Scribd
Upload
734 views1 page

WIL Vikas Swarup

Vikas Swarup was born in Allahabad, India and has had a career as a diplomat, working in several countries including Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and currently South Africa. He comes from a family of lawyers but chose a career in government service instead. Swarup wrote the novel Q&A, which was adapted into the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire. At the Oscars, he was able to easily introduce himself to many famous actors. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, and telling jokes. The most important lesson he's learned is that success is fleeting and one must

Uploaded by

zkumalo_valentine
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
734 views1 page

WIL Vikas Swarup

Vikas Swarup was born in Allahabad, India and has had a career as a diplomat, working in several countries including Turkey, the United States, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and currently South Africa. He comes from a family of lawyers but chose a career in government service instead. Swarup wrote the novel Q&A, which was adapted into the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire. At the Oscars, he was able to easily introduce himself to many famous actors. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, and telling jokes. The most important lesson he's learned is that success is fleeting and one must

Uploaded by

zkumalo_valentine
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

marie claire what ive learnt

I was born in Allahabad in north India. It is famous for producing most of Indias prime ministers and for hosting the biggest gathering on earth every 12 years in the form of the Kumbh Mela, which is held on the banks of the Ganges and attracts 70 million people. Working in South Africa has been the fulfilment of a dream. After handling Nelson Mandelas first visit to India in 1990 and visiting Durban and Pretoria in 1998 and 1999, I wanted to come back here and experience this Rainbow Nation for myself. I love my job but sometimes I am annoyed by the sheer predictability of bureaucracy. Writing is a way of escaping that reality. Then I can invent my own world in my head and indulge my imagination. My most treasured possession is my PC. Im a computer junkie. I read most of the news on the Internet. I dont remember what we did before Google. I come from a family of lawyers. My mother, father, uncles and aunts are all lawyers. I am the first generation to work in government service. My mother was quite relieved because she was tired of all the legal discussions in the house.

I simply went up to Angelina and Brad and introduced myself as the author of Slumdog Millionaire
After joining the Indian Foreign Service, I left India in 1987 and have worked as a diplomat in Turkey (my first post), the USA, Ethiopia, Great Britain and South Africa. I have recently been posted as consul general to Osaka and will be moving to Japan before the end of the year. My wife Aparna is especially excited because she is an artist. Even though Q&A was optioned for movie rights a year before it was published, I never imagined it would get me to the red carpet. Even director Danny Boyle was surprised by its global success. My latest book, Six Suspects (Doubleday), has also been optioned for movie rights. Id describe myself as a decent human being and would like to be remembered as such. This Hindi proverb is my motto: Without asking a pearl may land on your lap; but if you beg you may not even receive alms. It means, dont hanker after anything. Do your work and rewards will come automatically. Its very easy to network and meet stars at the Oscars. I simply went up to people like Angelina [Jolie] and Brad [Pitt], Meryl Streep and Marisa Tomei and introduced myself as the author of Slumdog Millionaire. Goldie Hawn, who presented the award, hugged me and said, Congratulations. You know how much I love India. I spoke to Jennifer Aniston at length while walking to the car park and chatted to Sidney Poitier over lunch at Spago the following day. Im a real movie buff. Some of my favourite films include American Beauty, The Godfather and Babel. I especially love thrillers and science fiction. I dont regret naming my book Q&A rather than Slumdog Millionaire. I feel it is a more iconic, mysterious title. The latter caused much controversy in India [as it is a derogatory term]. I normally dont get angry but I cant tolerate dishonesty. I tell jokes from time to time. One of my favourites goes like this: Person one: Knock-knock. Person two: Whos there? Person one: Control freak. Now you say Control freak who? Relaxing is spending time with my family. I also listen to music. My taste is eclectic, ranging from light and classical Indian music to groups like Pink Floyd and Enigma. The most important thing Ive learnt about life is that this too shall pass. Like many things, fame is ephemeral and transient. This lesson grounds you at the height of success and also brings you hope when youre down in the dumps. n

VIKAS SWARUP
47, Indian deputy high commissioner to South Africa, author of Q&A the book adapted for Slumdog Millionaire, 2006 Boeke Prize winner

000

InTERvIEW ZODWA KuMALO-VALENTINE PHOTOGRAPH TBC BY JO

You might also like