All of us, at some point in life, have been fascinated by quiz shows, especially Kaun Banega Crorepati and similar formats, which became a global phenomenon couple of years ago. Vikas Swarup, an Indian diplomat, then posted in London thought of using the concept for his debut novel Q&A (Doubleday). The book has now been translated into more than 30 languages and even made into a movie — Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle — which released recently in the US. Swarup confesses that not in his wildest dreams did he think his novel would be made into a movie. Currently posted in Pretoria (South Africa) as India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Swarup takes time off from his busy schedule to key in his response to BW Online’s e-mailed questions.
Your book Q&A came out in 2005. Did you know that it would turn out to be such a hit?
Not in my wildest dreams! I knew the plot was original, but I expected it to appeal mainly to an Indian readership. So it has come as a pleasant surprise that the book has now been translated into 36 languages.
Have you seen the movie Slumdog Millionaire? Has the director kept the movie to the original line of the book? What are the variations?
I caught the film at the close of the London Film Festival on 30 October where it received a standing ovation. Having been consulted on the script, I knew that the film would be different from the book. But I am quite happy with the final product, which not only remains faithful to the book’s framing device but, more importantly, captures the ‘soul’ of my novel.
In your opinion should an author really look at getting his book made into a movie in order to popularise it?
When an author writes, he should think only of writing the best book he can write. If he has an eye on a possible film version, then he is better off writing a screenplay. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that a cinematic adaptation, especially if it is a successful one, adds to the popularity of the book.
How has the movie impacted you in terms of tangible or intangible benefits?
No tangible benefits so far, but I am happy simply with the thought of the book reaching a much wider audience.
What made you write this book in the first place?
I wanted to tap into the global phenomenon of the syndicated, televised quiz show, but in an off-beat way. I had also come across this news report of slum children using a mobile internet facility. This led me to juxtapose the quiz show format with the life story of a rather untypical contestant — an 18-year-old penniless waiter living in the biggest slum in Asia. I wanted to show that knowledge is not the preserve of the educated elite and that even a ‘street-kid’ can possess the wisdom to win a quiz show.
There seems to be a profusion of reality shows on television. What do you think of this current trend — both in India and across the globe?
I am not a big fan of reality shows, many of which are hardly ‘real’; they use all kinds of pre-scripted charades to boost their TRPs. I believe that this is a fad which will eventually wear off.
Are you working on any other book at the moment?
My second novel Six Suspects came out in August this year and is again a ‘social thriller’ inspired by some of the pressing issues of the day. It is my attempt to capture the dissonant pitch of our times through a polyphonic narrative.
What did you read while growing up and what is the book you are reading now?
I have read many authors and many books over the years, from Albert Camus to Irving Wallace. I have been a big fan of the thriller genre, but I read contemporary literary works as well. I just finished Paul Auster’s New York Trilogy. Auster is a unique writer. His books are so readable yet also very maddening because he does not believe in resolution. Currently I am reading Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.
As an author, what is the best time to write? Should the author do it at one go, or write in bits and pieces?
I prefer to write early in the morning and on weekends, when there are no interruptions. Every writer has a different method of writing. Since I have a regular day job, I do not have the luxury of taking a few months off to finish a novel. So, perforce, my novels take shape in bits and pieces.
Personalities 
All of us, at some point in life, have been fascinated by quiz shows, especially Kaun Banega Crorepati and similar formats, which became a global phenomenon couple of years ago. Vikas Swarup, an Indian diplomat, then posted in London thought of using the concept for his debut novel Q&A (Doubleday). The book has now been translated into more than 30 languages and even made into a movie — Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle — which released recently in the US. Swarup confesses that not in his wildest dreams did he think his novel would be made into a movie. Currently posted in Pretoria (South Africa) as India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Swarup takes time off from his busy schedule to key in his response to BW Online’s e-mailed questions. 
