With eleven crime novels to his credit, Vish Dhamija, one of the best legal crime fiction writers in the country is back with an edge-of-the-seat new crime thriller, Déjà Karma (Pan Macmillan India). Frequently quoted in the Indian press as a ‘master of crime and courtroom drama’ Dhamija’s thrillers have been called ‘India’s best page-turner’. We get talking to him about his new book and the philosophical touch he brings to it with Karma.
Excerpts
Q. The book starts on a very philosophical note, quoting from the Bhagwad Gita; how does that connect with the story?
A. Déjà Karma is a story of an unscrupulous, but a very successful lawyer, Jay Singh. Winning is important to him at any cost. The story revolves around the concept of Karma—that our actions have consequences and therefore, it is important that we make positive choices in life. As the story progresses, we see the consequences of the right/wrong choices Jay Singh makes, and the price of those choices he pays as consequence. The message I want to convey is that while winning is important, it isn’t everything; it is equally important that the path to victory isn’t wrong or sinful. Otherwise, winning is for losers!
Q. You studied law and quit, and your affair with it still continues through your books. How difficult or easy is it to weave a story and set it in the courtroom? What are the usual timelines you take to write them?
A. Three questions in one—wow, you could have been a lawyer!
Yes, I studied law for a year, but that was a different era, and I gave it up for lack of career opportunities at the time, which I later regretted. Life rarely gives a second chance to fulfil your ambitions, and I am fortunate that I can write legal fiction to make up for that lost chance/dream.
I can say it with conviction that writing legal thrillers isn’t easy, it is a lot of work (research, fact-finding, fact-checking, consulting, re-checking), but the work put into the storytelling, pays. There is a huge audience for it that makes up for the hard work.
Legal fiction is tricky; as I mentioned before there are a lot of facts to be checked to make a story realistic. It usually takes me about 7/8 months to write the first draft, and then the editing etc., takes another few months, so let’s say it takes me a year.
Q. Jay Singh is the darkest shade of grey with a solid man, Friday/chauffeur Bhima, and while both are on the wrong side of karma, you still tend to like Bhima for his undying loyalty. Were the two characters sketched exactly the way they are, or did they evolve with the story?
A. No, Bhima was meant to be Jay’s shadow, a side-kick when I plotted the story if I am being honest, but once I got into his character I realised he was as important to the story as Jay himself. He is as much a protagonistas Jay and he should be seen as that. Bhima completes Jay and vice-versa. In the final manuscript they had become each other’s shadows.
Q. Your books have taken to screen, a format gaining popularity; do writers have a say once the book is bought by a production house on the content and portrayal?
A. There is no rule as such. It depends on the producer, the deal, and the role the producer and writer agree upon at the start. Each agreement is different.
Q. Your Rita Ferreira series has a female protagonist and is the one you bought screen rights for. Share how different it is to sketch female leads and how and when you decide on the gender of the lead in your stories.
A. Bhendi Bazaar, where DCP Rita Ferreira first appeared was a very unique story. The villain/antagonist was an extremely strong character, and if it hadn’t been for a stronger protagonist, the villain might have walked away with all the glory. I wanted a protagonist strong enough to shift the balance. But I did not want a character that was superhuman, and Rita fit the mould—someone who had her flaws and was still fabulous in the job. I decide gender of characters based on the story. In the eleven books so far, I’d say I have given equal roles to male and female characters.
The author is a senior publishing professional; founder MarketMyBook, TheIndicPen and children’s author. She can be found on twitter @LipikaB.