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Manpriya Singh 

A few things characterise all book festivals; unknown writers, established authors and, of course, books.  So, who takes centrestage? Depends on factors that vary from the purpose of the fest to the atmosphere that exists. While some are glitzy affairs, others embarrassed by empty chairs and uninterested audience; however, Literati, two-day literature festival organised by Chandigarh Literary Society retains its ‘bookish charm’. Taking stock of day one…

First take

Starting from the inaugural session of author, actor and director Piyush Mishra talking about his book Kuch Ishq Kiya, Kuch Kaam Kiya… conversations on broken rules, love, sexuality and patriotism shuttle between the sessions, as do the authors who explore these subjects. For instance, Neelima Dalmia Adhar, who talks about her book Father Dearest: The Life and Times of RK Dalmia — the man who is captured in his best and worst, including his six wives and 18 children, by his biographer daughter!  “I am a child of polyandry and polygamy, howsoever you want to put it,” she is disarmingly candid. “I have been told that if this were fiction, it would be too bizarre to be believable,” she adds. 

On to celluloid 

From Calling Sehmat to Raazi, author Harinder Sikka talks about his journey from the character in the book to the one on celluloid. “I wanted somebody with soul and Sufiana leanings to direct it. For me, it was Sehmat I was putting out there, for them it was just another commercial interest,” he says. 

His first condition for giving the celluloid rights to the book included that it be directed by Meghna Gulzar with Alia playing Sehmat. “They told that I couldn’t interfere so I refused to give the book. They also said I was quoting an obnoxious price for a book that didn’t sell in lakhs,” shares the author to an audience curious to know whether they’ll ever get to see the real Sehmat? 

When it comes to unveiling the real Sehmat, he  says, “I will not break my promise, but I’m sure somebody will reveal her.” For those who’ve seen the film, did she actually kill her brother-in-law? Contrary to what the script says, “I don’t think she could’ve done it because ‘mercury killing’ requires a lot of precision.” Each chapter was shown and preapproved. He adds, “When that particular chapter was sent to her, she did not cut anything.” 

Girl in the train 

Author Preeti Shenoy talks about her latest book The Rule Breakers, one that took eight months to materialise. It is a novel about a young woman’s struggle to strike out on her own. The story of righteous and bright Veda, trapped in an arranged marriage, moving from the valleys of Joshimath to an apartment in Pune. What makes her give birth to the stories and characters? “I have around 50 ideas in my head but what I develop further is the idea that refuses to go away.” For her book It’s All In The Planets, the idea first struck while she was commuting on a Shatabdi from Delhi to Chandigarh. 

Up next

Coming up on Day 2 is author Gurcharan Das for his session Earthly Desires: Kama Diaries, and author Aseem Chhabra  in context of Starry Dreams: Mumbai Calling; not to forget motivational speaker Shiv Khera in context of his latest book You Can Achieve More, which as he calls, is a companion to You Can Win,” his global bestseller. The date with books continues. 

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