Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)
Genre: Literary Fiction / Social Realism / Legal Drama
Published: 2025
Themes: Injustice, Identity, Resilience, Human Rights, Prejudice, Institutional Power
“Not a monster. Not a saint. Just a common man—crushed by justice gone blind.”
This tagline isn’t just a haunting echo of the story—it’s the soul of Interrogation, Sagar Kumar’s harrowing literary debut that cuts deep into the anatomy of injustice in contemporary India. Rooted in a true event that unfolded in June 2021 at the Madiwala Police Station in Bengaluru, this novel is not merely a recounting of an incident; it is a piercing meditation on identity, silence, and survival in a fractured system.
Plot Summary
The novel opens in the most unassuming way—an ordinary day in the life of a young man. But within hours, the routine disintegrates into a nightmare. Pulled into the depths of police custody, the protagonist becomes the victim of a broken system where language, appearance, and origin are silently, but powerfully, judged.
As the unnamed central character is interrogated, questioned not only by the police but also by society itself, Kumar explores how invisible biases and institutional apathy can destroy lives. Through flashbacks, internal monologues, and minimalistic dialogue, we journey into the protagonist’s psyche as he endures humiliation, pain, and isolation.
But Interrogation is not simply a tale of despair. It is also about endurance. The novel beautifully highlights the quiet strength that arises from within—how connection, memory, and a stubborn belief in one’s own dignity can become anchors in an overwhelming storm.
Writing Style and Structure
Sagar Kumar writes with restraint and reverence. His prose is clear, unpretentious, and deeply evocative. He chooses subtlety over sensationalism, letting silence and pauses speak louder than words. This stylistic choice aligns with the novel’s theme: that some truths are so raw, so uncomfortable, they must be whispered rather than shouted.
The narrative moves non-linearly, reflecting the fragmented state of a traumatized mind. Moments from the protagonist’s past—family, aspirations, lost love—interweave with the brutality of the present, creating a haunting contrast. This temporal layering enhances the emotional complexity of the story, allowing the reader to see the whole human, not just the “victim.”
Themes and Impact
- Power and Prejudice: At its heart, Interrogation is a scathing critique of how systemic power is often wielded without accountability—and how marginalised identities bear the brunt.
- Silence as Resistance: The protagonist’s refusal to break, to lose his internal compass, becomes a quiet act of defiance. It’s a reminder that not all resistance is loud.
- Truth as Fiction: The decision to fictionalize a real event serves two purposes: it protects the identities involved, and it universalizes the experience. The result is a story that feels personal yet widely resonant.
- Human Dignity: The novel continuously asks: what does it mean to be treated as a human being? And what happens when even that basic dignity is denied?
About the Author
Sagar Kumar, already acclaimed for his debut film Anamadheya Ashok Kumar, makes a powerful literary entry with Interrogation. His background in both technology and film gives his storytelling a rare texture—precise, cinematic, and emotionally grounded. Kumar’s passion for amplifying unheard voices is palpable throughout the novel, making this book not only a creative work but also a moral statement.
Final Thoughts
Interrogation, Published by Astitva Prakashan, is not an easy read—and it’s not meant to be. It’s unsettling, deeply emotional, and at times unbearably real. But it is also necessary. Sagar Kumar brings a raw, unflinching voice to the landscape of Indian fiction, confronting issues that often remain buried under bureaucracy and denial.
This is a novel that will linger with readers long after the final page. It challenges, questions, and—most importantly—remembers. For anyone interested in literature that not only tells a story but bears witness to a reality often ignored, Interrogation is essential reading.
To know more about the author: https://thesagarkumar.in/
