An Indian Rendezvous

Will Indians prove a patch on Western authors when it comes to writing romance? PT finds out as Mills & Boon comes calling to India.
After spinning romantic tales for a century now, the legendary Mills & Boon (now Harlenquin Enterprises), is hunting for writing talent in India. The tale of chance encounters, love-struck hearts, mushy romance, blaze, damsels in distress and the ever-lasting power of love will now be set against an Indian backdrop with the tale spun in the local idiom.
So, watch out.The plot might just be our very own Pune, with the heroine working in an IT company and meeting her heart-throb in one of the city pubs on a weekend. And, to lend authenticity to the characters, the detailing could also consider a change of names. Michelle may give place to Mohini and Rodger may well turn into Rahul!
Actress and TV host Suchitra Pillai says, ���As far as romance goes, Indian authors would definitely do justice, but I doubt whether the intimate dalliances would be as graphic as we find it when coming from Western writers. I have no problems coming across Ravi and Shanti as characters in the novel, although it will sound odd. But yes, Indian authors would definitely add another dimension to the series.���
India has a rich romantic tradition and to prove that we have a monument like the Taj Mahal. Our mythological tales are often seeped into love. VJ Mini Mathur says, ���Our romantic sensibilities are equally sharp. I don���t differentiate between Indian writers and Western writers. Rather, an Indian backdrop would make the series an interesting read.���
TV actor Sampada Vaze sounds excited about the whole thing. She says, ���That���s really interesting. The story line that is the characteristic of M&B is similar to what we see in Bollywood movies. Moreover, we have many good Indian writers who are on par with foreign writers. The Indian setting will surely bring more readers. And, I feel people would prefer Neeta to Nancy.��� Indian writers are gifted with quite a prolific pen even when it comes to describing intimate scenes, she adds.
Generations have grown up on the age-old romance series. The stories have been page-turners and that���s what the readers expect in the series ahead. Devika Mahajan, a media person who grew up reading M&B, says, ���I am okay with the Indian backdrop to the stories, but it is not just about a name change. I would expect the story to create the same kind of anticipation that is generated by the foreign writers of the series. If that is ensured, then the series will definitely be a success.���
Well, it remains to be seen whether Indian authors manage to live up to the Taj Mahal���s reputation as being the original destination of romance.