Q: The title suggests of your new book "Revolution
2020" has an epic quality to the tale. Is this your
most epic book to date?
A: It is a somewhat grand title and at some level it represents
the grand aspirations of one of the characters. However,
it still is, at its heart, a love story about individuals.
Yes, compared to my other books, it is somewhat larger in
scope.
Q: The novel's theme suggests a triangular love
tale against a socio-political backdrop. What has prompted
you to try this format?
A: I became involved with national issues, especially when
I started to write columns two years ago. Education and
corruption became the two causes I wrote about the most
in my opinion pieces. As I delved deeper into understanding
India, I felt a revolution was inevitable. To explore that
idea more, I had started writing "Revolution 2020"
two years ago...Quite amazingly, the book is coming out
at a time when we have some early signs of a revolution
in front of us.
Q: How much of the socio-political upheavals influences
your fiction?
A: It is inevitable that some of my thoughts about social
issues will creep into my stories. However, I am very strict
about not indulging in social messages too much. A story
needs to be entertaining and be able to connect with the
readers foremost. If a social thought can fit into that
I incorporate it.
Q: How political is "Revolution 2020"?
A: It isn't a political novel as such, and there is no
political agenda either. However, when you look at politics
in the broader sense in terms of making people think in
a certain manner, then I am hoping "Revolution 2020"
will do that to a certain extent.
Q: How much pressure did you feel to deliver the
novel to your expectant readership? Does that pressure take
away from the pleasure of writing?
A: There was significant pressure at the start. The book
is coming after "2 States", "3 Idiots"
and two years of writing columns. I've a lot more readers
than the previous book, and it is difficult to make everyone
happy at the same time. However, the early reviews of "Revolution
2020" are extraordinary, and I am now not worried at
all. I think the book will deliver to expectations and some
more.
Q: The movie rights of all your novels have been
sold. Do you enjoy the thought of your words being given
a visual spin?
A: Yes, of course. I write in English, which though is
growing at a fast pace, does not reach a majority of Indians.
Also, many Indians still prefer movies over books. So, if
a medium allows my story to reach new people, why not? However,
it is not the main reason why I write, and I do not obsess
about the film adaptations anymore. I'm fortunate to have
a large readership for my books already.
Q: There has been no progress on the movie version
of "2 States". Is that a bother?
A: Not at all. I have realised that the films business
is slow and depends on many factors...I sold the rights
of "Five Point Someone" in 2005, and "3 Idiots"
only came in 2009. Even "Hello" took three years.
A lot of filmmakers have told me "2 States" has
enormous potential, and so I am confident the film will
get made.
Q: Finally, what would you tell your young readers
about the fight against corruption which Anna Hazare has
started?
A: I would like to congratulate the youth who came together,
irrespective of identity differences to fight for the right
cause and defend the truth. Truth shall prevail are the
first words in the constitution. Without a foundation of
truth, equality and justice, democracy is meaningless. We
must restore the foundation if we want to be a great nation.
BOLLYWOOD 
