Eternal Romantic: My Father, Gemini Ganesan

Eternal Romantic offers an intimate glimpse into the life and times of legendary Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan. The handsome, suave actor earned himself the sobriquet Kadhal Mannan (King of Romance) for wooing women successfully, both on and off the screen. Written with touching honesty by his daughter, Narayani Ganesh, the book provides a ringside view of his kaleidoscopic personality and life. Eternal Romantic is a tender tribute, not as much to a filmstar as to a father who was unusual, enigmatic, and unfailingly affectionate despite the many demands on his time. Parallel families and eight children added their own pressures to those of superstardom. Yet his daughter remembers him as a man with a big heart, who enveloped all those who passed through his life, and were a part of it, with love. His legacy of love is evident today in the healthy relationships his children share with one another, defying the stereotypes usually associated with step-siblings. A moving foreword by Kamal Haasan, who began his film career as a child artist with him, as well as rare images of Gemini Ganesan and anecdotes unheard outside the family, make this book a delightful read.