Harinder Sikka, presently serving as the Group Director of Strategic Business at Piramal Group, embarked on a diverse career path following his graduation from Delhi University. Initially commencing his professional journey in the Indian Navy, he was commissioned in January 1981 and served with distinction until opting for premature retirement in 1993, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Residing in New Delhi alongside his family, Sikka brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his current role in the corporate sector.
1. “Vicchodda,” your most recent book, will soon be a motion picture. Your first book, “Calling Sehmat,” became the smash hit film “Raazi,” taking home numerous national and international accolades. Do you think Films would be a natural progression for your book?
Answer 1: I’m thrilled that, like my first book, my most recent work is being considered for film. Films, in my opinion, do appeal to a larger audience. The influence of the audio-visual medium on the audience is greater and more enduring. Books allow you to fully imagine the characters and plot, but movies simplify the information to provide for a more enjoyable viewing experience.
2. The backdrop of your book “Vichhoda” is the period of the India-Pakistan split. What distinguishes this book from the others with a similar theme?
Answer 2: Although partition is the basis for part of my most recent book, that is not the entire work. The narrative revolves around a mother and her quest to reconcile with her children. Although I have exercised creative license in rewriting her position, the protagonist in this book is based on a genuine story. This book portrays the tenacity and fortitude of a lady who, by faith and perseverance, fights an unfathomable battle against her hardships and tedium. It’s a story that will help motivate a girl child, make her understand her strengths and ignite her spirits to help her catapult to higher zeniths.
3: It appears that you have a particular fondness for novels about women. Similar to the strong woman who starred in your first book, “Calling Sehmat,” Vichhoda too portrays the story of a strong mother. Is there a specific reason for this?
Ans: In our literature and films, women should receive the recognition and focus they merit. We have utilized women as an expandable commodity since the beginning of time. Upon promoting “Calling Sehmat,” I encountered resistance from producers who were reluctant to work on a film featuring women.I was informed, “It’s the hero whom the audience worships,” and it hurt me a lot to realize that even “reeled heroes” had once been mothers. The modest, frail, modest, and unassailable woman in reality or in theory is a creator who can fight every nonsense that is thrown at her. She however remains the almighty’s favorite being a ‘Janani’.
4. Please elaborate about your upcoming projects.
Answer: I’m waiting on six more novels. Everybody is at one point or another. By June, my next two boos, Gobind and Chaabi master, will be out. Furthermore, we now own the rights to an amazing tale from Tarun Mehrishi’s fantastic book Portrait of a Secret. In addition, the well-known book “Nehru’s 97 major blunders” by the late author Rajnikant Puranik. These books will soon all be seen on screen.