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Madness in Mumbai : When Forty Gets Naughty

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Until forty, Monica Singh never put a foot out of the line. And why would she? As a pampered socialite, wife of a rich businessman whose life had never taken her beyond the luxuries of Pali Hill and Mount Mary, she had almost everything she could ask for—except for love. And then her unfaithful husband leaves her for his baby-popping, business-tripling mistress, his company’s VP Sales ‘Luckshmi’, throwing her life and sense of self into disarray overnight. Abandoned by everyone she has ever known, Monica rediscovers her first love, photography, kick-starting a mad chain of events that sends her hurtling in a whirlwind through the streets of Mumbai. Navigating her way through tarot card readings, a gangster—sorry, social worker—romance, a kidnapping, a car chase, a murder plot, a surly policeman, a drug bust and more—will Monica be able to find herself at the end of it all?
In all its hilarious, suspenseful, steamy and witty twists and turns, Madness in Mumbai will take you on a wild ride of self-discovery, passion and adventure that is only possible in a city like Mumbai.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read

About the author

Vrushali Samant

4 books20 followers
Vrushali Samant is a media professional who has worked across genres and formats in the Indian publishing, television and film industry.


Madness in Mumbai (Rupa Publications) is Vrushali Samant’s fourth novel. Her previous book, Prime Time Crime (Vishwakarma Publications), has been optioned for a book-to-screen adaptation, while He Loves Me Not (Penguin Random House, India) was featured at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival’s Word-to-Screen Market. Vrushali’s debut novel, Can’t Die for Size Zero (Rupa Publications), was a runaway bestseller, and she was invited to write a column for Marie Claire India titled Big Girl in a Skinny World. This year-long global initiative featured contributors from New York, London, São Paulo, and Melbourne, with Vrushali, from Mumbai writing its India chapter. She has also contributed to Harper’s Bazaar's special issue on body positivity.

Vrushali won Best Director at the Berlin Indie Film Festival for her debut short film, Bena, which was showcased on Disney Hotstar and Jio Cinema. Her film credits include research for the Hindi feature, Daddy- a gangster bio-pic directed by Ashim Alhuwalia. She has co-written indie feature film My Birthday Song with actor and director Samir Soni. Her screenwriting journey began on Vikram Bhatt’s film Shaapit as an associate.
She started her professional career as an entertainment reporter with CNBC TV-18 and then moved to NDTV. She has written and produced non-fiction for MTV.

Currently a student of screenwriter, actor, and director Boman Irani’s online screenwriting class, Spiralbound, Vrushali has had the privilege of attending guest lectures by Indo-Canadian novelist and playwright Anosh Irani through the program. She considers it an honour to be guided by these two esteemed figures as she navigates her writing journey.



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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Purva • readwithpurva .
188 reviews27 followers
July 7, 2025
Madness in Mumbai by Vrushali Samant follows Monica Singh, a 40-year-old socialite whose life turns upside down when her husband leaves her for his younger employee. From living in luxury to being completely on her own, Monica is forced to figure things out for the first time.

What starts as a heartbreak story quickly turns into a wild ride filled with tarot readings, gangsters (kind of), kidnappings, murder plots, and some hilarious run-ins with the police. It’s all over the place in the best way, and I couldn’t stop flipping pages.

Monica’s journey is about finding herself again through photography, new friendships, and finally learning how to live for herself. She’s bold, messy, and real, and I loved seeing her grow. The side characters added so much fun and warmth to the story.

The writing is simple, witty, and super engaging. It’s not too long (around 150 pages), and it delivers the perfect mix of humour, emotion, and self-discovery.
Profile Image for The Book Times.
243 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2025
What a cool book yaar!

First off - I loved Monica's character in this book.

She is strong and determined. I'm glad that she could find herself again amidst the chaos. I loved the sassy side of her.

Secondly - This book made me roam around the streets of Mumbai while sitting in the comfort of my place.

Moreover, I loved Monica's photography coach, Manda, Tara, Sunil and Altaf. They added more shine to the story and the entertainment surrounding her life.

