‘Coelho, Crichton, Pendharkar, Potter...’
Actor Swwapnil Joshi gets chatty with MANASI Y MASTAKAR about his favourite books, which he claims are his survival kit...
Reading ritual
My grandmother was an avid reader. My love for books has come from her as I have grown up with her. She is the one who taught me to read. She used to give me random books to read, and would listen to me while I read them aloud. Back then I read anything and everything, which formed a habit. When I grew a little older, my mother had inculcated a habit in me of reading at least 10 pages a day, a ritual I have been following for the last 30 years. For me, reading is a major part of my life.
Survival kit
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho tops the fave list. I have read the book multiple times and every time I read it, I stumble upon a new dimension. My second favourite is the Harry Potter series by J K Rowling. It’s quite fascinating that Rowling created an entire new world out of nothing, while we are still entangled in our day-to-day geographical locations. I also like Michael Crichton’s books like The
Jurassic Park and A Sphere. Every time I read his books I get the feeling of reading a screenplay. I feel he writes a film and not a book as you can actually visualise the proceedings. In Marathi, I love
Raja Shiv Chatrapati. Whenever I feel low this book gives me inspiration; even by reading one chapter I feel totally charged up. This is actually my survival kit.
Page turners
I love all the genres, but I prefer thrillers. I absolutely love the Dan Brown series be it Digital Fortress or Angel and Demons, or others. Michael Crichton is, of course, my all-time favourite. I like books that push me to turn the page. I also feel that reading depends a lot on our mood, just like music.
Travelling companion
Reading is a major part of my life. If you sneak a peek into my bag, you will always find a book in it; it’s one of my travel essentials. As a back-up I always have an iPad which has multiple e-versions of books.
Monthly fix
It totally depends on the book: A big book takes a month and if something interests me I take time out and complete it in a day or two. I don’t keep a tab on numbers, but I make it a point to read 10-15 pages every day.
Book formats
I prefer a physical book, but just in case I don’t have a physical copy I read on Kindle. I think our senses get active once you read a physical book and I love the amazing smell of the paper. Reading becomes more interactive when you read a physical book.
Currently reading...
Marathi book Rarang Dhang by Prabhakar Pendharkar.
Bookish memory
It sounds very clichéd, but after reading the Harry Porter series, whenever I have visited the London station, I have actually searched for platform 9¾ and clicked pictures there with my friends. There are a lot of interesting organisations abroad where you can apply to get the Hogwarts entrance certificate, and, recently, I got one. Lucky me!
Book adaptations
I loved the entire The Lord of the Rings series. I think they are the only films where the visuals have surpassed the book. And speaking of film adaptations, I have always dreamt of playing Harry Potter!
Film inspiration
I really feel that a lot of Marathi literature is worth translating into a film. Rarang Dhang by Prabhakar Pendharkar, I feel is mainstream cinema material.
Tall tales
There's no such book which I claimed to read but didn’t. However, I did claim to read all my school books back then, which I never did... (laughs)
Highly recommended
I want everyone to read Raja Shiv Chhatrapati. It is a truly inspiring journey of one of the greatest warriors of our country.