Category: Information
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On the 8:27 a.m. slow from Dadar to Churchgate, Shantilal Biswas stood in the doorway like a well-behaved sardine. He was middle-aged in the sincerest possible way—forty-seven going on “beta, you just focus on your job.” His belly was not a belly so much as a polite suggestion of one. His hairline had retreated respectfully,…
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1. The Setup At 03:17 hours, December 2nd, 1805, the first dispatch arrived at the French forward command post near the village of Puntowitz, Moravia. It was brief, unadorned, and encoded in the rotational cipher preferred by Marshal Berthier’s staff: “Austro-Russian force movement confirmed. Pratzen Heights lightly held. Orders?” General Vandamme read it, lit a…
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It is a truth universally ignored by publishers that when a debut book sells nearly two hundred copies in the first week (fifteen to fellow authors represented by the same dashing literary agent, five to benevolent friends not seeking income tax exemption under Section 80G and the rest to social media influencers paid to arrange…
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(In a parallel universe, where ‘Almost Mundane’ was released in 2024) (Scene: The familiar Gokuldham Society compound, Christmas lights twinkling. Residents are gathered for their annual festive get-together. A slightly tipsy Popatlal corners poor, unsuspecting Jethalal.) Popatlal: (Slurring his words) Jethalal bhai, tell me… tell me the truth! This whole year… all these crazy incidents……
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Voting link open at: https://www.salismania.com/single-post/voting Right ho, chums! Shantilal here, popping up like a cork in a bathtub to say a quick word or two about this what-d’you-call-it, this “Salis Mania Choice Awards” business. Now, I’ve always been a bit of an outsider to these literary shindigs, more at home with a plate of bhajiyas…
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[FADE IN] INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY SHANTILAL and SAUGATA sip their coffee. Saugata, the creator of Shantilal in his latest book Mostly Mundane, is visibly upset. SAUGATA (Frustrated) I just don’t get it, dear! I sent my book to that popular bookstagrammer, the one with thousands of followers, and all that he could manage…
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Shantilal, a man whose blood ran as thin as the discount lassi at his local eatery, was in a state of marital disquiet. Dhanteras, the festival celebrated to welcome health, wealth and prosperity, was upon him, and Anjali, his bride of three months, was expecting a gift. A gift that, in her own words, “spoke…
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(Those who have read ‘Mostly Mundane’ are aware of the Open Letter to the Readers where I have introduced Shanti to the world. That he has been waiting for retribution is pretty evident in the following birthday note I received on WhatsApp this morning. I now only wish more and more people to know what…
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The air crackled with festive anticipation, a strange mix of devotion and delirium. Shantilal, still adjusting to the new ruby ring on his finger and the unfamiliar sensation of being a “husband,” trailed behind Anjali, who was navigating the throngs of pandal-hoppers with the determination of an inspired Abhimanyu approaching the Chakravyuh in a saree.…
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The smoke-filled office of Mostly Mundane Publications was a picture of contrasting emotions. Shantilal, the publisher, exuded an air of unshakeable optimism, while Saugata, the author, resembled a deflated balloon. “Chin up, old chap!” boomed Shantilal, slapping Saugata on the back with the force of a minor earthquake. “Three days is but a blink in…
Saugata Chakraborty 