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Standing on an Apple Box: The Story of a Girl among the Stars
Director, dancer, goodwill advocate for the United Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Dhanush is so much more than the daughter of a legendary actor, or the wife of southern cinema's biggest star. Growing up in Bangalore and then Madras, in a household that resolutely kept out any hint of her father's superstardom, she was a quiet, introverted child whose greatest pleasure was a visit to Marina Beach and an occasional meal out. It was not cinema but law that became a preoccupation when she started thinking about college and career - but fate, and her mother, had other plans for her.
Aishwaryaa writes with disarming honesty about life as Rajinikanth's daughter, of falling in love and raising two boys with Dhanush, of fighting her own demons and finding satisfaction in a career of her choice. She reflects on the many roles a woman has to juggle at home and outside - in her case, under the watchful gaze of cameras and celebrity-watchers.
Intensely personal, but also inspirational, Aishwaryaa's memoir is an unusually frank insight into growing up in cinema-land. A playful meditation on the joys and difficulties of being a woman in this age, Standing on an Apple Box is as much a celebration of individual fulfilment as it is of family.
Aishwaryaa writes with disarming honesty about life as Rajinikanth's daughter, of falling in love and raising two boys with Dhanush, of fighting her own demons and finding satisfaction in a career of her choice. She reflects on the many roles a woman has to juggle at home and outside - in her case, under the watchful gaze of cameras and celebrity-watchers.
Intensely personal, but also inspirational, Aishwaryaa's memoir is an unusually frank insight into growing up in cinema-land. A playful meditation on the joys and difficulties of being a woman in this age, Standing on an Apple Box is as much a celebration of individual fulfilment as it is of family.
- GenresNonfiction
184 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 9, 2017
This one is a memoir by Aishwaryaa Rajnikanth, Rajnikanth's daughter, of her life so far. I completed it pretty fast and it wasn't a boring account. But most of the things that she has to say could have happened to any of us. Nothing that only a star kid or specifically Rajini's daughter would have been through. Except for a few things, of course. So if you take the Rajini name out of the book cover, you wouldn't care so much about its contents. Not much tidbit or gossip about the film industry. Not much about even Rajini either. And she had directed a movie named 3 and nothing about that either. I can hear somebody saying she can write only what she has been through. That is correct. But contrast it with something like 'Something like an autobiography' by Kurosawa. His account of his childhood has a certain depth and leaves you with a melancholic(I couldn't find a better word:)) feeling at the end of each chapter. So that comes from the way you write it. That said, the writing is simple but good. so, not boring but nothing special :)
December 31, 2021
This is an earnest book though I am not really sure it will be counted as noteworthy. Star kids are seen as a news item or worse a source for quirks. In that sense, the book despite having multiple mentions of the two stars in her life, manages to shine the focus light on Aishwarya.
There are a lot of anecdotes of a protected upbringing and peek into being a star kid trying to find her footing. An introvert, her way of making sense of the world is endearing. She establishes her roles as a daughter, a granddaughter, a student, a sister, a filmmaker (less), a mother and the UN ambassador for women's equality. I loved the earnestness and the humility.
She makes every person in her life stand tall. In that way it is a generous book and shows her character. No gossips. But my complaint is that in her humility she puts the men in her life on a pedestal and that sort of hurts the core message. And I wouldn't know why she didn't talk about her first direction experience or her dance performances.
A warm book.
There are a lot of anecdotes of a protected upbringing and peek into being a star kid trying to find her footing. An introvert, her way of making sense of the world is endearing. She establishes her roles as a daughter, a granddaughter, a student, a sister, a filmmaker (less), a mother and the UN ambassador for women's equality. I loved the earnestness and the humility.
She makes every person in her life stand tall. In that way it is a generous book and shows her character. No gossips. But my complaint is that in her humility she puts the men in her life on a pedestal and that sort of hurts the core message. And I wouldn't know why she didn't talk about her first direction experience or her dance performances.
A warm book.
December 26, 2016
The book was a page turner despite the book being a collection of anecdotes. Loved Aishwarya's writing style, simple and succinct. Although I purchased the book expecting a lot of Rajinikanth and a little bit of Aishwarya (knowing it was written by her about her) , I realized after the first few chapters that it was going to be more of Aishwarya and a little bit of Thalaivar.
Despite this disappointment, the book and the author keeps you engaged through the 170 pages. I wouldn't call it a must read but definitely gives you an idea of the pain and pleasure of being a celebrities' daughter. Definitely a good maiden attempt by Aishwarya Dhanush although I would have liked to have more of Rajini stories in the book.
