A writer’s journey across genres and generations!

Karan Puri is an Indian author and columnist. His first fiction novel “Shit Happens – Desi Boy in America” has been a bestseller. The book was also mentioned in the India Today Top 20 books in 2012. He is also editor in chief of a Lifestyle magazine named ‘In Vogue Life’. Apart from this he is a freelance writer in Lifestyle for various publications, a mentor in a few start-ups and also runs his own digital marketing consultancy helping fellow author’s and chefs.His book #Metoo is a collection of short stories drawn from personal accounts of sexual abuse survivors and their experiences. More recently, he authored a children book Tales Between Tastes. Here, he shares more about his journey as an author.

AABP: From Shit Happens – Desi Boy in America to your new children’s book, how has your voice as a storyteller evolved over the years?

Karan: When I wrote Shit Happens, it was all about youth, chaos, and cultural confusion — a fun, honest reflection of a desi boy finding his way in a new world. Then, with #MeToo, I found myself stepping into deeper, more emotional territory — stories that needed to be told with empathy and sensitivity. That book changed me not just as a writer, but as a person.

And now, Tales Between Tastes is my love letter to food, memories, and storytelling. It’s warm, nostalgic, and something readers of all ages can connect with. I think over the years, my voice has become more reflective, more layered. I’ve gone from playful to purposeful, and now to heartwarming — and I’m still growing with every story I tell.

The beautiful thing is, I’m still that same storyteller at heart – I still believe in the power of stories to heal, to connect, to make us feel less alone in this world. But now I’m painting with a broader palette, reaching across generations. It’s like I’ve gone from writing love letters to writing lullabies – both come from the heart, but they touch different parts of the soul!

AABP: Your upcoming children’s book blends food, fiction, and history. What inspired you to bring these elements together, especially for young readers?

Karan: It really began the day I held my daughter for the first time. In that quiet, emotional moment, I knew I wanted to create something lasting—not just for her, but for every child. Something that wouldn’t just entertain, but also nourish the heart and spirit.

Food, to me, has always been more than just sustenance. It carries memory, emotion, and identity. Growing up, a simple roti or a shared mango at home could mean love, comfort, or even a hidden message. I wanted to bring that richness into stories—stories that whisper wisdom, evoke nostalgia, and connect generations.

Tales Between Tastes blends food, fiction, and history in a way that feels familiar yet magical. Each tale carries flavours of childhood, heritage, and imagination. It’s my way of reminding kids—and the grown-ups reading with them—that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones passed down through recipes, shared meals, and quiet moments.

If even one child finds a sense of belonging in these pages, I’ll know the story did its job.

AABP: How do you approach crafting historical fiction for children — especially when drawing from real events like the Indian Mutiny or indentured labour migration?

Karan: For me, writing historical fiction for young readers is less about dates and battles, and more about feelings—about making them live in that world through everyday moments.

In “Tales Between Tastes,” I chose to explore history through the lens of ordinary people—cooks, schoolboys, potters—not kings or conquerors. Because I believe the most powerful stories come from the ground up. I wanted children to feel the dust of Munger’s ghats, smell jaggery simmering, or hear a coded message hidden in a humble chapati.

Food became my bridge—it’s culture, memory, and emotion all in one. A chutney recipe tells a tale of migration. A grinding stone becomes a symbol of resilience. These aren’t just meals—they’re moments of history, quietly lived.

I don’t write history at children—I invite them into it. The goal isn’t to simplify the past, but to humanize it. Through stories rooted in ritual, silence, and small joys, I hope young readers don’t just learn about history—they feel it, taste it, and carry it with them.

Because sometimes, the past lingers best not in textbooks—but in the smell of coriander, or the creak of a charpai at dawn.

AABP: What role does humour play in your storytelling, especially in a book meant for children but rooted in layered themes?

Karan: For me, humour is the secret ingredient — like that pinch of chaat masala your mom adds without telling you — it brings everything to life.

You see, when I began writing Tales between tastes, I wasn’t setting out to lecture or to teach life lessons. I was simply chasing the warmth of stories that made me feel something as a child — those bedtime tales my parents told me, often while feeding me a piece of paratha or mango.

