So, were all those juicy stories true?
They ought to be as they are generated by the protagonists themselves. The untold stories are far more shocking than anything you see published. Bollywood is a grim place that tries to present its prettiest face to the world. But is anybody really fooled? 

Today Shobhaa De is a brand. What’s your take on the making of brand Shobhaa as superstar Shobhaa?
The question is not whether I see myself as a brand but whether others see me as one. I’m afraid the answer is ‘yes.’ Ten or so years ago, when Amitabh Bachchan was getting himself ‘valued’ as a brand, a financial whiz offered to put a price tag on my brand worth. I refused as I thought it was absurd to commodify people. It’s an entirely different ball game now. Every known person comes with a price tag. Sad, but true. Sometimes the numbers discussed are in the public domain, at other times, they remain unspoken. But they are very much there. So, there’s no point fighting shy of accepting such crass realities. 

Your detractors accuse you of using the processes of the media you were once a part of to market brand Shobhaa.
There’s no way  anyone can ‘control’ an image. That’s insulting public intelligence. People can see through manipulation. Besides, smart marketing cannot sell a dud — whether it’s a book or a soap cake. I am clear-headed about my goals. I want to deliver 100 per cent with every book. My strike rate has established my success. I understand the value of my  brand positioning better than anybody else. It’s in my own interest to ensure any new book of mine gets the attention it deserves.  

... contd.