Books

Ashwin Sanghi

The businessman-author talks about his fourth book, The Sialkot Saga—a business thriller about two men from different backgrounds, linked to an ancient secret.

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Ashwin Sanghi
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Tell us about the genesis of the book.

I wanted to write a book about the world of Indian business.

You come from a business family, why did a book on business come fourth?

My writing was initially an escape from the world of business.

Why set the book in Calcutta?

Because in post-Independence India, Calcutta and Bombay were the two commercial centres.

Why the title?

The story begins and ends in Sialkot, Pakistan, but there are 60 years of narrative between the beginning and the end. Hence the title.

Tell us about your two protagonists, Arbaaz and Arvind.

Arbaaz and Arvind both have grown up in different worlds. One is an underworld thug; the other dabbles in white-collar crime.

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You have introduced real characters. Who is your favourite?

Atal Behari Vajpayee buying toys at Schwartz is my all-time favourite!

The novel is a mix of history, mythology, business, politics. How did it come together?

A detailed plot outline eventually holds the disparate strands together.

Are there aspects of you that have leaked into the book?

I would hope not! Both protagonists are crooks!

How is this one different from your other works?

The Bharat Series is a mix of fact and fiction, with a core historical/mythological mystery. In The Sialkot Saga this is the first time that I’ve explored contemporary Indian history.

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You have written a crime thriller, non-fiction, and one more Bharat novel. How and when does “the next” come about?

There are several ‘nexts’ that exist. I simply cherry-pick one that I think I can live with!

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