happiness and food

There are a lot of books on love stories – the usual girl meets guy ones but there are very few about following dreams and running behind what matters most. HiFi in Bollywood is one such book. It’s different as it constantly gives you a message through the protagonist Rayhan. This book was a weekend read and a good break after I had just completed Ramayana – The Game of Life: Shattered Dreams.

Plot and Positives: The book is about Rayhan Arora who wants to be a filmmaker in HiFi (Hindi Film Industry) and of course as one may guess, his father Romesh Arora does not approve of this career dream. Keeping his father out of loop, in an attempt to give himself a chance, Rayhan comes over to his own city, Mumbai from California. What follows next is no less than a hit TV soap story line with a simple yet neatly weaved plot.

I liked the way the book is written. It’s simple and easy read – no hidden messages, pun and humor thrown in to make it good to read in leisure. There is no excessive detailing and hence every page has something new to take the story forward. What struck a chord with me most is the belief that the author tries to portray. Following one’s dreams is the most important thing in life and each one of us should give ourselves a try. Yes, Rayhan had struggles but he did get to do what he wanted in the end.

The book brings out the struggles people who aspire to get in the industry go through. There is casting couch, egos to handle, reputation to maintain and what not when others outside the circle think everything about HiFi is hunky dory. For those in the lower rungs of the industry, there is a lot of hard work and then a thankless job at the end of the day.

I believe that when people write, even when it is fiction there is scope to have a glimpse of the author’s life in the story. Well, in the author’s note at the end of the book, Rishi confesses that the book has a good share of experiences he had personally gathered when he was a part of the film industry.

The romantic angle is simple and good one. I enjoyed the fact that the protagonist puts his career first in all circumstances. No one can be happy with a companion for life when (s)he is not happy with self. The twist at the end is unexpected(at least I did not predict) and I enjoyed the way it comes together. Friends are family and the author has also depicted this through the many friends Rayhan relies on.

What could have been better: A few grammatical errors here and there could have been avoided. This is the first book I read on the film industry and the likes so I can’t compare with anything else.

Tactical Details: The cover page is colorful and creative. The font size is also easy on the eyes. This book is a quick read will lighten you up.

Overall Verdict: I would give this book a 3.5/5. If you are fascinated by HiFi and want a light refreshing read, go for it!

Book Details:  

Name:  HiFi in Bollywood

Authors: Rishi Vohra

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Jaico

Publication Year: 2015

Number of pages: 249

Price: 299 INR

My rating: 3.5/5

Thank you Rishi Vohra for sending across a signed copy of the book! It always feels good to have a book in my shelf that reads my name 🙂