8.1 Atharva Pandit: On Fictionalising Crime Without Compromising Truth

Books and Beyond with Bound

#Society #Books #Arts #Literature #Novel #Short Stories #Writers #Writing #India #Creativity #Publishing #Writing Habits #Authors #Book Publishing #Bounds #Interviews #Indian #Literary

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to choose between murdering their friends… or dying. Then, Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta from the Jumpers Jump podcast join us to unpack their wild theories for the season. Plus, Phil and Kiera face off in a high-stakes round of “Hot Sweet Potato.” SPOILER ALERT! Make sure you watch Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 before listening on. Play one last time. IG - @SquidGameNetflix X (f.k.a. Twitter) - @SquidGame Check out more from Phil Yu @angryasianman , Kiera Please @kieraplease and the Jumpers Jump podcast Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . Squid Game: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and The Mash-Up Americans.…

about a year ago 40:53

MP3•Episode home

Tara talks to journalist and debut author Atharva Pandit, whose novel Hurda is inspired by a real-life case that briefly made headlines in 2013, and then vanished.

What begins as a mystery about three missing girls from a village in Maharashtra becomes a statement on what gets remembered and what gets buried.

Atharva shares how a two-page newspaper feature became the seed for a decade-long creative journey. He discusses the blurry boundaries between fact and fiction, and how he built an entire village of voices, each with their own secrets and silences. The episode also delves into the quiet power of clothing, especially that green top that became a symbol of much more. Tara and Atharva explore why rural women’s lives so often go unheard, and how fiction can offer them space, dignity, and depth.

‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

167 episodes

8.1 Atharva Pandit: On Fictionalising Crime Without Compromising Truth

Books and Beyond with Bound

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published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Tara talks to journalist and debut author Atharva Pandit, whose novel Hurda is inspired by a real-life case that briefly made headlines in 2013, and then vanished.

What begins as a mystery about three missing girls from a village in Maharashtra becomes a statement on what gets remembered and what gets buried.

167 episodes

#Society #Books #Arts #Literature #Novel #Short Stories #Writers #Writing #India #Creativity #Publishing #Writing Habits #Authors #Book Publishing #Bounds #Interviews #Indian #Literary

All episodes

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.11 Manasi Chaudhari: Are You Legally Protected, Or Just Hoping for the Best? 41:31

7 days ago41:31

41:31

A pepper spray in your bag is smart, but knowing your legal rights as a female citizen of India might be what truly saves your case. In this episode of Books & Beyond , lawyer and Pink Legal founder Manasi Chaudhari unpacks her debut book Legally Yours , a witty, no-nonsense guide that explains women’s legal rights in India through pop culture, quizzes, and relatable scenarios. From decoding consent in Kabir Singh to tips for protecting yourself in a live-in relationship, Manasi shares the why and how behind creating a book that feels like your friend with a law degree. They also get into the realities of the justice system, how knowledge can be your most powerful defence, and what makes laws work—or fail—in real life. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a stalking-turned-love-story in a Bollywood film, felt confused about filing an FIR, or just want to know what your rights really are (without Googling legalese), this episode will leave you feeling more informed, more aware, and way more equipped to speak up. _________________________________________________________________________ The Bound Publishing Course is a comprehensive, three-month-long, certified program designed to give people the skills, network, and opportunity to build a career in book, magazine, or digital publishing. You will take part in 100 hours of live online sessions, led by over 40 experienced industry professionals. The course moves from foundational learning to specialized career tracks through live simulations, in-class exercises, and assignments. This hands-on approach is supported by career-focused guidance, such as resume workshops and interview preparation, and culminates in a Capstone Project. You can explore more about the course here . Apply here! _________________________________________________________________________ ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

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8.10 Yuvan Aves: On Losing Nature and Learning to Care 55:22

21 days ago55:22

55:22

What if the key to environmental action isn’t outrage, but observation? And what if the real climate crisis is a crisis of attention? In this powerful conversation, nature writer and activist Yuvan Aves talks about his lyrical and politically urgent book Intertidal . Set along Chennai’s disappearing coasts and wetlands, the book prompts readers to notice, remember, and reconnect with the living world around them. Yuvan shares how he teaches children to fall in love with their local ecologies by example rather than instruction and how Indian nature writing cannot be separated from caste, class, and climate politics. This episode reminds us that nature is not a distant wilderness but something alive in our cities, streets, and schools, and to simply pay attention. Books, shows, and films mentioned in this episode: Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane Tiger Lessons by Sannapureddy Venkatarami Reddy Marginlands by Arati Kumar-Rao _________________________________________________________________________ The Bound Publishing Course is a comprehensive, three-month-long, certified program designed to give people the skills, network, and opportunity to build a career in book, magazine, or digital publishing. You will take part in 100 hours of live online sessions, led by over 40 experienced industry professionals. The course moves from foundational learning to specialised career tracks through live simulations, in-class exercises, and assignments. This hands-on approach is supported by career-focused guidance, such as resume workshops and interview preparation, and culminates in a Capstone Project. You can explore more about the course here . Apply here! _________________________________________________________________________ ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

