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A Bollywood Romance
"Why Does Samar Not Love Me?"
Paru has been haunted by this question since her arranged marriage to Samar. Brought up sheltered and seeped in Hindu traditions, Paru’s single status was seen as a burden by her parents, who believed “An unmarried woman is a burning stove of coals on your chest.” At twenty-three, she must accept Samar to save the family name, even though she loves another.
Over twenty years and two children later, Paru, now a successful gynecologist in Chicago, still grapples with her unfulfilled life. Samar has left her for another woman, telling “She gave me two months of bliss, something you could not give me in two decades.” His cruel words leave her feeling as if she has been slapped.
Everyone wants Paru to forgive Samar. Paru considers going back to him, but she can’t forget Samar’s betrayal or his threats against her and her career. When Harsha, her true love, offers her a new chance at love, will she shrug off centuries of tradition? Will she lose her children in the bargain? Or will she get a Bollywood ending to her life after all?
A Bollywood Romance is a poignant exploration of love, cultural expectations, self-identity and self-discovery.
Paru has been haunted by this question since her arranged marriage to Samar. Brought up sheltered and seeped in Hindu traditions, Paru’s single status was seen as a burden by her parents, who believed “An unmarried woman is a burning stove of coals on your chest.” At twenty-three, she must accept Samar to save the family name, even though she loves another.
Over twenty years and two children later, Paru, now a successful gynecologist in Chicago, still grapples with her unfulfilled life. Samar has left her for another woman, telling “She gave me two months of bliss, something you could not give me in two decades.” His cruel words leave her feeling as if she has been slapped.
Everyone wants Paru to forgive Samar. Paru considers going back to him, but she can’t forget Samar’s betrayal or his threats against her and her career. When Harsha, her true love, offers her a new chance at love, will she shrug off centuries of tradition? Will she lose her children in the bargain? Or will she get a Bollywood ending to her life after all?
A Bollywood Romance is a poignant exploration of love, cultural expectations, self-identity and self-discovery.
346 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2025
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April 15, 2025
A Bollywood Romance by Anu Koduri is a captivating story about a young Indian girl named Paru and the various challenges she faces in her life after getting married.
Growing up in a well-reputed Brahmin family, she has led a relatively happy and sheltered life, enjoying the festival of Diwali and secretly admiring her handsome classmate Harsha, just like any other young girls her age. But everything changes when her two elder brothers choose to have unconventional marriages, defying traditional customs and practices, thus bringing shame to their family. As a result, members of the Brahmin community threaten to throw them out. The burden of salvaging her family from further harm to their reputation and regaining respect within their community, thus falls on Paru.
Soon enough, Paru is pushed into an arranged marriage with Samar, a medical professional who worked in the U.S. Although her mother tries to raise questions about the match, pointing out the financial situation of Samar’s family, Paru’s father and brother decide to overlook it. They believe as an educated man who works abroad, Samar would definitely make a good husband. Heartbroken after realizing Harsha was not in a position to marry her and finding her prospective husband agreeable, Paru reluctantly gives in to her fate and accepts the proposal, much to her family’s relief. As an aspiring medical professional herself, she decides to follow her mother’s advice and make the most of her opportunity to move abroad and pursue her academic interests. But during the wedding ceremony, one of the family members of the bride groom starts creating a scene by asking for more dowry. This was only the tip of the iceberg.
What follows is a psychological tussle between the two families with Paru caught in the crossfires. Later on, when she finally reunites with her husband in the U.S., she realizes things were going to be a lot different from what she had expected. Despite Paru’s continuous efforts to please Samar and mold herself into a person that he could be proud of, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand his volatile temper. She struggles to find an answer to her problems, conflicted between her patriarchal upbringing and her personal wish to be treated with some basic respect. Subjected to Samar’s constant verbal abuse at home, Paru finds comfort in pouring her soul into her work. When her agony threatens to engulf her, she draws strength from the memory of her mother as an educated woman and a successful lawyer. Above all, this is a story of love, friendship and the indefatigable nature of women.
Throughout the narrative, we come across several female characters who provide unwavering support to one another. Their candid conversations and shared sympathy make the novel even more interesting. With Paru as the central character, the author encourages us to place ourselves in her shoes and accompany her on this journey of self-discovery. The depiction of her internal monologues and her desire to keep the marriage working for her children, even though it was clearly falling apart, is very realistic. It is often quite difficult for people to leave their abusive partners after living together for years. We can’t help but mentally cheer for Paru to break free from all the social conventions that are restricting her. There is no doubt that this story would deeply resonate with many readers as it deals with issues that unfortunately still persist in our society, irrespective of our class, race or nationality.
