Conversations

Author Interview: We Have Always Had an Over-Dependence on Hindi Cinema in What We Call Indian Cinema, Says Amitava Nag

Author Interview: We Have Always Had an Over-Dependence on Hindi Cinema in What We Call Indian Cinema, Says Amitava Nag

Celebrating the golden age of Bengali Cinema, independent film critic and academic Amitava Nag’s insightful release, The Cinema of Tapan Sinha: An Introduction offers readers an essential gateway into the
Actor Interview: Sharmila Tagore Talks of the Value of Story-Telling and Passes Along Some Excellent Book Recommendations!

Actor Interview: Sharmila Tagore Talks of the Value of Story-Telling and Passes Along Some Excellent Book Recommendations!

If you don’t already know, then yes, we did have the sublime pleasure of meeting a fiercely well-read, fearfully punctual and delightfully warm Sharmila Tagore who, beyond being a critical
Author Interview: Plagues Had a Huge Impact on our Society, Says Julia Hauser

Author Interview: Plagues Had a Huge Impact on our Society, Says Julia Hauser

Plagues have impacted and moulded our societies in more ways than one. So much so that some of the best literature and art that we have came about because of
Author Interview: AI Is Going To Affect Everybody, Say Dream Machine Authors Appupen and Laurent Daudet

Author Interview: AI Is Going To Affect Everybody, Say Dream Machine Authors Appupen and Laurent Daudet

Artificial Intelligence is taking over the world one step at a time. Amid the marching footsteps of AI in almost all spheres of our lives, graphic artist Appupen and French
Author Interview: There is Love Even in a Core of Torture and Pain, Says Aparna Sanyal 

Author Interview: There is Love Even in a Core of Torture and Pain, Says Aparna Sanyal 

It’s not every day that you see some ancient torture tools and are inspired to write short stories around them. But this is exactly what happened with Aparna Sanyal, author
Relevancy is a Key Element That Keeps Archies Attractive: Nancy Silberkleit, CEO Archie Comics

Relevancy is a Key Element That Keeps Archies Attractive: Nancy Silberkleit, CEO Archie Comics

For years, the Archie Comics have entertained generations of teenagers and adults around the world. But over time, as the world has progressed, so has the world of Riverdale. We
Author Interview: There is a Formula When it Comes to Crime Writing, Says Ashwin Sanghi

Author Interview: There is a Formula When it Comes to Crime Writing, Says Ashwin Sanghi

Master storyteller and crime writer Ashwin Sanghi was at Kunzum GK for the signing of his new book Razor Sharp. We spoke to him about his books, his ace detective
Author interview: My Stories are Based on my First-Hand Experiences, says Bappaditya Chakravarty

Author interview: My Stories are Based on my First-Hand Experiences, says Bappaditya Chakravarty

Bappaditya Chakravarty, the author of The Huntsmen, is a management expert who has worked at organisations such as the Mormugao Port Trust in Goa, has taught managemnet at IIM and
As a Society, We Are Ill-Informed About Sexual Matters: Dr Cuterus

As a Society, We Are Ill-Informed About Sexual Matters: Dr Cuterus

When she’s not planning world domination, Dr Tanaya Narendra is busy breaking down barriers about sexual health and related matters and simplifying it so that everyone can understand it. We
Author Interview: ‘There’s Something Special about Seeing a Woman Through a Woman’s Gaze,’ says Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Author Interview: ‘There’s Something Special about Seeing a Woman Through a Woman’s Gaze,’ says Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Critically acclaimed and widely-loved author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s latest and first non-fiction book, An Uncommon Love, narrating the difficult and delightful early years of the Murty relationship, was recently launched
Author Interview: Translation is Translating a Wisdom Into Another Wisdom, Says Tamil Author Jeyamohan

Author Interview: Translation is Translating a Wisdom Into Another Wisdom, Says Tamil Author Jeyamohan

The English translation of Tamil author Jeyamohan’s new book – A Fine Thread – was launched recently. The book, a compilation of 16 stories ranging from art’s place in spirituality
Author Interview: Writing is The Creative Side of Reading, Says Ivy Ngeow

Author Interview: Writing is The Creative Side of Reading, Says Ivy Ngeow

She’s a trained architect and visual designer and she’s an author. When she’s not designing beautiful interiors or buildings, she’s busy writing psychological thrillers. We managed to catch up with
Author Interview: Mami Suzuki is a Composite of Everyone I Have Met or Know, Says Simon Rowe

Author Interview: Mami Suzuki is a Composite of Everyone I Have Met or Know, Says Simon Rowe

