1. What inspired you to write Lies of Influence in the first place?
Answer: The primary inspiration behind Lies of Influence came from my fascination with the
subtle yet powerful dynamics of human behavior within the realms of business and
politics. I’m deeply intrigued by how power structures operate—and more importantly, how individuals navigate systems that quietly tolerate corruption and covert power plays. Using a contemporary storytelling approach, the novel mirrors the Machiavellian
maneuvers of its protagonists, revealing how ambition, morality, and survival collide
behind polished façades.
2. How long did it take you to complete the book from idea to final draft?
Answer: From concept to final draft, the book took approximately two and a half years to
complete. There were several revisions along the way, but I was careful to preserve the
heart of the story throughout the process. While certain elements—such as the use of
strong language—were refined or adjusted, they remained essential in shaping the
protagonists’ character arcs and lending authenticity to their journeys.
3. Which character was the easiest for you to write and why?
Answer: I wouldn’t say there was a single character that came easily, as each demanded careful
attention to nuance and development to do them justice. That said, if I had to choose, it
would probably be the antagonists (laughs). In particular, Jose Martin—the Dominican
Republic drug lord—was especially engaging to write. He loosely echoes the raw
intensity of Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface: brash on the surface, yet calculated
and ruthless beneath. His concealed approach to business, especially within the
underground economy, makes him a character no one dares to underestimate.
4. Ramesh Patel is a strong moral figure. Do you personally relate to him in any way?
Answer: I wouldn’t say I directly model myself after someone as morally resolute as Ramesh
Patel. However, his integrity, principled stance, and refusal to compromise certainly
make him a figure worthy of admiration—and perhaps emulation. I suppose a part of me
aspires to that level of moral clarity. That said, within the deeply corrupt system he
operates in, particularly against the insidious maneuvers of powerful elites and cabals, his uncompromising morality can also become a liability—he is, in many ways, too
moral for his own survival.
5. Was there any scene in the book that was emotionally difficult for you to write?
Answer: Yes—the scene leading up to Abir Patel’s decision to run for office as a Lok Sabha
representative was particularly challenging. I wanted to portray Abir as someone initially
disinterested in politics, untempted by power. Yet his pursuit of justice and truth
ultimately draws him into the very arena he tried to avoid. While circumstances pushed
him forward, the moment demanded decisive action. He could no longer turn away from
people who were searching for principled leadership—something he embodied not
merely as Ramesh Patel’s son, but as someone who realized that avoiding power was,
in itself, a form of deprivation to the people. Though part of the decision was strategic, destiny, as they say, has a way of asserting itself.
6. Why did you choose politics as the backdrop for this story?
Answer: At its core, the novel explores human behavior when confronted with immense power. Politics naturally became the backdrop because it is where power is most visibly
concentrated. Legislators often use their positions to safeguard the interests of their
benefactors—powerful cabals—by shaping laws that serve empires rather than people.
In return, they are rewarded with wealth and greater influence, perpetuating a vicious, self-sustaining cycle that the novel seeks to unravel.
7. Abir’s journey feels very personal. What made you include a father-son perspective in
the novel?
Answer: Part of it stems from the timeless idea that a father’s unfinished work often finds its
continuation in the next generation. History is rich with such examples—in politics,
figures like George Bush Sr. and George W. Bush, or in India, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul
Gandhi; in business, Henry Ford and Edsel Ford, or Amancio Ortega and his son
Marcos Ortega. The father–son (or parent–child) dynamic transcends politics and
business—it’s a recurring theme in empires, legacies, and life itself. Each generation
brings renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and a paradigm shaped by its own time.
8. If readers take away just one message from the book, what would you want that to be?
Answer: Be innocent as doves and wise as serpents.
9. Did you always know how the story would end, or did it change while writing?
Answer: One of the joys of contemporary novel writing is that it isn’t confined by rigid theoretical
frameworks. Inspiration often arrives unexpectedly. While I had a general sense of
where the story was heading, I remained open to spontaneity. Along the way, I noticed
patterns I hadn’t initially seen, and those discoveries allowed me to weave in new layers
and subtle twists. That flexibility added depth—and spice—to the narrative.
10. What kind of readers do you think will connect most with Lies of Influence?
Answer: Lies of Influence will resonate most with readers who possess a deep curiosity about
how the world truly works. While fans of mystery and thrillers will certainly find it
engaging, the book extends beyond a single genre. It speaks to those interested in
high-stakes political drama, business psychology, influence, power, and the complex
duality of human nature—both its altruistic impulses and its darker instincts.
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