What's the Point?

AMRITA MUKHERJEE / TNN / Jun 26, 2006, 20:48 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Chetan Bhagat could well ask. But that he is not much older than the people he writes about makes his readers 'bank' on him.

Chetan Bhagat could well ask. But that he is not much older than the people he writes about makes his readers 'bank' on him. Amrita Mukherjee makes the average
Are you working on any new book at the moment?
I have started planning my third book, but not started writing it. I am not revealing the storyline. Suspense is an author's biggest weapon. Five Point Someone came from your real-life experiences.But tell us about your research experiences while you were writing One Night@ the Call Center?
My research for ON@CC came from my cousins who work in call centers. The straightforward route of meeting management was not possible. So I tried to meet as many agents as I could and also sneaked into call centers (with their assistance). This way I could observe things firsthand.

In One Night... you mention that it was a bad boss who inspired you to write this story. Tell us more about this boss?
This boss was a person who undermined me in almost everything. Over time, he made me believe that something was wrong with me and that I could never do well. Somehow, I let this affect me and lost my confidence.
That inspired Shyam's character in ON@CC. How would you react if people say that your books are best read while travelling in a plane or train and can't be treated as a serious effort at novel writing?

I would say that some of it is true. My books are simple and have high entertainment value. However, they do deal with serious issues and have managed to capture the pulse of modern India. To that extent, it is serious enough. That is why the books have longevity. People get off the train and still talk about them.
Any plans of turning into a full-time author or you are too fond of investment banking to leave it altogether?
There are plans to turn into full-time writing, but I need more stable footing. After all, I am just about two years old as a published writer. As far as investment banking is concerned -- I like it, but 'fond' is not a word you will find too many people use about the industry.
In an interview you have said, "It's my dream -- I want to see my country a developed nation before I die." How will you make your contribution sitting in Hong Kong?
I came to Hong Kong to learn about China, and to see how it develops. I think that knowledge will be useful when I do return -- which should not be too far down the line. Meanwhile, I think my books are reaching young people and inspiring them. That is a tiny contribution in a way.
I travel to India a lot, maybe around 15-20 times a year. So, even though I am based in HK, I am never out of touch. I know which movies are releasing each Friday, and what political issues are making headlines.
Had you not gone to IIT, IIM, do you think you would have been half as successful as you are today?
Depends how you define success. If you mean in terms of having a job or brand value as a writer -- then the answer is possibly no. However, if you also include having a wonderful family, great friends and good health as part of success, then I'd could be doing fine even without those degrees.
One Night... is going be made into a film now and you are writing the script.
How would you react if the filmmaker takes liberties with certain sequences and develops the story according to his own vision?
Depends what kind of liberties. It is like if one does a bit of make-up to make a girl look more beautiful, it is OK. If they do plastic surgery - that won't be good. I am working with good people. I think they know they value of keeping the essence of the story.

End of Article