In Conversation with Sanjana Raj at The Book Club Discussion at Vasant Vihar
The conversation began with asking Puneet what motivated her to write her novel “Take No. 2020”, and this is what she said: “I was writing a story for a web-series, but once I began expanding on each episode, I realized there was more to say for each character and plot point which eventually segued into a book writing exercise. Later, the covid lockdown made me throw that challenge for my characters as well and put them through the crises of pandemic in addition to the struggles aspiring actors undergo in Bollywood.”
Puneet Sikka is a media professional and an aspiring actress having worked as a writer for news channels and for advertisements, as well as having performed on stage, TV commercials, a web-series and a feature film.
“Take No. 2020” is Puneet Sikka’s debut novel – a tale about the lives of four aspiring actors going into a tailspin in 2020. It’s interesting how a story emerges from within a story and in its smoke-and-mirrors treatment reflects the illusory world of the film industry to the bone.
In conclusion, she adds, “A debut novel is mostly auto fictional, as it would be for most authors. And so is the same for Take No. 2020. I’m a sum of my experiences, which has helped me give the storyline and my characters the nuances from conversations and observations that I’ve picked from life, thereby rendering the book its slice-of-life quality. The characters are relatable and a blend of many people from life. Beyond that, covid and especially the lockdown proved the adage that fact is stranger than fiction. And the bizarre turns of events in the story is what makes Take No. 2020 an edge-of-the-seat, gripping read, right till the end.”