Simon Rowe, author of the new book Mami Suzuki Private Eye, tells us why most of his lead characters are female, the inspiration behind Mami Suzuki, his life in Japan
Interview: It’s a Struggle For the Indian Diaspora Abroad to Put Our Roots Down, Says Ruchita Misra

Interview: It’s a Struggle For the Indian Diaspora Abroad to Put Our Roots Down, Says Ruchita Misra

London-based author Ruchita Misra speaks to Kunzum Review about her new book Her One True Love, the complicated topic of her book and how the Indian diaspora abroad struggles to
Interview: The geopolitics of the Battle of Kohima has always been neglected, says Mmhonlümo Kikon

Interview: The geopolitics of the Battle of Kohima has always been neglected, says Mmhonlümo Kikon

Mmhonlümo Kikon, author of His Majesty’s Headhunters, a seminal work on the Battle of Kohima and the role of the Naga Headhunters of Nagaland says his book is a necessary
Interview: Our Writing Should Stimulate or Instruct or Entertain, Have Purpose, says Shobha Tharoor

Interview: Our Writing Should Stimulate or Instruct or Entertain, Have Purpose, says Shobha Tharoor

Author Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan speaks about her books for children, brother Dr Shashi Tharoor, her book on her mother – Good Innings – and how reading is important for children.
Interview: My Book Provides an Anglo-Indian Voice in Australian Literature, says Patrick Lyons

Interview: My Book Provides an Anglo-Indian Voice in Australian Literature, says Patrick Lyons

Masala and Murder author Patrick Lyons talks about his new crime thriller, future plans and how books are a shared experience for him and his sons. BSA: Where did the
Interview: Books let us live many lifetimes, says Vishal Bhardwaj

Interview: Books let us live many lifetimes, says Vishal Bhardwaj

An interview of film director vishal bhardwaj at Kunzum.
Interview: If You Read, You Will Become a Writer, Says Author Amitava Kumar

Interview: If You Read, You Will Become a Writer, Says Author Amitava Kumar

Author Amitava Kumar was at Kunzum Jorbagh for the signing of his new book The Yellow Book. We caught up with him for a short interview and he gave us
This Short Story Helped Author and Public Intellectual Gurcharan Das Get His First Job

This Short Story Helped Author and Public Intellectual Gurcharan Das Get His First Job

The habit of reading can help you get out of sticky situations or turn them around to benefit you. That’s what happened with author, management guru and public intellectual Gurcharan
Interview: The Doms Must Be Given The Respect and Dignity They Deserve, says Radhika Iyengar

Interview: The Doms Must Be Given The Respect and Dignity They Deserve, says Radhika Iyengar

Debutant author Radhika Iyengar‘s first book Fire On The Ganges looks at the lives, ambitions and travails of the Doms – a community of corpse burners on Chand Ghat in
Interview: I Write Humour and Social Commentary Based on Indian Society Masala, says Anuja Chauhan

Interview: I Write Humour and Social Commentary Based on Indian Society Masala, says Anuja Chauhan

An interview with RomCom author Anuja Chauhan on her new book The Fast and the Dead.
Pick a Small, Easy Habit, and Don’t Miss 2 Days in a Row, Says Habit Coach Ashdin Doctor

Pick a Small, Easy Habit, and Don’t Miss 2 Days in a Row, Says Habit Coach Ashdin Doctor

Habit Coach Ashdin Doctor, the author of three books on habits and how to change your life was in Kunzum for a book signing. We caught up with him over
Interview: Origami Aai Explores Complexity and Everydayness of Indian Families, says Manjiri Indurkar

Interview: Origami Aai Explores Complexity and Everydayness of Indian Families, says Manjiri Indurkar

Manjiri Indurkar’s new book Origami Aai was launched at the Kunzum on Thursday. Kunzum Review caught up with her for a quick interview. The Gift That Keeps On Giving My
Interview: Translation is the Language of Democracy, says Arunava Sinha

Interview: Translation is the Language of Democracy, says Arunava Sinha

Academic and translator Professor Arunava Sinha was at Kunzum Book Cafe for a signing of his new book The Taliban and I. We spoke to him regarding his translations and
Monsters Born and Made: Author Tanvi Berwah on the Genre of YA Fantasy

