NDTV Loves Books!

Two-time Giller Prize-winning author MG Vassanji speaks to NDTV's Gargi Rawat about 'The Apparition', his latest novel set against medieval Delhi. He discusses the city's layered history, the rewriting of memory, questions of identity and belonging, colonialism, faith, and the mysterious apparition at the heart of the story.

How did DK Shivakumar go from a young Congress politician to one of the party's most important crisis managers and now Karnataka's Chief Minister?

In this episode of NDTV Loves Books, veteran journalist Rasheed Kidwai speaks to Gargi Rawat about his book D.K. Shivakumar: Congress's Crisis Manager, Karnataka's Kingmaker.

Kidwai traces Shivakumar's political journey, from his early years in student politics and his association with Rajiv Gandhi, to the high-stakes political battles that earned him a reputation as a troubleshooter and a fiercely loyal Congress leader.

The conversation examines Shivakumar's relationships with the Gandhi family, his patience during the Karnataka chief ministerial tussle, his political risk-taking, his religious identity within the Congress, and the question of whether his influence can extend beyond Karnataka.

But the biggest test may now be governance. With Bengaluru's infrastructure, development and upcoming political battles putting pressure on him, can Shivakumar convert his political instincts into delivery?

And ultimately: Can the 'Rock of Karnataka' become the rock of the Congress party?

What if India had not become one united nation in August 1947?

In Episode 17 of NDTV Loves Books, investigative journalist and author Josy Joseph speaks to Gargi Rawat about his latest book, Birth of a Nation: The 21 Days That Made India.

Drawing on previously neglected archival records, Joseph revisits the dramatic weeks leading up to Independence, when 565 princely rulers and hundreds of smaller principalities had to decide whether to join India, remain independent or pursue other possibilities.

The conversation explores the roles of Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, V.P. Menon and Lord Mountbatten, the resistance from powerful princely states such as Hyderabad and Travancore, the little-known civil servants and secret networks involved in the process, and the political forces that shaped India's integration.

Joseph also reflects on Mahatma Gandhi, ahimsa, federalism and the idea of India, and why the story of how the country came together still matters today.

Who was Kadambari Devi, and why does Isheeta Ganguly believe she shaped Rabindranath Tagore's creative legacy? In this episode from NDTV Loves Books, writer, singer and playwright Isheeta Ganguly reflects on the extraordinary bond between Rabindranath Tagore and Kadambari Devi. She explains how Kadambari's life, her unrealised potential and her tragic death may have profoundly influenced Tagore's poetry, plays and novels. Watch the full conversation with Gargi Rawat on NDTV Loves Books, where Isheeta Ganguly discusses her graphic novel Three Women and the timeless themes of love, loss and women's agency.

What happens when a successful business suddenly finds itself facing raids, FIRs and criminal investigations? In Episode 15 of NDTV Loves Books, Gargi Rawat speaks to entrepreneur and crisis management expert Vineet Relia about his book 'Relax, It's Only a Raid: Confessions of a Crisis Manager' Drawing from years of real-world experience, Relia explains how corporate crises unfold, why commercial disputes increasingly become criminal cases, and how business leaders should respond when faced with investigations, regulatory action or reputational challenges. From handling raids and dealing with investigating agencies to navigating legal battles and managing public perception, this conversation offers valuable insights into leadership under pressure and surviving corporate crises. Watch this invigorating conversation on NDTV Loves Books.

India's ambitious cheetah reintroduction programme captured global attention, but few know the diplomatic effort that made it possible.

In Episode 12 of NDTV Loves Books, Gargi Rawat speaks to Ambassador Prashant Agrawal, author of 'Bringing the Cheetah Back to India: How Diplomacy Made Conservation's Big Mission Possible.'

From complex negotiations with Namibia and the challenges of transporting cheetahs during the COVID-19 pandemic to the conservation philosophy behind Project Cheetah, Ambassador Agrawal reveals the untold story behind one of India's most ambitious wildlife initiatives.

Watch this fascinating conversation on diplomacy, conservation, wildlife restoration and the mission to return cheetahs to Indian grasslands.

One year after his landmark space mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla speaks exclusively to NDTV about his experiences in space, the memories that shaped his journey, and the inspiration behind his book, The Second Orbit. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on life aboard the International Space Station, India's growing space ambitions, and the future of human spaceflight.

In the 8th episode of NDTV Loves Books, Gargi Rawat speaks to Dr Anoop Mishra about his book 'Smart Calories and Common Sense' - an evidence-based guide to nutrition, weight loss and healthy living tailored for India. From intermittent fasting and Ozempic-style weight loss drugs to protein supplements, artificial sweeteners and fad diets, Dr Mishra breaks down what science actually says - and warns against blindly following social media health trends. The conversation also explores immunity, gluten-free diets, obesity, cancer risks, Ayurvedic medicine and why India-specific nutrition research matters more than ever.

In the sixth episode of NDTV Loves Books, NDTV's Gargi Rawat speaks to American author and photographer Stephen P. Huyler about his book 'Transformed by India: A Life.'

From arriving in India as a young traveller in the 1970s to spending decades documenting its art, communities and traditions, Huyler reflects on a journey that reshaped his worldview.

He speaks about engaging with people across social strata, understanding indigenous cultures, and how India helped him confront his own biases. The conversation also explores the evolving identity of India, the value of tradition in a modern world, and the ethics of documenting lived realities.

In the fifth episode of NDTV Loves Books, NDTV's Gargi Rawat speaks to lawyer and author Anand Prasad about his book Unshackling the Elephant.

Prasad examines the structural challenges within India's legal system - from delays in justice delivery and weak contract enforcement to questions around judicial accountability and state power.

He argues for reforms that make the law more accessible, responsive and aligned with the realities of ordinary citizens, while also sparking debate on issues such as sovereign immunity, public interest litigation, and individual freedoms.

The conversation explores whether India's legal framework can evolve to better serve its people in a rapidly changing society.