Conversations with Aurangzeb

‘Comprehensively irreverent . . . genre-bending . . . sparklingly witty.’ – MANU PILLAI

‘Who would have thought Aurangzeb could be so entertaining.’ – MANU JOSEPH

A writer hopes to get some primary research done for his new book by interviewing the spirit of Shah Jahan. But the endeavour turns into an obstacle course, with his translator arguing about how to start a novel, a fellow writer giving him unsolicited feedback, and a friend plaguing him with phone calls. Worst of all, Shah Jahan is elbowed out by Aurangzeb, who hijacks the novel. In a series of conversations that touch upon everything from marketing strategies for emperors to mutiny, from Marxism to Sunny Leone, and culminates in two men and a spirit going to a bar, Aurangzeb and various other visitors tell a story no one could have predicted.

Part historical novel, part satire, Conversations with Aurangzeb – by the cult Tamil writer Charu Nivedita and brilliantly translated by Nandini Krishnan – is a biting commentary on our times.