His is the story that aspiring actors, coming to tinsel-town from different parts of the country, can take comfort in — a Virar boy knocks on the doors of filmmakers, hoping to make a career in Bollywood, and in a matter of years, becomes one of the reigning stars, courtesy his unmatched dancing skills and perfect comic timing. But if he has seen dizzying heights of stardom, he has also experienced the lows of failure and disillusionment.

It’s far from easy to condense Govinda’s tumultuous journey in a book. Probably why the actor has decided to tell his story in his own words. “I had decided early on that I would start writing my autobiography when I turn 57,” says Govinda, who began developing his memoir after crossing the milestone last year.