Despite this disappointment, the book and the author keeps you engaged through the 170 pages. I wouldn't call it a must read but definitely gives you an idea of the pain and pleasure of being a celebrities' daughter. Definitely a good maiden attempt by Aishwarya Dhanush although I would have liked to have more of Rajini stories in the book.
December 28, 2022
ஐஸ்வர்யா ரஜினிகாந்த் 2016 ல் எழுதிய புத்தகம். தற்செயலாக நூலகத்தில் எடுத்து வந்த புத்தகம். இன்று தான் மின்வடிவில் படித்து முடித்தேன்!
ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் மகளாக அவருக்கு வாழ்வில் கிடைத்தவைகளையும், கிடைக்காதவைகளையும் குறித்து அருமையான எழுத்துநடையில், எளிய ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதப்பட்ட புத்தகம்!
ரஜினியின் மகள் என்கிற அடையாளத்தை தாண்டி, தனக்கென ஒரு அடையாளத்தை அவர் காணமுனைவதை இந்தப் புத்தகம் முழுவதும் வெளிப்படுத்தி இருக்கிறார்!
வழக்கறிஞர் ஆக வேண்டும் என்கிற சிறுவயது கனவு பல வேளைகளில் தடைப்படுவதை சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். இந்தப்புத்தகம் மூலமாக ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரின் இல்லத்தில் நடக்கும் விசயங்களை நம் கண்முன்னே கொண்டு வருவது இவரது எழுத்துக்கான வெற்றி தான்!
ரஜினியை ஒரு குடும்பத்தலைவராக, ஒரு தகப்பனாக பக்கத்தில் இருந்து நாம் பார்க்கும் அனுபவத்தை ஐஸ்வர்யா தருகிறார்!
ஐஸ்வர்யா சிறு குழந்தையாக இருக்கும் போது, ரஜினி வேலைபலுவில் ஒருநாள் திட்டிவிடுகிறார். குழந்தை கண் கலங்கிவிட்டதை பார்த்து, பிறகு மன்னிப்பு கேட்கிறார். பின்னாளில், இந்த நிகழ்வை ஒரு படத்தில் சேர்க்க ஐஸ்வர்யாவிடமே அனுமதி கேட்கிறார்!
டீன் ஏஜ் ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு, புத்தாண்டு கொண்டாட்டத்திற்கு (அன்று தான் அவரது பிறந்தநாள்) நண்பர்களுடன் செல்ல ஆசை. ஆசையை ரஜினியிடம் சொல்கிறார். ரஜினி, நானே அழைத்துச்செல்கிறேன் என்று சொல்கிறார். ஒரு நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டலில் நடக்கும் புத்தாண்டு பார்ட்டியில் சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரின் குடும்பமே இருக்கின்றது. சரியாக 12 மணிக்கு அனைவரும் Happy new year என்று கத்தி, கும்மாளமிட்டு மகிழ்ச்சியை பறிமாறிக்கொள்கிறார்கள். 12.01 க்கு ரஜினி, மகிழ்ச்சியா? வீட்டுக்கு போகலாமா? என கேட்கிறார். ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் தந்தையாக செய்ய முடிந்ததை செய்தார் என்பதே செய்தி!
லதா ரஜினிகாந்த் ஒரு home maker, tough mother, strict vegetarian (நாய்க்கு கூட பன்னீர் மற்றும் தயிர் சாதம் தான்), staunch iyengar Brahmin என்பதை ஐஸ்வர்யாவின் எழுத்தின் மூலம் புரிந்துக்கொள்ள முடிகிறது!
இந்தப் புத்தகத்தில், தனது அம்மா அப்பா பக்கத்து உறவினர்களை காட்டிலும், தனுஷ் வீட்டை குறித்து பேசும் பகுதிகள், இன்னமும் மனதிற்கு நெருக்கமாக இருக்கின்றது. குறிப்பாக, தனது மாமியாருக்கும் தனக்குமான உறவு, மாமியார் வாழ்வில் எவ்வளவு கடினங்களை கடந்து நான்கு பிள்ளைகளை படிக்க வைத்தார் (இரு டாக்டர்கள்) என்பதை சொல்லியிருப்பது முக்கியமானது.
