Bollywood Babes

Bindi Babes #2

by Narinder Dhami

Those fiesty Bindi Babes are back – and someone tougher than their auntie has moved in too!

Geena, Amber and Jazz throw a Bollywood party to raise funds for their school. They plan to deliver a real Bollywood actress for a live performance but their star turns out to more of a handful than they ever expected!


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Cultural, Young Adult, Chick Lit, Teen, Asian Literature

224 pages, Library Binding

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Joanne Roberts]

The far-out comedy in Bollywood Babes had me giggling through to the end. Like a good Bollywood filmi, I longed for a happy ending... and got it. Though I hadn't read the first book in the series, I was able to figure out the family dynamic and enjoy the story. The writing was not gripping, but thanks to my obsession with all things Indian, I survived the less-than-imaginative narration and the choppy chapter/scene shifts. As an Brit-loving American, I also enjoyed the thoroughly British vocabulary which might be difficult for readers unfamiliar with British-Indian culture. I would place this as a young YA or mature MG.

[Irsa ahmad]

4.1 ⭐️

REREAD

please- why was I actually laughing so much like this book was so funny. Like what do you mean they had found a whole ass ex bollywood star and she lived w them and to be honest the whole family was crashing out. I loved how the sisters were internally in shambles over molly. It was such an easy and lighthearted and like I understand why I enjoyed reading this series sm like????? so tea.

[Kascia]

Similar to the first book in the series except the girls' attitudes are more tolerable and the Bollywood star Molly is an interesting character.

[Cheryl]

Fun and funny story with great family dynamic and sister relationships. I listened to the audiobook and the reader, Nina Wadia, was top notch.

[Rebecca]

Neat and enjoyable with a fun story and pretty glamorous.

[ibuproffie]

i read this last night when i couldn't sleep lol i had no idea there were more of these

entertaining as always

[Sarah Sammis]

Bollywood Babes by Narinder Dhami is the second in a trilogy that I'm reading backwards. It didn't mean to do it that way but that's how it worked out. I still need to read the first of the series, Bindi Babes.

In this middle volume, the three sisters have been roped into helping plan a fundraiser for their school by their well meaning but sometimes smothering Auntie. A chance meeting with former Bollywood starlet Molly Mahal gives them the inspiration they need; they'll make her the star attraction.

Molly was the character that really sold the story for me. She's like so many former stars who have fallen on hard times. Growing up in California, I can remember similar stories of one time screen idols living in flop houses and struggling to pay bills.

But being a comedy, the sisters' offer of help is taken to the extreme and they begin to doubt their decision. It's familiar story especially in comedies. It's fun to see how the sisters cope with their demanding guest and how they try to stay focused on the fundraising at the same time.

[Kiirsi Hellewell]

I had high hopes for this book because I'm fascinated by Bollywood and it sounded like a really fun premise. Unfortunately, the characters didn't seem very real, not much depth to anyone, and there wasn't anything much at stake. They skipped through time so quickly and I didn't get a sense of anything "big" on the line. I was kind of disappointed there wasn't more to the story. I'm left puzzled by the change in "Dad," I still am not sure if the three main characters are actually sisters (since it never said so), and it kept referring to some previous major life events like they'd been in a previous book together, but I don't know which book, if so. If they WERE in a previous book, I think it should have listed it on the inside cover. I thought this was a stand-alone novel but it didn't act like one.

One of the most annoying things about this book, which kept pulling me out of the story, was all the words used for dialogue tags..."snorted," "blustered," "moaned," "asked assertively," "said lyrically," "smirked," "croaked," "groaned"...to name just a few.

[Salsabrarian]

Narrated by Nina Wadia. Amber Dhillon and her sisters track down former Bollywood star Molly Mahal, hoping she will accept their invitation to appear at their school's Bollywood themed fundraiser party. They discover her in a less than superstar condition, living in a dingy flat and about to be evicted. Amber decides they should take Molly home with them until she gets back on her feet. Soon the community hears about Molly and everyone beats a path to the Dhillon home. Worse, Molly proves to be a bit of a diva, monopolizing the bathroom and Auntie's wardrobe, and flirting with the starstruck men in the community. Amber still hasn't proposed the party idea to Molly and Auntie wants to know when Molly will get back on her feet again. Molly surprises everyone by donating a lot of money for the surgery of a sick child and blowing off the school party to start her first movie job in years. Light fiction.

