Authors’ Background: Author Sagar Kumar is a writer and a director based in Bangalore, originally from Shimoga. He is a B.E. graduate, and he had worked in the IT industry as an iOS developer for seven years before fully transitioning into the world of storytelling. Driven by a deep passion for truth & human narratives, he wishes to be known simply as a storyteller, regardless of the medium!
Questionnaire:
Neel Preet: Deeply Congratulations on your book, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint!” What kind of responses are you getting from this book of yours? Please share your experience about this book.
Sagar Kumar: Thank you! The response has been intense — emotional, thought-provoking, and at times unsettling. Many readers said it challenged their sense of justice and humanity. Writing it was a raw experience; I didn’t aim to judge, just to reveal. It’s not about heroes or villains — it’s about truth.
Neel Preet: What inspired you to write this book and what was the impetus behind this work of yours?
Sagar Kumar: I never meant to be an author — but this story wouldn’t let me go. The incident at Madiwala Police Station raised questions I couldn’t ignore. Writing became a way to confront the truth and give voice to what others chose to overlook.
Neel Preet: Your book’s title, “Interrogation” seems to be very catchy. Well, what made you go for this particular title?
Sagar Kumar: Interrogation isn’t just about police questioning — it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths. It reflects the emotional and moral layers of the story, where every character faces a deeper, personal reckoning. It felt like the only title that captured the depth of what this story really is.
Neel Preet: What was your mind-set, while working on this book? What are some of those major points which you expect the readers to extract from this book?
Sagar Kumar: While writing, my mindset was a mix of urgency and reflection.
It wasn’t just about telling a story—it was about confronting uncomfortable truths that many prefer to avoid. I wanted readers to question their assumptions about justice, morality, and human nature.
At the heart of it lies a difficult truth: no one is entirely good or entirely bad. Every person has a story, and every story carries its own layered complexities. Often, we’re either trying to save someone who is truly innocent—or someone we know is at fault, but we fight for them anyway, because they matter to us more than the idea of justice.
It’s rarely about justice itself. It’s about what we believe is justice. And justice, more often than not, is subjective—shaped by the lens through which we choose to see.
And perhaps most of all, it takes a great deal of courage to let go of where you come from—and how you were brought up.
What we believe to be the truth forms the foundation of the narrative.
Neel Preet: How is this book of yours different from the other titles of the same genre? And who are some of those writers and authors, whom you follow?
Sagar Kumar: This book differs by exploring the complexities of human nature and justice, not just crime or interrogation. It dives into the emotional and psychological toll, offering no easy answers but challenging readers to face uncomfortable truths.
I follow authors like Perumal Murugan (Pyre) for the way he addresses caste and the nuances of social injustice with powerful insight. Sachin Garg (Hindu Refugee Camp, Lahore) inspires me with his psychological depth — he sets his stories against a vast backdrop, allowing them to flow through it without letting them drown in it. I also admire Lee Child(One Shot) for his gripping narrative style — his work has deeply influenced how I approach both storytelling and cinematic writing.
Neel Preet: Next, can you please tell us some of those points which the budding authors should follow while working on ‘Biographical Fiction’ genre!
Sagar Kumar: I’m no big author to advise others — but I’m ready to be judged, criticised, or accepted.
That said, what resonates in my mind when preparing to write is: balance truth with storytelling. Stay rooted in facts, but use fiction to explore emotional depth. Humanize your characters, research thoroughly, and focus on why the story matters today. Let emotions guide the narrative, not just events.
One rule to become a fan of your own writing: the more personal the story, the more universally it can resonate.
Neel Preet: Which segment of readers is your primary target through this book of yours? And, how is your book relevant in the present day scenario?
Sagar Kumar: My primary target readers are those who appreciate stories that explore the complexities of human nature and justice. This book speaks to anyone interested in the grey areas of morality and real-world issues.
In today’s world, it’s relevant because it challenges readers to think critically about justice, power, and the consequences of choices, reflecting struggles that often go unnoticed.
Neel Preet: Is there any message that you would like to convey to your readers? Or any piece of advice, which you would like to give to the readers out there!
Sagar Kumar: This story is not meant to comfort—it’s meant to confront. If it unsettles you, let it. Question what you’re told, listen deeply, and hold onto your empathy. In times like these, staying human is the real resistance.
The story may be specific—a police station in Bengaluru, a single day in June—but its implications are universal. It’s about how institutions silence truth, how memory can be twisted, and how survival often comes at the cost of silence.
My advice?
Listen more closely. Question what you’re told. Don’t assume the official version is the whole story. And above all, protect your empathy. In a world that rewards apathy, empathy is an act of quiet rebellion.
Neel Preet: What challenges did you face while writing this title, and how did you overcome them?
Sagar Kumar: The biggest challenge was balancing the truth with emotional depth. Staying true to the facts while giving the story room to breathe was difficult.
I overcame this by researching thoroughly and trusting my instincts to humanize the characters, ensuring the narrative stayed grounded in truth.
Neel Preet: Now that “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is out, what’s next for you as an author? Can the readers expect more such incredible works in the future?
Sagar Kumar: I don’t know because I’m accidental author.
