Mohini - Review

A beautiful and charismatic actress, a sensitive and immensely gifted director, a scheming, wily but brilliant manager 'Mohini' is the pulsating saga of three individuals, each driven by an obsession. Set in the backdrop of the bold and brazen world of Bollywood, it is a tale of passion, intrigue and suspense. The narrative moves at a roller-coaster speed and captures love in its myriad shades: infatuation, romance, commitment, lust and obsession. A young girl growing up in the backwaters of Bollywood nurses a burning desire to become the number one star in the industry. In her ruthless and sometimes reckless pursuit, she uses and is used by many individuals. However, there are two men in her life who love her to absolute distraction. One she betrays and the other she rejects. Both unleash vengeance and in a strange quirk of serendipity are pitted against each other as the novel hurtles to a throbbing, thrilling climax. 'Mohini' offers an insight into the biggest film industry the murky manipulations, the dirty deals, the shameless shenanigans, the tears behind the glycerine, the pain behind the paint and the suffering beyond the celluloid.

About the Author

Ramendra Kumar (Ramen) is a writer by passion and is Chief of Communications, Rourkela Steel Plant, Odisha. An award-winning author with twenty-three books to his credit, he spins yarns mainly for the young and the young at heart. He also dabbles in satire, poetry, fiction and travelogues. His stories have found a place in text books and anthologies published across the world. Ramen, an inspirational speaker and storyteller, is a regular at leading seminars and literary festivals, both in India and abroad.

Nothing in India can match the enigma surrounding Bollywood – the term used to refer to the Mumbai based Hindi Film industry. With crores of investment on stake, and hordes of dreams carved and shattered on a daily basis, the mysticism surrounding this magic world surely surpasses everything else, including Politics and Cricket. The lives of film stars, their activities and secrets are always a hot topic for gossips, and as such, a book based on such a plot will surely entice the reader in you.

Ramendra Kumar’s ‘Mohini’ is a tale of a young girl who dreams of making big in Bollywood. With the help of his manager, the ‘Bollywood Chanakya’ Vicky, she quickly climbs to the top of the ladder. However, the rise isn’t free from its share of compromises, and Mohini had to shed her inhibitions to achieve success and fame. Never the one to stop herself from winning in the garb of needless morals, Mohini sleeps her way into stardom, soon catapulting as the Number One heroine of Bollywood. However, not everything goes as she plans, and soon vengeance by the man who she had rejected strikes her real hard. Will she survive the blow, and get back on her feet, that’s what the climax of the story is all about.

‘Mohini’ is a book you will enjoy reading. The pace and the twists keep you glued, and makes it a real page-turner. Whenever you finish reading a chapter, your curiosity will get the better of you and you will wonder as to what would be happening next. As a result, you will finish up reading the whole book in a matter of a few hours.

The characterization of Mohini is well sketched, and her dreams and desires are reflected aptly. The only thing I found lacking was the emotional quotient. The story fails to get into the depth of the characters, especially Mohini, and bring out the intricacies of her feelings. As such, the story might not touch your heart, if you are expecting for a roller coaster emotional journey of a Bollywood heroine, but in case you are not, then this book is a good read for sure.

Vicky as Mohini’s guide is a well-crafted character, and with shades of grey, he surely is a reader’s delight. Vicky’s plans and ideas keep you guessing, and he is definitely the best thing in this novel. His acts keep you engaged, and his unpredictability plays on your minds. At times he is lovable, and on other occasions, dangerous. But then, he plays a pivotal role in the rise of Mohini.

'Mohini’ is a quick read, and you would enjoy it if you are a movie buff. The story beautifully portrays the murks and manipulations in the industry, and highlights how survival in Bollywood is almost synonymous to waging a war. Ramendra is a good story-teller, his style swift and crisp. However, a bit of attention towards detailing and showcasing the sensitivity of the key characters would surely have helped the story-line turn out much better.

Title: Mohini

Author: Ramendra Kumar

Publisher: Bluejay Books Pvt Ltd

Publication Year: 2014

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Fiction

No. of Pages: 216

Price: Rs 100

My Rating: 3/5