It is a universally acknowledged truth that an Indian is attached to Bollywood almost vicariously. We love our drama, our over the top dancing, lovers breaking up and reuniting and Shah Rukh Khan spreading his arms and calling out to us.
Sadly the whole onslaught of South Indian remakes and movies being made just to break records of the previous ‘highest grossing blockbusters’ is now turning into somewhat of a headache. With the super-success of ‘2 States’, we can hopefully see more adaptations of books. This time, good books! So here’s a list of 10 books I really want to see a Bollywood adaptation of.
1) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
This wonderful, wonderful book has bewitched me, mind, heart and soul! Okay, I might sound a tad bit over the top, but man! What a book! A family which makes The Addams Family look sane, a murder mystery no one can figure and female characters that are just bad. Not because something horrible has happened to them, they’re just like that! Sharp Objects in one word should be described as TWISTED.
2) Kane And Abel by Jeffery Archer
This is in the list due to sentimental reasons as it’s one of the first books that got me addicted to reading. Apart from that, it’s such a perfect potboiler of a book that I’m surprised it’s not been adapted into a big budget Bollywood bonanza yet! Who would you cast? Say say!
3) Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes
This book is just so cute! I know it’s not really ranked high in the ‘best books ever’ list but Sushi for Beginners has managed to make me a little more positive in life. If you’d know me, you’d know that’s a big deal!
4) The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly
I think I studied law for 5 long years because of books like these. Michael Connelly books give me the impression that being a lawyer is like ‘OMG so exciting!!!!’ but it’s not. Maybe it is, but I rather make my living writing. One of the best books of the Lincoln Lawyer series, this book will rock it as a Bollywood movie!
5) Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
It’s a classic for a reason. Someone cast Ranveer Singh as Heathcliff, quick!
6) Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
We all know Sophie Kinsella’s ‘Shopaholic’ series was made into a movie, which well, didn’t really match up to the expectations, but I’ve always thought ‘Can You Keep a Secret’ is a gem! The heroine gets drunk in a plane, confesses her deepest secrets to the guy next to her and that guy turns out to be her boss. Now who would want their boss to know their biggest secrets?
7) The Cuckoo’s Calling by J.K. Rowling as Robert Galbraith
Cormoran Strike is a man you will slowly fall for, like his pretty, efficient and always dependable assistant Robin does but both won’t admit it! Apart from their dynamics, there is a high profile murder to solve! Bollywood really needs a nice murder mystery, this could be it.
8) Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon
Another one added to the list for sentimental reasons, because we are Indians and we are a really senti race. Anyway, this Sidney Sheldon thriller is an excellent airport read with a very chilling end. Maybe Ram Gopal Varma can get his groove back with this one?
9) The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough
Which girl doesn’t want a fun ghost as her bestie and why can I only imagine Sonam Kapoor play it?!
10) 1984 by George Orwell
The future Orwell thought we’ll have is eerily coming true. A Hindi movie on this dystopian world masterpiece will open many eyes.
What do you think lovelies? Add your favourites!