Humour in the book works like the banana leaf under a South Indian meal — it holds everything together, even when the flavours get complex. The themes in the book — legacy, empathy, identity, pride — they’re layered, yes, but I wrap them gently in laughter, in silliness, in joyful absurdity. Like a boy who wears a bucket for a helmet — it’s funny on the surface, but behind that image is a deeper story of protection, imagination, and escape.

Children are incredibly wise, but they engage through emotion. And humour opens that door — it lets them feel safe enough to explore tougher questions.

At its heart, the book isn’t about being perfect or profound. It’s about being real. And real life, if you think about it, is never just serious. It’s a mix — of love and longing, of burnt rotis and unexpected rain, of big feelings and funny moments. And that’s the space I wanted to live in with this book.

AABP: You’ve often written about food as more than just a meal — as memory, nostalgia, and even rebellion. Why do you think food makes such a powerful storytelling device?

Karan: For me, food has always been more than just sustenance. It’s a language — one that doesn’t need translation. Whether it’s the aroma of maa ke haath ka rajma chawal wafting through the house on a Sunday afternoon, or that first bite of a mango in June, food instantly transports you. It brings back people, places, emotions… even versions of yourself you thought you had forgotten.

What I’ve realized is, food carries emotion in a very tangible way. A warm chapati can mean love. A missing mango can mean mischief. A shared meal can be a silent apology. It’s one of those rare mediums that engages all five senses, and when you combine that with storytelling, it becomes an experience. You don’t just read it — you feel it.

AABP: You authored a book on the #MeToo movement based on real survivor accounts. What was that experience like, and how did you ensure those stories were handled with authenticity and sensitivity?

Karan: #MeToo was, without a doubt, one of the most emotionally intense and humbling experiences of my life as a writer.When I started working on it, I knew I wasn’t just telling stories — I was holding someone else’s pain, their truth, their voice. Many of the survivors I spoke with had kept their experiences buried for years, even decades. So when they chose to share them with me, I knew I had a responsibility beyond words — I had to honour their courage with complete honesty and utmost sensitivity.

These stories came from all corners — women, men, young teenagers, elderly individuals, people from rural areas, big cities, celebrities, and common people alike. Some stories came from people who’d never spoken up before. I remember one particular call with a 68-year-old woman who told me, “This is the first time I’m saying it out loud… and I trust you.” That trust meant everything.

I didn’t approach these stories with a lens of judgment or bias — I was simply a listener first, a writer second. No filters, no forced narratives. Just real voices telling their truth, as raw and powerful as it was. I didn’t want to reduce them to mere victims — they are survivors, fighters, mothers, friends, brothers, daughters, and more. I wanted readers to feel the human connection behind each account.

Because in the end, it’s not just about stories — it’s about starting conversations, challenging silence, and shifting our collective mindset toward compassion and accountability. And I truly believe that when we speak our truth, we help others find the courage to do the same.

AABP: You wear many hats — author, columnist, blogger, influencer, consultant. How do you balance creativity with the demands of brand work and digital presence?

Karan: Honestly, I feel lucky that everything I do connects back to storytelling — whether it’s writing a book, blogging, or working with brands. For me, it’s all about staying true to my voice.I don’t see creativity and brand work as separate worlds — they actually feed into each other. A good campaign might inspire a character, or a personal story might become a blog or podcast idea. The key is to work with brands and people who align with what I believe in.Of course, there are busy days, but I always make time to unplug and write just for myself — that’s where the magic happens. I think when you love what you do, balance finds its own way.

AABP: What advice would you give to aspiring writers — especially those trying to merge creativity with influence in today’s noisy digital world?

Karan: To aspiring writers out there, especially those navigating today’s fast-scrolling, trend-chasing digital world—I would say this: stay rooted in your truth. Trends come and go, algorithms shift, platforms evolve. But what remains timeless is the power of an authentic story told with heart.Your creativity is your superpower. Don’t dilute it for likes or virality. Instead, use the digital world as your canvas, not your compass. Create first, and then share it fearlessly.

Also, engage with your audience. Influence doesn’t just mean followers—it’s about connection. If even one person writes back saying, “Hey, your words moved me”—that’s influence. That’s impact.And most importantly, enjoy the process.

Write what you love. Write what scares you. Write what excites you. And don’t be afraid to experiment, fail, and grow. Your story is your voice in this noisy world—and trust me, the world is always waiting to listen.