Veteran Film Journalist Khalid Mohamed Releases Tell-All Book Detailing Three Decades in Bollywood

Veteran film journalist, critic, and reviewer Khalid Mohamed has published a tell-all book titled 'Not Quite Family', reflecting on his career spanning over 30 years in the entertainment industry. The publication details the intricate and often volatile dynamics of navigating personal relationships with prominent Bollywood actors while maintaining professional journalistic objectivity.

During his tenure as a film reporter for the Times of India, Mohamed developed close associations with notable industry figures such as Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sridevi. The book examines the fine line journalists walk when personal familiarity—ranging from private gatherings and travel to wedding invitations—collides with professional duties such as writing critical film reviews or breaking sensitive news stories.

The book recounts how Fatma Zakaria, the editor of the Times Sunday Review, created the pen-name 'Lens Eye' for Mohamed. This allowed him to conduct telephonic celebrity interviews without interacting directly with actors whose films he was simultaneously critiquing in his reviews. The arrangement maintained a separation between his critical commentary and celebrity reporting for an extended period.

Among the chapters, Mohamed dedicates significant attention to actress Smita Patil, detailing her career struggles, her distress over industry comparisons, and her early death. He also reflects on his transition into screenwriting for the Shyam Benegal trilogy—based on the stories of his aunts Mammo and Sardari Begum and his mother, Zubeida—and notes that his creative pursuits eventually contributed to his exit from the newspaper publication.

The publication further touches upon his editorial roles, including addressing accusations of bias during Filmfare awards and detailing the fallout of reporting news regarding Shah Rukh Khan's third child through surrogacy prior to its official public announcement. Mohamed also highlights instances of professional unreliability within the industry, noting that several individuals have yet to compensate him for writing or directing films such as Fiza and Silsilay.

After spending decades as an industry insider, Mohamed maintains a critical perspective on the commercial film business, describing parts of it as unprofessional and transactional. Despite the professional friction and severed ties detailed throughout the text, the book serves as a historical account of Mumbai's film ecosystem from the perspective of a long-serving critic and media professional.

"The intersection of personal relationships and professional objectivity is a persistent challenge across many industries, particularly in media and entertainment. Khalid Mohamed's account highlights the structural complexities of managing stakeholder dynamics where professional critique often conflicts with commercial and personal ties. For businesses operating in creative sectors, maintaining clear operational boundaries and transparent professional agreements is essential for long-term viability and managing reputational risk." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes