#Interview with Nilesh Shankar, #Author of The Feisty Rat and Other Stories

About Nilesh Shankar:

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Nilesh Shankar hails from Nagpur. He realized his passion of storytelling when he directed his first play in 11th Grade. His academic (B.Tech- NIT Nagpur, PGDM- IIM Kozhikode) and professional journey of sales gave him a chance to explore diverse parts of the country and discover intriguing lives of its people- their society, culture, struggles and relationships.

He believes that every story deserves a suitable medium and experiments with radio and films along with books. He has pitched a story to NFDC and his first short film is under process. ‘The Feisty Rat and other stories’, is his debut book.

Interview with Nilesh Shankar:

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?

In 11th Grade when I directed my first play.

What inspires you to write?

Stories of people that I come across at various turns of life.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?

Mine is a collection of 11 short stories and all these were inspired by the people whom  I met during my journey.

Are there some stories tucked away in some drawer that was written before and never saw the light of the day?

Yes there are few and I am confident that soon they will come out of the darkness of drawer and see the light of the day.

Tell us about your writing process.

I am juggling between professional responsibilities and my passion. On weekdays I jot down the rough ideas in wee hours and on weekends give them a detailed form.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene is from the story THE APARTMENT of the collection. It`s the scene where Anurag while crossing the busy road with Bani involuntarily switches his side towards the coming traffic cautiously directing her like a father directs his child. I love this scene because it proves his love for her, because love always shows in involuntary actions.

Did any of your characters inherit some of your own quirks?

No, but since they are inspired from the people I came across I can definitely introduce you to few with whom the characters inherit their quirks.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Sometimes I spend hrs thinking about that one write word which describes emotion or scene perfectly as I visualized.

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?

Yes, of course.  I love reading Manto, Orwell, Shakespeare. Manto definitely has some influence on my writing. I always admired his short stories and the way have ended them.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?

I took inspiration from Salinger`s quote “An artist's only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

A writer only writes about things that he is emotionally attached with else you are not writing but just selling.

What would be the Dream Cast for you book if it was to be turned into a movie?

I would really love to see The Treatment developing in a short movie with Manoj Bajpayee and Radhika Apte playing lead protagonists.

If you were to be stranded on the famous deserted island, what three things would you carry?

A big water container, A bag of dates and a box of Books.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?

Reading/Watching Movies at home or in theatre/meeting friends. Not specifically I can unwind anywhere.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list?

I want to direct a film.

Tell us three fun facts about yourself.

- I only eat non-oily food at nights.

- I have missed more trains than Kareena from JAB WE MET.

What do you have in store next for your readers?

Either a short film on another collection of short stories.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?

Hope that my book reaches to every one who loves short stories covering various aspects of India- its people, their culture and relations.

About the Book:

Check out the Book

THE FEISTY RAT AND OTHER STORIES gives a glimpse of cultural, social and political milieu of today`s India and explores changing norms of family and relationships. Adolescent Durga battles the triple evil of Casteism, Patriarchy and Poverty in titular story, Old Mariam seeks her place in the family in THE MUFFLER and little Kanak encounters the demon of superstition in THE WILD RIVER. Young Shambhu ironically doubts our Freedom on INDEPENDENCE DAY and Avik realizes that the established model of happiness is mere PLACEBO. Love strives to survive amid hate in THE DESERT ROSE, a young drifting couple learns the importance of communication in THE NEW APARTMENT and an old colonel succeeds in restoring his GRAMOPHONE and marital life.