What do a right-wing YouTube creator and a small-town salesgirl have in common?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Prayaag Akbar, author of Mother India, to explore the intersections of identity, ambition, and the rapid transformations of urban India. Through the lives of Mayank, a right-wing YouTuber, and Nisha, a small-town salesgirl navigating Delhi’s class-driven chaos, Prayaag examines the human cost of our obsession with relevance and validation.

Prayaag shares the creative journey behind his novel, from an abandoned historical fiction project to crafting this sharp and modern tale. He dives into the complexities of balancing flawed, relatable characters with a fast-moving narrative, revealing how Delhi itself became a character in the book. With conversations about social media’s real-world impact, the power of motivation in storytelling, and the soul of a city in flux, this episode is packed with insights for readers and writers alike.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a novel both timely and timeless, or how fiction can capture the pulse of a city, this episode is for you.

Books Mentioned in this episode:
Leila - Prayaag Akbar
A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan
You Envy the Coutinhos and Other Migrants in the Middle East - Michelle D’Costa
Temporary People - Deepak Unnikishan
Deepti Kapoor
Shivani Sibal
Anjum Hasan

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

Curious about how fiction unravels the complexities of identity and migration?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Ammar Kalia, author of A Person is a Prayer, and Ram Murali, author of Death in the Air, to discuss their remarkable debut novels.

Ammar Kalia explores the ripple effects of migration on family dynamics through the lens of Bedi’s journey from Kenya to India. Ram Murali’s Death in the Air takes readers to an Indian Himalayan spa, combining Agatha Christie-style intrigue with contemporary questions about justice and identity.

Both authors share how their diverse personal backgrounds shaped their storytelling, offering a window into the immigrant experience, family relationships, and the spiritual undertones of their narratives.

In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we highlight two emerging voices in fiction, delving into their creative processes, the role of memory in shaping stories, and the layered themes that make their novels so compelling.

Tune in as Ammar and Ram share their thoughts on navigating the intersection of migration and identity, the challenges of balancing mystery with meaning, and the stories that inspired their unforgettable characters.

Books Mentioned in this episode:
The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri
The Believers - Zoë Heller
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous - Ocean Vuong
Whose Body? - Dorothy L. Sayers

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

As India rises on the world stage, what stories and narratives are we ready to share?

In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara and Michelle speak with author Sriram Devtha the author of Amrut: The Great Churn. Diving into the heart of Indian brands that have received global recognition with Amrut Distilleries, a brand pushing boundaries in the whiskey market. We explore the journey from its early days to becoming a major soft power player, reaching enthusiasts in Sweden.

They discuss the crucial moments in Amrut’s rise, like the fusion story and how pivotal figures shaped the brand, from finance head Lakshmanan, who’s been with the company for 50 years, to the distillery’s unique culture, where trust in people is key.

Sriram reflects on what it takes to build an enduring brand, sharing his approach to narrative nonfiction. He seamlessly weaves personal stories of Amrut’s founding family, their challenges, and triumphs, creating stories that resonate both locally and internationally.

Listen in as Sriram reveals how Amrut, a small Indian whiskey brand, took the world by storm. He shares personal insights into the Amrut family legacy and explores how Indian brands can become global icons.

Books mentioned in this episode:
Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese
Covenant of Water - Abraham Verghese
Big Billion Startup - Mihir Dalal

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.