Finding Truth in Fantasy: An Introspective Conversation with Author Chakraborty

When speaking with author Chakraborty about her debut novel, The Fight Of The Asuras, one thing becomes immediately clear: fantasy may be her genre, but emotion is her language. 

In her interview with Unnati Shahi, the founder of The Bookish Gossips, she speaks with a quiet sincerity about how stories begin for her, why certain themes draw her in, and how writing has allowed her to understand parts of herself she never expected to explore. Her reflections invite readers to look beyond the epic battles and celestial forces of her novel and into the deeply human questions that shaped it. 

A Beginning Without Expectation 

Chakraborty does not present herself as someone who always dreamed of being an author. Her writing journey began in a moment so ordinary that it feels almost cinematic in hindsight. During a conversation with her family, she casually asked whether she should write a book. Their encouragement stayed with her, and that same night she opened her laptop with nothing more than curiosity and a spark of possibility. 

To her surprise, the story arrived with striking clarity. Words came easily, characters appeared fully formed, and the emotional tone of the novel revealed itself almost immediately. She describes this beginning as instinctive rather than planned, an experience that felt both unexpected and deeply meaningful. Writing became her way of reconnecting with feelings she does not always express openly, giving her space to explore her inner world with honesty and vulnerability. 

Themes That Move Beyond the Page 

One of the most defining elements of Chakraborty’s storytelling is her fascination with the balance between light and darkness. She returns to this idea frequently because it mirrors the complexities she believes exist within every individual. As she explains, she is drawn to “the eternal struggle and balance between light and darkness,” viewing them not as opposites but as “intertwined truths that live within every being.” 

These reflections are woven into The Fight Of The Asuras, which follows Kalki, a young man born into a feared bloodline and placed at the center of a looming cosmic conflict. Yet his journey is not simply one of power or prophecy. It is also a journey through identity, loyalty, and the difficult choices that shape a person’s sense of self. Chakraborty often finds herself returning to themes of “power, redemption, loyalty, and identity,” allowing them to develop organically from her characters’ emotional experiences.

For her, fantasy is not an escape from reality but a lens through which she examines the emotional and moral questions that resonate across all human experience. 

Building a World Rooted in Feeling 

Although Chakraborty’s story unfolds in a mythological universe filled with ancient forces and celestial warriors, she firmly believes that emotional truth is what gives fantasy its depth. Readers may first be captivated by the scale of her world, but it is the characters’ inner struggles that create lasting impact.

When the celestial warrior Chitrangada enters Kalki’s life, the fabric of his reality begins to shift. Buried truths come to light, alliances fracture, and his sense of duty begins to collide with desires he has long buried. The balance between survival and destruction grows thinner, forcing Kalki to confront both the shadows within himself and the future he has been chosen to protect. 

Chakraborty explains that she does not think of scenes in terms of plot mechanics alone. Instead, she draws from moments, emotions, and memories from her own life. A simple conversation or a fleeting feeling can become a turning point in her story. She believes that grounding fantasy in genuine emotion is what helps readers connect with the characters, even when the world around them is extraordinary. 

A Process Led by Intuition and Emotional Honesty 

When asked about her writing process, Chakraborty does not describe rigid methods or detailed blueprints. Instead, she works with a balance of structure and openness. She generally begins with a loose outline that gives her direction, but she is comfortable letting the story reshape itself along the way. She shares that “there are nights when a single line changes the course of an entire chapter,” and she has learned to trust these moments rather than resist them. Her writing is guided equally by “intention” and “intuition,” and she believes both are necessary to create work that feels alive. 

Writing has also become a tool for self understanding. She acknowledges that she is not very expressive in her daily life, but through storytelling, she has found a space to articulate emotions she once kept quiet. As she explains, “even though I am not very expressive in daily life, I can still put my feelings into words.” 

This realization has been transformative. She also discovered the power of imagination, saying, “knowledge gives us direction, but it is imagination that allows us to explore what seems impossible at first.” For her, creativity is the act of turning inner truths into something visible, something real. 

Finishing her debut novel strengthened her confidence. One of her most surprising realizations was “that I can actually write and that I truly enjoy it.”

Resilience, Commitment, and the Reality of Creativity 

As the partner of an Army officer, Chakraborty has learned to face uncertainty with strength. She admits that writing comes with difficult phases, especially when doubts begin to surface. Yet these moments often bring what she describes as “an unexpected clarity and energy,” something that pushes her forward and reminds her why she writes. 

She also speaks openly about the misconception that writing is glamorous. The reality, she explains, is far quieter. It is shaped by long hours, careful revisions, emotional investment, and a willingness to confront one’s own vulnerabilities. Feedback is a crucial part of this process. Whether positive or challenging, it helps her understand how readers connect with her work and offers new perspectives she may not have considered. 

Chakraborty sees writing not as a profession defined by ease, but as one defined by sincerity and commitment. 

What Readers Can Expect Going Forward 

With The Fight Of The Asuras, Chakraborty has crafted a story that blends epic mythological elements with intimate emotional depth. It is a novel built from instinct, introspection, and a desire to explore the questions that linger beneath the surface of everyday life. 

She hopes readers will not only enjoy the world she has created, but also find parts of themselves reflected within it. The choices her characters face, the doubts they confront, and the truths they uncover all mirror the quiet struggles that define us as humans. 

As she continues to write, Chakraborty remains focused on crafting stories that come from the heart. Her reflections suggest that her future works will continue to blend emotion with imagination, offering readers a place where wonder and truth meet. 

Speaking with her leaves a lasting impression. Her voice is gentle yet determined, reflective yet grounded. Her debut novel may be her first step into the literary world, but her sincerity and depth suggest a writer whose journey is only beginning.

Interview by The Bookish Gossips

Written by Ana Lopes