'I read HT for inspiration'

I don't look at myself as a writer, I am a storyteller," says Vikas Swarup, diplomat and novelist. He is most famous for writing Q&A, which was adapted as the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire. Jairaj Singh reports.

I don't look at myself as a writer, I am a storyteller," says Vikas Swarup, diplomat and novelist. He is most famous for writing Q&A, which was adapted as the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire. "I am very interested in human-interest stories emerging from modern India. I get my inspiration and daily dose by reading the Hindustan Times."

Swarup, for the last three-and-half years, has been working as the consul-general of India at Osaka-Kobe, Japan. He says it's hard for him to find the time to write given his diplomatic duties, but he's become a 'weekend writer'. "I like to have clear horizons when I write. A good stretch of 5 to 6 hours of undisturbed work is enough."

Q&A, his first novel, tells the story of how a penniless boy in Mumbai becomes the biggest quiz show winner. Swarup feels it would not have been much different had the film been made by Bollywood. "Indian films have a hunger for stories today. People don't just want a mindless flick with a superstar, they want to connect more deeply."

Writing on India and current affairs is important for Swarup. "In my previous book, Six Suspects , I had a portion on the Anna Hazare movement as well," he says proudly. "Being in Japan, helps to follow events in India without getting swayed by the passion of the moment. I get a detached view of life and I like to reflect it in my books."