The Shining Literature: Congratulations on winning the Sahitya Sparsh Awards Season 4 for Koramangala Lies. How does this recognition make you feel, and what does this award mean to you?
Sunil Bhagat: It really means a lot. As a debut author, it makes me incredibly proud. Writing a book is a solitary, slightly mad endeavor where you disappear into a cave for weeks, emerging only for snacks and validation from your family. To have that corporate-hustle narrative recognized on a real stage tells me that the long nights were worth it. It’s a huge milestone for me.
The Shining Literature: What inspired you to write Koramangala Lies? Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the idea for the novel?
Sunil Bhagat: In some way, it felt like I had witnessed all those characters in real time, and I just needed to channelize those chaotic thoughts into a proper story. The actual trigger, though, was reading Five Point Someone. I had dealt with very similar intense emotions during my own engineering days and thought, “Hey, I can write as well.” After all, I am #theOtherBhagat.
The Shining Literature: The story beautifully explores cross-cultural relationships and family expectations. Why did you choose this theme, and how important is it in today’s society?
Sunil Bhagat: In today’s world, all we see around us is division—people letting caste, religion, or boundaries dictate terms. I wanted to deliver a very simple message: true love operates beyond any rigid binary or social constraint. At the same time, children shouldn’t forget their parents. Love will remain, but the sacrifices made along the way are what make a love story eternal.
The Shining Literature: Sahil and Jiya feel incredibly authentic. How did you develop these characters, and did any real-life experiences influence their journey?
Sunil Bhagat: Absolutely. Sahil and Jiya can be anyone you know. Many of my friends went through remarkably similar situations trying to date in the corporate world. You can call it peak detailing—written as if one has actually lived those exact, uncomfortably honest moments over late-night calls and office cafeteria food.
The Shining Literature: Bangalore, especially Koramangala, feels like a character in the novel. Why was it important for you to set the story there?
Sunil Bhagat: Everything started from here! I used to stay in Koramangala, and the place was very close to me during my initial, broke days in Bangalore. It’s the ultimate backdrop where high-tech corporate life perfectly collides with low-tech romantic disasters.
The Shining Literature: What was the most challenging part of writing Koramangala Lies, and what did you enjoy the most during the writing process?
Sunil Bhagat: There were two massive challenges. First was capturing Sahil’s relentless, stubborn journey in search of love. The second was the ending. I was determined to keep it real and avoid a lazy, cliché fairy tale. I wanted to show that sometimes the most impossible love stories are the most beautiful ones, and finding that perfect balance took a lot of late nights.
The Shining Literature: If readers could take away one message from Koramangala Lies, what would you hope it would be?
Sunil Bhagat: I want them to look back and never have to say, “I wish I had tried this” or “I wish I had done that.” In life—and in love—you have to give it absolutely everything you’ve got. Empty the tank, lay your heart bare, and then let destiny take over. Whatever happens after that is always for the best. After all, love doesn’t require a flawless master plan. Sometimes it just takes a single moment, a genuine smile, and that is more than good enough for a lifetime.
The Shining Literature: Are you currently working on another book or any exciting writing projects that readers can look forward to?
Sunil Bhagat: Yes, one more is already in the pipeline. The characters are currently misbehaving in my head, but it will be ready for release next year.
The Shining Literature: Are you active on social media or any online platforms? How can readers connect with you and stay updated on your work?
Sunil Bhagat: I’ve historically been restricted to a close friends’ circuit, but I’m actively upgrading my social media presence. I regularly post updates about my writing on Instagram and LinkedIn. Come say hello—I promise I don’t talk like a rigid tech manual.
The Shining Literature: Where can readers purchase Koramangala Lies? Is the book available in both print and digital formats?
Sunil Bhagat: Yes, it’s fully available in both print and digital formats. You can grab your copy right now on Amazon, hit the publisher’s portal, or frankly, just Google it!
The Shining Literature: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write authentic and emotionally engaging stories?
Sunil Bhagat: If you have a story inside you, believe in it completely. Words can be generated by an algorithm, but true feelings can’t. If you write from a place of genuine emotion, your story will generate true feelings in the reader.
The Shining Literature: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and everyone who has supported Koramangala Lies on its journey?
Sunil Bhagat: Immense gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues for being part of this crazy ride. I know a lot of you are reading between the lines to guess who inspired which character. All I will say is, legally speaking, any resemblance to real persons is coincidental… but if you know, you know.