Monsters Born and Made: Author Tanvi Berwah on the Genre of YA Fantasy

Although at its preliminary stage, YA Fantasy is gaining popularity in eyes of young Indian readers and they are craving for Indian narratives more than ever now. To understand the same, Kunzum's Khushi Arora talks with author Tanvi Berwah.
Crimson Spring: Navtej Sarna on Fictionalising the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Crimson Spring: Navtej Sarna on Fictionalising the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Diplomat-turned-author Navtej Sarna revisits the Jallianwala Bagh in the most meticulous and overwhelming manner. Kunzum's Divye Bhagwani talks to him to learn all things about fictionalising a factual event.
Batshit: Kritika Kapoor On Her Feminist Horror Debut Fiction

Batshit: Kritika Kapoor On Her Feminist Horror Debut Fiction

Kritika Kapoor's deliciously feminist debut novel Batshit unwraps repressed anger in women with unrealistic beauty standards and other regulations that society throw on them but with a haunting twist!
Amish Raj Mulmi on How Nepali People Interact With the World

Amish Raj Mulmi on How Nepali People Interact With the World

Amish Raj Mulmi set out to fill the vacuum of the knowledge of Chinese influence on Nepal by recording the lives of indigenous Nepali people. Curious about his research, Kunzum's Ananya sat down with him to know more about his writing process.
The Test of a Poem is Whether It Can Hold Your Attention, Whether It’s On a Page Or a Screen: Ranjit Hoskote, Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award

The Test of a Poem is Whether It Can Hold Your Attention, Whether It’s On a Page Or a Screen: Ranjit Hoskote, Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award

Poet, translator, art curator and critic Ranjit Hoskote sat down with Sumeet Keswani for a chat—about everything from Hoskote's various practices informing each other, to the place of poetry in the current public discourse, and the newer platforms poets must embrace.
Chaos Is at the Heart of Most Literature: Amit Chaudhuri Talks about Writing on Cities

Chaos Is at the Heart of Most Literature: Amit Chaudhuri Talks about Writing on Cities

Amit Chaudhuri has many avatars―singer, novelist, critic, editor, professor, and poet! At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2023, we caught up with him to discuss his unique approach to writing, expression through Hindustani music, and affinity for the chaos of cities.
The Idea Is to Reclaim What The Text Is, Not to Invent a New Text: Meena Kandasamy on Her Feminist Translation of a Tamil Classic

The Idea Is to Reclaim What The Text Is, Not to Invent a New Text: Meena Kandasamy on Her Feminist Translation of a Tamil Classic

Kunzum speaks with Meena Kandasamy about her latest book—a feminist translation of a Tamil classic—her tools of activism, artificial intelligence, her next poetry collection, and the writers and books that have shaped her craft.
Only through Education is Resilience Possible: Sheela Tomy Speaks on Environmental and Social Justice

Only through Education is Resilience Possible: Sheela Tomy Speaks on Environmental and Social Justice

Sheela Tomy's debut novel, Valli, was shortlisted for the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature. Kunzum wanted to know more about her book and environmental activism, and bring her ideas to you, so we sat down with the author for an enlightening conversation.
I Think Strong Women Write about Strong Women in Difficult Situations: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I Think Strong Women Write about Strong Women in Difficult Situations: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is back, with a novel about three sisters caught up in the aftermath of India's Independence and Partition. We sat down with her at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2023 to talk books, strong female characters, inspirational women writers, and more.
I Don’t Want to Feel Guilty for Not Taking Care of an Object: Award-Winning Author Ruth Ozeki on Letting Go of Things

I Don’t Want to Feel Guilty for Not Taking Care of an Object: Award-Winning Author Ruth Ozeki on Letting Go of Things

From Chinese fortune cookies to scissors, unusual objects possess a voice in Ruth Ozeki's latest novel, The Book of Form and Emptiness. Curious, we approached Ozeki to understand her writing process, relationship with objects, obsession with libraries and bookstores, and Buddhist approach to life.
We Come from Worlds Where Reality is Wilder than Fiction: Booker Prize Winner Marlon James

We Come from Worlds Where Reality is Wilder than Fiction: Booker Prize Winner Marlon James

Winner of the 2015 Booker Prize, Marlon James, was one of the many acclaimed speakers at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2023. We spoke with him about African myths, unlearning Eurocentrism, his book recommendations, and the upcoming third book of his Dark Star trilogy.
Every Obituary Is a Hurried Piece of Literature: Anees Salim

Every Obituary Is a Hurried Piece of Literature: Anees Salim

Anees Salim opens up to Kunzum about his Facebook alter-ego, his obsession with waterbodies, the recurring themes of death and hopelessness in his novels, and, of course, The Bellboy.
“It’s Like a Return to a Home That I Was Never Able to Claim as My Own”: Amitabha Bagchi on the Hindi Translation of his Novel

