8.9 Bhawana Somaaya: What Partition Stole, and Writing Restored

What happens when a celebrated film journalist turns the camera inward? 

In this moving episode, veteran critic and author Bhawana Somaaya unpacks her memoir Farewell Karachi. Known for her decades-long career documenting Bollywood’s biggest stars like Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan, Bhawana shares the deeply personal stories behind her family’s displacement from Karachi to Mumbai during Partition.

She recounts everything from her mother’s hilarious one-liners about working as a young journalist in the 1970s to the emotional weight of her father’s solitary journey during Partition and the legacy of a lost home. The conversation flows through intimate anecdotes, candid reflections, and the subtle power of memories that shape who we become.

Bhawana’s honest reflections offer a masterclass in sensitivity and storytelling. Her journey shows that emotional intelligence isn’t just a trait—it’s a lens, a compass, and sometimes, the story itself.

Books, shows, and films mentioned in this episode:

• Because He Is by Meghna Gulzar
• Darlingji: The True Love Story of Nargis and Sunil Dutt by Kishwar Desai
• Parveen Babi by Karishma Upadhyay
• A Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
• Pakeezah
• Garm Hava 
• Navrang
• Kaun Banega Crorepati

Upcoming Bound Retreats
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1. Wiling: A Weekend Writing Retreat | 28-30 November, 2025

Learn more: https://boundindia.com/retreats/

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‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.