We love to see our favourite characters come to life on the big screen. Just imagine if all our favourite Indian books were adapted perfectly onscreen. That’d be thrilling, right? Then everyone would be able to see why we love the books that we love, and if done right. Here are all the books I can’t wait to watch on the big screen.

1. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

The Palace of Illusions has to be the first book on the list because of all the grandeur it can bring to the big screen. We all have loved watching Mahabharat on StarPlus, but imagine if you could witness this grand story from the perspective of one of the most powerful women in Indian mythology. The book is a retelling of Mahabharat from the perspective of Draupadi. I thoroughly enjoyed every word of the book, and now that there is already talk about turning this book into a movie, it will be a definite blockbuster.

2. Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag

Small stories make the loudest noise, and Ghachar Ghochar is one of them. A 115-page novella, it grips you outstandingly. The novella follows a rags-to-riches story where wealth changes an entire family’s dynamics. Ghachar Ghochar is sharp and unsettling with humour and psychological tension, making it perfect for a movie that keeps you on the edge. With its intense focus on family and moral dilemmas, it can be a raw and unsettling film that makes you question everything. 

3. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Filled with subjects such as identity, migration, and conflict of culture, The Inheritance of Loss will hit you right in the feels. The book is set in the backdrop of Kalimpong, a sleepy town in the Himalayas. Imagine when the backdrop combines with the characters’ stories of identity and their struggle between the past and present on the big screen. The result will be a gut-wrenching movie forcing us to feel everything the characters do. The Loss of Inheritance has the potential to turn into a tear-jerking movie.

4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

I already know how I will react if this book ever turns into a movie. This Indian book deserves an adaptation purely because it is poetic and heart-wrenching. Themes of caste, family and forbidden love are more than worthy to be presented to a larger audience. It will be one of those art films that bend your mind but are so appealing you can’t stop watching. I mean, Kerala as a backdrop? A true visual treat! With the book’s non-linear plot and slow-moving story, it’ll be a treat for any art lover. Though the book has a Pakistani adaptation, Talkhiyaan, it also deserves an Indian adaptation with the original characters and background intact.

5. The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh

A movie set in the Sundarbans? A huge yes! If we can’t go there, at least we can watch a movie that takes us there. Set in the Sundarbans, The Hungry Tide is full of adventure, romance and human resilience. It has everything that we want from a great cinematic experience. Now imagine the backdrop of mangrove forests and tidal waves with characters’ struggle for survival and two opposite people falling in love with each other. On top of it, this Indian book focuses on environmentalism and how human lives are tied to nature. Doesn’t it sound perfect?

6. Manjhi’s Mayhem by Tanuj Solanki

We can’t deny that we have only a handful of good thrillers, and Manjhi’s Mayhem is hands down one of them. The book is set in Mumbai and explores everything from the city’s skyscrapers to the crimes. We have an anti-hero who won’t back down, and that’s a treat to watch. It has thrill, crime and chaos. Manjhi’s Mayhem subtly explores themes of casteism and financial disparity, and it is gripping, chaotic and definitely a riot you’ll enjoy.

From drama to thrillers, these books have everything that will make them an instant hit. So, Bollywood, if you’re listening, turn these books into movies ASAP. We already have our popcorn ready!

Featured Image Source

Related: Step Into The Autumn Season With Some Of The Best Events Happening In September In Delhi NCR