Indra Sinha's novel Animal’s People is among the six fictional works that have been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Man Booker Prize for 2007.’ Another book by a subcontinental writer, The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid — of Pakistani origin —  is also on the list. They will compete against On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan, Darkmans by Nicola Barker, The Gathering by Anne Enright and Master Pip by Lloyd Jones.

Sinha spent his childhood in Mumbai's Colaba area — where his father still lives — but is now based in France, after having spent many years in Britain. Speaking to HT, he said, “ I'm obviously delighted that my book has been shortlisted.”

His book uses the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy as its backdrop. “Many of the stories of the victims of the Bhopal tragedy found their way into the novel,” he revealed. He has worked extensively with the Bhopal victims. His first novel, The Cybergypsies, was also widely praised.