செல்வராகவனிடம் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் படத்தில் உதவி இயக்குனராக பணி செய்துள்ளார். சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் மகள் என்பதை தாண்டி, ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு ஒரு அடையாளம் தேவை என்பதை ஐஸ்வர்யாவிடமே கூறிவிட்டு, நீ எனது sister in law வாக வந்தால் எல்லா சலுகையும் கிடைக்கும். Assistant director ராக வந்தால் நீயும் மற்றவர்களை போலத்தான் என முதல்நாளே சொல்லித்தான் சேர்க்கிறார். ஒட்டுமொத்த சூட்டிங் நாட்களிலும் ஐஸ்வர்யா இரண்டு நாட்கள் லேட்டாக செல்கிறார். முதல் தடவை வார்னிங். இரண்டாம் தடவை அவரை விட்டுவிட்டு கார் சென்றுவிட்டதாம். இரண்டு கிலோமீட்டர் நடந்தே சூட்டிங் ஸ்பாட் சென்றாராம். அங்கு ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு எந்த வேலையும் தரக்கூடாது என்பது செல்வராகவனின் உத்தரவு. அதை யாரும் மீறவில்லை. காலை 9 மணியில் இருந்து மாலை 6 மணிவரை, ஐஸ்வர்யா எதுவும் சாப்பிடாமல் நின்றுக்கொண்டு இருந்தாராம். மாலை ஆத்திரத்தோடு தனுஷிற்கு அழைத்த போது, ஏற்கனவே, செல்வா அழைத்து இதில் தலையிட வேண்டாம் என்று சொன்னதை சொல்கிறார்.
பிறகு, செல்வாவே அறைக்கு வருகிறார். கோபத்தை வயிற்றுக்கு காண்பிக்கக் கூடாது என சொல்கிறார். ஐஸ்வர்யா ரஜினிகாந்த் இயக்குனர் என பெயர் எடுத்ததற்கு பின்னால் செல்வா இருக்கிறார் என்பது புலனாகிறது. அதனால் தான் அவரை தன் mentor என்கிறார்!
புத்தகத்தில் பல ஆர்வத்தை தூண்டும் பகுதிகள் இருக்கின்றன. ரஜினி போலியோ விளம்பரத்துக்கு வந்தபிறகு, அவரது குழந்தைகளுக்கு போலியோ இருக்கிறது என்கிற ஒரு வதந்தி பரவுகிறது. அது உண்மையா இல்லையா என தெரிந்துக் கொள்ளும் ஆர்வத்தில் ஒரு பெண்மணி ரஜினி வீட்டிலேயே குழந்தைகளை நடக்க சொல்லியிருக்கிறார்!
அதிகம் பேசாத, ஆனால் பாசம் மிக்க ஒரு தந்தையை நம் கண் முன்னால் ஐஸ்வர்யா கொண்டு வருவதே இந்தப்புத்தகத்தின் சிறப்பு!
சூப்பர்ஸ்டார் மகள் என்கிற மிகப்பெரிய புகழ் வெளிச்சத்தை கடந்து, தனது முத்திரையை ஒரு எழுத்தாளராகவும் பதித்து இருக்கிறார்.
Though, this book is based on an upper class, upper caste lifestyle of Madras (That’s how the author writes, not Chennai), this book has some interesting areas to understand the life of a celebrity child who strives to achieve something in life!
ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் மகளாக அவருக்கு வாழ்வில் கிடைத்தவைகளையும், கிடைக்காதவைகளையும் குறித்து அருமையான எழுத்துநடையில், எளிய ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதப்பட்ட புத்தகம்!
ரஜினியின் மகள் என்கிற அடையாளத்தை தாண்டி, தனக்கென ஒரு அடையாளத்தை அவர் காணமுனைவதை இந்தப் புத்தகம் முழுவதும் வெளிப்படுத்தி இருக்கிறார்!
வழக்கறிஞர் ஆக வேண்டும் என்கிற சிறுவயது கனவு பல வேளைகளில் தடைப்படுவதை சொல்லியிருக்கிறார். இந்தப்புத்தகம் மூலமாக ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரின் இல்லத்தில் நடக்கும் விசயங்களை நம் கண்முன்னே கொண்டு வருவது இவரது எழுத்துக்கான வெற்றி தான்!
ரஜினியை ஒரு குடும்பத்தலைவராக, ஒரு தகப்பனாக பக்கத்தில் இருந்து நாம் பார்க்கும் அனுபவத்தை ஐஸ்வர்யா தருகிறார்!
ஐஸ்வர்யா சிறு குழந்தையாக இருக்கும் போது, ரஜினி வேலைபலுவில் ஒருநாள் திட்டிவிடுகிறார். குழந்தை கண் கலங்கிவிட்டதை பார்த்து, பிறகு மன்னிப்பு கேட்கிறார். பின்னாளில், இந்த நிகழ்வை ஒரு படத்தில் சேர்க்க ஐஸ்வர்யாவிடமே அனுமதி கேட்கிறார்!
