For a second anyone who thought they were at a literary function would have been left out. It could easily have been mistaken for a Page 3 gathering of sorts. The P-3 people were all there. But after a few seconds, it began to dawn on the cognoscenti of literature, that it was not a book launch of the regular kind but that of the India's only author who wears her say-all-bare-all attitude on her book cover itself.  Yes, it was Shobhaa De launching what she believes is a very "special book" of hers.

"The book is special to me as I feel that I have been writing the book from my mother's womb. I feel I have been writing it for 60 long years," said Shobhaa at the launch of her Superstar India: From Incredible to Unstoppable at the Taj Residency.  

Shobhaa had picked her two favourite people in the City — fashion guru Prasad Bidapa and theatre person Arundhati Nag — to launch her book. Needless to say they did their job well.

Bidapa was dressed for the occasion. Prasad's outfit, a spotless white kurta and dhoti matched the theme of the evening: India. He chose to read from among three of the most interesting passages of the book.

He described Shobhaa as a social historian, making one and all know that he was at home at a literary function. Bidapa read from among the passages that he found moving: those where Shobhaa recalls the death of her father and also thought of an old friend whose father too died around the same time. This friend had to borrow money from Shobhaa to complete the last rites of her father.

He said he enjoyed Shobhaa's China bashing where she says nothing is designed to last in China except the Great Wall of China.

Then Arundhati Nag took the centre stage. "It's an old association. Everytime I meet Shobhaa and we break into Marathi. It comes naturally," said Arundhati.

Calling the book a passionate love letter to her country, Shobhaa charts the trajectory of India as she lived in it. It's her version of her country: the India she grew up, the changing India and the India she loves.

In conversation with Arundhati, Shobhaa expressed her concern about her generation being silent and not registering its protest against the corrupt regimes that destroyed India.

"Young India must assert itself and vote the incompetent and corrupt out of power," she said and asked: "Why don't we oppose dynastic politics, why are people being imposed on us because they were accidentally born into dynasties?"

Shobhaa sees an era where the poorest will enter the corridors of power and rule. “Dalits have always led a subhuman life if they deserve a shot at power, we must give them a chance," she said.
Well, Hoi polloi, don't worry. For P-3 is round your corner.

 Shobhaa’s quick five

On being a freedom child

I was born into a free nation and I consider that a gift. Today's India is not just dramatic from every side but its potential is marvellous.

India must change

Despite India's growth, a lot of people who call themselves progressive still refrain from discussing certain topics that are considered taboo in our society. Indians are rooted in tradition but it's high time India grew out of its confusion and double standards.

The India Shobhaa admires

India is loveable at many levels. I admire the resilience of the people and their out-of-the-box thinking.

India she’d like to change

Shobhaa feels India progresses much faster than many other developing countries because its people have strong survival instincts. She feels a few Indians who have made it to  the top five in the Forbes list of billionaires must work to change the lives of the millions of have-nots in the country.

Love for Bangalore

This is a City that has given me more than what I have given it.