I am a compulsive chaos seeker: Novoneel Chakraborty

Getting the tag of best-seller is not easy. How do you work on your plots to impress your readers?

When I start writing a story, I don’t actually work in that way, to impress my readers or to get myself included in the best selling list. It’s just that I am excited enough to perceive how my readers are so interested about the plots and characters of my story. People, most of the time, come and tell me that ‘your story lines and plot lines are quite different from other authors’, this attracts me and gives me a tremendous pleasure.

You are one of the few writers in India who is wholly into the thriller genre. Do you have any plans to alter that style and experiment with something new this year or in the future?

Yeah, I am working on something different from the thriller genre. But I would like to keep it a surprise. Most probably, it will be coming up by next year. And going back to your question, whether I have plans of experimenting something new in the future, then yes, I want to work on children’s literature. Because I think writing for the kids is really difficult, so I want to try that.

Since you write romantic thrillers, the term ’romance’ has various interpretations in the world of literature. How will author Novoneel Chakraborty define the term ‘romance’ in the 21st century?

Romance cannot have a very generalized definition. The concept varies from individual to individual and I personally respect everyone’s point of view.

So, what new book/s are we getting from you in 2017?

I haven’t locked a name yet, but it will be a romantic thriller.

Tell us a bit about the plot of the book.

The story features an eighteen year old girl, who goes to Bangalore to attend University and meets a man there, who is double her age. The plot is all about the chemistry and the intensity between them, whether they can stay in a relationship or they cannot. If not, then why not?

Last time, in an interview with us you said that your book ‘The Stranger Trilogy’ will be adapted into a film. At what stage is it right now?

Last time when I spoke about translating the book into a film, things were working at that time. But later when the producer, director and I sat together and discussed elaborately about it, we realized that things aren’t working comfortably. To adapt the entire three series into one particular movie might make the film quite long, so it became a bit difficult.

Among all the books that you have written till date which one is your favourite?

‘How about a SIN tonight?’ is my favourite because I think in this novel, for the first time, I have been able to hear my voice, my weakness, my inner strength, which has helped me to explore myself as a writer.

How’s your experience working as a screenplay writer in the television series?

Television series is a different ball game, altogether. The medium is completely different. I really don’t enjoy working in it but since there is a lot of money involved in it, I cannot let it go either.

There is this constant battle going on with gender based differences or women demanding for equal rights with men. In this situation how will you portray your women characters?

All the eight books that I have written till now, my protagonists have always been female. And I have never portrayed them as weak characters, all of them are bold, aggressive and inherently strong.

We should always realize that whether it is a woman, a man or a third gender, all of us should work together as every creation is special and should be respected.

We all know that you want to be a film-maker. Has the making already began or  about to begin?

It’s about to begin. I have done a short film though, on women empowerment, which will be coming out in April or May.

If you are aware, few days back there has been a report from Bangladesh that some works of Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay have been deleted from the school syllabus. What are your thoughts?

Literature should never be banned, it showcases society, shows us where we stand. Rather literature is a guide for the society and helps us to recognize that there are better directions or options to avail. It has its own power and that power should be used in a positive way rather than in a destructive way.

If you are to describe Novoneel Chakraborty in a sentence...

I am a compulsive chaos seeker and wherever there is an emotional disturbance, I love to be in that situation as it gives me a lot to think about.

(Images By Avishek Mitra and Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS )