Politics, royalty, power, and betrayal come together in Of Crown and Conspiracies, a gripping political thriller that peels back the layers of influence, legacy, and ambition in modern India. Blending suspense with emotional depth, the novel takes readers into a world where old dynasties and contemporary politics collide in unexpected ways.
In this exclusive interview, the author shares the inspiration behind the story, the research that shaped its world, the balance between fiction and reality, and the possibility of seeing the novel adapted for the screen. Read on for an insightful conversation about storytelling, power, and the creative journey behind Of Crown and Conspiracies.
Q1. What inspired you to write this Political Thriller?
The seed of the story actually came from Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of Jio Star. He wanted to explore the lives of two of India’s most influential families and the complex relationship between politics and royalty. It was a fascinating premise because these are two institutions that have shaped India’s history in very different ways, yet their worlds have often overlapped.
What drew me to the idea was the human drama hidden beneath the power. Politics is rarely just about ideology. It is about ambition, loyalty, betrayal, legacy and family. Royalty, despite all its grandeur, struggles with exactly the same conflicts. When these two worlds collide, the stakes become enormous. Also in the post-independent India, we saw an enormous tug of war between the two power verticals when it came to claim over their control over the people and their lives. Obviously, that deep rooted conflict is source of any story by itself. I wonder why no one thought of it before.
We also had a few real-life references that made the world feel authentic without being tied to any one family or political event. That gave me the freedom to build a fictional political thriller while keeping the emotions and the power equations believable.
“The idea of bringing together politics and royalty certainly creates a unique backdrop for a thriller.”
Q2. Does this book have any semblance to real-life people, or is it purely fictional?
No. Like I said earlier, there are some real life references but that’s about it. ‘Of Crown and Conspiracies’ is a complete work of fiction.
Like most political thrillers, it draws inspiration from certain situations, historical events and power equations that many of us have witnessed over the years. Those references helped create an authentic political backdrop. However, the plot, the characters, the relationships and their journeys are entirely fictional. It’s an alternate universe in similar situations.
My objective was never to recreate real people or real incidents. It was to explore how
power, ambition, family, loyalty and betrayal interact when politics and royalty collide.
“Readers often enjoy identifying familiar echoes in fiction, but it’s equally exciting to know they’re entering a completely original world.”
Q3. What is your target audience with this book?
I honestly don’t see this as a book for a particular age group. It is written for anyone who enjoys a gripping story.
While the backdrop is politics and royalty, at its heart this is a fast-paced thriller about power, family, ambition, loyalty and betrayal. Those themes are universal and resonate across generations. I also believe many readers remain curious about the institutions and legacies that have shaped our country. The book explores that world through fiction, without becoming a political commentary or a history lesson. Being a screen writer one has that advantage of appealing a larger audience base.
Honestly, If you enjoy edge-of-the-seat storytelling with layered characters and unexpected twists, I believe this book will appeal to you, whether you are twenty-five or sixty-five.
“It’s refreshing to hear that the story isn’t confined to a particular age group. Themes like ambition, loyalty, and betrayal truly resonate across generations.”
Q4. What was the experience of writing a political piece? Did you face any bumps along the way?
Research was the biggest challenge.
Even though ‘Of Crown and Conspiracies’ is a work of fiction, I felt a responsibility to understand the world I was writing about. Whether it was politics, royalty, constitutional processes or the dynamics of power, I wanted the foundation to be authentic.
I believe it is only after you understand reality that you earn the freedom to create fiction. Once the world feels believable, readers willingly travel with you into imagined situations. But if the foundation itself is weak, the story risks becoming misleading rather than compelling.
‘Flaw’ is an essential characteristics of human nature, it doesn’t necessarily defines us as a good or a bad person unless you are predetermined and judgemental about them. In my mind, I have tried to scale all my characters through the same lens, without bias. I was also conscious that we live in an age where facts and fiction are often blurred. The last thing I wanted was for the novel to be mistaken for misinformation or sensationalism. The challenges, therefore, were not external. They were creative. The constant effort was to strike the right balance between authenticity and imagination.
“It sounds like authenticity was just as important as imagination throughout your writing process.”
Q5. Was there anything that you had to cut down in the final manuscript because it would have been controversial?
Not really. I never approached the book with the intention of being controversial.
When you write political fiction, your imagination can easily run ahead of your judgment. The challenge is knowing where to stop. My effort was always to stay emotionally truthful without becoming personally intrusive.
The novel draws upon a broad understanding of politics, history, public life and the kind of power equations we are all familiar with. But the story, the characters and their relationships are entirely fictional. I consciously avoided borrowing anyone’s private life or making allegations through fiction.
For me, controversy was never the objective. A compelling story was. If readers finish the book debating the ideas and the characters rather than trying to identify who is who, I would consider that a success.
“That’s an interesting perspective Rather than chasing controversy, you’ve chosen to let the strength of the narrative and its characters take centre stage.”
