Shobhaa De

Some Lesser Known Facts About Shobhaa De

• Shobhaa De is an eminent Indian novelist, journalist, columnist, and social commentator, who is regarded as India’s Jackie Collins. ^[8]Los Angeles Times

• At the beginning of her career when she was 17 years old, Shobhaa De worked as a model. During her modelling career, she made a name for herself. Thereafter, she considered changing her profession and pursued her career in Journalism.

  

• According to Shobhaa De, her background was “solidly upper-middle class.” ^[9]The Guardian

• The scripts of various Indian Television serials including ‘Swabhimaan’ and ‘Shanti’ were written by Shobhaa De in 1994 that aired on Doordarshan (DD). She has been actively involved in writing columns such as “The Sexes” of the magazine “The Week.” Reportedly, these columns paved the way towards accelerating the pace and bringing about a sexual revolution among readers. She has also written erotic novels. ^[10]I Love India

  

• At age 20, Shobhaa De started her career as a journalist and wrote “agony aunt,” a type of advice column. Her writings were also featured in society magazines. ^[11]Los Angeles Times When she was 23 years old, Shobhaa De launched her three magazines namely Stardust (a monthly fix of Bollywood gossip), Society, and Celebrity. ^[12]The Guardian

• In the 1980s, Shobhaa De began writing for The Times of India in its Sunday magazine section. Later, she has been writing as a freelancer for various magazines and newspapers. ^[13]Mumbai Mirror ^[14]Pune Mirror

• She actively contributes her columns and writing to a fortnightly column for the renowned magazine “The Week.” ^[15]The Week

  

• Mark Fineman of the Los Angeles Times represented Shobhaa De as, ^[16]Los Angeles Times
  

  India’s hottest-selling English-language novelist,” and how her second novel, Starry Nights (1991), had “a drawing of a nude woman on the front cover.”Shobhaa De replied to Mark Fineman on her statement,They said it was the first time they’d broken through the ‘F’ barrier, the first time they’d run the F-word without asterisks.”

• In 2007, Urmee Khan wrote for Shobhaa De, ^[17]The Guardian
  

  Her books are steeped in a lifetime’s observation of Bollywood,” and “They describe a side of the country that western audiences rarely encounter, her central themes being power, greed, lust and sex.”

• In an interview, Shobhaa was asked that what would be the role and status of Indian women in the next 10 years as most of her writings portrayed women status in India. Shobhaa replied,
  

  Well… In Mao’s poetic and apt words  – ” Women hold up half the sky.” I believe that. Ten years from now, I see many more educated women  – the biggest change will come when these financially empowered ladies push for reforms that are in the interests of society at large, and women in particular.”

• In a conversation with a media house, Shobhaa revealed her inspiration to write amazing books. She said,
  

  Each one of us has a story within – whether or not you choose to narrate it, is up to you. Life itself is so inspiring, how can one not be propelled into chronicling it??”

• In 2010, Penguin Books, along with Shobhaa De, created the publishing imprint and named it “Shobhaa De Books.” ^[18]The Times of India

• Shobhaa De is often seen attending various events and functions related to charity and welfare including an American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) event in Mumbai in 2013.

  

• In 2013, in an interview, when Shobhaa was asked about what type of blogs she wrote, she then replied that blogs were more communicating with a chatty approach, and she wrote her own discoveries while travelling to different countries. She explained,
  

  My blog is freewheeling and spontaneous. I don’t really ‘pre-plan ‘ a post. It is more cathartic and communicative, with a chatty approach. The topics vary – it could be a strong comment on a movie, politics, fashion, food, a celeb, an international happening, a social issue… or even my own little discoveries while travelling. For me, it is important to connect with those who visit and share my feelingsexperiences.”

  She further added that she replied to all the comments on her blog, and she did not employ anyone to manage her blog. She said,

  I read every single comment and try to respond directly to those that interest me. It’s not physically possible to respond to every one, since I don’t employ people to manage my blog. It is pretty much a one-woman show. I love the relationships I’ve established through this space. I enjoy the banter and frequent interactions.”

• In an interaction with a media house when Shobhaa was asked that what she thought about the Indian Society had started coming out in open with topics related to sex and Indian Bollywood had no role in this to play. She then answered that it was more superficial and synthetic than any real change. Shobhaa replied,
  

  Indian society is very thrilled with its own, ‘new,’ improved’ openness. I think this is more superficial and synthetic than any real change. Popular culture provides a small glimpse into a micro section of our society, nothing else reflects our feudalistic mindset as our attitude to women – even urban women, who continue to lead an existence of second class citizens. BOLLYWOOD is ludicrous in what it says about our society. It is a twisted, idiotic representation of  the changing social scene. “

• Shobha De appreciated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in 2013 by saying that he was a quick learner and an active activist-turned-politician. She said in an interview that corruption remained his main plank. She regarded Arvind Kejriwal as a symbol than a politician. She said,
  

  Clearly, he’s a quick learner. He switched strategies and toned down, which worked in his favour. He also got rid of some high-profile publicity seekers, who were distracting his followers and taking away the focus from his agenda. He is far from being viewed as a national leader. I would say Kejriwal is more a symbol than a real neta. But let’s not downgrade the power of that symbol.”

