1. Congratulations on the release of your book, Phir Se Milenge. How does it feel to see your first poetry collection published?
Thank you. For me, it feels like an emotional achievement.
2. Congratulations on winning the Sahitya Sparsh Awards – Season 3 in the Best Poetry (Love and Separation) category. What does this recognition mean to you?
Thank you once again. After receiving this recognition, I am seriously thinking about publishing my next poetry collection as early as possible. Awards and recognition truly fuel a person to do more in a chosen field.
3. Your book has also received the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award and The Book Channel Award 2025. How do you feel about receiving multiple awards for your debut collection?
Truly speaking, I was not expecting this much recognition for my first poetry collection. When my publishing house first informed me that Phir Se Milenge had received the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award, I was astonished. The collection is a narrative of my own emotions, and I never imagined it would be honoured in this way. Then it happened again with The Book Channel Award 2025, and now the Sahitya Sparsh Award. It is far beyond my expectations.
4. What inspired you to write Phir Se Milenge and explore themes of love, separation, and emotional reflection?
This question is very close to my heart. Whenever I have meaningful conversations with people I truly connect with, I sense deep, untouched emotions beneath those exchanges—raw, pure, and often unspoken. I mention this in the preface of Phir Se Milenge. Those emotions became the catalyst for expressing what eventually took shape as my first poetry collection. It is, in essence, a collection of untold emotions.
5. You are currently working with a nationalised bank. How do you balance your professional life with your passion for poetry?
To be honest, the word “balance” feels quite heavy to me. There isn’t really anything like that in my case. Poetry, for me, is a flow of emotions. I don’t treat my passion like homework. Whenever I find solace, that becomes the perfect moment to immerse myself in emotions and search for words in their simplest form. This approach works for me, though it may not suit everyone. Every individual has their own way of living and creating.
6. When did you realise that writing was something you wanted to pursue seriously? Was it from an early age?
Yes, the passion to express emotions through poetry has been with me since my school days. Although I wasn’t particularly good at memorising poems by great poets, I found immense joy in writing things in my own way. After completing my studies, the immediate challenge was earning a livelihood, and poetry was left behind during the process of building a career. Now, I find myself in a position where I can write again—and so I do.
7. Your poems are known to deeply connect with readers. How does it feel when someone relates personally to your creations?
I have always wanted to quench the thirst of humanity’s unexpressed emotions through my writing. Whenever someone connects with themselves after reading one or two of my poems, I feel that my spiritual journey on this earth is fulfilled.
8. Are you active on social media? How can readers connect with you online to stay updated about your work?
Yes, I am active on social media. I have a dedicated poetry account on Facebook titled “The Journey Within… Poems, Stories.”
My Instagram handle is @shushant.openthedoor.
9. Where can readers purchase Phir Se Milenge? Are there any special editions or signed copies available?
Readers can purchase the book from various online platforms such as Barnes & Noble, Flipkart, and Amazon. Special editions and signed copies are planned for the future.
10. Do you have plans to write more poetry collections or explore other literary genres in the future?
Yes, my second poetry collection is already in the pipeline. I promise readers will find a very different aroma in it.
11. What advice would you give to aspiring poets who are trying to find their voice in contemporary Hindi literature?
Be real. Impactful literature depends on how honest and true you are with your emotions. Sugary quotes and artificial lines filled only with wordplay do not resonate with soulful readers. It may sound harsh, but it is true. Poetry is, above all, an art of emotions.
12. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. What message would you like to share with your readers about your journey and your poetry?
Thank you so much. I am deeply grateful to the entire Sahitya Sparsh team for this honour and recognition. Whatever I have written reflects emotions and dreams—mine or someone else’s—that could not be expressed or fulfilled. Your love and support will be an elixir for my future poetry. Thank you, and love to you all.
