Review of “Bollywood Babes,” by Narinder Dhami
“Bollywood Babes,” by Narinder Dhami is a humorous realistic fiction novel that revolves around Indian culture and three British-Indian girls who invite a Bollywood star to live at their house.
Amber, Geena, and Jazz Dhillon are British girls but they are proud of their Indian background and unique culture. The plot of the story focuses around a Bollywood party planned for the school by the girls’ aunt, who has come from India to stay with them. Bollywood is the Indian version of Hollywood, with a distinct Indian flair and cultural influence. Amber, Geena, and Jazz welcome the idea of a Bollywood party because it sounds much more interesting than the boring sponsored walks and other fund raising efforts of the school.
Before long they have a great idea. When Amber finds out that a former Bollywood movie star named Molly Mahal lives nearby she decides that the Bollywood party needs Molly as a guest of honor. Never mind the fact that Molly is supposedly living as a recluse and that her heydey was in the 1980’s, more than twenty years ago.
So Amber, Geena, and Jazz set off to call this Bollywood Babe out of hiding and get her to come to the school Bollywood party. What they find, though, is shocking. Molly Mahal now lives in a rundown ghetto, in a house that has broken windows. She is in arrears on her rent, and is about to be evicted. Molly, who used to be so beautiful years ago, is now an older woman and her good looks are gone just like her Bollywood career.
Amber invites Molly Mahal to come home with them and stay with her family. Molly doesn’t really have any other choice, so she accepts. Needless to say, the girl’s aunt is not very happy to discover that Molly Mahal has come to stay. Molly is a very ungracious guest with a diva personality and the idea that others should do everything for her. Before long she has taken over their aunt’s room and most of her clothes.
With most of the neighborhood stopping by to see the “Bollywood Babe” the Dhillon family finds itself with unwanted attention as well as an unwanted visitor. Even more disturbing is the fact that Amber’s father seems far too welcoming to Molly. He had a crush on Molly when he was young, and Amber is afraid that he wants to remarry after the death of the girl’s mother.
If Molly Mahal marries Amber, Geena, and Jazz’s father their lives will be ruined forever. Molly’s diva demands are already driving their aunt crazy. Now the three girls have to find a way to get rid of Molly Mahal before things get even worse!
“Bollywood Babes” had me laughing right from the start. Narinder Dhami is an excellent writer, and the distinct British-Indian culture comes through in every chapter and every hilarious back and forth interchange between the lively characters. “Bollywood Babes” shows the interaction between British culture and the traditional Indian ways. The unusual plot moves at just the right pace to maximize the interest and fun.
I definitely recommend “Bollywood Babes” for its witty characters, perfect humor, and enlightening uniqueness.
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