‘We need to have a less casual approach in our life’

Author Pankaj Dubey talks about his compilation of short stories, Have A Safe Journey and turning his books into scripts

Author Pankaj Dubey is mainly inspired by life around him. It is his enthusiasm and zing to reach out to all kinds of people everywhere, listening to their real life stories that help ignite his imagination. His knack for creative writing goes back to his school days when he used to write a lot of ‘love letters’. Dubey says, “Many friends used to make me write love letters for them as well. That was a brilliant opportunity to hone my skills. I still feel that love letters are the most honest form of creative writing where you cannot afford to fail. There are no editors involved once it reaches the person it has been written for.”

Dubey’s recent book Have A Safe Journey is an anthology on road safety. The book highlights 25 stories of mishaps and road accidents. It throws light on the importance of following road safety rules, among others. “Road safety rules are very much in place in the country but the real challenge lies in bringing them into practice. We need to have a less casual approach in our life in order to imbibe road safety regulations, not just for ourselves but also for everyone around us. Unless we take precautions ourselves, we will not be able to set a reference point for the next generation who are watching us from close quarters.”

As a writer, how does he find a balance between writing the truth and not making it sound too harsh? Dubey doesn’t subscribe to the idea hat the truth is always harsh. He believes it depends a lot upon the ‘telling’ as well. “The way a particular story told forms an integral part. As a writer, the biggest ractice that helps me address rtain emotions without urting the sensitivities of the rties involved is by veloping empathy. We really need to empathise h the characters and their ecosystem,that helps balance things.”

So, does he see any of his books getting made into films? “I have already adapted both my previous books,

What A Loser! and Ishqiyapa -To Hell With Love into screenplays. I am also in talks with some reputed production houses and actors. I am looking forward to directing my novels now.

I recently wrapped a short fiction film that I directed with well-known artistes such as Sarika and Swanand Kirkire.”

I still feel that love letters are the most honest form of creative writing where you cannot afford to fail. PANKAJ DUBEY, AUTHOR