Jessica,' he pronounced, 'you have known me for seven years. My life has changed seven times. You will never finish this book.' There is no reason why Amitabh Bachchan and I should appear in the same sentence. He is India's most legendary film star - a cross between Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Elvis, and with more than a hint of John Travolta. In a country like India where film stars are treated as gods, Amitabh Bacchan is the uber-god, the Big B. As for me, I am thirtysomething and English. But here I am in Bombay about to start writing his authorized biography.

How did I get here? Why did I get here? And can I pull it off? Bombay is mayhem and Bollywood, maddening. The Big B is strangely aloof, the magazines are full of lies, and no one is talking. I want to write a book that goes beneath the myths surrounding India's most famous man. But is there anyone in there? Funny, irreverent, and affectionate The Big B is a fascinating look at the Bombay film industry and at a very unlikely friendship - and most definitely an unauthorised biography.