• In 2015, Shobhaa De criticised the Maharashtra government for making screening of Maratha films mandatory for multiplexes during prime time, in Mumbai. Later, Shobhaa De received the police security after Shiv Sena activists protested outside her residence. After this incident, The Shiv Sena replied to Shobhaa De,
  

  Had Bal Thackeray not done “dadagiri” to preserve Marathi culture, her forefathers would “have been born in Pakistan” and she would have “attended Page-3 parties in a burqa.”

  

• In 2016, Ankita Shukla (The Times of India reporter) wrote for Shobhaa De, ^[19]The Times of India
  

  Unignorable has been Shobhaa De’s unabashed description of the womenfolk in her novels. De’s women range from traditional, subjugated and marginalized to extremely modern and liberated women. De’s novels take a leaf the urban life and represent realistically an intimate side of urban woman’s life, also revealing her plight in the present-day society.”

• In 2016, Shobhaa De, as a guest, launched the book- ‘The Rebel’ by Indian lawyer Ram Jethmalani.

  

• Shobhaa De is an active participant in several literary festivals in India. In 2014, the first edition of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) was inaugurated by Shobhaa De, and since its first edition, she was a part of BLF. ^[20]Svetlana Lasrado

  

• In 2017, Shobhaa De participated in a candlelight vigil on the closing day of the Kolkata Literary Festival in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

  

• In an interview, Shobhaa advised those who were thinking of starting writing a new blog. She said that the relevant topics and writing should be written in blogs, and these writings would definitely extend the personality of a blogger. She said,
  

  What’s stopping you??? Go for it! But remember, if you want to use your blog to communicate ideas, keep narcissism out of it. Avoid the ‘I. Me and Myself’ syndrome. Keep it topical and relevant. Enjoy yourself. Blogs are an extension of a blogger’s personality. Treat followers with respect at all times. Don’t abuse the space by using it to settle personal scores or parade your vanities.”

• In a conversation with a media house, Shobhaa De was asked about the focus of her writings on different aspects of urban India, and the fascination behind writing this particular area, and how she evaluated that urban India was progressing. She then replied that life in urban areas in India would change according to the world changes. She explained,
  

  Urban India defines every aspect of my life – it is my milieu. I cannot write about realities not my own – what do I know about rural life? How phoney! Besides, writers generally choose their turf and stick to it – Vikram Seth does not write about India’s villages either. Life in urban India will evolve and change as the world changes. I don’t know whether one can call that ‘progress’!”

• Shobhaa De actively addresses various interactive sessions in India and all around the world.

  

• Various Bollywood stars invite Shobhaa De to their ceremonial functions, and Shobhaa De actively participates and attends these functions.

  

• Shobhaa De has often been invited to inaugurate and launch the books of many Bollywood stars.

  

• In an interview, Shobhaa De was asked what was the most gratifying aspect of blogging. She answered that it was liberating, and there were no word limits or space constraints to write a blog. She further added that instant feedback could be received on the blogs. She narrated,
  

  It is soooo liberating! There are no word limits or space constraints. As a writer, I can receive instant feedback from some really sharp minds who are followers. I learn a lot from them. Blogs represent creative freedom – I love that.”

• Various Indian magazines and tabloids often feature Shobhaa De on their cover page.

  

• Shobhaa De is a LitFest enthusiast and often attends the gathering of writers and readers.

  

• Shobhaa De is an animal lover. She often posts pictures of her pet dog on her social media account.

  

• During lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Shobhaa De collaborated with the Bollywood star Sonu Sood and launched Shobhaa De’s ‘Lockdown Liaisons.’

  

• Shobhaa De tweeted on Shushant Singh Rajput‘s death, and she angrily went on to lash out at people from Bollywood. She said,
  

  A can of worms has opened with the tragic death of one of our most talented young stars. Bollywood needs to clean up its nasty act before more lives are lost. @sushantsinghrajput.”

  

• In April 2021, Shobhaa De criticised those who were vacating Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic on her social media account and said that it was a bloody pandemic, and she called the tourists brainless. She appealed to the people who went on vacations in the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic that stay at home, and it was not a fashion week or Kingfisher calendar time. She wrote,
  

  For all of you vacationing in Maldives and Goa and exotic locales, remember, it’s a holiday for you. It’s a bloody pandemic all over. So be don’t be an insensitive idiot and post pictures of your privileged life. You’re not only coming across as brainless but also completely blind and tone-deaf. This is not the time to boost your Instagram numbers. This is the time to step up and help or if you can’t do anything, then shut up and stay home. Or stay quiet in your holiday home… masked up. No photos. This is not fashion week or Kingfisher calendar time!”

• Shobhaa De has been married twice. She was first married to Sudhir Kilachand, and the couple became parents to two children, a son named Aditya Kilachand, and a daughter named Avantika Kilachand. However, Shobhaa and Sudhir divorced after a few years of marriage. Shobhaa De then started dating Dilip De whom she eventually married in 1984. The couple has been together ever since and has two children between them, daughters named Arundhati and Anandita.