This book is a testament to never leave behind the child or the artist in you. This is a lighthearted book, and you'll not even realise when you will finish it. It's hardly 150 pages.

Up for a chaotic comedy? Madness in Mumbai is the perfect book for you! less
Profile Image for Sameer Gudhate.
1,352 reviews46 followers
October 14, 2025

There’s a peculiar kind of madness that only Mumbai can offer — the kind that smells like rain on asphalt, sounds like a thousand horns arguing at once, and feels like hope stubbornly pushing through chaos. Vrushali Samant’s Madness in Mumbai: When Forty Gets Naughty bottles that madness, shakes it up with heartbreak, humour, and heat — and hands it to you with a wink. It’s fizzy, messy, and utterly intoxicating.

Vrushali Samant, who’s known for her sharp wit and eye for emotional nuance, writes like someone who has both lived through heartbreak and laughed at it from a café window later. Her new novel isn’t just about a woman starting over — it’s about rediscovering the forgotten rhythm of one’s heartbeat after years of living to someone else’s tune.

We meet Monica Singh at a point where her world is collapsing — her rich husband has left her for his younger employee, her plush Pali Hill bubble has burst, and even her so-called friends vanish faster than a 5 p.m. Uber in Bandra. What follows isn’t the sad, wine-and-tissues kind of breakup story. No, this is a Mumbai-style reboot — with tarot cards, gangsters, kidnappings, car chases, murder plots, and a camera lens that slowly helps her focus her blurry life.

Samant’s writing is deceptively simple. She doesn’t hide behind flowery prose — instead, she lets the city do the talking. The streets hum. The cafés gossip. Even the rain feels like a character. The pacing is cinematic — like switching between a Dharma production and an indie short film in the same breath. There’s warmth in her wit, and her humour lands right where pain usually sits. You find yourself laughing when you least expect to.

But it’s Monica who makes this book sing. She’s flawed, impulsive, occasionally reckless — but gloriously real. She reminds you of that friend who always says, “I’m fine,” while holding back a storm, and then one day quits her job, cuts her hair, and takes off on a solo trip. Her transformation from a pampered socialite into a fiercely independent woman feels earned — not cinematic, but human. There’s a moment when she looks through her camera and sees not just faces, but truths. That scene lingered — maybe because we’ve all had a moment when we finally saw ourselves clearly for the first time.

The side characters — Manda, Tara, Sunil, Altaf — aren’t just props; they’re her emotional scaffolding. Each of them brings a slice of Mumbai’s heartbeat — the friend who reads tarot in Colaba cafés, the gangster who insists he’s a “social worker,” the police officer with more empathy than patience. Through them, Samant celebrates the chaos of belonging in a city that doesn’t wait for anyone but somehow holds everyone.

Beneath all the laughter and drama lies a quiet undercurrent — a story about loneliness, courage, and the messy art of beginning again. It’s about how women, especially those past forty, are often told their best chapters are behind them. Monica proves otherwise. At forty, she doesn’t just start over — she gets naughty, wild, and alive.

If I had to nitpick, the book’s whirlwind of events occasionally feels too packed — like a Mumbai local at rush hour. But that’s also its charm. You’re jostled, you’re breathless, and you arrive at the last page slightly dazed but smiling.

Reading Madness in Mumbai felt a bit like watching a monsoon storm from the balcony — unpredictable, dramatic, but cleansing. It reminded me that reinvention isn’t always quiet; sometimes it’s loud, chaotic, and comes with background traffic noise.

For readers who love stories of second chances, sassy heroines, and cities that never sleep, this one’s a treat. Think Eat Pray Love meets Delhi Belly, but with the pulse of Mumbai and the heart of a woman who refuses to be defined by her past.

So, pick up Madness in Mumbai, brew yourself a strong cup of cutting chai, and let Vrushali Samant take you on a mad, magnificent ride. Because sometimes, losing everything is just another way of finding yourself — in the most unexpected corners of a city that never stops moving.


