PVPF 2024

Interview with Ayush Gupta, Author of "My Name is Not Devdas"

on Oct 29, 2022

Aayush Gupta is an author-screenwriter. He's been a part of writers' rooms in Eros, Zee, and is currently associated with Yash Raj Films. He's produced and presented shows for All India Radio's External Services and National channels. Under his own banner, Guddi Productions, he has directed and co-produced multiple nonfiction shows and documentaries.

Frontlist: What inspired you to choose the title, "My Name is Not Devdas," since it sounds like a movie title? What sets this apart from that?

Ayush: The book is written in the first person – from the POVs of Devdas, Paro, and Chandramukhi. The title, My Name Is Not Devdas, is reflective of this, as well as hinting at the underlying theme of the book, which is identity. Our ‘hero’, for the lack of a better word, makes it clear in the first chapter, that he is NOT named Devdas, and is merely using it as an alias, so that his true name and true identity may remain hidden.

Having said that, we did have a couple of other options that didn’t make the final cut, my favorite of which was suggested by a friend, “Here Lies Devdas”.

Frontlist: In what ways are the characters in the novel different from those in the film?

Ayush: I’m not sure which film we’re talking about, since there have been more than a dozen notable adaptations. I’ll venture a guess that you meant Bhansali’s Devdas (2002). The characters are pretty different, as is the world. For one, most film adaptations have been the story of Devdas, with Paro and Chandramukhi revolving around his story. In this book, the attempt has been to tell the stories of three characters, who are equally driving the overall narrative.

Putting it simply, Paro is a badass, who evolves from being a so-called charity case, into a claw-your-way-up-no-matter-what kinda girl. Chandramukhi, on the other hand, is a survivor, who’s been through hell and back, and in Devdas, sees hope of a new beginning. Devdas, meanwhile, is a pseudo-feminist, who masquerades as a woke torchbearer of political correctness, while being a pretty broken, selfish young man.

Frontlist: Has this storyline been inspired by a true story or a situation you've heard about?

Ayush: A few years back, during my post-graduation at DU, I had a bitter argument with a close friend about the JNU incident. We didn't speak to each other for weeks after our row. And I grew to wonder, would I be willing to forego a friendship, a relationship, over differing political beliefs? I patched things up with my friend but I am sorry to report, that I still do not have an exact answer. The question still troubles me - and is the central thought of My Name Is Not Devdas. How much does

Frontlist: Could your novel also be a novel for children since it contains words that are appropriate for adults?

Ayush: I am not sure children would be the correct audience for this. There are disturbing themes and sometimes violent scenes that might not be suitable for kids.

Frontlist: Does a love triangle within the novel indicate that it is a love story?

Ayush: Love is one of the many things that propels our characters ahead – drives them, so to say – but I am not sure if it is a love story in the traditional sense of the phrase. If you want someone only after they’ve left you, is it love? If you irreversibly destroy someone you love, is it love?

Frontlist: What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this book?

Ayush: This is the age of information - where we are ABSOLUTE in our beliefs. We invariably KNOW that we are right. So much so that we'll spend hours picking fights on social media with friends, family, and strangers - and yet not engage in actual dialogue. No flexibility, no discussion, no listening. We'll easily walk away from years of friendships, experiences, and shared moments, all to prove a point - that we are RIGHT - never asking ourselves if it is really worth it. This book asks those questions and hopefully will make you mull over your answer.