Buddy Reads: A Contemporary Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Bollywood’s most feared villain, Ishan “Shaan” Mahajan, is a man shrouded in shadows—on screen and off. With a face the industry loves to hate and a past he keeps buried, Shaan has learned to embrace his role as the monster. But beneath the deformity of his face and the spotlight that highlights his ugliness is a man who seeks refuge in stories, hiding wounds deeper than any camera can capture.

Isabella “Izzy” is a charming librarian and popular book blogger whose love for literature and candid charm make her irresistible. When Shaan discovers her online for buddy reading, a shared love of books draws them together—and an unlikely friendship begins to smolder into something more.

But Shaan’s darkness isn’t just for show. Secrets from his past haunt him, and the truth behind his transformation could destroy any chance at happiness. Can Izzy see beyond the mask and love the man underneath? Or will the beast’s secrets be too much for beauty to bear?

A steamy, emotional retelling of Beauty and the Beast—where passion collides with pain, and love is the only light that can cut through the dark.