SIBF 2019: Amitabh Bachchan to visit Sharjah book fair

Dubai - Keep your calendar free on October 30.

Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan will grace the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) this year, announced Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority.
The event will mark the launch of Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty's book, 'Sounding Off: Amitabh Bachchan', whose first copy the star will sign during the launch ceremony. This is Bachchan's first visit to the SIBF. He will be at the fair on opening day, Wednesday, October 30, from 5 pm to 6.30 pm.
SIBF is also hosting a photo exhibition celebrating Bachchan's 50-year journey in the industry, showcased through the works of India's leading film historian, author and memorabilia archivist, SMM Ausaja.
Star-studded line-up
Ameri said: "In hosting the Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan, we want to highlight the close relationship between films and books; between intellectual production in general and its creative manifestation in international cinema."
He added, "We look forward to receiving the Indian superstar in Sharjah, and we are confident that the UAE will be eagerly waiting to see him in person, and listen to him talk about his unique experiences. As the emirate celebrates its international recognition as the World Book Capital 2019, we want to offer an extraordinary experience to our visitors of 200 nationalities who have made the UAE their second home."
A star-studded line-up of Indian authors, poets, bloggers, and musicians, are all set to grace the 38th edition of the SIBF, which will run from October 30 till November 9 at Expo Centre in Sharjah.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, October 20, Ravi DeeCee, the managing director of DC Books, a primary organiser of events at the fair's Indian pavilion, said, "Caricatures by well-known cartoonists across India have been included in the book. With a foreword from Sachin Tendulkar, the book is a journey through Bachchan's acting career."
Mohan Kumar, the external affairs executive at SIBF, said, "Since Sharjah has been chosen as the World Book Capital this year, the 38th Sharjah Book fair is a significant one. The list of participating authors is impressive and truly international in nature."
Deecee said, "Academy award lyricist and poet Gulzar has been someone SIBF has wanted to bring to the UAE for several years now. Other Indian names include actress Manisha Koirala, renowned author Vikram Seth, model and social activist Lisa Ray, actor Gulshan Grover, Malayalam playback singer KS Chithra, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri, Malayalam actors Tovino Thomas and Siddique to name a few."
NDTV's associate editor Ravish Kumar and editorial director Sonia Singh are expected to be a huge draw, according to DeeCee.
Fiction novelists in attendance
Fiction novelist Jeet Thayil and acclaimed writer Anita Nair, thriller writer Ashwin Sanghi, Anand Neelakantan, and Indian- Canadian writer of the book 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari' Robin Sharma will also be present. Malayalam poet Sharath Chandra Varma, poetess Anitha Thampi, poet Veerankutty, and Tamil political leader and port Thamizhichi Thankapandian will be at the fair this year as well.
Famous Indian food bloggers Shivesh Bhatia, and others will be in attendance.
According to Kumar, a special Writer's Forum for upcoming and established writers has been set up in the Indian pavilion. The conference will feature 150 writers who will have the opportunity to release their books and communicate with seasoned writers. 
dhanusha@khalejetimes.com

• Sharjah