டீன் ஏஜ் ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு, புத்தாண்டு கொண்டாட்டத்திற்கு (அன்று தான் அவரது பிறந்தநாள்) நண்பர்களுடன் செல்ல ஆசை. ஆசையை ரஜினியிடம் சொல்கிறார். ரஜினி, நானே அழைத்துச்செல்கிறேன் என்று சொல்கிறார். ஒரு நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டலில் நடக்கும் புத்தாண்டு பார்ட்டியில் சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரின் குடும்பமே இருக்கின்றது. சரியாக 12 மணிக்கு அனைவரும் Happy new year என்று கத்தி, கும்மாளமிட்டு மகிழ்ச்சியை பறிமாறிக்கொள்கிறார்கள். 12.01 க்கு ரஜினி, மகிழ்ச்சியா? வீட்டுக்கு போகலாமா? என கேட்கிறார். ஒரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் தந்தையாக செய்ய முடிந்ததை செய்தார் என்பதே செய்தி!
லதா ரஜினிகாந்த் ஒரு home maker, tough mother, strict vegetarian (நாய்க்கு கூட பன்னீர் மற்றும் தயிர் சாதம் தான்), staunch iyengar Brahmin என்பதை ஐஸ்வர்யாவின் எழுத்தின் மூலம் புரிந்துக்கொள்ள முடிகிறது!
இந்தப் புத்தகத்தில், தனது அம்மா அப்பா பக்கத்து உறவினர்களை காட்டிலும், தனுஷ் வீட்டை குறித்து பேசும் பகுதிகள், இன்னமும் மனதிற்கு நெருக்கமாக இருக்கின்றது. குறிப்பாக, தனது மாமியாருக்கும் தனக்குமான உறவு, மாமியார் வாழ்வில் எவ்வளவு கடினங்களை கடந்து நான்கு பிள்ளைகளை படிக்க வைத்தார் (இரு டாக்டர்கள்) என்பதை சொல்லியிருப்பது முக்கியமானது.
செல்வராகவனிடம் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் படத்தில் உதவி இயக்குனராக பணி செய்துள்ளார். சூப்பர் ஸ்டார் மகள் என்பதை தாண்டி, ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு ஒரு அடையாளம் தேவை என்பதை ஐஸ்வர்யாவிடமே கூறிவிட்டு, நீ எனது sister in law வாக வந்தால் எல்லா சலுகையும் கிடைக்கும். Assistant director ராக வந்தால் நீயும் மற்றவர்களை போலத்தான் என முதல்நாளே சொல்லித்தான் சேர்க்கிறார். ஒட்டுமொத்த சூட்டிங் நாட்களிலும் ஐஸ்வர்யா இரண்டு நாட்கள் லேட்டாக செல்கிறார். முதல் தடவை வார்னிங். இரண்டாம் தடவை அவரை விட்டுவிட்டு கார் சென்றுவிட்டதாம். இரண்டு கிலோமீட்டர் நடந்தே சூட்டிங் ஸ்பாட் சென்றாராம். அங்கு ஐஸ்வர்யாவிற்கு எந்த வேலையும் தரக்கூடாது என்பது செல்வராகவனின் உத்தரவு. அதை யாரும் மீறவில்லை. காலை 9 மணியில் இருந்து மாலை 6 மணிவரை, ஐஸ்வர்யா எதுவும் சாப்பிடாமல் நின்றுக்கொண்டு இருந்தாராம். மாலை ஆத்திரத்தோடு தனுஷிற்கு அழைத்த போது, ஏற்கனவே, செல்வா அழைத்து இதில் தலையிட வேண்டாம் என்று சொன்னதை சொல்கிறார்.
பிறகு, செல்வாவே அறைக்கு வருகிறார். கோபத்தை வயிற்றுக்கு காண்பிக்கக் கூடாது என சொல்கிறார். ஐஸ்வர்யா ரஜினிகாந்த் இயக்குனர் என பெயர் எடுத்ததற்கு பின்னால் செல்வா இருக்கிறார் என்பது புலனாகிறது. அதனால் தான் அவரை தன் mentor என்கிறார்!
புத்தகத்தில் பல ஆர்வத்தை தூண்டும் பகுதிகள் இருக்கின்றன. ரஜினி போலியோ விளம்பரத்துக்கு வந்தபிறகு, அவரது குழந்தைகளுக்கு போலியோ இருக்கிறது என்கிற ஒரு வதந்தி பரவுகிறது. அது உண்மையா இல்லையா என தெரிந்துக் கொள்ளும் ஆர்வத்தில் ஒரு பெண்மணி ரஜினி வீட்டிலேயே குழந்தைகளை நடக்க சொல்லியிருக்கிறார்!