Profile Image for Fictionandme.
373 reviews15 followers
July 6, 2025
Madness In Mumbai by Vrushali Samant

genre : contemporary

My 💭:
[2/7/25 9.26 PM]

Wow it's been soo long since I wanted to strangle the protagonist in a story! That too a woman! A huge thank you to the author for creating a character who's colorful enough to break through my glum mood and made me laugh, facepalm and groan in frustration out loud 😂.

If I had to describe this story in one sentence, it would be : a LOL story about the midlife troubles of an elite Mumbaikar lady with lots of Bollywood worthy masala and suggestive stuff. So, our protagonist, Monica has A LOT going on in her life : getting dumped in her forties by her husband for his secretary to having an affair with a gangster etc etc. You guys get the gist. Some parts were very funny - especially with the unexpected fates of the hired goons 🤣. Monica, Altaf and Sunil were all such colorful characters, omg! I really liked Sunil and the way his character was written, especially his quiet strength. But I have no idea why he'd go to such lengths to protect a random lady! Also, what IS with rich people suddenly understanding "life" from common people's daily lives? Aren't everyone's lives complicated, though?

When I had read the blurb of the book, I had imagined that the story would be focused about an Indian woman's issues in society irrespective of status. It was so, but in a different way than expected. Monica was basically repressed all her life, wrt her family, friends and also her husband. So once she was forced into being independence, she kinda fell all over the place and ended up ruffling at lot of feathers. But given her footing at the ending, she learnt her lessons, I believe, though the Sunil part kind of bothered me. Then again, everyone is flawed and learning everyday.

In summary, this was a very out loud laughter worthy and light fun kinda read. Like Bollywood movies, I hope readers don't take it seriously and enjoy it on a moody day!
Profile Image for Rajeev Patel.
278 reviews18 followers
July 4, 2025
Madness in Mumbai" by Vrushali Samant is a novel that explores themes of self-discovery, generational trauma, and the vibrant, chaotic energy of Mumbai, all while following the journey of Monica Suri as she turns forty. The book blends genres, incorporating elements of suspense, romance, and even murder plots, all within the backdrop of a city known for its extremes.

With no safety net, she sets off on her own, and what unfolds is a wildly unpredictable, often hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking adventure through the vibrant chaos of Mumbai. Monica’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. In its hilarious, suspenseful, steamy and witty twists and turns, Madness in Mumbai will take you on a wild ride of self-discovery, passion and adventure that is only possible in a city like Mumbai.

Highlights of the book-

1) The Language used is simple and easy to understand. Even a first time reader will easily understand.

2) The supporting characters have been brilliantly written and add up to the story perfectly especially Manda, Tara, Sunil, Altaf.

3) The Narration is crisp & Clear.

4) The story is not unnecessarily stretched, which keeps the story engaging. The book is a few hours read as it is under 150 pages.

5) The story can be visualised in front of the eyes, as it happened with me throughout.

6) This book made me roam around the streets of Mumbai while sitting in the comfort of my home. I was able to recall all the places as I have lived there for 5 years.

Overall:
"Madness in Mumbai" is a fun and engaging novel that captures the spirit of Mumbai while exploring universal themes of self-discovery and personal growth. It's a story about finding oneself in the midst of chaos and embracing life's adventures, even after turning forty.
Profile Image for Ekta M.
540 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Sub genre: (Chick-lit, rom-com, humour, suspense, self discovery)



#plot
Monica is a forty-something woman who enjoyed a life of luxury in Mumbai’s upscale areas like Pali Hill and Mount Mary.

But after divorce, she was -
A woman dumped by her husband because she couldn't give birth,
Unwanted by her parents and friends .

Abandoned by everyone, monica resorted to photography as her only escape.
After this a series of events takes place -
Her own brother trying to kill her,
Monica having sex with a gangster, getting kidnapped by the same gangster, taking refuge in a Cop's house, getting letters written in blood and what not.

Will Monica ever get a closure and set herself free? Will this madness stop?

