Vidish Athavale gives a master class in narration in Kapoor’s (
A Bad Character) electrifying saga about the corruption of power. A car crash in New Delhi leaves five dead and a suspect, Ajay, loyal servant of the Wadia family, behind bars. Flashbacks from Ajay’s impoverished life introduce Sunny Wadia, a rich, hard-partying playboy who offers Ajay employment; and Neda, an unyielding journalist who catches Sunny’s eye. While Ajay moves up in rank to become Sunny’s personal assistant, Sunny envisions a plan to move himself out from his father’s shadow. Then the accident happens. Every character has a distinct intonation and accent. Athavale seems to relish vocalizing certain supporting characters, such as Vicky Wadia, Sunny’s uncle, who oozes with villainy with his deep, purring inflections. Athavale slightly changes the vocalizations of Ajay, Sunny, and Neda as time moves to the present. Ajay’s voice is the most altered, as he goes from quiet servant who barely talks, to jaded prisoner.
VERDICT It helps that Kapoor’s novel, the first in a trilogy, is beyond outstanding with its tale of greed, violence, and discontent. Adding Athavale’s narration to this book is like hitting the jackpot. An essential purchase for all libraries.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!