அதிகம் பேசாத, ஆனால் பாசம் மிக்க ஒரு தந்தையை நம் கண் முன்னால் ஐஸ்வர்யா கொண்டு வருவதே இந்தப்புத்தகத்தின் சிறப்பு!
சூப்பர்ஸ்டார் மகள் என்கிற மிகப்பெரிய புகழ் வெளிச்சத்தை கடந்து, தனது முத்திரையை ஒரு எழுத்தாளராகவும் பதித்து இருக்கிறார்.
Though, this book is based on an upper class, upper caste lifestyle of Madras (That’s how the author writes, not Chennai), this book has some interesting areas to understand the life of a celebrity child who strives to achieve something in life!
April 27, 2021
I wanted to know her story. The thing I disliked was how high esteemed she had kept her famous father and husband, I do understand that where she is from they are basically God to the ordinary people but girl you do not need to remind us in every damn chapter. This was your story, about what have you achieved. Still short and pleasant.
January 9, 2017
Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Danush, "Super Star's daughter" turned "another Star's wife" turned director turned UN Women equality advocate turned (the list goes on) author is truly multi-facted; as is her book. I had mixed feelings reading the book. Is it a biography of Rajinikanth? Yes, at parts! Is it an Autobiography ? Yes! Is it a collection of anecdotes? Yes. Is it a book on Philosophy, Rajinikanth is known for? Yes! Like wise the book talks about film making, film industry, travel, childcare, relationships etc.
The best part which I enjoyed was anecdotes related to Thalaivar(Rajini Kanth), my larger than life hero. How a role model, for many like me across the globe has gone through the hardships every parent would go through; of course in his own style is just mesmerizing. I also got the message how lot of us overlook what people have achieved just because their relatives are famous. Even after being successful in quite a few fields which Aishwaryaa has taken up, people always look at her as daughter of Rajinikanth or wife of Dhanush. To think about being discredited day in and day out, is really painful; but the way she has accepted it with pride and pleasure is just amazing. She truly has made her father and husband proud.
The best part which I enjoyed was anecdotes related to Thalaivar(Rajini Kanth), my larger than life hero. How a role model, for many like me across the globe has gone through the hardships every parent would go through; of course in his own style is just mesmerizing. I also got the message how lot of us overlook what people have achieved just because their relatives are famous. Even after being successful in quite a few fields which Aishwaryaa has taken up, people always look at her as daughter of Rajinikanth or wife of Dhanush. To think about being discredited day in and day out, is really painful; but the way she has accepted it with pride and pleasure is just amazing. She truly has made her father and husband proud.
February 4, 2017
Wanted to read this book as she is the daughter of my most favorite star, Rajini, and the wife of Dhanush, my heartthrob since my school days! Also, our names are the same! The book is simple to read and beautifully printed with little flowers here and there. In spite of her huge background, she seems to be a simple and humble person, and has said many things in a more subtle way. I think she has mentioned almost all the people she loves in this book. Her early days in Bangalore, her once dream of becoming a Lawyer, disappointments she faced of being an overly protected kid, different coffee tastes of everyone at her home, her kids' tantrums, etc., are some of the portions I loved reading. The book shows the simplicity that exists even in the rich and famous people. Would have loved even more if she has shared some more pictures. Overall a good book!
May 29, 2020
Indeed It Is A Poigant Must Read As It Looks At A Superstar From The Prism Of A Fond Daughter..
The Book Is Simple And Smooth To Read But That Is It’s Biggest Flaw Too..The Daughter In The Author Refuses To Step Out Of The Comfort Zone And Explore The Shades Of Grey Leave Alone Any Specks Of Black..But Then You Cannot Blame A Daughter For That...She Has Only Seen Her Appa With Blinkers.
That Having Been Said The Book Does Make Poigant Reading As The Father-Daughter Bond Is Revealed Publically Something RAJNI Saar Was Never Comfortable About As He Kept His Family Life At A Miles Distance From His Superstardom And Demigod Status.
While Revealing Small Nuggets About Her Father AISHWARYA Reveals A Lot About Herself & The Relationship She Shares With Her Star Husband & Children In Context Of How Different It Is From Her Own Growing Up Years!!
All Said & Done A Worth Read If Only Once!!
The Book Is Simple And Smooth To Read But That Is It’s Biggest Flaw Too..The Daughter In The Author Refuses To Step Out Of The Comfort Zone And Explore The Shades Of Grey Leave Alone Any Specks Of Black..But Then You Cannot Blame A Daughter For That...She Has Only Seen Her Appa With Blinkers.
