productively creative on his own terms. He entered the film world as an assistant to film director Shyam Benegal and even directed two documentaries: “Remembering Bimal Roy” which critiqued his iconic father's films. Followed by yet another documentary ‘On The Threshold’ which delved into the world of mentally challenged children. He worked briefly in the music industry as an executive with music-label giant HMV before pursuing his penchant for design – creating beautiful homes, dream weddings and elegant costumes-outfits – his recent work being ‘Touch of Joy’ – an old sarees up-cycling initiative for an social cause.

There is a streak of sadness too in the stories, as Joy recalls his childhood and his love for his mother and the house in which he and his siblings had a joyful childhood.  Joy mentions his struggles with mental health and his dislike of studying and the world of business.

As an insider in the film industry, being the only son of one of India’s greatest filmmakers – Bimal Roy, worthy son Joy has witnessed BTS situations and interacted with many legends of the film world.  He recounts BTS  ( behind-the-scenes which is pardey kay-peechey) juicy-spicy stories using amusing discreet-cryptic hints-clues and it is a brainy-fun to figure out who some of the key figures are.

When you read Joy's wry pieces, a smile breaks onto your face before it graduates to a grin, and finally a chuckle. This book promises to be yet another addition to the many milestones scaled by the enthusiastic  Joy.

The book launch at the hands of glam-girl Aditi Rao Hydari saw an introduction by Neale Murray, followed by the screening of  “Bimal Roy Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”, with live readings by bass-voiced Denzil Smith and celeb journalist-author Nandita Puri followed by Joy Bimal Roy in Conversation with senior journalist editor-author Dinesh Raheja. Popular celebrities the likes of actress-singer Ila Arun,  celeb designer Salim Asgarally, writer-director-editor Vinta Nanda,  eminent journalist-author Raghu (Girish) Karnad, celeb photographer Vicky Idnani, multi-faceted glam-girl Preeti Singh were among many others who graced the well-orchestrated event.

“Ramblings of a Bandra Boy”  specially priced at only Rs 500/-  is Joy’s ‘Kheror Khata’ – a traditional cloth-bound notebook with notes on a segment of India’s upper-middle-class society.  It’s ideal to be 'en-joy-ed'  when relaxing in a comfy chair with a cup of steaming tea and Bengali ‘jol khabar’ and ‘mishti’.

 

 

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