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8.9 Bhawana Somaaya: What Partition Stole, and Writing Restored 44:28

28 days ago44:28

44:28

What happens when a celebrated film journalist turns the camera inward? In this moving episode, veteran critic and author Bhawana Somaaya unpacks her memoir Farewell Karachi . Known for her decades-long career documenting Bollywood’s biggest stars like Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan, Bhawana shares the deeply personal stories behind her family’s displacement from Karachi to Mumbai during Partition. She recounts everything from her mother’s hilarious one-liners about working as a young journalist in the 1970s to the emotional weight of her father’s solitary journey during Partition and the legacy of a lost home. T he conversation flows through intimate anecdotes, candid reflections, and the subtle power of memories that shape who we become. Bhawana’s honest reflections offer a masterclass in sensitivity and storytelling. Her journey shows that emotional intelligence isn’t just a trait—it’s a lens, a compass, and sometimes, the story itself. Books, shows, and films mentioned in this episode: Because He Is by Meghna Gulzar Darlingji: The True Love Story of Nargis and Sunil Dutt by Kishwar Desai Parveen Babi by Karishma Upadhyay A Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Pakeezah Garm Hava Navrang Kaun Banega Crorepati ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

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8.8 Bhavika Govil: On Growing Up, Growing Apart, and Grieving Secrets 51:47

5 weeks ago51:47

51:47

What if one secret could shatter everything you thought you knew about your family? In this episode, Bhavika Govil dives into her haunting, lyrical novel Hot Water , a coming-of-age story about the silences that pull families apart. Bhavika talks about the novel’s striking water motif and the emotional and craft challenges of writing Ashu, a 14-year-old boy and Meera, a 9-year-old girl , and trying to make them feel both real and raw. This episode takes a deep dive into understanding family dramas better, and how writing about what’s left unsaid is often more powerful than spelling things out. I t’s a sharp, intimate, and deeply thoughtful episode on the stories we carry long after they’re over. ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.7 Ankush Datar: On Health and Wealth; Two Goals, One Answer 52:48

6 weeks ago52:48

52:48

Tried a fad diet and a get-rich scheme, but failed to do both? Let's talk about what actually works. Ankush Datar, the author of The Health and Wealth Paradox , breaks down the complexities of health and financial planning by getting back to the core principles. His unique approach explains how managing your health and wealth isn’t so different after all. In this episode, Tara Khandelwal and Ankush explore how first principles thinking, mental barriers, and everyday habits shape our ability to stay consistent and make smarter decisions in both areas. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with the amount of information available about managing your health and wealth, this conversation offers fresh insights and practical tips to simplify the process. Ankush’s approach will help you understand that it’s just not that complicated once you’ve gotten your basics set. Books, shows, and films mentioned in this episode: Ankush’s favourite authors: Morgan Housel & James Clear Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke Stop Reading the News by Rolf Dobelli The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli Same as Ever by Morgan Housel Dollars and Sense by Dr. Dan Ariely The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Outlive by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia Atomic Habits by James Clear ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.6 Gowri Ramnarayan & Kamlakar Bhat: On Why South Indian Lit Should Be Your Next Obsession 1:04:52

