Bollywood Confidential [Paperback]

Sonia Singh came up with some great characters -- the uncle, "Daddy," the Bollywood star and his family. The characters were worthy of a better book. The author touches on some interesting points, that India is not a third world country -- there are two Indias, rich and poor, living together. I enjoyed when she spoke about Bollywood films as an escape for those in poverty.

The scene in which the Reena gets her revenge was, to be blunt, ridiculous, if not for her actions, then for the speech she gives.

This book was an entertaining read, but it could have been so much better.

Wannabe actress Raveena Rai has failed to make it in Hollywood so when her agent informs her that he has a starring role in a Bollywood movie, she immediately accepts the job. Without waiting for anyone to change their mind, Raveena quickly heads to Bombay where she assumes fame and fortune await her.

However, upon reaching her destination in India Raveena finds nothing is remotely like that described by her agent she now considers slime. Her hotel is a dump, but she cannot move in with her Uncle Heeru as his home is overrun by wild pigeons. Even worse, her script is not written and she must dance more than act. To make her stay more miserable her director uses a hands on method touching her everywhere while trying to get her on the casting couch; all this without a script. On the positive side of this disaster is her leading man, mega hunk Siddharth, who Raveena believes is her destiny though she has a few rivals who consider the most popular Bollywood actor of the moment as fair game.

Using stereotypes as support cast, Sonia Singh lampoons the Bollywood movie industry for making inane films that are so undemanding and unoriginal yet at the same time Raveena toasts the industry for its vigor and energy. The story line is well written as the audience wonders whether Raveena will get the leading man and finish the movie while eluding the fast hands of the lecherous director. Contemporary readers will welcome this fine absorbing look at the dynamic Indian film industry.

Harriet Klausner

I absolutely love chick lit that feature Indian characters, so I was glad when I learned Sonia Singh had a second novel out entitled "Bollywood Confidential". Although her first novel was average at best in my opinion, this latest book was a great read.

Raveena is a struggling Indian actress currently living in Los Angeles. She is tired of not getting anywhere in her acting career. After much deliberation, she decides to accept her agent's latest offer: the lead in a Bollywood film - that takes place and shoots in Bombay, India. Despite her misgivings about living in another country for six months, she figures it would be worth it; after all, she is playing the leading role!

Despite the fact that she is of Indian decent, Raveena has grown up in the USA and is unprepared for how India really is: extremely dirty, crowded and hot. Her hotel is a dump, and she is forced to move in temporarily with her seemingly crazy uncle. The director is lecherous and determined to get her into bed, and her costar, the extremely handsome and famous Indian movie star Siddharth, is charismatic and famous, but aloof and uninterested. Too bad Raveena is attracted to him.

Worst of all, the as-of-yet unwritten script turns out to be downright terrible. Raveena is afraid she has made a big mistake by accepting this offer to star in what will obviously be a flop of a movie. But she is determined to stick it out.

If the Indian food and water doesn't kill her first...

Just when it seems Raveena might have caught Siddharth's attention, she gets embroiled in a love triangle with India's number one actress, who is also interested in Siddharth.

Bollywood Confidential was a tantalizingly delicious read. Filled with glitz, glamour, poverty, backstabbing, and rivalry - I was hooked from the start. Raveena is a smart, admirable main heroine that I liked reading about. Sonia Singh has a fluid, engaging writing style that made me want to continue reading until the end.

The only downfall to this book was that it was a bit predictable overall. Also, the last couple of chapters were downright ridiculous and far-fetched, for the most part.

But overall, the great writing and engaging story line made up for any bad parts. I highly recommend this book to all who want to enjoy a great story about actresses and India.