Book Review: Meeting a Star by Dhruva Nalla

The novella ‘Meeting a Star’ by Dhruva Nalla is enlightening and thought-provoking read that offers insights into a woman’s life as how the society works against her when she aspires to chase bigger dreams in her life. Through Ramya, the superstar actress in Telugu movies, the author navigates through the complexities and difficulties of the contemporary world and societies where women often find themselves at crossroads, sometimes the obstacles are laid out by society and at times by her own people.

This novel features Rajesh and Ramya in lead roles. The former is an author with a few hit books, while Ramya is a Telugu movies superstar actress. One day Rajesh decides to write a book on Ramya. He approaches her and she lets him to stay at her home for 10 days. But soon he finds out that Suraj, his father, looks Rajesh with deplorable views…thinking that Rajesh is behind her for money and property and fame. Rajesh had tough time adjusting with Suraj. However, Ramya is a kind-hearted person despite being a superstar; she treats him with manners and respect.

As the story comes out of their daily chores and observations, Ramya narrates her struggles and fights as how she became a star on herself. Her story is not of supportive cause. Her real parents that live in some village, far away from Hyderabad, loathed her for joining movies. They distanced from her. Her story from being a junior artist to a lead actress is inspiring and shows that no dream is easy to approach; one has to sacrifice a lot.

Rajesh observes Ramya and her feelings and pressure in the industry. He often holds conversation with her at the time of shooting and dredges up quite valuable information from a star’s life. Though Ramya has materialistically everything, yet she longs for true love, care of family, and companion to shoo away her solitude. It is true that people at the top leads a lonely life despite having fame, money, and attention.

It could be felt that Rajesh and Ramya like each other but some unspeakable gap keeps them the way they are. They understand each other’s plight but can they summon up courage to become one. It is a heartfelt and light story from both, a woman’s point of view and a man who understands the pure heart of a woman.

Dhruva has meticulously devised the plot, layer by layer, and didn’t jump on the conclusion with haste. He developed both characters in optimum light with proper sweeps and struggles. On the whole, it is a cool read if you want to know about a superstar’s secret cravings and forgotten struggles.

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