'Slumdog Millionaire' Author Shares Major Key to Success

© AFP 2023 / FRED DUFOURVikas Swarup, Indian diplomat and author of the first novel "Q&A", successfully adapted for the screen as "Slumdog Millionaire" poses on May 21, 2010 at his hotel in Paris
Vikas Swarup, Indian diplomat and author of the first novel Q&A, successfully adapted for the screen as Slumdog Millionaire poses on May 21, 2010 at his hotel in Paris - Sputnik International
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Gear up, aspiring writers! The author of "Q&A," which was adapted into the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Milionaire," has a major secret to share about his success!

Vikas Swarup, author of "Q&A," was 40 years old and already a successful career diplomat when he wrote the book, he told Rossiyskaya Gazeta in an interview.

"In general, I was not even sure that my book would be published. The film seemed a far thought then. I was a novice writer, had written nothing ever before, I was not even familiar with any publisher or agent. I did not have a patron or any kind of connections. Hence, the very publication of the book came as a surprise to me," Swarup told Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

An Indian woman reacts to the camera as another sells meat in a narrow alley at a slum area in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - Sputnik International
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He added that while Russian literature has been an influence on his writing, he is not very well-acquainted with Russia. He said that Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago," Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment" and short stories by Leo Tolstoy had a great influence on him because Russian authors "write about genuine issues."

He admitted that despite this and his interest in Russia, he is not yet ready to create a major Russian character in one of his works.

"To begin with, I need to study the Russian DNA. I've never worked in Russia. I have Russian friends, but I do not drink vodka. I must become better acquainted with Russians and develop a taste for this drink. By the way, in my first book, there is one minor character named Mikhailov," Swarup said.

Having previously worked as a career diplomat, Swarup is now the official spokesman of India's Ministry of External Affairs.

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