Q6. Have you thought about taking this book to the television? If yes, what does it look like?
Absolutely. I think every storyteller hopes that the story reaches as many people as possible. Today, OTT platforms have become one of the most powerful mediums for long-form storytelling.
Interestingly, the original spark for this story came from Uday Shankar, a man who redefined the small screen and continues to do so still. I don’t think he is even aware that the idea eventually evolved into a novel. It would be wonderful if it reached him someday because, in many ways, the journey has come full circle.
I genuinely believe ‘Of Crown and Conspiracies’ has all the ingredients of a compelling long-form series. It has layered characters, political intrigue, family dynamics, suspense and unexpected twists. More importantly, it is written with multiple seasons in mind, allowing the world and its characters to grow organically.
If the opportunity presents itself, I would love to see it adapted for the screen. Some stories deserve to be imagined by readers. Others deserve to be experienced on screen. I believe this one has the potential to do both.
“With its layered characters and long-form storytelling, it’s easy to imagine this story translating beautifully to an OTT series and It certainly sounds like a world with plenty more stories to tell.”
Q7. Extending the previous question, if your book were to be made into a movie, would you keep India as a setting or change it?
Power, ambition and politics are universal. Every country has its own stories of power struggles, legacy and succession. But ‘Of Crown and Conspiracies’ belongs in India. The emotional core of the novel is deeply Indian. Whether it is our relationship with family, our respect for tradition, our idea of legacy, or even our sense of pride and ego, the story is rooted in the way we think and feel as a society. I believe the political intrigue could work anywhere, but the soul of the story lies in India. Changing the setting would mean losing many of the emotional and cultural nuances that make the novel what it is.
“Keeping India at the heart of the story makes perfect sense and The cultural nuances and emotional depth you’ve described seem inseparable from the novel’s identity.”
Q8. What books or series would you recommend our readers who are interested in this genre?
If readers enjoy political thrillers with layered characters and power struggles, there is a wealth of wonderful work to explore. As for me, on the literary side, I have always admired books that combine politics with strong human drama rather than just political commentary. Layers in characters is what makes any story interesting.
Among Indian works, I would recommend The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor for its brilliant political satire. Internationally, House of Cards by Michael Dobbs remains a masterclass in political intrigue. Besides Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglass, Lee Child and of course Fredreick Forsyth remain all time favourites. Growing up I also read a lot of James Headley Chase and Harold Robins. ‘Stone for Danny Fischer’ is etched deep in my mind forty years later Such is the power of writing.
On screen, The Crown, House of Cards, Borgen and Succession are fascinating studies of power, ambition and family dynamics. They all remind us that institutions may differ, boundaries may differ but human nature rarely does.
“That’s an excellent reading and viewing list for anyone looking to explore political thrillers beyond this novel.”
Q9. From reigning in the entertainment industry to now looking towards publishing, do you plan to engage your readers with more books?
Absolutely. Storytelling has always been my profession, whether through television, films or now books. The medium may change, but the storyteller remains the same. I don’t believe books are competing with cinema or OTT platforms. Every format has its own strength. We live in an age where technology influences our choices, but our choices also influence technology. Algorithms ultimately respond to what people genuinely want to consume.
I enjoy the pace and immediacy of today’s storytelling, but I don’t think we should be in a hurry to write off long-form writing. There is room for every format to coexist.
Books have survived for centuries through every technological revolution. They survived in an India where literacy was limited. I am confident they will continue to thrive in a literate India that still values imagination, reflection and the joy of immersing itself in a good story.
And yes, I certainly hope ‘Of Crown and Conspiracies’ is only the beginning. I have several stories waiting to be told.
“Readers will no doubt be excited to know that more stories are already waiting in the wings.”
10. How was your publishing experience? Was the behind-the-scenes what you expected from afar?
It has been a wonderful experience.
I have always believed that a publisher is much more than someone who prints a book. Unless the publisher believes in your story as much as you do, it is difficult for that story to reach its full potential.
Like any creative journey, we had our share of practical challenges and deadlines, but creatively we were always on the same page. We shared the same vision for the book, and that made the entire process both enjoyable and rewarding. In fact, my experience has been so positive that I have chosen to publish my second novel, ID, with Paper Towns as well. I think that speaks louder than anything else I can
say.
“A strong author-publisher relationship can make all the difference, and it’s encouraging to hear that the collaboration has been such a positive one.”
From the inspiration behind Of Crown and Conspiracies to the meticulous research, compelling themes, and future storytelling ambitions, this conversation offers readers a deeper understanding of the creative mind behind the novel. The author’s thoughtful insights reveal not only the craft of building a political thriller but also the passion for telling stories that explore power, legacy, and the complexities of human nature.
As Of Crown and Conspiracies reaches readers, it promises an engaging journey filled with intrigue, emotion, and unexpected twists. We thank the author for sharing these valuable insights and look forward to witnessing the next chapter in this exciting literary journey.
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