HARLEQUIN INDIA AND MARUTI INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH THE BOOK
‘GRAND MASTI’: THE FUN NEVER ENDS
Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi and Aftab Shivdasani
unveil the book at Crossword Bookstore, Select CityWalk
New Delhi, 29 August 2013: Harlequin India, one of the world's leading publishers of books for women and India’s leadingBollywood Film Production House, Maruti International launched the book ‘Grand Masti: The Fun Never Ends’ with the star cast of the movie at Select CityWalk, Crossword Bookstore today. The book is the first of its kind partnership that features the characters of its blockbuster movie franchise - 'Masti' and now ‘Grand Masti’ in an exciting book format, available across the Indian subcontinent and globally through eBooks.
The book Grand Masti: The Fun Never Ends features fun, rib-tickling, excitement-filled escapades of the three main characters of the film, Amar,Meet and Prem, played by Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi and Aftab Shivdasani. The book is published by Harlequin under its Spice imprint and has been written by author Neha Puntambekar.
Keeping in mind the appeal of the movie with the Indian youth, Harlequin India and Maruti International announced the ‘Grand Masti & Fabulous Author’ contest in July, where aspiring authors had to submit a fun original short story featuring any one or all three of the movie’s main characters. The winner’s Radhika Kollu received a special Grand Mastigift hamper and her short story is featured in the Grand Masti e-book version released globally.
“Harlequin has always strived to create unique content for its readers and the Grand Masti book brings to life movie characters beyond the screen franchise.These are original episodes, not in the movie. Film and television have crossover appeal around the world. For example, The Returned, our soon-to-be-released book, is being made into a television drama on ABC by Brad Pitt’s company,” says Amrita Chowdhury, Country Head and Publishing Director at Harlequin India.
Maruti International established in 1983 is one of India's leading Bollywood Film Production House, headed by Mr. Ashok Thakeria and Mr. Indra Kumar. Having worked with Bollywood Superstars like Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit and the internationally acclaimed Anil Kapoor on multiple projects, this productionhouse boasts of a number of successful and iconic films produced from theirstable such as - "MOHABBAT, KASAM, DIL, BETA, RAJA, MANN, RISHTEY, MASTI, PYARE MOHAN, DHAMAAL, DADDY COOL, DOUBLE DHAMAAL & SUPER NANI (currently under-production, starring Rekha and Sharman Joshi)".
In 2004, Masti, a film directed by Mr. Indra Kumar, set the trend of adult-comedy in Bollywood. Taking forward the legacy of this brand, Bollywood's current hot topic of Adultery is presented once again by him in a new and refreshing light, in the much-awaited sequel - 'Grand Masti'. This light hearted comedy islike a breath of fresh air deviating from serious cinema, taking adult-comedy many notches higher than its original flick.
Commenting on the tie-up producer Ashok Thakeria says “We are privileged and excited that the international publishing house Harlequin has immortalized the popular characters of the 'Masti' franchise - 'Amar, Meet and Prem' in this fun edgy book. I'm sure the book will live up to the high expectations set by 'Masti' and the hype garnered around it's muchawaited sequel 'Grand Masti', releasing on 13th September."
About Harlequin Spice
Spice is a line-up of hot and naughty stories. It features bold, erotic editorial that pushes the envelope through stories with an interesting and engaging premise (a great hook), a well-constructed plot and believable characters.
About Harlequin
Harlequin is one of the world's leading publishers of books for women. The Toronto-based company publishes over 110 titles a month in 31 languages in 111 international markets on six continents. Harlequin is unique in the publishing industry, combining over highly recognizable imprints including - Harlequin, MIRA Books, HQN Books, Harlequin TEEN, Spice, Harlequin Nonfiction, Mills & Boon; a global reach, a highly successful reader service and forward-looking technology (eBooks, downloadable audio, mobile phone applications) that not only allows the company to move further and further into the forefront of women's fiction but continues to position Harlequin for growth.
Harlequin India, which started in 2008, has brought its global romantic fiction and general fiction books to India. It has published Indian authors for itsromantic fiction genre and is now expanding its Indian publishing portfolio to publish Indian authors in other genres of fiction.
Harlequin India is the subsidiary of the Toronto-based publisher - Harlequin Enterprises Limited. Harlequin had 390 bestseller placements in 2010 in North America that enjoyed a total of 1,048 weeks on bestseller lists. Since its inception, has sold approximately 6.05 billion books. Harlequin creates entertaining and enriching experiences for readers to enjoy, to share and to return to, thatdrives the company's success and enables Harlequin to push the boundaries, launching new stories, reaching new readers, offering new formats.
