My stories are primarily intended to entertain: Shailendra Jha
By Arun Pratap Singh
my uttarakhand news Bureau
DEHRADUN, 13 Dec: Day two of the ongoing Crime Literature Festival of India being hosted at Hotel Hyatt Centric here opened with an engaging discussion on two books namely Dial 100 written by Kuldeep Yadav and Press 9 For a Crime written by Shailendra Jha, while Ajai Dayal very efficiently moderated the session and posed searching questions to both the authors.
Kuldeep Yadav is a former marine officer who has also served with Coast Guards in a senior position. He turned an author for past 15 years and has since then written 18 books covering very diverse genres. Discussing about his latest book, Dial 100, he said that it is a tribute to the police and their dedication. He added that one major purpose of the book is to highlight the often overlooked professionalism and sheer perseverance of Indian police officers, who, despite limited resources and heavy workloads, pursue justice with ingenuity and resolve. He called the book a tribute to these unsung heroes and hopes it will inspire greater admiration for their work.
Dayal pointed out that the book is a collection of seven gripping true-crime stories from across India, each based on real investigations that once baffled both the public and authorities. Dayal also asked why did he not stick to any particular genre but chose to write on diverse subjects and whether there is any common link between his books on different genres. In response Yadav pointed out that he tries to live in the present and takes decisions as things happen. Yadav has written three books on war and one on romance. He said that he felt that he changed as a person after writing a romantic book as he for the first time had to step into the shoes of a woman in order to write the book and as a result came to respect the women even more than before and developed more empathy for them. Yadav also stated that he wanted to challenge common stereotypes about Indian law enforcement being lazy or inefficient through the book Dial 100. By recounting high-stakes cases and complicated sleuthing, he aimed to show that police work is complex, resourceful and often heroic, even when invisible to the public eye. Yadav also disclosed that it is also his desire to write a book on Lord Krishna in near future.
On the other hand, in response to a question by Aiai Dayal, author Shailendra Jha asserted that the main purpose behind his book Press 9 For a Crime is to entertain but he does not hesitate to send a message along with the entertainment. Shailendra Jha has been a journalist, filmmaker and storyteller with a distinguished career in media and entertainment before also turning an author. Jha has been the creator and co-writer of the acclaimed web series Grahan, which has also earned nominations and awards in OTT circles. Before turning to fiction, Jha has had a long career in news media he launched and led India’s first speed news channel, Tez, and served as Executive Editor at Aaj Tak, Jha made it clear that now he works independently.
Press 9 for a Crime is a fast-paced crime thriller centred on an ordinary Delhi family whose life is shattered when their elder son vanishes after accepting a job abroad. What begins as a hopeful opportunity soon unravels into a terrifying web of cybercrime, digital scams and modern slavery operating across borders. As the younger brother races against time to save him, the story exposes the brutal realities of the online underworld and the emotional cost paid by families caught in its trap.
Jha has said that the book emerges from his fascination with the intersection of fact and fiction, where real events and human impact give stories their urgency. Reminding that cybercrime and digital arrest scams are a growing menace, with huge financial and human costs, and that such threats can touch anyone’s life. Press 9 was conceived to bring these hidden dangers into a gripping narrative that resonates with contemporary readers. The engagement drew considerable applause from the audience.
About The Author
