Shalini Passi on writing her first book: Being fabulous is about curiosity, kindness and discipline

After offering a glimpse into her lifestyle and personal philosophy on Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, art collector and artist Shalini Passi has stepped into a new role - that of an author. She has recently launched her book, The Art of Being Fabulous, a reflective work focused on her personal journey. She speaks to us about what inspired the book, the themes it explores, and why writing certain parts were challenging.

'I’ve always felt that being fabulous isn’t about how you look or what you have'
Shalini shares that the inspiration to write the book came from her own journey. "Everything I have experienced through creativity, philanthropy, fashion, art, and simply growing as a person over the years. I’ve always felt that being ‘fabulous’ isn’t about how you look or what you have. It’s about curiosity, kindness, discipline, and finding confidence from within. So many friends and young creatives would ask me how I manage to balance my creative pursuits with purpose, or how I stay grounded when life moves so fast. The book just grew naturally from those conversations. I wanted to share what I’ve learned in a way that feels real and encouraging - especially for anyone trying to find their own path and express themselves authentically."

'I wrote whenever I had quiet moments to reflect'She began writing the book last year. "I found myself writing in between travels, art projects, and exhibitions - whenever I had quiet moments to reflect. It became quite personal, almost like keeping a journal, but with more purpose. I didn’t want to force it into a rigid format. I just let it flow naturally, so it reads the way I actually speak and think. The book covers self-discovery, creativity, inner strength, mindfulness, appreciating culture, and living consciously. I also talk about discipline, how personal style is a form of self-expression, building meaningful relationships, and giving back. Art, travel, wellness, and emotional intelligence run through it all. I hope it gives readers both inspiration and some practical ways to think about living a more balanced, intentional life," hopes Shalini.

'I wanted the book to be helpful without being preachy'The most challenging part of the process, Shalini admits, was deciding how much of herself to reveal. "I wanted to be honest and open, but I also had to think about what would actually resonate with readers. It took time to translate my experiences into stories that made sense on paper. Some things that feel so natural to me needed to be explained differently for others to connect with them," she says.

She adds, "I wanted the book to feel personal without being self-indulgent, and helpful without being preachy. That balance was tricky, but working through it made the book what it is today."