Quill says: A Bollywood Romance is a tender, nuanced love story about a woman who overcomes her conventional mindset, chases her dreams, attains professional success and finds true love by embracing her own identity with zest.
Growing up in a well-reputed Brahmin family, she has led a relatively happy and sheltered life, enjoying the festival of Diwali and secretly admiring her handsome classmate Harsha, just like any other young girls her age. But everything changes when her two elder brothers choose to have unconventional marriages, defying traditional customs and practices, thus bringing shame to their family. As a result, members of the Brahmin community threaten to throw them out. The burden of salvaging her family from further harm to their reputation and regaining respect within their community, thus falls on Paru.
Soon enough, Paru is pushed into an arranged marriage with Samar, a medical professional who worked in the U.S. Although her mother tries to raise questions about the match, pointing out the financial situation of Samar’s family, Paru’s father and brother decide to overlook it. They believe as an educated man who works abroad, Samar would definitely make a good husband. Heartbroken after realizing Harsha was not in a position to marry her and finding her prospective husband agreeable, Paru reluctantly gives in to her fate and accepts the proposal, much to her family’s relief. As an aspiring medical professional herself, she decides to follow her mother’s advice and make the most of her opportunity to move abroad and pursue her academic interests. But during the wedding ceremony, one of the family members of the bride groom starts creating a scene by asking for more dowry. This was only the tip of the iceberg.
What follows is a psychological tussle between the two families with Paru caught in the crossfires. Later on, when she finally reunites with her husband in the U.S., she realizes things were going to be a lot different from what she had expected. Despite Paru’s continuous efforts to please Samar and mold herself into a person that he could be proud of, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand his volatile temper. She struggles to find an answer to her problems, conflicted between her patriarchal upbringing and her personal wish to be treated with some basic respect. Subjected to Samar’s constant verbal abuse at home, Paru finds comfort in pouring her soul into her work. When her agony threatens to engulf her, she draws strength from the memory of her mother as an educated woman and a successful lawyer. Above all, this is a story of love, friendship and the indefatigable nature of women.
Throughout the narrative, we come across several female characters who provide unwavering support to one another. Their candid conversations and shared sympathy make the novel even more interesting. With Paru as the central character, the author encourages us to place ourselves in her shoes and accompany her on this journey of self-discovery. The depiction of her internal monologues and her desire to keep the marriage working for her children, even though it was clearly falling apart, is very realistic. It is often quite difficult for people to leave their abusive partners after living together for years. We can’t help but mentally cheer for Paru to break free from all the social conventions that are restricting her. There is no doubt that this story would deeply resonate with many readers as it deals with issues that unfortunately still persist in our society, irrespective of our class, race or nationality.
Quill says: A Bollywood Romance is a tender, nuanced love story about a woman who overcomes her conventional mindset, chases her dreams, attains professional success and finds true love by embracing her own identity with zest.
June 12, 2025
A Bollywood Romance
A Bollywood Romance by Any Kodori is a literary/contemporary fiction set in the 1970's where we follow Paru, a medical student in Hyderabad, India, who becomes the wife of Samar through an arranged marriage, and later a gynecologist in Chicago, USA. Themes including womanhood, character building, and cultural differences are explored. We learn through the eyes and the emotions of the protagonist, her suppressed desires as she juggles between upholding her role as a dutiful daughter, wife and mother in society, versus living her dream alongside her childhood sweetheart, free from religion and tradition.
First, I would recommend it. I read it in a day. It is deep, provokes many after thoughts and very informative of how different countries and cultures function as a society, even today. I feel this book may appeal not only to those that may resonate with Paru, but to a wide variety of audiences. For example, it depicts common marital matters and family relations that many of us are familiar with. Slight trigger warnings though. I like the comparing and contrasting themes highlighted throughout e.g., past vs future; duty vs dream; east vs west; nature vs nurture; group vs individualism.
Second, a quote that I like from Paru's grandfather (ch 14). I understand it as a spiritual cleanse, but also personifying the coconut as having a mentality, coloured by both the east and the west, just like Paru. ''..The hard shell is our ego, which we need to break. The water flows out, which is our negative thoughts. Left behind is the soul; the pure white coconut..''.
