Interview Questions for Shantanu Banerjee:
1. First and foremost, I would like to begin by
congratulating you on the publication of your book, “My Girlfriend’s Wedding.”
How have the readers responded to the book?
Banerjee: So far those who all have read the story of My
Girlfriend’s Wedding, they all have appreciated it, loved it. The response is
quite positive!
2. Do you believe that the theme of “My
Girlfriend’s Wedding” forms the heart of the issues of modern youth and their
culture?
Banerjee: Not exactly! Modern youth is focused more on their
career and money than what I have tried to show in my characters. They, of
course were career oriented but they respected the feelings of everyone they
came across. For them (Sachin and Anupama, here) it was a long wait of five or
six years! If the today’s youth really have so much patience to wait like my
characters, its good enough.
3. How easy or difficult was it for you to
construct the character of Anupama and portray the internal conflicts that she
has?
Banerjee: Anupama is a girl who is strong internally and the
decisions that she takes for herself is related very much to any woman who has
a lot of aspirations. I watched a couple of television serials years back when
women are being portrayed with a strong characters like her. In India, women
are taken for granted by the society in the terms that once they become an
adult, they must get married! Are they born only to get marriage to give births
to children? No, its not the case everywhere. They too have dreams and one
should not overlook those dreams. Hence, I sketched Anupama’s character in a
way that she speaks out the sentiments of a woman in our country.
4. “My Girlfriend’s Wedding” strikes as an
intriguing and unique title. What is the story behind it?
Banerjee: Story begins with a scene where the male
protagonist, Sachin Sharma gets a wedding invitation card of his college friend
Anupama! He travels back to time when he and Anupama were students and were
friends. Now this friendship was only a friendship or something beyond that! To
know more, just grab a copy of the book available on amazon.in and
pustakmandi.com!
5. Constructing a plot showing changes in time and
natures of people is depicted in “My Girlfriend’s Wedding.” How was your
experience in writing the book and making sure the text does not slip out of
your hands?
Banerjee: It was overall a great experience writing this
story for myself! I really enjoyed writing and writing down those parts
especially when the switch in time takes place. It had to be gripping! For
example, in a scene, Sachin visits a church on 25th of December and smells the
gases emerging from the burning candles. In the next moment the scene goes back
to the time five years back when he had visited a church in Darjeeling where
similar candles were burning. So, there is a correlation to the events
happening!
6. Sachin, Varun, and Anupama strike as different
personalities altogether. How easy or difficult was it for you to construct
their lives and yet making sure that they do not appear as puppets in “My
Girlfriend’s Wedding”?
Banerjee: All the above three characters are different from
each other so was their living standards and their habits and preferences.
Sachin and Anupama were from middle class families and their life was similar
to any person who we know next door. Sachin was responsible and caring to
everyone. Anupama had her dreams but was always in a conflict with her father.
No one was there to listen to her except Sachin. Varun on the other hand was a
NRI and hence had different choices. He was much more classy and was full of
etiquettes. So you will find contrast in
the characters everywhere in the story.
7. “My Girlfriend’s Wedding” has given a powerful
introduction to your potential as a writer. Can the readers expect more works
from you in the future?
Banerjee: Yes, definitely! I will not disappoint my readers
after such a warm and wonderful response. They are sure to get a new story by
next year for sure!
8. As a debut writer, what are the experiences and
tips you would like to share with budding writers who also intend to try their
hand in writing someday?
Banerjee: One thing that I would suggest debutant authors or
budding authors that never lose hope. Make sure that your content and story
line is strong and of course the characters are strong enough to relate to
common people. If you have a dream, just chase it! And also, ‘Believe in
Youself!’
9. Are there any classic or contemporary writers
you enjoy reading, or you would like to suggest to the readers?
Banerjee: Yes, I love Shakespeare, Tagore, Sarat Chandra
Chattopadhay, Agatha Cristie. Although, I have read only a few works of these
great personalities but they have always created a milestone for every author
to learn and get inspired from their works. I also love stories written by the
great Mr. Satyajit Ray.
10. Do you think the genre of romance is evolving to
explore other aspects as you have done in “My Girlfriend’s Wedding”?
Banerjee: Yes, the romance depicted in my story talks not
only about love, but ‘true love’. The genre of romance has changed a lot and so
is the meaning of love. Love is not taken as a feeling or expression but there
is more of a stalking and glamour in present days’ love stories. I, however,
have tried to show love in its purest form.
11. You’ve written a lot of short plays in your
management study days. Please share a little about them.
Banerjee: They were dramatic and comic representation of
some classic books or movies. Like we once played “Devdas” on stage where the
script and the dialogues were written by me. The actual dialogues were twisted
in a manner that they appeared humorous on stage during the play. The story
line was kept same but the dialogues were made funny.
12. Do you plan to get those plays published in your
career as a writer?
Banerjee: Not exactly but let’s see, what time demands!
13. Thank you for your time. I wish you luck with
your future projects.
Banerjee: Thank you so much for this great conversation with
you! Enjoy reading, “My Girlfriend’s Wedding”.
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