[Arjun]

I reread the first book yesterday, discovered there were sequels, and finished this one today. My review from the previous entry stands; there's nothing groundbreaking here, but it's a light, enjoyable read. Auntie is even sassier, and she's no longer presented as a villain, which is nice. The three sisters remain somewhat boring (and really unintelligent). Hopefully this changes in the next entry, because I definitely intend to read it! Overall, this book is neither better, nor worse than the first.

[Laura]

This book continues the story of Geena, Amber, and Jazz. This time, Amber has the brilliant idea to invite a former Bollywood star who happens to live near them to come to their school's Bollywood fundraiser party, but end up taking (the rather annoying) Molly Mahal into their home. The plot is a bit unrealistic, but it was still a pretty cute book.

Technical notes: I am reading the epub version, and there are some strange paragraph breaks in the middle of sentences.

[Brett]

The Dhillon sisters are back, with another situation they have to take care of somehow - sister Amber has invited a down-and-out former Bollywood movie star to live with them in hopes that she will be the guest of honor at her school's fundraising party, & she's turned into one unpleasant houseguest. A fun read about three Anglo-Indian girls & their tightly knit community that any girl can relate to & enjoy.

[Trish]

This was okay - a story of 3 teenage Indian (as in, from India) sisters who end up with a somewhat washed up Bollywood film star living in their home. Many mix-ups ensue. It moves fairly fast, but wasn't amazing. For grades 5-7 probably.

[Allison]

Geena, Jazz, and Amber are just getting used to living with their nosy Auntie. When Auntie plans to throw an all out Bollywood party for the school fundraiser, Amber once again comes up with a crazy plan which involves a retired Bollywood star who embodies the very meaning of the word "diva."

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive)]

READ IN DUTCH

This is the sequel to the first story in Tina Topper 66. I always liked to collect them, even though the stories weren't always that good.
They are still a quick and nice read for children around age 10-12.

[Daisy]

Good continuation of the series, very entertaining, my only complaint would be that the story perhaps could have been more original. Main characters trying to get rid of an annoying woman staying with them? Soooort of similar to the last book. Still a great series though, and a really fun re-read.

[Marissa]

This was ok, not really fantastic. I thought the author's first book featuring these characters was much stronger.

[Kim]

Really good. NOT predictable.

[Amy]

a FLUFF READ FOR THE BEACH FOR TEEN GIRLS. wRAPPED UP TOO NEATLY AND i DIDN'T QUITE BY THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE OLD HAGGARD STAR TURNED GORGEOUS AGAIN WITH A SHOWER AND SOME NEW CLOTHES.

[shruti]

I found this one more readable than the first book in the series. The plot was ten times more far-fetched, but somehow the maturation of the main characters helped a lot.

[Aaliyah D]

FUNNII and really good

[Gwen]

3.5

[Michelle]

Very cute story! It's great to see sisters sticking together, even if it is for selfish reasons. Would recommend it to YA girls on the younger side to read.

[Alice Kunce]

Excellent follow up to Bindi Babes. A series middle and high school students will love!

[Mmmis4meg]

It was a good book because you never knew when Molly would leave!

[Spacecat]

fun book about michevious sisters. Indian American characters.

[Pooja Dimba]

Very good book. Sequel to Bindi Babes very awesome...

[Pramitha]

I think it is a good book

[Brooke Banks]

I found this scrolling through my library's electronic catalog. I listened to it in one sitting while I was working on birthday presents for a friend. After I was done, I immediately went searching for more, but this was the only one they had :(

[Amber]

It was cute, but nothing special. The characters were kind of annoying and all the same.