Third, I would have found it super helpful had I found the glossary at the back whilst reading. It is mentioned at the content page. I guess easier to find when reading a physical copy. That said, I must say a big thank you to NetGalley for sending me this deep piece of literature, and to the author and Atmosphere Press. It is my first e-book and review, which I have written with care and honesty. I am grateful and enjoying being part of this beautiful community. Many thanks all. Onto my next read!
A Bollywood Romance by Any Kodori is a literary/contemporary fiction set in the 1970's where we follow Paru, a medical student in Hyderabad, India, who becomes the wife of Samar through an arranged marriage, and later a gynecologist in Chicago, USA. Themes including womanhood, character building, and cultural differences are explored. We learn through the eyes and the emotions of the protagonist, her suppressed desires as she juggles between upholding her role as a dutiful daughter, wife and mother in society, versus living her dream alongside her childhood sweetheart, free from religion and tradition.
First, I would recommend it. I read it in a day. It is deep, provokes many after thoughts and very informative of how different countries and cultures function as a society, even today. I feel this book may appeal not only to those that may resonate with Paru, but to a wide variety of audiences. For example, it depicts common marital matters and family relations that many of us are familiar with. Slight trigger warnings though. I like the comparing and contrasting themes highlighted throughout e.g., past vs future; duty vs dream; east vs west; nature vs nurture; group vs individualism.
Second, a quote that I like from Paru's grandfather (ch 14). I understand it as a spiritual cleanse, but also personifying the coconut as having a mentality, coloured by both the east and the west, just like Paru. ''..The hard shell is our ego, which we need to break. The water flows out, which is our negative thoughts. Left behind is the soul; the pure white coconut..''.
Third, I would have found it super helpful had I found the glossary at the back whilst reading. It is mentioned at the content page. I guess easier to find when reading a physical copy. That said, I must say a big thank you to NetGalley for sending me this deep piece of literature, and to the author and Atmosphere Press. It is my first e-book and review, which I have written with care and honesty. I am grateful and enjoying being part of this beautiful community. Many thanks all. Onto my next read!
June 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for this eCopy to review
From the moment I stepped into Paru’s world, I was captivated by the emotional depth and cultural richness of A Bollywood Romance. Anu Koduri crafts a compelling story that explores the tension between tradition and personal happiness, making for a deeply moving read.
Paru, raised in a strict Brahmin family, dreams of a love story worthy of the Bollywood films she adores. She secretly hopes her classmate Harsha will ask for her hand, but when her brothers defy tradition with their own marriages, her family is cast out of their community. To restore their honour, Paru is pushed into an arranged marriage with Samar, a physician in the United States.
Fast-forward twenty years—Paru is now a successful gynaecologist in Chicago, but her marriage has been anything but fulfilling. When Samar leaves her for another woman, Paru is forced to confront the life she has built and the sacrifices she has made. Then, Harsha reappears, offering her a second chance at love. But embracing happiness means defying centuries of tradition and risking everything—including her children.
Koduri’s storytelling is immersive and emotionally charged, bringing Paru’s struggles to life with authenticity and care. The novel’s exploration of cultural expectations, resilience, and self-discovery is beautifully woven into the narrative, making Paru’s journey both heart breaking and inspiring.
The rich depiction of Hindu traditions, particularly the Diwali celebrations and the complexities of the caste system, adds depth to the story. Paru’s internal conflict—between duty and desire—is powerfully portrayed, making her a character I deeply empathised with.
If you enjoy romantic dramas with strong female leads, A Bollywood Romance is a must-read. Koduri delivers a heartfelt, culturally rich story that lingers long after the final page. It’s a novel that celebrates love, resilience, and the courage to rewrite one’s destiny.
From the moment I stepped into Paru’s world, I was captivated by the emotional depth and cultural richness of A Bollywood Romance. Anu Koduri crafts a compelling story that explores the tension between tradition and personal happiness, making for a deeply moving read.
Paru, raised in a strict Brahmin family, dreams of a love story worthy of the Bollywood films she adores. She secretly hopes her classmate Harsha will ask for her hand, but when her brothers defy tradition with their own marriages, her family is cast out of their community. To restore their honour, Paru is pushed into an arranged marriage with Samar, a physician in the United States.
Fast-forward twenty years—Paru is now a successful gynaecologist in Chicago, but her marriage has been anything but fulfilling. When Samar leaves her for another woman, Paru is forced to confront the life she has built and the sacrifices she has made. Then, Harsha reappears, offering her a second chance at love. But embracing happiness means defying centuries of tradition and risking everything—including her children.