“It’s Like a Return to a Home That I Was Never Able to Claim as My Own”: Amitabha Bagchi on the Hindi Translation of his Novel

Winner of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature in 2019, Half the Night is Gone is Amitabha Bagchi's third and arguably most popular novel. The author speaks with Kunzum about the book and its new Hindi translation, his literary influences and recommended reads.
“How You See a Plant is How You See the World,” Janice Pariat Says on Her Novel, Everything The Light Touches

“How You See a Plant is How You See the World,” Janice Pariat Says on Her Novel, Everything The Light Touches

Author Janice Pariat speaks to Kunzum about her latest novel, Everything The Light Touches, and the tussle at the heart of it, her affinity for botany, adoption of erasure poetry,
“The Murder at the Heart of Black River Felt Like a Personal Loss”: Nilanjana S. Roy Talks about Delhi and Her Latest Novel

“The Murder at the Heart of Black River Felt Like a Personal Loss”: Nilanjana S. Roy Talks about Delhi and Her Latest Novel

Author and former journalist Nilanjana S. Roy talks to Kunzum about the many facets of Delhi, her latest book, the biggest literary influences on her craft, and her next novel.
“I’ve written a crime novel because I wanted to read a specific kind  in India and wasn’t able to find it”: Tanuj Solanki on his new book

“I’ve written a crime novel because I wanted to read a specific kind in India and wasn’t able to find it”: Tanuj Solanki on his new book

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar winner Tanuj Solanki answers all our questions about his latest novel, Manjhi's Mayhem: from his genre shift to doing justice to a Dalit POV and his crime-writing inspirations.
In Search of the Divine: Rana Safvi on her Sparkling Foray into Sufi History

In Search of the Divine: Rana Safvi on her Sparkling Foray into Sufi History

Scholar, historian, translator, and author Rana Safvi is an authority on Delhi and its cultural heritage. Her latest book, In Search of the Divine, is a deep dive into Sufism and its lost history. She tells us about the initial idea of the book.
I Enjoy Screenwriting the Most: Poet & Fiction Writer Rochelle Potkar Gets Candid with Kunzum

I Enjoy Screenwriting the Most: Poet & Fiction Writer Rochelle Potkar Gets Candid with Kunzum

Rochelle Potkar is an award-winning poet, fictionist, screenwriter, critic, editor, and translator. We sat down with her to understand how these different artistic pursuits come together in her life.
Talking Books with Ashwin Sanghi, the Man behind the Myths

Talking Books with Ashwin Sanghi, the Man behind the Myths

Ashwin Sanghi has crafted a niche for himself with his peculiar combination of mythology, theology, and thrilling plots. This came out of a mixed inheritance of reading habits, he reveals.
Writing a Sequel to a Pulitzer Prize Winner: Less is Lost, But Andrew Sean Greer is Not

Writing a Sequel to a Pulitzer Prize Winner: Less is Lost, But Andrew Sean Greer is Not

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less, Andrew Sean Greer went against industry advice to release a sequel this year: Less is Lost. He talks about his writing process, character inspirations, favourite LGBTQIA+ books, and much more.
What Does It Take to be Published by HarperCollins India? Executive Editor Swati Daftuar Answers All Your Questions

What Does It Take to be Published by HarperCollins India? Executive Editor Swati Daftuar Answers All Your Questions

Swati Daftuar is the person behind books by literary giants like Amish Tripathi, Ashwin Sanghi, Chetan Bhagat, Anuja Chauhan, and Preeti Shenoy. She tells us all about her process, favourite reads, and TBR pile.
I Allow Words the Liberty to Take the Form they Choose: Author Jerry Pinto

I Allow Words the Liberty to Take the Form they Choose: Author Jerry Pinto

Prolific writer and translator Jerry Pinto speaks about existential writing, deconstructing stereotypes, and the relief he finds in translation.
It’s Terrifying to Think Fictional Characters Have Such a Hold on You: Author Aanchal Malhotra

It’s Terrifying to Think Fictional Characters Have Such a Hold on You: Author Aanchal Malhotra

As Aanchal Malhotra gets ready to launch her first fiction novel, The Book of Everlasting Things, she gives Kunzum a sneak peek into the book and the challenges she faced in switching from oral history about the Partition to a fictional love story.
Literary Translation Plays a Critical Role in Building Bridges between Communities: Author & Translator Daisy Rockwell

