‘No Scope For You,' They Said-Then She Won The Booker: Meet Banu Mushtaq

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"They told me to roam around London, enjoy with family-because there was no chance I'd win," smiles Banu Mushtaq, recalling her time at the International Booker Prize 2025 event. But while others doubted, she was quietly writing her acceptance speech, for a book she believed would set the world on fire.

We sat down with the celebrated Kannada writer and activist Banu Mushtaq, whose life is a mosaic of rebellion, introspection, and transformation. Joined by translator and PEN Award winner Deepa, the duo discussed patriarchy, storytelling, the stigma of being a female Muslim writer, and the power of bold choices.

Photo Credit: Boldsky Team

Manifesting Victory

Just five days before her recent win, Banu says she "manifested it." That moment, she claims, was not a coincidence but a result of her belief system: "When you know your work, your words, and your fight have weight, the universe listens."

And the universe surely has. Banu's works and short stories, including Black Cobras-which was adapted into the internationally acclaimed film Hasina-have received both praise and protest.

Photo Credit: Boldsky Team

From Housewife To Activist: A Journey Sharpened By Stigma

Her story begins in Dakhni-speaking South India. Banu's mother tongue may be Dakhni, but it was Kannada that she eventually embraced due to formal education.

She shares a bittersweet childhood anecdote-when she was born, her father's Brahmin friends studied her kundli and predicted she would be famous. "And yet, after my marriage, my father was devastated to see me become 'just a housewife,'" she says.

But life had other plans. It was the social stigmas, the oppressive silences around her, and her exposure to movements in the 1990s that sharpened her critical eye and pen. "I left journalism in 1990 and started working as a lawyer. But the stories kept finding me," she recalls.

Patriarchy: Has It Changed?

When asked about patriarchy, Banu shares an optimistic view: "It's not what it used to be. Women are speaking out. Society is evolving, slowly but surely."

Deepa, on the other hand, shakes her head: "Nothing has really changed. The fight continues, just with new faces and disguises."

Their contrasting views reflect a generational tension-hope clashing with reality-but both agree on one thing: resistance is survival.

Facing A Fatwa For Telling The Truth

"I am not against religion, I am against people," says Banu Mushtaq, her eyes unwavering, her words cutting through the silence with clarity and courage. In a world that often resists truth, Banu doesn't just speak it-she lives it.

In 2000, Banu faced one of the biggest hurdles in her career-a fatwa issued in her name. The reason? She dared to write bold truths as a Muslim woman, unafraid to critique her own community.

"People weren't angry because I was wrong-they were angry because I was exposing what was right," she asserts. "Muslims were not happy with my writing. But I'm not against religion. I'm against people who misuse it."

Her words continue to shake rigid systems. In a space where silence is often expected, Banu chose resistance.

On Language, Identity, And Deepa's Role

Banu's relationship with language is complex. "I grew up speaking Dakhni, but Kannada gave me a voice," she says. Her literary world took form through that voice, layered, honest, and unfiltered.

Translator Deepa, who entered the field due to her love for regional languages, adds: "Banu's writing demanded to be heard in other languages. That's how I began translating her work." Deepa went on to win the prestigious PEN Award for her translations, which have helped Banu's stories reach new geographies and hearts.

On AI, Change, And The Future

When asked about artificial intelligence and the future of writing, Banu offers a grounded yet progressive perspective:
"Change is inevitable. It's upon us how we accept it. We must walk with technology, not against it. Learn it. Use it. But never let it control your voice."

Her take is a reminder that even in a world of bots and algorithms, human truth remains irreplaceable.

Be Bold And Live

When asked what advice she would give to young women writers today, Banu's response is simple, fierce, and unforgettable:

"Be bold and live. You can't wait for permission to be heard."

In a life where labels tried to reduce her to a stereotype, Banu Mushtaq chose resistance, reinvention, and raw honesty. From fatwas to awards, silence to speech-her journey is a testament to courage in the face of conformity.