Chicago-based author and journalist Tulika Mehrotra has been archiving stories of people around her for as long as she can remember — through the years spent pursuing a finance degree from the University of Illinois, later as a fashion design student in Milan, while taking French lessons in Paris, working with a design house in Manhattan, and then as a journalist in Los Angeles. But when her father suggested that she put down her observations in the form of a book, she shrugged it off with a “Someday…” Last year, Penguin snapped up two stories Lucknow-born Tulika was working on. The first, Delhi Stopover, has hit bookstores, while Tulika continues work on her second, Crashing B’Town. Delhi Stopover delves into the real story behind the glamour of the fashion industry though the (mis)adventures of a model, Lila. In Delhi Stop-over, she talks about depicting a world she knows only too well.
Delhi Stopover
It was while visiting Delhi a few years ago that I realised India’s fashion industry had not only arrived on a professional scale but was in the midst of explosive growth. When I attended some shows and befriended a few models, I saw international parallels and knew there was a story to tell. I also have a personal connection with Delhi, having lived in the city when I was younger.
Fashion insider
I made a deliberate effort to be as accurate as I could with the setting and the realities of the fashion industry. I had no intention of pointing fingers or passing judgments — only to tell a good story. The definition of glamour is constantly changing and one can celebrate every type of person.
Mirror image
In the earlier drafts of the novel, I made the amateur mistake of depicting myself in Lila with glittering perfection. As the manuscript evolved and was butchered through merciless editing, Lila’s reality emerged with all her unique flaws and insecurities. The only remaining similarities are our hairstyle, height, and the Chicago connection.
Crashing B’town
Crashing B’Town is a sequel to Delhi Stopover. The story continues, this time against the backdrop of Mumbai’s film industry. I wanted to create a non-clichéd portrayal of the industry. I would certainly love to see both Delhi Stopover and Crashing B’Town made into films!
Booked
I was not satisfied with my career direction in my fulltime corporate job. I felt stuck, powerless, and unhappy. I remember one night just writing my thoughts on a page. To my surprise, the words flowed like a dam had opened, and within a week I had 20,000 words. It suddenly felt like the right time to take on the task of writing a book.
Journalist, storyteller or observer?
An observer of people first and then a storyteller. While all three certainly support each other, I believe these first two traits only help to make a better journalist.