Through the Eyes of Mrs. Funnybones

Balancing beautifully between her panache and wit, Twinkle Khanna a.k.a. Mrs. Funnybones shares some insider's information of the glittering and glamourous world of Bollywood in her national bestseller, Mrs. Funnybones. The book is a collection of columns/stories – starring "you know who," man of the house, their two children, and an ensemble cast of mummyjis, pets, secretaries, and some other A-listers – which are funny and satirical (but not really sarcastic.) The author even makes fun of her mother's, aunt's, and her own name – Dimple, Simple, and Twinkle!

Coming from not one but two movie-star parents, Bollywood seems to be more of a home than a workplace to Khanna, and her ease is very obvious with each of these stories. The stories of the collection reveal that A-listers are, at the end of the day, mere human beings; and they also have human and "trivial" issues like everyone else – ranging from fussy mothers-in-law to bad-hair-days to Monday blues.

One of the best aspects of this book is the author's subtle and poignant language without losing the fun and charisma – which elevates it from being a mere chick-lit by another retired Bollywood diva. The imageries flow with roaring giggles in every other paragraph. And neat little illustrations tie the whole thing wonderfully together. The cover is also pretty appropriate – bubbly, warm, and definitely funny – just like the author herself.

While Mrs. Khanna raises many socio-politico-cultural issues of the modern-day India, the stories never stop being amusing and turn into boring ranting – and there lies the success of Mrs. Funnybones' Mrs. Funnybones.

T. S. Marin enjoys writing flash fictions. She is a lecturer of English at Primeasia University and is the Sub Editor of Star Literature and Star Reviews pages of The Daily Star.