That Having Been Said The Book Does Make Poigant Reading As The Father-Daughter Bond Is Revealed Publically Something RAJNI Saar Was Never Comfortable About As He Kept His Family Life At A Miles Distance From His Superstardom And Demigod Status.
While Revealing Small Nuggets About Her Father AISHWARYA Reveals A Lot About Herself & The Relationship She Shares With Her Star Husband & Children In Context Of How Different It Is From Her Own Growing Up Years!!
All Said & Done A Worth Read If Only Once!!
April 20, 2018
This book covers aspects which stars or their kids keep talking about in the interviews. Aishwaryaa Rajanikanth Dhanush has done a good job in bringing forward how the childhood of any person be it a start kid or a normal person is the same (toys, books, friends etc) and how challenging life can be at times and how very normal day to day issues in a celebrity kid's or wife's life come under scanner. It basically conveys that every start or celebrity is another normal person who wants to lead a normal life but, given to the industry they work in and the characters they play on, they and the family are expected to lead a more exemplary and responsible lifestyle in the eyes of public.
Aishwaryaa Rajanikanth Dhanush has done a fine job with her first book.
Aishwaryaa Rajanikanth Dhanush has done a fine job with her first book.
September 10, 2017
Don’t get misled by the ‘apple box’ bit. There is very little about that here. For those curious about what an apple box is, she explains what it is in the book. She discusses her early childhood spent with her grandparents in Bangalore. As expected, she has led a sheltered life, protected from the world outside.
The rest of the book contains anecdotes from her short life thus far, drawing hugely from her father’s life and her husband’s life and a little gossip from yesteryear actors’ lives without quite naming the dramatis personae. Not much for gossip value. She says her favourite subject was English all along. But she wanted to study law. It’s quite cruel really how her dreams were cut short.
After reading this book, I think celebrity kids have it rough. I mean look at Abhishek Bachchan. He’s a cool guy. Well spoken, well turned out and intelligent. But he’s constantly being called a loser by people who even spell it looser (ergo, who are unqualified to share an opinion on him). Just because he is constantly being compared to his dad and wife. It’s hardly a coincidence that the foreword to Aishwaryaa’s book has been written by none other than Shwetha Bachchan Nanda.
Likewise it is for Aishwaryaa Dhanush Rajnikanth. Because she can never live up to being the phenomenon that her dad is or the star that her husband is, she is constantly being targeted and ridiculed. The latest case in point being her bharatanatyam performance in the United Nations.
That’s what I have concluded after reading her book, which is written in simple English, straight from the heart of a conservative girl. She sounds like the girl next door, a mom with concerns about cooking, and mundane chores, but for the fact that she is you know who’s daughter.
The rest of the book contains anecdotes from her short life thus far, drawing hugely from her father’s life and her husband’s life and a little gossip from yesteryear actors’ lives without quite naming the dramatis personae. Not much for gossip value. She says her favourite subject was English all along. But she wanted to study law. It’s quite cruel really how her dreams were cut short.
After reading this book, I think celebrity kids have it rough. I mean look at Abhishek Bachchan. He’s a cool guy. Well spoken, well turned out and intelligent. But he’s constantly being called a loser by people who even spell it looser (ergo, who are unqualified to share an opinion on him). Just because he is constantly being compared to his dad and wife. It’s hardly a coincidence that the foreword to Aishwaryaa’s book has been written by none other than Shwetha Bachchan Nanda.
Likewise it is for Aishwaryaa Dhanush Rajnikanth. Because she can never live up to being the phenomenon that her dad is or the star that her husband is, she is constantly being targeted and ridiculed. The latest case in point being her bharatanatyam performance in the United Nations.
That’s what I have concluded after reading her book, which is written in simple English, straight from the heart of a conservative girl. She sounds like the girl next door, a mom with concerns about cooking, and mundane chores, but for the fact that she is you know who’s daughter.
July 16, 2017
"What has she done to write a book?", someone asked me. I didn't have an answer then but I think I have one now.
Aishwaryaa is an "ordinary" woman among stars and there is nothing "special" about her i.e. she is not successful in a conventional way. She doesn't have any extraordinary passion. She is just a simple woman trying to remain sane in a superstar obsessed world. There are times when the conditioned part of me said, "Who are you to even write a book? I mean, what have you done?" But Aishwaryaa doesn't care about what you and me think about her. 'Standing On An Apple Box', for me, is about self-love. It's about self-discovery. It's believing that your story matters, no matter how "ordinary" you are.
