Bollywood Babes is a smart, sassy romantic comedy for young adults, the second of a trilogy by Narinder Dhami (see also
Bindi
Babes and
Bhangra Babes). The story’s narrator, Ambajit (Amber) is constantly getting crazy ideas that get her and her
sisters Geena and Jazvinder (Jazz) into trouble. All three girls live with their father in Great Britain. After their mother dies, Auntie comes over from India to help raise them. Amber and her sisters have been trying to get rid of Auntie ever since she came.
From Riches to Rags It is Auntie’s idea to host an end-of-term Bollywood Party to help raise funds for their
school. Amber thinks: What better way to boost ticket sales than to invite an ex-Bollywood star to be the guest of honor? When Amber reads in a gossip magazine that Molly Mahal, star of the Bollywood film “Amir Ladka, Garib Ladka” (Rich Boy, Poor Boy), lives nearby, she convinces her sisters to pay Mahal a surprise visit. But it is the girls who are surprised to find the former film star broke, hungry, and about to be evicted from her rundown apartment. Amber impulsively invites the actress to come live with her family - without asking her family first!
The Show Must Go On Living with a self-absorbed Bollywood diva turns out to be a rollercoaster ride for Amber and her family. But everyone else is completely star-struck. Neighbors suddenly “drop by” at strange hours just to get a glimpse of The Molly Mahal. Not only are they nosy, but they’re not very polite!
“Oh my, haven’t you changed,” remarks Mrs. Dhaliwal.
“That’s exactly what I said,” whispers Mr. Attwal. “Although she’s still beautiful of course. For her age.”
All the school principal can think about is the money, money, money that they could make from having a real Bollywood star at his school’s fundraiser. Every male seems to be caught totally under the demanding diva’s spell - from Mr. Arora, the handsome teacher, to Leo, the newspaper boy to their own widowed father. Now the girls are really worried: is Molly trying to steal Mr. Arora away from Auntie. Or even worse…is Molly secretly planning to marry their father?!
The book is filled with sticky situations and funny misunderstandings leading to the story’s surprising climax. Dhami writes dialogue that is realistic and LOL funny. Note that Western readers may be unfamiliar with some of the terms from British and Indian culture, which are not defined in a glossary. I recommend reading the entire Babes series.
About the Author Narinder Dhami lives in Cambridge, England. After getting an English degree from Birmingham University, she taught in a London primary school. She now writes full time and has published over 200 short stories and several novels, such as
Changing Places and the novelization of the hit British movie
Bend It Like Beckham. Check out her web site at www.narinderdhami.com