Koduri’s storytelling is immersive and emotionally charged, bringing Paru’s struggles to life with authenticity and care. The novel’s exploration of cultural expectations, resilience, and self-discovery is beautifully woven into the narrative, making Paru’s journey both heart breaking and inspiring.
The rich depiction of Hindu traditions, particularly the Diwali celebrations and the complexities of the caste system, adds depth to the story. Paru’s internal conflict—between duty and desire—is powerfully portrayed, making her a character I deeply empathised with.
If you enjoy romantic dramas with strong female leads, A Bollywood Romance is a must-read. Koduri delivers a heartfelt, culturally rich story that lingers long after the final page. It’s a novel that celebrates love, resilience, and the courage to rewrite one’s destiny.
July 3, 2025
This is the story of Paru, a medical student who's in love with Harsha, her classmate. She was expecting him to send a wedding proposal by Diwali, and was looking forward to her Bollywood Romance. But everything changed when her brothers married women of a different race, caste and religion.
When this news spread in there hometown, the elders brahmins summoned and told them to cut ties with them or else they would be casted out from the community, as they have sinned. But the only person who had to pay the price for this act was Paru, who had to forgo her love and settle for an arranged marriage to a man of the same caste and religion, just to protect her family's name, dignity and reputation.
Later, she meets up with Harsha to talk about what had happened, and in the same conversation, he told her that he loved her a lot. However, it was due to his family circumstances that he had to let her go. The worst part was that he didn't even fight for her or their love.
Paru's family fixes an arranged marriage with Samar, a doctor from Chicago with a hefty dowry. But little did they know that his family was asking for extra dowry, even after marriage, because they were money minded people.
Samar is a male chauvinist pig ,who wasn't interested in her and only married her for kids. He is incredibly demanding, and moral polices over Paru, while also micromanaging everything and being egoistic. He pretends to be a good and honourable person only when he wants things and is jealous of Paru because she's a better doctor and person than him. The only good thing is that he loves his kids and is a good father. But the question is, he cheated on his wife of 22 years with an intern at the hospital he works in. Where did his morals go then?
How will Paru navigate her life in this mess?Will she get her Bollywood Romance?
When this news spread in there hometown, the elders brahmins summoned and told them to cut ties with them or else they would be casted out from the community, as they have sinned. But the only person who had to pay the price for this act was Paru, who had to forgo her love and settle for an arranged marriage to a man of the same caste and religion, just to protect her family's name, dignity and reputation.
Later, she meets up with Harsha to talk about what had happened, and in the same conversation, he told her that he loved her a lot. However, it was due to his family circumstances that he had to let her go. The worst part was that he didn't even fight for her or their love.
Paru's family fixes an arranged marriage with Samar, a doctor from Chicago with a hefty dowry. But little did they know that his family was asking for extra dowry, even after marriage, because they were money minded people.
Samar is a male chauvinist pig ,who wasn't interested in her and only married her for kids. He is incredibly demanding, and moral polices over Paru, while also micromanaging everything and being egoistic. He pretends to be a good and honourable person only when he wants things and is jealous of Paru because she's a better doctor and person than him. The only good thing is that he loves his kids and is a good father. But the question is, he cheated on his wife of 22 years with an intern at the hospital he works in. Where did his morals go then?
How will Paru navigate her life in this mess?Will she get her Bollywood Romance?
September 19, 2025
My main question while reading this book was: can it truly be appreciated by readers without any knowledge of Indian culture? I’m in a privileged position, having studied Indology during my academic years and being a Bollywood movie enthusiast. But for the average Western romance reader, the story might feel frustrating—especially because of Paru’s behavior.
I’ve seen many reviews of romance novels where readers criticize a female main character for being indecisive or simply not “sassy” enough. At first glance, Paru could be described that way too, but she is not weak—she’s a character shaped by a culture where family comes first. Her choices make perfect sense once you understand her upbringing, where honor and tradition often outweigh personal happiness. The novel powerfully shows how these expectations follow her even decades later, influencing both her marriage and the sacrifices she is forced to make.
This is indeed a Bollywood-like story, bittersweetness included. Because in mainstream Bollywood, (female) empowerment often comes at a price.
Overall, trying to put myself in the shoes of a reader without my background, I think some of the depth could be lost. I often found myself mentally “translating” passages through the cultural knowledge I have, which allowed me to grasp all the layers and nuances—and I found that fascinating. Without that context, though, the reading experience might feel more challenging.
