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How I Braved Anu Aunty's Book Launch

I haven't really been to a book launch that begins with peels of laughter. This one did and there were few dull moments in it. Varun Agarwal launched his debut novel, How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-founded A Million Dollar Company in Bangalore on 20th June, 2012. The Landmark store in Bangalore's Forum Mall was teaming with understandably proud family and friends. They were all there to see the impossible unfold in front of their eyes.

The question-answer session in the book launch was conducted by Richa Paul, musician and performance artist, famous for her jingles. She was herself shocked along with us to hear Varun declare quite brazenly, 'I wrote the book to sell my company'. So, now we understand all the references to Alma Mater, a company he co-founded after braving Anu Aunty.

Book Launch

It was conventionally touching to see Varun Agarwal's mother unveil the novel at the book launch and unconventionally shocking when he said that he doesn't want her mother to read it. He went on to say he doesn't want any of the mothers of his friends to read it either. That probably has something to do with the fact that the elusive 'F' word has been used 220 times in the entire book!

Varun Agarwal said quite a few things during the book launch that sounded casual but made a lot of sense. For example, his claim that he is not a writer but a storyteller makes absolute sense. Reading How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-founded A Million Dollar Company will make it quite clear to you that the writer is gifted with great storytelling skills, but lacks the intent to be an author. Varun also said that he owes his book to Bangalore and the chilled out life here and we couldn't agree more. Rarely has Bangalore, the city of techies been described more vividly. If you have not read the book yet buy it online.

The latest grapevine is that the book might be turned into a movie. Varun refused to divulge details about his Bollywood venture even after been much coaxed at the book launch. But he did was state his preference for who his mysterious love interest 'Devika' would be in the movie. Katrina or Deepika were the verdict. He also hopes that his directorial career (which was his original dream before he was forced to opt for engineering by his parents) would take off if the book becomes a movie. Coming to a more solid piece of news, there will be a sequel to this book and Rupa Publishers will publish in sometime next year.

Well, as far as life is concerned, always expect the unexpected!

Story first published: Thursday, June 21, 2012, 15:05 [IST]