7 weeks ago1:04:52

1:04:52

Lost in Translation? Or Found in the Process? In this episode, we talk to Gowri Ramnarayan and Kamalakar Bhat , two translators dedicated to bringing Tamil and Kannada texts to life in English. Gowri shares the complex challenges of translating her grandfather’s historical novel, Ponniyin Selvan , from seamlessly blending poetry into prose to interpreting the layered meanings of cultural expressions. Kamalakar opens up about his translation of Kirtinath Kurtkoti's essays, Courtesy of Criticism , and how the process often involves reconstructing missing historical context and striking a balance between accuracy and accessibility. Together, they explore how translation is not just linguistic work but a journey into the heart of a text. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to translate a story without losing its soul , this episode is for you. Expect insights, behind-the-scenes secrets, and a fresh perspective on the art of bringing Indian literature to the world. Books, shows and films mentioned in this episode: Yugadharma Haagu Sahitya Darshana (Kannada) by Kirtinath Kurtkoti Sakina's Kiss by Vivek Shanbhag Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag Mithun Number Two and Other Mumbai Stories by Jayant Kaikini Tejo Tungabhadra by Vasudhendra Author recommendations: Salma Imaya Kumar Jagannathan Prapanchan Mogalli Ganesh Abdul Rasheed H. S. Shivaprakash ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.5 Sanjana Ramachandran: Turning 90s Chaos into Literary Gold 47:05

8 weeks ago47:05

47:05

What happens when the love of family feels more like a battlefield? In her debut novel Famous Last Questions, Sanjana Ramachandran explores the messy, painful, and sometimes beautiful struggle of growing up caught between parental expectations and the search for your true self. With sharp honesty and warmth, she dives into themes of rebellion, identity, and the healing power of mindfulness. Join Tara and Sanjana as they trace her journey—from getting kicked out of BITS Pilani to writing the viral “Sanjana Effect” article that sparked a conversation about cultural pressures, and finally to publishing her debut novel. It’s a story of resilience, courage, and finding your own voice against the odds. ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

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8.4 Jennifer Sundberg: How Smart Teams End Up Doing Dumb Things 52:05

9 weeks ago52:05

52:05

Are the wrong people making the biggest decisions at your company? Tara and Michelle talk to Jennifer Sundberg—co-founder of Board Intelligence and co-author of Collective Intelligence —about why most leadership teams are flying blind. They dive into how poorly framed questions and bloated reports sabotage decision-making, why writing is thinking, and how to fix broken systems from the inside out. With examples ranging from NASA to FTSE boardrooms, this episode is a masterclass on designing cultures where the smartest ideas, not the loudest voices, win. In this exciting partnership series with Jaico Publishing House, we are featuring fascinating new authors and writers who captivate the audience and bring forth a revolutionary perspective to Indian literature. ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

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8.3 Tara & Michelle: Can You Love a Book But Hate the Author? 37:28

10 weeks ago37:28

37:28

Should we boycott problematic authors—or just read them with guilt? Tara and Michelle dive into the messy politics of author scandals, from cancel culture to complicity. Plus, what happens when AI writes a book? Would you read it? Should it even exist ? Tune in for a no-holds-barred chat on the ethics of art, the limits of accountability, and how readers can show up for real authors in a shifting industry. They also spill on their own reading dilemmas and the murky line between loving the work and questioning the creator. Books mentioned: Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh Dalit Kitchen of Marathwada by Shahu Patole Books by Janice Pariat The Twits by Roald Dahl Jasoda by Kiran Nagarkar Fault In Our Stars by John Green Neopolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante Harry Potter Series By J.K. Rowling ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.2 Puneet Sikka and Nayantara Alva: Finding Love In Unexpected Places, Two New Coming of Age Stories 1:07:15

11 weeks ago1:07:15

1:07:15

What do a privileged student with a saviour complex and an ambitious outsider in Bollywood have in common? Debut authors Nayantara Alva and Puneet Sikka take us into two very different Indias—one set in a liberal arts college, the other on a chaotic film set. Tara and Michelle chat with the authors about their writing processes, the themes that shaped their coming-of-age novels, and how they brought their lived experiences to the page. Nayantara unpacks creative burnout, messiness in friendships, and reclaiming self-worth. Puneet explores reinvention, reality TV, and what it means to be seen. If you’re curious about how authors build layered, complex characters or want a peek behind the scenes of the Indian creative industry, this episode’s for you. Books, shows and films mentioned in this episode: Calling Sehmat - Harinder S. Sikka Kimino Nawa Women Who Run with the Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estés The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron Fleabag - Phoebe Waller-Bridge The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafón Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo Body Kintsugi- Senka Marić ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
8.1 Atharva Pandit: On Fictionalising Crime Without Compromising Truth 40:53

