A Family in freefall. Clipped Wings by Sushil Chadha is an engrossing and harrowing tale that will leave readers questioning the intersection of family dynamics, crime, and social standing. Spanning three generations, the novel intricately explores the lives of an aristocratic family entangled in the bureaucratic web of 1990s Delhi. The story, a fictionalized biographical account, carries a haunting authenticity, as if Chadha is drawing directly from his own experiences. The metaphor in the title—how “overprotective parents can lead to children with clipped wings”—is artfully woven throughout the narrative, casting a shadow over each character’s life.
Chadha’s prose is vivid and unflinching, as he paints a detailed picture of both the grotesque and delicate incidents that shape the protagonist’s life. At the heart of the novel is Deepak Chopra, a self-proclaimed brahmachari and the patriarch of a household teetering on the brink of moral collapse. With three sons and a daughter, each marked by their own flaws, Deepak’s idealistic facade of a disciplined, righteous life begins to unravel. His wife, Vaishali, embodies the archetype of the devoted Hindi television wife and mother, seemingly unaware of the darkness festering within her family.
Chadha delves deeply into the personal lives of his characters, particularly the sons—Kranti, Vinay, and Vivek. Kranti, a top cop in Delhi, is a figure of authority whose past is stained by a horrific crime; Vinay, a world-renowned physicist, finds his career and reputation in jeopardy due to accusations of plagiarism; and Vivek, the non-conformist, adds a splash of color to an otherwise monochromatic family, yet is dismissed as the least successful of the siblings. Kanupriya, the daughter, receives a cursory mention, her life reduced to the status of a divorcee. The elder sons are married to “beautiful” women, Prema and Madhulika, while Vivek’s engagement to Sheila, an American, ends in heartbreak when she abruptly returns to her homeland.
The repeated emphasis on physical beauty in the book is noteworthy. Chadha frequently describes his characters as “beautiful,” “tall,” “fit,” and “handsome,” underscoring the importance of appearance in this biographical crime-drama. The relationships between the husbands and wives are portrayed as superficially “cute,” lacking the depth that might have been explored through more nuanced conversations or silences. The glamorous lifestyle of the Chopra family, entrenched in the upper echelons of society, is depicted with an air of both admiration and critique.
Set in 1990s Delhi, Deepak Chopra is portrayed as an aristocrat and an IAS officer who has ascended to the role of Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Despite his accomplishments, he harbors unfulfilled ambitions of becoming a governor and receiving the Padma Vibhushan for his service. However, his aspirations are thwarted by the actions of his sons and the ghosts of his own past. Kranti, accused of raping a vulnerable northeastern college girl, a crime that drives her into prostitution, and Vinay, a Cornell University alumnus who once basked in the glory of discovering the ‘Vinay-particle,’ now finds himself accused of plagiarizing his former lover’s thesis.
Much of the narrative focuses on the unraveling of Kranti and Vinay’s lives. The first half of the book delves into Vinay’s legal battle against his former lover’s sister, who demands a public apology and legal recompense. As Vinay faces psychological trauma, he finds himself reconnected with his estranged family, who rally around him. Deepak, wielding his connections, even attempts to influence top officials and foreign ambassadors to mitigate the international scandal, given Vinay’s former lover was European. Through Vinay’s story, Chadha explores the themes of guilt and trauma, though his portrayal of Vinay’s descent into depression feels somewhat melodramatic, focusing more on the family’s growing closeness than on Vinay’s internal struggle.
Kranti, on the other hand, is depicted as the quintessential unapologetic man-child, embodying what the author describes as the “pride of the man of north-western provinces.” His predatory behavior towards women is presented with chilling detachment—Kranti is so out of touch with the consequences of his actions that he can’t comprehend why women recoil from his advances. Unlike Vinay, whose secret is known and supported by his wife, Kranti’s wife is left in cold disbelief, highlighting the stark contrast between the two brothers.
Deepak’s carefully curated life of high ideals and social clout is shattered as his sons’ transgressions come to light. His belief in honesty, a value he clings to in opposition to his own fraudulent father, is put to the test. His wife, Vaishali, who has been more a companion in marriage than a lover, becomes his steadfast pillar in these trying times.
As the story unfolds, a strong division emerges between the men and women of the household, particularly as issues of crime, sexuality, and perspective come to the fore. Chadha masterfully navigates the storm that engulfs this family, leaving readers to question the role of familial influence in shaping criminal behavior. Are criminals born, or are they made by the circumstances and dynamics within their families?
For the Gen Z readers, Clipped Wings offers a rich tapestry of drama, crime, and moral dilemmas, all wrapped in a narrative that is as compelling as it is thought-provoking. With its blend of “masala” and deeper social commentary, Chadha’s novel is sure to resonate with a wide audience.