I’ve seen many reviews of romance novels where readers criticize a female main character for being indecisive or simply not “sassy” enough. At first glance, Paru could be described that way too, but she is not weak—she’s a character shaped by a culture where family comes first. Her choices make perfect sense once you understand her upbringing, where honor and tradition often outweigh personal happiness. The novel powerfully shows how these expectations follow her even decades later, influencing both her marriage and the sacrifices she is forced to make.
This is indeed a Bollywood-like story, bittersweetness included. Because in mainstream Bollywood, (female) empowerment often comes at a price.
Overall, trying to put myself in the shoes of a reader without my background, I think some of the depth could be lost. I often found myself mentally “translating” passages through the cultural knowledge I have, which allowed me to grasp all the layers and nuances—and I found that fascinating. Without that context, though, the reading experience might feel more challenging.
May 31, 2025
Title: A Bollywood Romance
Author: Anu Koduri
Publisher: @atmospherepress
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Rating: 4 Star
PLOT:
Paru has led a sheltered life, dreaming of the perfect Bollywood romance. For a moment, it seems like her life may start to resemble one- she’s beautiful, leading her class in medical school, and she has the attention of her handsome classmate, who just so happens to be of the same subcaste. But where a series of actions by her older brothers threatens to plunge her family into shame, she must make an arranged marriage. Through a series of heartbreaks and joys, her life will turn out very different than she expected.
REVIEW:
This is a book that needs to be read with a lot of cultural sensitivity! I found myself constantly trying to remember that I can’t view the story through my own lens because in my American mind, I was constantly shouting at Paru. But our lives, values, and expectations of life have always been different. The story grabs you right away. I read it in one day because I needed to know what would happen and when or even if Paru would finally find some strength. It’s a heartbreaking story with a lot of depth and frustration. Even when I was mad at Paru and her family and pretty much everyone in the book, I needed to know what happened. I was incredibly satisfied with the ending.
Author: Anu Koduri
Publisher: @atmospherepress
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Rating: 4 Star
PLOT:
Paru has led a sheltered life, dreaming of the perfect Bollywood romance. For a moment, it seems like her life may start to resemble one- she’s beautiful, leading her class in medical school, and she has the attention of her handsome classmate, who just so happens to be of the same subcaste. But where a series of actions by her older brothers threatens to plunge her family into shame, she must make an arranged marriage. Through a series of heartbreaks and joys, her life will turn out very different than she expected.
REVIEW:
This is a book that needs to be read with a lot of cultural sensitivity! I found myself constantly trying to remember that I can’t view the story through my own lens because in my American mind, I was constantly shouting at Paru. But our lives, values, and expectations of life have always been different. The story grabs you right away. I read it in one day because I needed to know what would happen and when or even if Paru would finally find some strength. It’s a heartbreaking story with a lot of depth and frustration. Even when I was mad at Paru and her family and pretty much everyone in the book, I needed to know what happened. I was incredibly satisfied with the ending.
September 14, 2025
This is a moving story of love, loss, and self-liberation. It's a deeply emotional and culturally resonant tale of a woman caught between tradition and self-worth. Paru’s journey—from a dutiful daughter in an arranged marriage to an accomplished yet unfulfilled doctor in Chicago—is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The story navigates betrayal, motherhood, and the heavy burden of societal expectations with sensitivity and realism. Samar’s cruelty cuts deep, but it’s Paru’s resilience that shines. Her dilemma—whether to forgive, to fight, or to finally follow her heart—keeps you turning pages.
This novel is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to choose yourself.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
The story navigates betrayal, motherhood, and the heavy burden of societal expectations with sensitivity and realism. Samar’s cruelty cuts deep, but it’s Paru’s resilience that shines. Her dilemma—whether to forgive, to fight, or to finally follow her heart—keeps you turning pages.
This novel is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to choose yourself.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to Atmosphere Press and Netgalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, this book showcases arranged marriage in such a realistic manner. I loved how nothing is sugarcoated. What did frustrate me a bit was Paru's ambivalence towards Samar's mistreatment of her, where she acknowledges how bad it, but then jumps into bed with him the next moment. I know, human relationships are complicated, and ingrained traditions are difficult to buck; however, as a character, Paru's decisions at times gave me whiplash as a reader.
Wow, this book showcases arranged marriage in such a realistic manner. I loved how nothing is sugarcoated. What did frustrate me a bit was Paru's ambivalence towards Samar's mistreatment of her, where she acknowledges how bad it, but then jumps into bed with him the next moment. I know, human relationships are complicated, and ingrained traditions are difficult to buck; however, as a character, Paru's decisions at times gave me whiplash as a reader.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews