9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Small-town girl makes big, June 6, 2007
This is the story of Aasha Rani, Bollywood film star and "Sweetheart of Millions," her scramble up out of poverty and obscurity to the heights of fame, and her inevitable fall from glory. The novel consists largely of detailed fashion and cosmetic description; characters jetting between countries; catfights; bed-hopping; starlets seeking fame; and other staples of the entertainment-industry genre. Aasha Rani is characterized a bit inconsistently, with the author making her at turns a giggly ingenue, oblivious exploitee, sly schemer, Woman Scorned, bitter man-hater, moony man-worshiper, material girl, and occasional philosopher--not necessarily in that order!
This book was originally published in 1992, and, despite its 2007 trade paperback format with the new cover art and design and the publishers' obvious attempts to cash in on the West's recent renewed interest in all things India, editors do not appear to have touched the text since, well, 1992. (Actually, editors may never have touched it; several passages of dialogue are hindered by a failure to indent paragraphs for new speakers). One character talks on a white cordless phone (that's evidence enough), but cell phones, personal computers, and the internet are all MIA. Clothing styles and references to a burgeoning "home video" industry also skew towards the late 80's/early 90's. In a way, however, this is a somewhat refreshing change of pace, and it only points out how shameless exploitation and ladder-climbing have existed at all times, in all societies; in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this book is as accurate about today's Bollywood industry as it was when it was first written.
The back copy tries to sell this as a romance with a hero, Akshay. It is nothing of the kind. Every character has numerous affairs, but no central relationship (for that matter, no functioning relationship at all) emerges. The novel contains English, Hindi, and Tamil profanity, and a plethora of sexual situations, some of which are quite amusing (although, like the book itself, rather unkind to men in general).
Probably not worth the trade paperback price, but a colorful, juicy read that never tries to pretend it's anything different. The author is having fun and invites you to share it with her.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting reading for someone who has grown up watching Bollywood movies, December 2, 2007
Having grown up watching Bollywood movies and following the Bollywood gossip, this book lets the reader draw possible comparisons between the real life stars and the characters in the book. Just when you think you have figured out who the author is trying to draw comparisons to , she starts giving the character a different personality.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Revolting Yet Revealing, April 16, 2008
I decided to read this book because I knew it was a semi-fictional work coming from a true insider of Bollywood. After growing up thinking that nearly every actress in the industry was as much a virgin as my favorite onscreen characters, my dream world came crumbling down when I recently started to hear "truths" about the industry I had always adored. Madhuri Dixit slept her way to the top? Sushmita Sen is Anil Ambani's mistress? Preeti Zinta would sleep with anyone if the price was right? Shah Rukh Khan's seemingly story book marriage is actually a complete farce? And perhaps worst of all: Aishwaria had actually slept with Amitabh before marrying Abhishiek?!? How could these "lies" possibly be true?!?
De's book shows you exactly how it can all be true. Although she is clearly not talking about anyone I mentioned above (this book was written originally in 1991), De openly states that a lot of the scenerios were lifted from real stars. Personally, I think that the story resembles a lot of Sridevi's supposed life, at least until she married Boney Kapoor. And although I was revolted for most of it, I thought it was great how De paints the characters for the many colors they are--once you see how they got to be where they are, you can see how many complex factors played a part to get them to the state they were in.
A bubble of lies, deceit and corruption, shrouded in the external image of glamour and glitz. I think I finally understand the eternal quotation given by Bollywood people--"I hate this industry, but can't live without it".
After reading this book, I was speechless. By that time, actually, I was also wondering whether Shobha De's own marriage (with six kids!) is just as much a farce as every single one she portrays in the book.
I also would think that this book would only be good to people who are familiar with Bollywood and Hinglish (Hindi and English mixed)--otherwise, you'd probably be like 'what the heck is going on' for a lot of it!
Lastly, although I hated the end of the book, I have to give credit to De for making it realistic.
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