December 31, 2009
Every year hundreds of interesting and quirky books slip under our radar thanks to information overload. In this series, we highlight books published this year you may have missed that are worth a second look.
Former journalist Puneet Bhandal published the first and second in a series of Bollywood themed fiction series.
Starlet Rivalry (February) and Double Take (July) are aimed primarily at younger readers and were both published this year.
“I felt there was a big gap in the market for a title like this,” she tells AIM. “It’s all about glamour, entertainment, fashion and – as with Indian cinema in general – good values.”
The books are being published by Famous Books. A third in the series is being planned.
In Starlet Rivalry the reader is introduced to actresses Bela and Monica. While Bela has been plucked from obscurity after winning a dance competition to become a leading Bollywood icon, Monica is a star child – the daughter of famous movie stars.
Bela is horrified when a magazine quotes her as saying she’s a better actress than Monica, and when Monica gets wind of this, it’s the start of a bitter rivalry between the pair.
Puneet Bhandal added: “In addition to schoolchildren, I also hope that the Bollywood Series will be enjoyed by those for whom English is a second language.’
She has worked in publishing for almost 20 years as a writer and designer. She was also written about Bollywood when she worked as a film journalist.
The author has been running writing workshops and talking from her book as part of Bollywood cultural events.
Her plan is to eventually publish four books in the series.
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