#bookreview
This one is a chick-lit adventure with humor, wit, fun, suspense, romance, emotion, drama all packed in one.
It's about a woman rediscovering herself amidst all the chaos in her life. Its about setting yourself free and live the way you want to.
It explores themes such as self discovery, love, personal growth, freedom, self worth, etc. Further the Mumbai place setting perfectly shapes the story.
The writing style is quite engaging.
It is fast paced and will keep you hooked.It's a short read of around 150 pages and i thoroughly enjoyed this ride of madness.

Target Audience-
18+
If you are someone who loves to read strong female characters with flaws and who come out as fearless survivors (with a fun witty setting) then you will surely enjoy this madness.

[ self discovery, strong female protagonist, women power, rom-com reads ]
Profile Image for Aparna Prabhu.
528 reviews44 followers
June 18, 2025
”All I want is to be accepted for who I am. That's it. Just the way I am. Is that asking for too much?”

- Vrushali Samant, Madness in Mumbai

’Madness in Mumbai’ explores the unbridled longing of women in the contemporary age delving into their frustrations and the silent rebellions that challenge traditional societal norms. Amidst the glitz and glamour of South Mumbai, Monica Suri dives headfirst into the dark underbelly of Mumbai for a chance to redeem herself and pursue a career in photography. Her life after experiencing abandonment from husband and family, is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, displaced within a crowd of colourful characters. The city of dreams, Mumbai acts as a silent witness to Monica's life, her unfulfilled desires, carnal urges and her path to self-discovery.

”There was no greater joy than knowing that one was safe, loved and desired. The world was suddenly better place for Monica.”

The writing style is candid, accessible so that the overarching themes are comprehended by the reader. Samant examines the socio-economic setting through everyday montages with the lens of a surgeon's precision. The satirical tone brilliantly portrays how patriarchy slowly pervades the society through day-to-day conversations and ingrains deep in the mind of an individual.

Brace yourselves for the Mumbai Mayhem that unfolds between the pages as Monica steers her life with renewed vigour. Set against the backdrop of a city full of contradictions, the emotional rollercoaster she navigates promises both unexpected twists and a cathartic resolution.
214 reviews4 followers
June 14, 2025
This book contains traces of madness, murder plots, and the quirky journey of Monica Singh.

If you've ever wondered what happens when a pampered Pali Hill socialite trades her stilettos for street smarts, Madness in Mumbai is your rollercoaster ticket to find out.

Monica Singh had it all—designer bags, champagne brunches, and a husband who… oh wait, ran off with Luckshmi, his suspiciously fertile VP of Sales.

What follows is not your average midlife crisis—think more about Monika's dalliances with gangster turned social worker, a kidnapping and murder attempt, a drug bust in a posh party, and a very grumpy cop who’s probably still recovering from Monica’s sass. Somewhere between tarot readings and runaway rickshaws, she rediscovers herself and her long-lost love: photography (and maybe something more.

The author spins chaos into comedy with a side of soul-searching, all served on a spicy Mumbai platter. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and by the end, you’ll wish Monica Singh was your spirit animal.

Madness in Mumbai isn’t a book—it’s a full-blown Bollywood-action-romcom-thriller in paperback!

Verdict: Add to cart. Add to life. Add to therapy session after laughing too hard.
Profile Image for Rishi Vohra.
Author 7 books14 followers
June 15, 2025
Madness in Mumbai may start as a fast-paced, entertaining read - but don’t be fooled. Beneath the surface of its twists and turns lies a deeply personal and emotional journey. Monica, a good-hearted woman from a privileged background, finds herself at a crossroads - staring down a divorce, cut off from her family, and refusing to compromise her integrity by joining their shady business schemes.

With no safety net, she sets off on her own, and what unfolds is a wildly unpredictable, often hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking adventure through the vibrant chaos of Mumbai. From upscale drawing rooms to the city’s most unexpected corners, Monica’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and ultimately, liberation.

You’ll find yourself cheering her on every step of the way, laughing with her, wincing at her mishaps, and rooting for her as she rediscovers her voice and strength. Vrushali Samant crafts a delightful tale that is more than just fun - it’s empowering, authentic, and full of heart.

Bravo, Vrushali! This one’s a gem.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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