‘Twists are in the depth of the characters’

What inspired you to write Simian?

When I was young, my grandmother used to tell me tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as bedtime stories. My favourites involved Hanuman and Bali. Then as I grew older and I thought about them in detail, I found myself questioning certain aspects of the stories I couldn't come to terms with. My grandmother couldn't answer them, it was upto me. And I soon found, among others of my generation, that I wasn't alone in this questioning. That was the seed of the idea for Simian. To deal with these questions in me. 

Why do you think a legend like that of Hanuman's needed a re-telling?

These legends have been told and retold countless times in hundreds of languages over the past three thousand years. I don't know why they have survived and others haven't. All I know is that there must be a reason why they are so much a part of our culture and us. I think retelling these stories is part of their nature. They are open to it since they are not written in stone and that is what is so unique and beautiful about them. 

How did the story of Simian formulate in your mind? How difficult (or easy) was it to get it down on paper?

The story formulated as a result of the delving questions I have had ever since my grandmother used to tell me the Ramayana as a young boy. It had a long gestation period. 

I had to mature into the person I am now for it to be ready. That part was beyond my control. Regarding difficulty; on the one hand the work was incredibly hard but on the other hand it made sense to me, so that made it easier. 

Does your graphic novel add any twists to the story that everyone knows?

Yes, it does. The twists are in the depth of the characters and the unique and interesting exploration of what is so familiar to us in the story of the Ramayana. I dig deep and explore the characters relationships and motivations. Why did Sugriva kill his brother Bali? Why does Ram decide to stay in the forest even when Bharat comes to take him back? Why did Ravan really kidnap Sita? It is meant for both those readers familiar with the Ramayana, and those who don't know anything about the story. 

Why did you pick Ramayana and Hanuman's story?

I picked the Ramayana because it means so much to me. I've known the story since before I can remember and that fascination with it has never left me. When my grandmother used to tell me the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, from that very young age I always identified more with the Vanars. And I chose Hanuman's story because I found his story the most compelling. I also felt it hadn't been explored yet, the way it should be.

Do you have plans to take on any other character from any other epic in the future?

Not yet. I'm working on part three of Simian right now. There's time after that.

If you weren't an author what would you have been?

Actually I'm a film-maker by training and profession, and being an author feels no different. I'm doing what I've always been doing, and that is telling stories.