12 weeks ago40:53

40:53

Tara talks to journalist and debut author Atharva Pandit , whose novel Hurda is inspired by a real-life case that briefly made headlines in 2013, and then vanished. What begins as a mystery about three missing girls from a village in Maharashtra becomes a statement on what gets remembered and what gets buried. Atharva shares how a two-page newspaper feature became the seed for a decade-long creative journey. He discusses the blurry boundaries between fact and fiction, and how he built an entire village of voices, each with their own secrets and silences. The episode also delves into the quiet power of clothing, especially that green top that became a symbol of much more. Tara and Atharva explore why rural women’s lives so often go unheard, and how fiction can offer them space, dignity, and depth. ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
7.16 Ministhy S & Arunava Sinha: Leaping Out Of A Page - Translation is More Than Putting Pen to Paper 1:04:14

30 weeks ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Ever wondered how translators breathe life into stories across languages? Or what it takes to bring the essence of one culture into another? In this episode of Books and Beyond , Tara and Michelle unravel the secrets of literary translation with two of India’s finest: Arunava Sinha, who has translated over 80 masterpieces, and Ministhy S., known for her thought-provoking translations of powerful and diverse narratives. From the untold struggles of salt farmers in Gujarat to a coffin maker’s poignant tale, Arunava and Ministhy reveal how they navigate the challenges of capturing a story’s soul while juggling cultural nuances and creative integrity. They also dive into the highs and lows of being a translator in India—breaking stereotypes, fighting for recognition, and dealing with the constant questions. In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we spotlight two renowned translators, Arunava Sinha and Ministhy S., as they unravel the art of translation, the cultural bridges it builds, and the challenges of bringing Indian stories to a global audience. Listen in as they reveal the joys, challenges, and transformative power of bringing stories to life across languages and cultures. Books mentioned in this episode: Pratham Pratishruti - Ashapurna Devi Bakul Katha - Ashapurna Devi Enid Blyton One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez Gregory Rabassa Meerasadhu - K.R Meera Nandakumar K. Fathima E.V Anthea Bell Anton Hur Hospital Poems of Mathematics and Madness - Binoy Majumdar Imaan - Manoranjan Byapari ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
7.15 Anisha Lalvani: Love, Crime, and Coming of Age in Noida 50:15

31 weeks ago50:15

50:15

Curious about how contemporary fiction explores women's sexuality, family, and the messy transition into adulthood? In this episode of Books and Beyond , Tara and Michelle sit down with Anisha Lalvani to discuss her debut novel, Girls Who Stray , a coming-of-age story set in Noida. The novel follows A, a 23-year-old literature graduate, as she navigates love, family, and a tangle of crime and self-discovery. Anisha shares how her background in publishing and television influenced her storytelling, as well as the seven-year journey of writing and refining her book. She shares how the idea of her protagonist becoming an escort came to her suddenly, inspired by her belief in women owning their sexuality. She opens up about the challenges of portraying complex, relatable characters and how the title of the novel evolved during the publishing process. Listen in as Anisha dives into the creative process, the themes of family and self-discovery, and how she crafted a story that resonates with today’s generation. Books Mentioned in this Episode: A Bad Character - Deepti Kapoor Age of Vice - Deepti Kapoor Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson Frances Ha - Film by Noam Baumbach CNTRL - Film by Vikramaditya Motwane Girl Interrupted - Film by James Mangold ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
7.14 Saania Saxena: Friendships, Crushes and Growing Up 47:41

32 weeks ago47:41

47:41

How do teenage years shape the way we view the world around us? In this episode of Books and Beyond , Michelle and Tara chat with 20-year-old author and philosophy blogger Saania Saxena about her debut book, Teenage Chronicles. Saania, who started her blog at just 12 to cope with school pressures, created a book that features five relatable teenage characters navigating emotions like jealousy, anger, and the complexities of friendships. Saania shares how her book combines scientific insights with personal anecdotes, helping readers better understand and manage their emotions. Each character is inspired by people Saania has met, and their stories aim to guide readers towards greater self-awareness. From her early blog readership of school friends to reaching a global audience, Saania talks about how she published the first version of this book at just 16 with a global publisher and her future aspirations in writing. In this exciting partnership series with Jaico Publishing House, we are featuring fascinating new authors every month, writers that captivate the audience and bring forth a revolutionary perspective to Indian literature. Tune in to hear how Teenage Chronicles mirrors the joys, challenges, and complexity of adolescence, making it a must-read for anyone seeking connection and self-awareness. Books Mentioned in this episode: Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg Sophie’s World - Jostien Gaarder ‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.…

Books and Beyond with Bound

1
7.13 Prayaag Akbar: Love, Social Media, Class Struggles in Delhi’s Urban Chaos 54:33

33 weeks ago54:33