All That Could Have Been

by Mahesh Bhatt

Raising a young child on her own, writing him letters pretending to be his absentee father, Vasudha Prasad has taught herself not to dream.

A wealthy hotelier with no fixed address, Aarav Ruparel travels light, using ambition to shield himself from emotion.

Neither is seeking love. And when it comes calling, it tests them both: Vasudha must accept that her marriage was a mistake, and Aarav must learn that sometimes loss is gain.

All That Could have Been is a compelling examination of love by one of Indian cinema’s most extraordinary chroniclers of human relationships.

152 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2015

Reviews

[Vrsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing much to say except...One typical Mahesh Bhatt movie

[Ritesh Randhir · Rating 2 out of 5]

ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER!

After you get past the second page of the book you find yourself asking-is this a book or a film script? No doubt Mahesh Bhatt is a great film-maker but his venture into the literary world is unsatisfactory if not unconvincing. This book was soon made into a motion picture which was a bigger disaster. ! A strict no!

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard that Mahesh Bhatt had written a book based on the screenplay of Humaari Adhuri Kahaani, a movie I've been looking forward to for the past year, I had to read it right away. This book made for a great quick read and I finished it within two days (though actual reading time took only an hour and a half). The story is a really nice love story with endearing characters and the kind of story that you can instantly peg as a Bhatt film. It has complex characters, a natural connection between Aarav and Vasudha and an ending that leaves you thinking. While reading this, I felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. Like I said, it's an easy read with a straight-forward, breezy style of writing. I think the story will translate beautifully on-screen and make an incredible movie. As a book, it was nice and thought-provoking.

[Sukhamaya Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been one of the most amazing possible-to-read-fast book that I have come across in many recent years. No doubt, the senior Bhatt is an ace masters story maker. This is clearly evident in the plot and no points for guessing that it can become a great memorable film with the typical Mahesh Bhatt signature. What is also interesting is the free flow of stylish English bits thrown in at places which reminds oneself of few of the school texts and some of the serious reading which one would have surely come across but which does not normally find mention in modern day writings.
This is a must read.

[dunkdaft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging from the very first pages. Maybe cause I knew which faces to imagine for the characters. The movie will be interesting with Emraan-Vidya and Rajkumar Rao. But somehow I didn't understand the intensity that leads to such climax. Or say - I'm a man of screen more than the words. So on screen that would make more sense. Let's see. A nice little love story otherwise.

[Anshad · Rating 4 out of 5]

U dont need 300 pages to say a intense life story.
A modern version of Mahesh Bhat's classic Movie Arth(1982).

[Ankita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Twists and turns... Unexpected end... Love defines all that could have been... A quick read!

[Toolika Wadhwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is nice. You can actually picture a movie being made on it. Complete review on raimuniya.blogspot.com

[Ranjan Lamichhane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and a nice ending which defines love.

[Afiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book this morning and finished it in a hour and half. It left me thinking.. I didn't know about this book till I watched the trailer of the movie and somehow obsessing over it I found out that Mr. Bhatt wrote about it. In that moment I knew I just had to read it now. Vasudha's story touched my heart and took a piece of me with it. Its about love and longing. About how she struggles and finds love and how her journey goes from there. It was so well written and fast paced I just loved it. If of course gave the Bollywood feel and that really helped my imagination also having watched the trailer gave me faces for the characters. Its just simply beautiful.

[Janmjay Thakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. Same as Hamaari Adhuri Kahaani as the book cover says but it will interest only those who are bit emotional and likes stoical novels. You won't find fantasy in this. Its just a book of emotions. And also the book which questions several social stigmas.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and quick read. The story depicts the modern day life and the relationships, marriage etc.

[Maria Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bollywood feels.