@Ramya
Ramya V
@Ramya · 1:20

#AskAnAuthor : A Conversation with Juggi Bhasin, author of 'Those Who Wait'.

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Bhasin made his debut as a writer in 2012 with the critically acclaimed successful thriller The Terrorist, which was followed by four more successful books, all published by Penguin Random House. He's also a communications and behavioral counselor with several years of experience behind him. His latest new thriller, Those Who Wait When Revenge Clashes with Power, takes the reader into the intense lives of a few of the most powerful individuals in the country and has been launched to great reviews

#authorinterview #askanauthor #politicalthriller #amreading #books

@Ramya
Ramya V
@Ramya · 0:17

1. How do you approach balancing fact and fiction in your storytelling?

Your novel features a mix of real world, political and social elements woven into a fictional narrative. What inspired you to blend these elements together? And how did you approach balancing fact and fiction in your storytelling?
@juggibhasin
Juggi Bhasin
@juggibhasin · 4:38

@Ramya

And what is the imperative for me to use fact in fiction and combine what is called reality fiction novels and make reality fiction novels? You see, simply we live in an age of neorealism, if you remember, like the old Bollywood films and in the they used to have village folk and both the men and the women never used to look like village folk. They would be dressed in outlandish clothes, with makeup all plastic made up and you were never convinced they were actual villagers
@Swell
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15

Welcome to Swell!

@Ramya
Ramya V
@Ramya · 0:17

2. Keeping the plot engaging while exploring complex societal issues.

Also, your book navigates a fine line between entertainment and commentary on social issues. How did you ensure that the plot remained engaging while also addressing these thought provoking themes?
@juggibhasin
Juggi Bhasin
@juggibhasin · 4:36

@Ramya

And I chronicle all these changes, these societal changes, in my new book, Those Who Wait, and how it not only transforms people, but causes great upheaval in the lives of individuals. And how this upheaval creates into some kind of a cataclysmic kind of clash towards the end, which can have serious repercussions on the stability of the country because remember, what affects the individual and if it starts growing more and more, it ultimately affects the nation or the country also. I believe in that
@Ramya
Ramya V
@Ramya · 0:49

3. A question on writing about sensitive topics - Geopolitical tensions, political polarization etc

Political polarization, spiritual influences and geopolitical tensions. These are some very intriguing and sensitive topics that your book touches upon. Also, I must say that the premise or very premise of certain people from the Shadows orchestrating events to devastate a country is something that I found to be very intriguing and unsettling. Also, JNU. Urban, Axles and China also prominently feature in your book
@juggibhasin
Juggi Bhasin
@juggibhasin · 4:39

@Ramya

So I've always been in touch with the geopolitical events which happen. I'm very well aware of that. But I have never shied away from talking about sensitive issues in my books. My first book, The Terrorist, was a big bestseller. But it touched on a very, very sensitive theme of a young Muslim boy who goes astray, who is misguided by elements both within the country and outside the country, that is, in Pakistan. He becomes a terrorist
@Ramya
Ramya V
@Ramya · 0:52

4. On embracing diverse roles - How have your experiences contributed to shaping your perspective as a writer?

I think I'll leave you with one final question, Mr. Bhasin. But before that, I would like to thank you for taking the time out and being a part of this conversation and giving us a ringside view of what went into the writing of Those who Wait. We'd love to continue to have your voice in the community, and I do hope to invite you back on for more such interesting conversations around your work. So, yeah, here goes
@juggibhasin
Juggi Bhasin
@juggibhasin · 4:39

@Ramya

Now, what all these various roles have done for me that they have given me a perspective in my biggest passion in life, which is writing. I write books. This is my 6th book which has been released. And all these experiences, somehow they wind their way into either plots or situation or even understanding the thinking of people, even understanding the compulsions of people, why do they do the things that they do?
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