Shashi Tharoor is one of the most popular politicians on Twitter, perhaps not only for his political views but also his candid take on everything under the sun. Sometimes it has also landed him in trouble. But that has not stopped him from expressing his views in a clear and concise manner.
On Saturday, the author-turned politician agreed to a freewheeling chat with DNA. From his current favourite reads, to whom he wants to play if a biopic is done on him, and whether he feels shackled while writing on contemporary politics, Tharoor answered all questions with a straight bat.
When asked about which politician's 'experiment with truth' he would like to read, Tharoor had a very short reply for us.
Between Jawaharal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, Tharoor put Gandhi on a pedestal but said he identified more with Nehru.
When asked if it was a conscious decision to write a book, Tharoor shows his trademark humour. Was it a veiled dig towards journalists?
Many people think Shashi Tharoor is the right man in the wrong party. But clearly Tharoor doesn't think so.
Early in the chat, we hurled a bouncer at him. He handled it with languid elan..
Tharoor started early in life as a writer. The former Union minister claims that in those days there was less distraction, hence books were his only entertainment, and writing came naturally to him.
Tharoor also listed out his current reading list for DNA readers.
These are 5 must-reads in Tharoor's non-fiction list.
His new book is coming out in January and it deals with contemporary India covering up to 6 months of the Modi government.
Tharoor believes that with age his writing has become much more refined and he has improved as a writer.
His last fiction novel was way back in 2001. So we asked if he plans to write fiction anytime soon.
Every journalist and author dreads the word 'writer's block'. It is like the 'bad patch' for a cricketer, very hard to shrug off. Tharoor has a simple uncomplicated solution to it.
Tharoor refuses to pick his best work.
Tharoor also talks about his collaboration with MF Hussain for one of his books.
We couldn't stop but ask him about Game of Thrones..
Shashi Tharoor is not the usual run-of-the-mill politician and his life has enough elements to be turned into a movie.
No prizes for guessing his favourite city though..
On the question of censorship, he unequivocally voices his opinion against it.
Tharoor is not overtly concerned about increasing trend of e-books taking over books. But he is concerned about fate of bookshops.
Tharoor signs off by urging readers to read, to encourage writers to keep writing.
Shashi Tharoor at his cheeky best.
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