Literary Translation Plays a Critical Role in Building Bridges between Communities: Author & Translator Daisy Rockwell

The translator of the 2022 International Booker Prize winner, Tomb of Sand, Daisy Rockwell speaks about the craft of translation, her affinity for Partition novels, and her upcoming projects.
We Don’t Recognise All The Ways Women Contribute To The Economy: Author Shaili Chopra

We Don’t Recognise All The Ways Women Contribute To The Economy: Author Shaili Chopra

Founder of SheThePeople.TV and author of Sisterhood Economy, Shaili Chopra speaks with Kunzum about the often-invisible contribution of women to the economy.
I Am All My Characters: André Aciman on Writing about Desire, Shame, Insecurity, and Gender Fluidity

I Am All My Characters: André Aciman on Writing about Desire, Shame, Insecurity, and Gender Fluidity

The bestselling author of Call Me By Your Name talks about his most popular novels, writing about desire and shame, gender-fluid characters, and his next book.
Reading List: Filmmaker Onir Lists His Favourite Books

Reading List: Filmmaker Onir Lists His Favourite Books

Onir didn’t want his autobiography to be just another Bollywood memoir rife with glamour and gossip but a tool to empower and educate marginalised communities. This reading list serves the same purpose.
Bearing the Torch With Pride: Ameya Narvankar, Author | Conversations

Bearing the Torch With Pride: Ameya Narvankar, Author | Conversations

It’s a world that has an instinctive itch to change. It evolves even as it stays the same. And in its everlasting quest to reform and repeat the bygone, it needs its crusaders, it finds its crusaders. Ayesha, is one such crusader, bearing the torch...
“I wanted to tell the story of people whose traumatic experiences during the insurgency are silenced by political narratives”: Hannah Lalhlanpuii, Author | Conversations

“I wanted to tell the story of people whose traumatic experiences during the insurgency are silenced by political narratives”: Hannah Lalhlanpuii, Author | Conversations

The world has worked overtime to distance its children from everything that’s wrong with it. Wars, for instance. News and literature about real life wars were a taboo for children, even young adults, except for a The Diary of a Young Girl occasionally thrown in. Recently, however, the plot has changed.
That Sparkling hOle in the Little Bookshelf: Sayoni Basu, Consulting Editor, Penguin Random House | Conversations

That Sparkling hOle in the Little Bookshelf: Sayoni Basu, Consulting Editor, Penguin Random House | Conversations

A kid with a book is an onlooker’s delight. However, it is not just that. A kid with a book is an affirmation of an alternate future, a future that is hard to predict. A future that may never materialise. A luminous, promising future.
The Middle Finger travels through its strictly sheltered alleys and leaves behind a sparkling smudge: Saikat Majumdar, Author | Conversations

The Middle Finger travels through its strictly sheltered alleys and leaves behind a sparkling smudge: Saikat Majumdar, Author | Conversations

Where would we all return if not to love? Why won’t we die, to live? Saikat Majumdar’s latest novel is about love, and sacrifice. It’s about Eklavya giving up his thumb to his guru. It’s about Megha returning to arrange a bookshelf with Poonam.
The Land of the Thunder Dragons …and Its Little Monster Fighters | Evan Purcell, Author | Conversations

The Land of the Thunder Dragons …and Its Little Monster Fighters | Evan Purcell, Author | Conversations

Superheroes are a common occurrence in children’s and YA stories. So Karma Tandin could be just another Batman or Spiderman next door. However, hold on! Evan Purcell, author of the Karma Tandin Monster Hunter series, planned this little superhero differently.
“Everyone Recognises the Value of Reading at Some Level”: Himanjali Sankar, Editorial Director, Simon & Schuster | Conversations

“Everyone Recognises the Value of Reading at Some Level”: Himanjali Sankar, Editorial Director, Simon & Schuster | Conversations

Publishing a book is like stuffing a note into a bottle and hurling it into the sea. Some bottles drown, some come safe to land, where the notes are read and then possibly cherished, or else misinterpreted, or else understood all too well by those who hate the message. You never know who your readers might be.
“I Write the Story for Myself”: Arefa Tehsin, Children’s Author | Conversations

“I Write the Story for Myself”: Arefa Tehsin, Children’s Author | Conversations

Each time a story is told for children, a little nugget of intellectual innocence and truthfulness is added to the world. It swerves humankind towards a more enlightened prospect. Arefa Tehsin has stirred us in this direction quite a few times with her handful of children’s books – The Chirmi Chasers, Amra and the Witch, Globetrotters, Steel of the Jungle God.