The year 1990 saw the release of Aashiqui, a Bollywood romance starring Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal as Rahul and Anu, two lovers trying to live their love while the world tries to bring them down. It was a runaway hit and its music is well-loved to this day. Yashesh Rathod pays tribute to this movie, as the title might suggest, in a new, short romance novella called Aashiqui Forever.
This book is a love story that follows Marlin, an orphan girl living in a Mumbai orphanage called ‘Mother’, the irony as stark as you think it would be. Marlin has dreams of becoming an international model like her late mother. Meanwhile, Rahul is an aspiring singer who is on the cusp of fame. Marlin’s orphanage is run by a psychopathic warden called Doyle and puts restrictions on the girls’ movements to the point of making it feel like a prison. Rahul comes upon Marlin on a rain-washed night and it’s instant love for him. Will he be able to win Marlin’s heart, is what Aashiqui Forever is all about.
The movie it pays tribute to, Aashiqui, inspires the book; reading about Rahul and Marlin feels a lot like watching Rahul and Anu on screen. The movie even makes an appearance in the story. Aashiqui Forever is a quick read and manages to pique both your interest and your sympathy as you read about the two main characters. It’s sweet to say the least and like any Bollywood romance drama, it has you rooting for Rahul and Marlin and craving a happy ending.
However, insta-love isn’t a trope that I like, irrespective of or maybe exactly because I’ve seen it so many times in Bollywood movies, some stories developing to the point of disturbing creepiness. Add to that, my consistent complaint with the author’s work: the writing is repetitive and loopy, and leaves much to be desired. It could use a lot of editing and polishing to turn the story into a crisp but warm romance that will keep your attention from beginning to end while turning your sympathy into something larger and grander.
And yet, despite all of this, I’d say that Aashiqui Forever is a quick, feel-good book that you can definitely pick up if you’re in an insta-lovey mood. Bonus points if you loved the 1990 Aashiqui movie.
So that was my review of Aashiqui Forever by Yashesh Rathod. Have you read this book? Have you watched the movie Aashiqui? What were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
I’ll see you in the next blog post.
Until next time, keep reading, keep watching, and add melodrama to your life! ❤
The Melodramatic Bookworm 
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