PATRIOT | NEW DELHI | THURSDAY|4-10 JANUARY |2018 art&culture 13

Karishma Sahgal

TELL US about your latest book,

“Rebound”. What was the inspira-
tion behind this story? What was
the process of working on this
book like?
“Rebound” is a story inspired by
love and the inevitable sentiment it YOUNG GUN: Sanil Sachar
provides – hope. It’s a romantic
mystery inspired by a true story,
one I researched for about two
years before writing. It took several
drafts to get to the first words, sim-
ply because I wanted to do justice
to all those who were kind and
brave enough to share their stories
with me.
It is a journey about a schizo-
phrenic born in the circus life.
There was an abundance of
research which involved sitting
with people who have first-hand
experience in this subject, either as
patients or as family, friends and
medical assistance. The circus
research was more global, with a
trip to Russia over a year ago being
a pivotal factor to the setting.
The world needs to know more
about schizophrenia and to con-
nect that with the splendid art and
skill showcased in circuses was a
challenge I set myself because they
both have a common point where
they meet. (Of course, I won’t reveal
how and where for you!)
Which brings me to my next
question. “Rebound” is centred
around the themes of circus and
schizophrenia. Do these themes,
in a sense, depict some similarity
in your narrative?
This seems like a trick question! If
I say too much I might end up giving
out the entire story, if I say too little,
you might think I am trying to hide
that it might be similar! A bit of a
catch-22 situation for me! However,
I personally feel we are all part of a

The Juggle Master

circus, a bit like Shakespeare said –
‘the world is a stage’, I am merely
changing the venue.
As for “Rebound”, whether there
is a similarity and if so, where, that
is up to the readers. Currently, there
are conflicting views on this matter,
with readers emailing me regarding
questions similar to this. I might
soon reveal more.
Tell us about your background.
Do you recall any experience from
your past that has helped shape
your present attitude and beliefs?
A string of experiences have
moulded my current mindset. The
first and foremost being my mom
and dad, who have always encour-
aged my decisions as long as I give
it my best and am willing to acknowl-
edge failure in the same fields I want
to strive towards success in.
This ideology is exactly how I like
to train while running and playing
sports. To accelerate towards the
finish line and not slow down only
results in covering more than you
anticipate.
From being reluctant to take
steps, I despise ‘What if’ scenarios.
GOING AROUND: Sanil went to
Russia to research for his new book,
“Rebound”  PHOTOS: SANIL SACHAR
AT THE AGE OF 25, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, SANIL SACHAR,
ALREADY HAS THREE TITLES TO HIS CREDIT — HIS LATEST NOVEL BEING, “REBOUND”, WHICH
IS A STORY ABOUT A CIRCUS BOY AND HIS STRUGGLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA. PATRIOT TALKS
TO THE YOUNG WRITER ABOUT HIS NEW BOOK, HIS LIFE’S GREATEST INFLUENCES AND HIS
INPUTS FOR BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS AND WRITERS
They can eat you from within. I love
the energy and all the love given to
me by my readers, so their belief in
me makes me want to keep starting.
With them in mind, I don’t intend
to stop.
You’ve had two (“Rebound”
being the third) successful titles to
your credit. When did you discover
your love for writing? What was
your first piece of writing, and how
old were you when you wrote it?
I’ve been told my first work in
literature came when I was around
7 and wrote a Hindi poem about the
life of a bottle. I remember being
made to sit during family dinner,
where I was asked if I was doing well
and had anything to say. When I
asked them why they were all so
concerned, they admitted that the
poem was extremely deep, espe-
cially for a seven-year-old, who
never liked attending any class! (I’m
contemplating whether to post this
poem up or not!)
Skipping to the future, “Summer
Promises and Other Poems” were
words I typed on my Blackberry and
through constant emails and what
can be labeled as annoying mes-
sages (or perseverance as I’d like to
see it as), did these words turn into
my first book.
The journey is unexpected to say
the least. I feel like a fan boy being
given the chance to play ball on the
field. So I hope to make the most of
this everlasting moment. ‘book’, because there weren’t con- several thousand words in order to
As a writer, whose work are you ventional chapters in it. create a few hundred is the first and
most inspired by? Do you think Eventually, “Rebound” adorned last principle every writer should
their work has influenced your chapters. So, it took three books for always remember.
style and approach to writing? one book to be written! An acclaimed writer, an entre-
I love reading Mitch Albom’s Now, the best part of this frustra- preneur, a movie producer, a moti-
work. He’s got an extremely power- tion is that after three books, I have vational speaker who’s given talks
ful voice and it radiates in his nar- been told several times that I have at some of the most prestigious
ration. I wouldn’t say I am influ- completed the circle of literature by platforms – for someone so young,
enced by his work, but I’d definite- writing all forms. you’ve achieved a lot. What drives
ly admit to being in awe of it. I Now when I look at the start, was you?
would love to write a chapter with the frustration worth it? Every sin- India is a country bursting with
him to start with and see where that gle chapter-less book worth! talent, to be here and be associated
goes. Apart from the with these driven individuals is a
What, for you, is the inherent knack for kick start to each day. This country
TRUTH BE TOLD:
most gratifying aspect good storytelling, what has given me a lot of love from the
“WE ALL
of being a writer and according to you is the very beginning of my ventures and
POSSESS THE
what is its most frus- most essential quality I owe a lot back to it.
ABILITY TO
trating aspect? that makes a good The day anything gets to my
SPEAK THE
What used to frus- writer? head, I will no longer be able to per-
TRUTH. WE
trate me at the start was I often state and form at even 1% of what I want to
GET CAUTIOUS
that once “Summer admit that writers are reach. For now and I endeavour for
BECAUSE IT’S
Promises and Other extremely smart (and this to remain surreal and a moment
HARDER TO
Poems” was published shy) beings because of continuous trance.
RECEIVE TRUTH,
after several attempts of they write the truth and You are known to mentor and
THAN IT IS TO
be i n g t o l d ‘p o e t r y brand it as fiction. A support a lot of startups and are
SPEAK IT”
doesn’t sell’ or that ‘it is trait we all possess is planning to start a co-working
a dying art’, people real- the ability to speak the incubator project for the same.
ly loved and accepted it. However, truth, overtime we get cautious What is your best piece of advice
many didn’t consider it a book. because it’s harder to receive the for those looking to join the start-
Why? Simply because it didn’t have truth, than it is to speak it. To write, up bandwagon?
chapters! Then came “The Dark we all have to be face and portray Always look for a mentor in an
Side of Light”, a book with short the truth. investor rather than an investor in
stories, poetry and scripts, some- A reader should only buy a book a mentor. Being guided by stalwarts
thing the country hadn’t seen much but once they open it, it’s the flow in your industry will enable any
of and again I am very thankful for of words that should do the trick in startup to not only surpass the
my readers who connect with it. making them lose themselves in launch period but always cruise
Some still couldn’t consider it a those pages. The ability to part with towards steady sustenance.  n

EVENT: u INDIRA: A LIFE OF COURAGE AT INDIRA GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM, NEW DELHI: November 21-January 11