User reviews

I am personally in love with Indian independent cinema as it currently stands. In spite of a measly reception by the audience of films that released in the previous half of this decade, filmmakers are still producing them. And this engrossing drama comes as a testament to the fact that good films are still being made.

Imli (Raima Sen) is a cinema enthusiast who dreams of acting in films, but is currently employed as a prostitute in Kolkata. So, when a creative director knocks at her brothel's door in search of a solid story, Imli opens her heart with the hope of landing a role. Few thousand kilometers away from her is UP guy, Rohit (Salim Diwan), a soaked-up BPO professional who also wants to become an actor in Bollywood. After multiple failed attempts at impressing directors, Rohit signs up for a talent show associated with a film, where he hopes to make it big. In the neighboring state of Delhi lives Vishnu (Asish Vidyarthi), a to-be-retired accounts manager, who wants to pursue his childhood passion of acting. But, before he can do that, he has to cross one more hurdle: his health.

Hope is what drives these three characters as the film narrates their stories in linear fashion. All of them want to be actors, which is not a novel thing, when it comes to Bollywood dramas or story arcs. But, these stories do not look one bit contrived. They originate out of ordinary people who have led boring lives and now want to create a spark. While Imli's story may be clichéd, Vishnu's and Rohit's stories are what drives the film and gives it its quality. Driven by some good music and unpolished linear narration, they induce empathy. The sequences will generate emotive reactions in you as you will engross yourself in finding out what happens to these characters who are so loyal and hardworking and hopeful to their cause, that eventually even you may chip in your hope for them.

The whole cast do a very good job. But, I have to strain on the three central actors, who put in their 100 percent. It is not easy to portray characters that have possible real-life semblances, and Sen, Vidyarthi, and Diwan do it perfectly. Director K D Satyam has used familiar stories and created a film full of life, that is fairly entertaining.

Not to forget, the film does have its dull moments, but that should now come in between your enjoyment.

BOTTOM LINE: K D Satyam's "Bollywood Diaries" triumphs at telling stories so close to Bollywood, that it is both ironic and heartbreaking. Take a bow, guys! Buy DVD or stream it online now!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

The movie struggled in the same way as the struggling actors. It has the right idea, the right amount of heart, but misses the main punch of storytelling. Overall, it's a decent effort which is definitely watchable.

Storyline Rating: 3

Acting Rating: 3 Raima Sen: 3 Ashish Vidyarthi: 3 Salim Diwan: 2 Karuna Pandey: 3 Vineet Kumar Singh: 3

Direction Rating: 3

Music Rating: 2

Cinematography: 2

Editing: 2

One such movie need to be made every year in the industry that has become a junk yard rather than being an art place.. At least 10 Directors like Mr Satyam, need to be given a chance to take Indian Cinema forward holding mega phones. Not just action cut copy paste movies but these realistic pieces are worth watching in Theaters every time they get a chance to be released.

Away from the jazzy sets or action packed scenes. "Bollywood Diaries" made its path to in everyone's heart who knows what actually is art is. Only Sad part is the producers might have lost money, believing change in Indian audience.

Mr Satyam " You are no doubt one of those best directors in Indian Cinema"

A well justified title for the movie.

I had to stop the movie in few scenes only to wipe my tears out which i might not have done anytime before. (I have watched around few thousands of movies but never stopped until and unless its a crap)

With only a minimal casting, the way Mr Satyam brought out the feelings out were a magic.

Would wait for more films from you sir.... All the best to the team. And I am happy to be the first Reviewer for your movie on IMDb. I promise to be the first one to write for your upcoming movies as well. You are such an inspiration.

The final scene was just brilliant, with each character and adding the exact amount of essence by music to make you leave the theaters with a feel.

Each and every character have gave their share to make this movie the finest piece of Art that can be saved in a museum for another 100 years....

This is one of those movies that takes you to another dimension. Surrealistic storyline. Ashish Vidyarthi delivers his life's best performance IMHO. Raima, Salim and the guy who plays Assist. Director have acted really really well. All in all a very well directed movie. Lyrics of all the songs are awesome. Sometimes there is comedy in the tragedy, specially with Ashish Vidyarthi's and Salim's character. Worth watching for the story alone. I am sure there are characters like these in real life and everyone will connect with this movie at some level. You will have various emotions for the characters - sometimes you feel annoyed by them, sometimes hate them, other times love them or even feel sad for them. This movie is a must watch. BEST BOLLYWOOD MANTRA - " Om mumbai bollywood staray namah!"

i don't want to give it full 10 stars because it get me emotional.i escape from being emotional often.but this movie does.excellent performances by all actors and actresses especially riya sen.i think she need to come back to movies now more often.she had not seen in movies from long time.its the movie for those who live their life in bollywood or movies.so it will give you goosebumps in many movie scenes especially songs,they are very soulful.it exceeds my expectations.the guy who works in office also played a good character and the man who desire to become actor also gave mazing performance.i enjoyed a movie lot.it will not bore you.i suggest you to watch it in good print,in bluray or in original DVD print or for real experience,in theatre.10/10 stars !

This film is dedicated to all the struggling wanna-be actors who have a deep passion for films. These are ordinary people from all kinds of background, whose only dream is to be given a chance to prove themselves and to make it big in the film industry. Their love for acting makes them invest all their savings, jeopardize their health and even dedicate their last moments alive to the pursuit their dream. Sadly, talent and good looks are not the only requirements to become a famous. In reality, films are a business and the only way to be part of them is to either be an already successful actor or to be born into a family connected to the film industry.

Hats off to Salim Diwan who plays Rohit. He did an excellent job portraying a young lad passionate about film, but with poor acting skills. In the end though, Salim gave a true performance! The end of the film is a wonderful build-up of emotions and the music is beyond perfect.

Bollywood Diaries deserves a 10 stars rating for its honesty in this film tribute to struggling actors trying to make themselves noticed.

Three stories around Bollywood dream ,Story shows how passion or talent alone can not sail through this ocean of struggles and reach the success shore but they have also shown how passion and talent together can always atleast hope to dream again even after failing miserably. A must watch movie.

Three stories - An average call centre working guy who absolutely passionate about acting but is not born with skills or taking any professional training to act, a 50 year old government servant who was a theatre artist in his college days but locks his dreams in a box and give the keys firstly to his father then to his wife(like all humans do) but his wife promises him to return it after their daughter gets married,he is skillful but not passionate enough to go for his dreams. Third story is about a prostitute who only entertains customers from Mumbai in the hope of getting a jack to get entrance in Bollywood as an actress, she is talented as well as passionate but not privileged. Story shows how passion or talent alone can not sail through this ocean of struggles and reach the success shore but they have also shown how passion and talent together can always atleast hope to dream again even after failing miserably. A must watch movie.

I am also an struggling actor.. I am agree with all the scenes shown in this movie but I am doubtful that how Daman (Assistant Director role) can take money from imlie in name of portfolio..this is fraud first I thought that director must show him as a fraud in last but director shown him genuine Assistant director... genuine ADs orr casting directors Take money from you in the name of portfolio..