Aishwaryaa is an "ordinary" woman among stars and there is nothing "special" about her i.e. she is not successful in a conventional way. She doesn't have any extraordinary passion. She is just a simple woman trying to remain sane in a superstar obsessed world. There are times when the conditioned part of me said, "Who are you to even write a book? I mean, what have you done?" But Aishwaryaa doesn't care about what you and me think about her. 'Standing On An Apple Box', for me, is about self-love. It's about self-discovery. It's believing that your story matters, no matter how "ordinary" you are.
December 31, 2016
Honestly, i bought this book off the store with absolutely minimal expectations. But I am indeed that I did not waste my precious 200 rupees on this book. Was a complete delight. Being an avid Rajinikanth fan, I have always been amazed by his humility. The book wss peek through about Rajini, the father. About how he is just like any other Indian father. The narration is just beautiful!
March 6, 2017
It's a really nice book and well written.
I'm proud to say that this is the first book i finished reading. Even in school when we were supposed to read books I only read them to a part and then stopped. But this book was really interesting to me so I read it
I'm proud to say that this is the first book i finished reading. Even in school when we were supposed to read books I only read them to a part and then stopped. But this book was really interesting to me so I read it
November 12, 2017
A very poignant account of her childhood. The book is written as a collection of essays based on various facets of her growing up years. It comes across as very honest and relatable. Excellent written language too. Looking forward for more.
June 16, 2018
Really a down to earth book from the person who belongs to mega star family. I liked the style of telling about her various memories. Though it would be great if she would have included the chapters of her present life.
January 27, 2017
A heartwarming debut by Aishwaryaa R. Dhanush, a mother sandwiched between the roles of writer, director, dancer, humanitarian and daughter, wife, sister, daughter-in-law.
June 23, 2017
Engaging
January 20, 2019
What I liked about the book is the honesty with which the author has told her story. Otherwise it’s very ordinary, holding interest solely because the author is Rajinikanth’s daughter.
Read
May 5, 2021love this book
April 6, 2017
It feels great to read the insights of Super Star and his early days from his daughter. It also portrays the difficulties to be a celebrity child. Overall I liked it!
Detailed review to be posted soon.
Detailed review to be posted soon.
March 4, 2017
Memoir of SuperStar daughter. This is really not about life style of Star child. This is about a memoir of women from her childhood, her roles of daughter, friend,sister,wife ,mother,director and UN member. Simple and awesome writing
June 8, 2017
Average.. Snippets from her life
February 10, 2017
In the 90s, Suhasini Maniratnam directed a series of female-centric shorts called 'PeN.' There is a great episode with Revathy and the late Srividya at the height of their powers, playing mother-daughter. Flipping through the pages of Aishwarya's memoirs, I could sense a similar undercurrent mother-daughter tension in the narration. Aishwarya does not dwell too much on it but makes enough reference to make me wonder about her relationship with her mother, Latha Rajinikanth. It appears that as new parents, the Rajinikanths were overly cautious to the point of seeking Latha's parents help in raising their first-born in an entirely different state. With their second girl, they seemed to have been breathing easier. A tinge of jealousy also appears in some of the pages when Aishwarya treats her sister, Soundarya. The superstar dad is revered from a safe distance, and this seems to be a product of the conditioning done from childhood. A few almost mythical stories around his childhood might find their way into his biopic if ever there is one. However, it was the excerpt around her early childhood that piqued my interest to go ahead and buy the book. There isn't much by way of gossip or earth shattering revelations. It is a sedated glimpse into the life of someone who is born into movie royalty but only slowly and much later in life becomes part of the industry. Her relationship with Selvaraghavan offers some entertainment. Nothing comes as a surprise when it comes to this quirky filmmaker but this family as a whole, and the different ways they express their passion for filmmaking is noteworthy. Her third person account of Dhanush's family origins is hit or miss. It is a light read, and for someone like me who was in a reading slump, it helped get back on track with books.
December 25, 2016
What I felt was nothing but honest writing and pouring from heart.
She is the daughter of an actor turned icon and, married to a husband versatile in movie making. She herself is very good in scripting and directing movies.
Standing on an Apple Box - a book written by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Dhanush is catchy not because of Super Star's daughter or wife of a highly talented individual. It is - as said before - a page turner because the author made it simple and honest.
In this 170 page book, Aishwaryaa manages to keep the readers hooked by arranging into sensible 35 chapters. Yes, it talks about her Appa aka Rajinikanth, her hubbie aka Dhanush and, also heaps praises on her beloved brother-in-law Selvaraghavan. It is amazing to read these incidents through Aishwaryaa and, that is what making the book as special one.
I was moved when she talks about her Appa - the super star, sacred ashes, the lord, meditation and, fathers and daughters. It was once again established that our Super Star is a humble human being.
