Film director Soham Shah’s first book, Blood Moon, was released on 3rd February at Juhu Gymkhana in Bombay. Anupam Kher did the honours and spoke very fondly of the author. Jackie Shroff too graced the occasion and praised Soham. Soham narrated the incident when he was once asked by Anupam Kher tongue-in-cheek if he (Soham) never wanted to work with fine actors, hinting at himself, of course. That’s when Soham promised the actor that he would write a meaty role for him and definitely cast him in his next film or web series.
Interestingly, neither Jackie nor Anupam has worked in any film or web series made by Soham. If this fact wasn’t enough to prove the goodwill Soham enjoys in the industry, the attendance at the book release function was another proof of the young man’s popularity.
The book is a paranormal thriller and is set in Matheran. Recounting his childhood memories, Soham revealed at the function how seeing Jackie Shroff in Matheran whenever he accompanied his family to the hill station on a picnic or vacation was one of the most exciting parts of the holiday. Jackie has been particularly fond of the hill station in Maharashtra and he revealed how in his early days, he had felt terrified while strolling in Matheran all alone as he had heard horror stories about the presence of ghosts there. Of course, he did not encounter any spirit that evening but, he revealed, amidst laughter and guffaws from the audience, that it must have been his fastest walk ever as he rushed to the safety of his hotel room.
Veteran journalist Bharathi Pradhan, who is herself an author of several books, compered the show while Shibani Oberoi Mahesh introduced Pradhan and co-compered the proceedings. An interesting discussion by Bharathi Pradhan and film trade analyst Komal Nahta with Soham Shah and Shantanu Ray Chaudhury, editor in chief, Om Books International, which has published the book, marked the end of an insightful evening. Soham proposed a heartfelt vote of thanks but not before presenting a huge painting of Lord Shiva to Juhu Gymkhana as a token of his appreciation for the facilities made available for the evening.
