Bollywood Babes.

BOLLYWOOD BABES. Narinder Dhami. 2004/ 2005. Read by Nina Wadia. 3 tapes. 5 hrs. Listening Library. 1-4000-9938-2. $27.95. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. JS

Bollywood is India's answer to Hollywood. The Indian film industry puts out some 800 full-length feature films a year, full of exuberant singing and dancing, over-the-top melodrama and romance, and gorgeous actors and actresses. Given that backdrop, this story builds on a tongue-in-cheek "what-if" proposition that raises many a chuckle. High spirits reign in the household of Amber, Geena, and Jazz, teenage sisters of Indian descent living in England. They are recovering from their mother's death, putting up pretty well with the fussing of their Aunty, and plunging into school activities. For a fundraiser, they get the brilliant idea of inviting former Bollywood superstar Molly Mahal as a special guest. But when they look for Molly, what do they find but a has-been about to be evicted from her flat. So the girls bring Molly home, like a stray cat. Their houseguest turns out to be spoiled, unpleasant, and demoralized, but watch out--there's life in the old girl yet. Has Dad fallen for her?

Reader Nina Wadia does the Indian accents perfectly and brings lots of bounce and energy to this tale. Listeners who liked the film Bend It Like Beckham will enjoy revisiting this territory, and fans of Bollywood films will get a hoot out of the Babes. Betsy Woodman, Andover, NH

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.