Dr. Sohil Makwana
Book Title : Murdrum-The Probe Begins
Covid-19 taught us the real value of many essential things that, from our privileged point of view, we have always taken for granted. One such human, who was unrelenting in his pursuit of keeping his patients safe and helping Indians battle the pandemic, is Dr. Sohil Makwana. Regular social media users might recall the viral image of a doctor sharing his version of the ‘life inside the PPE suit’. The viral image that was covered by media channels all over the country contrasted a doctor’s pic inside the PPE suit and one outside it, the latter completely drenched in sweat after a day-long work. Dr. Sohil Makwana (MBBS, MD) is as engaged in creative pursuits as he is in scientific ones. He is a man who dons many hats. When not spending time with his patients, he relishes his role as a fashion photographer, humorist, assistant director, screenwriter, fitness expert, and most recently a novelist. He believes in the pursuit of knowledge and knows in his heart that one can never stop learning. His knowledge and expertise in the field of medicine, and his curiosity in world affairs enable him to craft fast-paced thrillers that reflect both his profession and passion. His extreme enthusiasm to explore novel ideas steered him to become versatile. He enjoys clubbing the science of art and art of science in his stories. With a pinch of humour, he blends the actual life events and his medical knowledge to bring forth a powerful and intense thriller. Recently, he has been awarded by Sony with a Heroes Behind The Heroes awards as he has donated all his author earnings to the youngest covid warrior named Apexa who had lost her parents while working in pandemics.
How and when did you first realize your calling for writing books? Please tell us a bit about your book titled “Murdrum” and share a few lines from it. Who is your favorite character from the book and why?
I had never thought I would be an author. I’m a technical guy. I’m the one who had mastered physics and maths. I was poor in languages. In my school days, I never enjoyed writings. I like logic over description. And that’s why, you’ll find logic and science in my writings. But yes. I had always inclined towards storytelling. I wanted to learn filmmaking, but I didn’t want to leave my profession of medicine. A writer can write from anywhere, and still, he can be a part of a film making. That idea insisted on learning screenwriting, and later, I started loving writing as I had a hunger to tell unique and novel stories. That’s how I started penning down.
“No killer is born a criminal. Sometimes, society’s contempt, hatred, and rancour can transform an innocent victim into a malevolent demon.”
In Murdrum, The Probe Begins with portraying the life of Komal Rathod, an orphan, and a forensic expert who suffers from ‘congenital insensitivity of pain.’ My favourite character in Murdrum is Komal. Her only purpose in life is to become a crime scene investigator in CBI. However, after consistent failure, she gets an opportunity to work in CBI as an intern. There, she is assigned the task of merely data collection. Nevertheless, Komal strives to convince her egoistic officers about the presence of a wicked criminal in Mumbai. Her only aim is to grab the sinister serial killer who leaves no clues behind. But, intelligent and vigilant forensic expert, Komal, leaves no stone unturned and digs her way to uncover the unknown identity of the wise and heartless serial killer. However, the table turns, and the cat and mouse game begins. Forget the DNA, forget the fingerprints, even the murder weapon; Komal utilizes numbers of various high-tech incredible forensic investigations. But, this tech-savvy killer knows his job forwards and backward. So, it’s an adrenalin rush high-tech forensic crime thriller.
“Sometimes, we do not get a chance to thank each one who has helped us in our Journey.” Let the readers get a chance to know about all the important people who have played a part in this ‘Author Journey of Yours’.
Well, no one has played any role in my journey. Here, I would like ot share amusive excerpt of the acknowledgement of my novel Murdrum.
Having an idea and turning it into a captivating novel is harder than I thought and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. None of this would have been possible without my positive attitude. I had never thought to quit the day I started penning down this novel. Therefore, I want to thank me for believing in me when no one believed in me. I want to thank me for doing the real hard work after hectic duty hours and strenuous workouts. I want to thank me for having no days off. I especially want to thank my dogged persistence, strict discipline, and unwearying patience.
I feel grateful for my body, soul, thoughts, brain, profession, passion, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, teachers, colleagues, good friends, house, money, clothes, food, dogs, and of course, the car in which I put together the ideas and twists and turns while driving on the meandering ways.
According to you which are the 5 books that everyone should read and who are your top 3 Authors and what impact did they have in your journey as a writer?
These are top 5 books according to me…
– Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
– Ignited Minds by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
– Prithivivallabh by Kanaiyalal Munshi.
– The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.
– Awakenings by Oliver Sacks.
I write medical fictions and I love the work of honourable Dr. Oliver Sacks sir. I also liked the emotional drama of Munshi Premchand, and I’m fan of Stephen King. But, I’m inspired by none of them. I have my own style of writing.
What inspires you to write? Where do you get information or ideas for your books? What role has the science and MBBS journey played in it?
I kept watching bollywood garbages for years. And I released I can create a better conflict in stories. If there is conflict, there would be a characters, and their journeys, and their character arches, and ultimately a good story. Being a doctor I have an added advantage. I can use bizarre medical conditions. I club the art of science and the science of art.
When did you start your journey as a fashion photographer and fitness expert? Was there any motive or inspiration behind it?
Well, my x was a model. And for her, I started photography. In short time, I became a fashion photographer who was featured twice in Femina. Later, being single you don’t have any another option than being a fit. Lol. And, gradually fitness became my regular regime. I want to become an unique personality. And, I’m self motivated. My aim is to become a film director. By photography I learnt visual mediums. By writing I learnt story telling. Now, next aim is film direction.
Could you share a few tips for budding Authors and aspiring writers?
Well, I meet many aspirating writers who want to write, but they do not write. How can you become a writer if you don’t start writing? Write a sentence. Turn it in to a paragraph and ultimately in to a page. Look for new stories. Give conflict to your characters. If there is conflict, there will be a story. Make notes of ideas, characters, and situations. Think over it. Set an unique climax first, and then write retrogradely giving journey to your agonist. And write something new. Avoid cliche.
What has been your most cherished experience as an author? Which is your best-preferred genre?
It’s yet to come. My preferred genre is thriller and comedy. I’m good in creating comedy. You will find a tint of hummers in my thrillers, too.
Are you working on anything at present that you would like to share with your readers? What are your future plans?
I have forty or more stories in my notes. Most of them are psychological thrillers or dramas based on neuro-psychology or neuro-ophthalmology. Twelve scripts are already finished. I can release new stories every six-monthly.
How can a writer keep the mental block or writer’s block away from his/her creativity?
Writer’s block is myth. I have never encountered such a block in last five years. It’s an excuse. If you are not having a mood to pen down, skip the day. And, start writing next day. Here, notes work.
Rapid Fire Round
1. Favorite Place, Actor & Actress, Person, Food, beverage….
Any hill station.
Christian Bale
Emily Blunt
My mother Geetaben
Any healthy food
Milk
2. Your other Talents apart from writing….
Photography, fitness expert, astrology, medicine, film making, Rubik’s cubes, stand up comedian/V-loger.
3. Your First Love…. My mother
4. Favorite Quote…. Never quit
5. Favourite Character from a book… Gandalf from Lord of the rings.
What if Round
1. What if you had to live with only three things all your life, what would the three things be?
My laptop, wifi, and a cottage on hill station.
2. What if you were given the power to change one thing from this world, what would you change?
I would love to make them educated, because education can change anything.
3. What if you had all the money in this world, what would you do first?
I would make a grandeur film in a portion, and rest of the money I would love to charity.
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