The praise she showered on her brother-in-law also admirable. Relationship turned marriage with Dhanush, her children, her in-laws and, above all her Amma were penned at ease.
Above all, the book is stuck to the facts and, because of this you are not finding any incident exaggerated.
I read from the view of a celebrity's child. No wonder, the superstar's daughter has stolen my heart in her maiden attempt. If you read the same way, this book will not disappoint you.
Published by Harper Collins and, available at Amazon at INR 245 (Book Price INR 399).
She is the daughter of an actor turned icon and, married to a husband versatile in movie making. She herself is very good in scripting and directing movies.
Standing on an Apple Box - a book written by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Dhanush is catchy not because of Super Star's daughter or wife of a highly talented individual. It is - as said before - a page turner because the author made it simple and honest.
In this 170 page book, Aishwaryaa manages to keep the readers hooked by arranging into sensible 35 chapters. Yes, it talks about her Appa aka Rajinikanth, her hubbie aka Dhanush and, also heaps praises on her beloved brother-in-law Selvaraghavan. It is amazing to read these incidents through Aishwaryaa and, that is what making the book as special one.
I was moved when she talks about her Appa - the super star, sacred ashes, the lord, meditation and, fathers and daughters. It was once again established that our Super Star is a humble human being.
The praise she showered on her brother-in-law also admirable. Relationship turned marriage with Dhanush, her children, her in-laws and, above all her Amma were penned at ease.
Above all, the book is stuck to the facts and, because of this you are not finding any incident exaggerated.
I read from the view of a celebrity's child. No wonder, the superstar's daughter has stolen my heart in her maiden attempt. If you read the same way, this book will not disappoint you.
Published by Harper Collins and, available at Amazon at INR 245 (Book Price INR 399).
February 10, 2017
Being an ardent admirer of Rajinikanth, I picked this book up to see if I could find some details about the star, and I did. Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth has brought in some authentic details of her father, and at the same time very grippingly has spoken about how her life has and is still revolving around the film industry. From a loving daughter to a dutiful wife to sincere women's advocate, A.R. has adorned many challenges and have faced them all well. I found the book unmasked, and the little stories added to the much sought to authenticity. It was a quick and a nice read!
February 2, 2017
The first book I started and finished in 2017!
This book is full of interesting anecdotes about rajni, dhanush and aishwarya dhanush. For a first attempt at writing, Aishwarya comes off reasonably well. The overall feel is still that of a collection of blog posts rather than a book though. Some chapters start on one page and finish on the next page! A very light read.
I could relate to her in certain aspects - being the elder child, how everything is easier for the younger child etc :) Her Rajni/Dhanush are the strongest part of the book, since she has a unique perspective on this. If she writes again on this topic, definitely going to buy the book!
This book is full of interesting anecdotes about rajni, dhanush and aishwarya dhanush. For a first attempt at writing, Aishwarya comes off reasonably well. The overall feel is still that of a collection of blog posts rather than a book though. Some chapters start on one page and finish on the next page! A very light read.
I could relate to her in certain aspects - being the elder child, how everything is easier for the younger child etc :) Her Rajni/Dhanush are the strongest part of the book, since she has a unique perspective on this. If she writes again on this topic, definitely going to buy the book!
Read
December 14, 2016The actual name of the book is “Standing on an Apple Box: The Story of a Girl among the Stars”. This book will tell you untold stories about Aishwarya’s personal life, about SuperStar Rajinikanth and actor Dhanush. The attractive part about the book is the way Aishwarya explained her life as a woman among the stars. Her struggle within her and her choice of career will give a moral boost for women who love to choose their own career.
Full review with GIF: http://www.etale.in/standing-on-an-ap...
Full review with GIF: http://www.etale.in/standing-on-an-ap...
February 3, 2017
My efforts to keep up with Indian authors and books have frequently been met with disappointment and I admit to having low expectations of this book as well. Honestly, I started reading it because my parents sent it to me for Christmas and thought I would enjoy reading a book that's been in the news in India. I was pleasantly surprised at Aishwaryaas simplistic yet engaging style of writing. Not a book I would highly recommend, but one I enjoyed and found a strange sense of comfort and familiarity from.
January 25, 2017
Iam a big fan of the super star and honestly bought this book since his daughter wrote it. But it need not be so. Aishwarya writes effortlessly and I close the book with a good feeling. These are memoirs of her childhood, about her grandparents, her father , mother and husband . Anyone with a bonding towards their family can relate to these. I loved the book for its apparent honesty without a streak of arrogance that could be expected from a celebrity child. Her language is clean and thoughts are noble that many parts leave a softness in your heart.
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