PVLF 2026

Interview: Vinay Kanchan, Author of “THE LEGEND OF BREAK-UP BHAVANI”

A breakup births a superhero. On a college campus steeped in myth, Gargi hunts the truth behind Break-Up Bhavani as humor, heartbreak, and evil collide.
on Feb 09, 2026

Frontlist: The Legend of Break-Up Bhavani turns heartbreak into the origin story of a superheroine. What sparked the idea of blending college life, mythology, and a breakup-triggered legend?

Vinay: As a trainer and a life-long student of creative thinking, I have always been a fan of juxtaposition or mash-ups-essentially the art of putting different things together. In my experience that esoteric mixture of diverse influences can often result in truly innovative outcomes. This formed the basis of Break-Up Bhavani. It was also contextualized against the typical superhero trope, of trying to save the city/world/universe. My insight was around, people needing superheroes for very personal problems in their lives. That thought struck me as funny, and hence that led to the exploration of this idea. The name came first-in a fit of alliterative endeavor-but the moment I wrote Bhavani down; this world took on mythological connotations-another one of my favorite influences (asides from superheroes). Breakups often are also seen as devastating moments. The intent was to reposition these apparent pitfalls into pivotal moments to transform and energize one’s life. This was some of the thinking which powered this concept.

Frontlist: Gargi, the college magazine editor, becomes central to the unfolding mystery. Why did you choose a campus setting and a student protagonist to anchor such a mythic storyline?

Vinay: The College campus is a sweet spot for many Indians. Some of our fondest memories are created here. While it only might stretch for 4-5 years, college life registers a disproportionate contribution to the mental mantelpiece of nostalgia. I wanted people to relive that experience. The dynamism of student life there, and the myriad possibilities it presents for personal development, also opened up a lot of interesting sub plots. College is also the place where serious breakups surface probably for the first time. Making it an idea venue to set the story in.

Gargi is emblematic of our critical thinking ability. She is someone who seeks the truth. And in many ways represents our point of view in terms of trying to find out who Break-Up Bhavani really is. She is in many ways, the heart and head of this tale. Unfazed by events, and always trying to dig deeper into what is transpiring around her. As her namesake from Indian mythology-the ancient woman scholar- so wonderfully illustrates, our mind and will are our real superpowers. And Gargi flaunts them to the hilt.

Frontlist: Many characters carry names inspired by mythology, such as Agastya, Urvashi, Tathagat, and Brahmani. How do these mythological echoes shape their personalities or destinies in the story?

Vinay: I thought a mythologically inspired universe, set in a modern-day college would be fun to explore. Hence, a lot of the characters have names which are lent a weight and gravitas by a sweet spot for many Indians. Some of our fondest memories are created here. While it only might stretch for 4-5 years, college life registers a disproportionate contribution to the mental mantelpiece of nostalgia. I wanted people to relive that experience. The dynamism of student life there, and the myriad possibilities it presents for personal development, also opened up a lot of interesting sub plots. College is also the place where serious breakups surface probably for the first time. Making it an idea venue to set the story in.

Vinay: I thought a mythologically inspired universe, set in a modern-day college would be fun to explore. Hence, a lot of the characters have names which are lent a weight and gravitas by a mythological past. However, I have chosen to add present day layers to these characters, even if some essences persist. For example, Agastya was famous for swallowing the ocean. But in this world, I have given Professor Agastya a special relationship with water. One which he might not be even completely aware of in the first book. That leaves opportunities for entertaining exploration, not just with him, but also all other characters which have been created in the same manner.

Frontlist: Breakups are usually seen as painful and personal experiences. What made you reimagine heartbreak as something powerful enough to “summon” a superhero figure?

Vinay: The dominant perception around breakups is that they are painful, solemn experiences, which must be avoided. And yet, they can be also be useful as clarifying milestones in one’s life, where one discovers their true self. As someone who has always embraced and celebrated humor, I thought it might be a fun and even therapeutic experience, to narrate this story with large doses of levity. Because humor has the wonderful ability of making big problems seem less intimidating, whilst also opening up avenues for better, more incisive thinking. And exaggerating the thought that the ‘ideal’ solution to a bad breakup might be summoning an avenging angel to get one’s own back, was something which truly tickled my imagination. Out of that mirth was born Break-Up Bhavani.

Frontlist: Your background in advertising and brand storytelling often involves sharp, creative hooks. Did that influence the fast-paced, witty, and pop-cultural tone of this novel?

Vinay: Advertising and brand storytelling are excellent examples of structured creativity at work. So, whilst ideas can be wild, they eventually always have to serve some strategic purpose. Ads typically have very little time to get their message across, and that training results in a strong focus in one’s writing, where there is always a commitment to some kind of a core or holding concept. My background also helped me develop all the characters as unique and distinctive brands in themselves. So, I guess a lot of my prior experiences did come to play in the creation of this universe.

Frontlist: The story hints at a larger battle between good and evil unfolding in an otherwise normal college environment. What themes were you most excited to explore through this contrast?

Vinay: There are a lot of themes touched upon in the book. Perhaps an overarching one which is unfolding is the eternal battle between good and evil. And while that initially begins with our superheroine punishing the evil in a bad breakup, her scope begins to widen as the story goes on. The fact that a larger, more threatening evil, might be playing out from a college campus was an arresting idea. One which will be explored some more as the series unfolds. Other important themes are friendship and love, which always are present in this tale. As also the role of mentoring in personal development, which is subtly and not so subtly presented across the book.

Frontlist: As someone who trains people to think creatively and “out of the box,” do you see this book as an extension of that philosophy in fictional form?

Vinay: Everything one does somewhere reflects one’s core philosophies. The book is very much along those lines. A creative exploration of a mashup which has never been attempted before. Synthesizing the richness of Indian mythology with the vibrant world of superheroes, iced with a touch of humor and irreverence. It is meant to be a different book from many which delve purely into the mythological space. It is meant to stand apart in the manner in which it looks at breakups. It is meant to make you think a touch deeper about everything, whilst always trying to make you smile. Much like all the sessions that I facilitate.

Frontlist: This is Part 1 of the series. Without giving spoilers, what can readers expect from the journey of Break-Up Bhavani in the books ahead?

Vinay: The scope of the evil forces which our superheroine and her friends will have to confront, will probably go up many notches. Some relationships will grow deeper. Some characters might be along the way. But in a nutshell, Gargi and her friends, might find themselves taking on some truly epic challenges. All puns intended.