That Thing About Bollywood, growing pains for all, with an Indian twist

My knowledge of Bollywood is limited. I know that they’re very popular and loaded with catchy songs. You do not need to know anything about Bollywood or Indian culture to enjoy That Thing About Bollywood. The local college radio station we listen to has an Indian program on and we’ll listen to it as a palette cleanser. Similar to the book, you don’t need to know the songs or understand the language to tap your toes when you hear the music. Sonali is a typical 11-year-old girl whose family is going through challenging times. She’s a little shy and realizes that things are even more unusual when she starts singing and dancing during a school trip. Moreover, even the background colors are changing with colors that pop and contrast more than they do in real life.

Her parents are going through a divorce. It’s early in the process and separation, much less divorce is highly uncommon, only 1% of couples divorce there, compared to 39% in the USA. What’s more, Sonali’s younger brother is too young to realize what’s happening and the regular schedule that she’s used to is being thrown around. The family’s weekly movie night has changed, her dad’s apartment is not convenient and mom’s high profile job isn’t meshing with her middle school life.

Middle school and figuring out friendships all the while managing good grades is not easy. It’s even more complex when you could start singing or dancing at any given moment. As you read That Thing About Bollywood you’ll find yourself trying to figure out if she really is doing it, is going crazy, or something entirely else. The book is peppered with dozens of references to specific Bollywood films, songs, actors, actresses, or classic moments that fans will know. At least, I think that they are actually Bollywood shout-outs. It would make sense that Kelkar uses real touchstone moments as the book’s backdrop, and Bollywood fans would know better than I on that.

The books’ backbone is Sonali’s story and the fact that middle school audiences will be able to relate to it. Some kids might become shyer during a parent’s divorce. While they’re unlikely to sing or dance, their outward behavior will change in one way or another. Their friendships will be tested and they’ll do things that they normally don’t. It’s a combination of hormones, stress, and middle or high school.

That Thing About Bollywood is a book that will surprise those who read it. The Indian or Bollywood community will immediately enjoy it and relate to it. Those who aren’t will still enjoy it and understand the changes that Sonali is going through. Much like Kelkar’s other book that we liked, As American as Paneer Pie, it works as a book and doesn’t require one to be from the community to dig it.

That Thing About Bollywood is by Supriya Kelkar and on Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

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