Author Interview - Randeep Wadehra

'The Book Club' welcomes the author of the new dystopian thriller, 'The Curse'. Mr. Wadehra is a prolific writer and is blessed with beautiful language, deep political know-how and ironic wit. He has penned multiple books and is recognized generously by media for his writing and political analysis skills. 

Q: Do you listen to music when you're writing? If yes, what kind?

Author: Not always. But whenever I do, it is Sufi music. Its spiritual romance is enchanting.

Q: Tell us about your main character and who inspired him/her.

A: There are actually two main characters. Saaya and Jwaala. Saaya is essentially a good guy turned bad by injustice. For him, a violent revolution is the only answer to the injustice suffered by him and his people. He worships his mother. Years ago, I came across a write-up on a dacoit from Chambal, who had to flee his village to escape oppression at the hands of the police and local strongmen. That remained at the back of mind when I set out to write this novel.

Jwaala, a woman politician, orphaned in a terrorist attack, is vibrant, sensuous and aggressive by nature. She is a politician with a revolutionary’s soul. Torn between her preference for violence as tool for political reform and her mentor’s insistence on democratic and peaceful path, she chooses the latter, but doesn’t hesitate while resorting to arms if the situation arises. I could not get her political equivalent although there have been strong lady politicians around the world who have made their mark like Gold Meir, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher etc. Jwaala is different from them and unique as a woman with curious contradictions in her mental make-up.

Q: What is your favorite quote from your book and why?

Author: Two, in fact. First is the tribal woman’s curse: 

Through peace, it’s justice we seek! /The hunter will meet the fate of the hunted/And the mighty will serve the meek!It is the mainstay of this novel’s theme, reflecting the Gandhian ethos. 

The second quote needs no explanation:

Another reporter asked, “Do you agree with Guruji when he says both religion and political ideology have become anachronisms today?”

“Dangerous anachronisms, actually!” Jwaala exclaimed, “Politicians have been using religion and ideology to divide and exploit people.”

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Author: It should make sense to the reader and be relevant to the times. The narrative should impel a reader to think. All this should be done in a lucid and, preferably, entertaining way

Q: Tell us something about your book, ‘The Curse’.

A: It’s a dystopian thriller with a social-political message. It’s relevant to the contemporary times when injustice and violence are on the rise. Although a revenge saga, it places the nonviolent way of avenging an injustice on a much higher plane than violent revenge. There are elements of crime, injustice, sex and violence, which take the narrative to a level where entertainment and serious thought converge.

We hope you enjoyed reading the interview as much as we enjoyed talking to Mr. Wadehra. Please do take some time to check out his latest book, ‘The Curse’ which has all the elements of a thrilling read. Below is the link:

https://amzn.to/2Mohsw2