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The Universal Struggle
When the Boss is Not Right is a searing novel set in Mumbai’s chaotic media world, following a young journalist who battles toxic mentorship and systemic corruption in his fight to stay human and honest. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When the Boss is Not Right emerges from the harsh realities of Mumbai’s media landscape, where idealistic journalists confront powerful forces of corruption daily. The characters inhabit a world drawn from real encounters – mentors who normalize ethical compromises, colleagues who sacrifice principles for career advancement, and the rare individuals who stand for truth regardless of consequences.
The newsroom depicted serves as a battlefield where journalistic integrity clashes with commercial imperatives and political pressure. The story unfolds through layers of frustration, hope, and the raw wounds that form when truth becomes negotiable.
The protagonist’s journey reflects the universal struggle faced by media professionals: that disorienting moment when trusted guidance leads toward ethical quicksand. The corruption portrayed often pales compared to the disturbing realities of modern newsrooms.
This novel confronts essential questions that define modern professional life: Where does healthy ambition end and corruption begin? How can personal integrity survive in systems designed to undermine it? What separates necessary compromise from fundamental betrayal?
The fictional story offers no simple solutions. Instead, it creates a world where readers might recognize their own workplace dilemmas – the difficult superiors, the moral crossroads, the choice between advancement and values. Success for this book isn’t measured in sales figures but in moments of recognition when readers pause to question what “just how things work” truly costs.
What personal experiences, if any, informed your portrayal of Deep Kakarpathi and the toxic newsroom environment?
Creating Deep Kakarpathi and the newsroom of When the Boss is Not Right was an exercise in pure imagination. The character emerged not from personal experience but from countless “what if” sessions wondering how someone might respond when idealism collides with institutional corruption in a completely invented setting.
The fictional Bombay Chronicle newsroom sprang fully formed from creative exploration of workplace dynamics. Every character, situation, and ethical dilemma was carefully constructed to serve the narrative without mirroring any real people or events. Satyajit’s journey through this fabricated pressure cooker environment allowed me to examine universal themes of integrity, ambition, and moral courage from a safe fictional distance.
What readers connect with isn’t recognition of specific real-world parallels, but rather the emotional authenticity of the protagonist’s struggle. Through this entirely fictional narrative, I wanted to create a space where readers could contemplate complicated questions about professional ethics without the baggage of real-world reference points. Satyajit’s fictional ordeal becomes a lens through which we might examine our own relationship with truth, power, and personal integrity.
The novel operates purely in the realm of “what could be,” not “what is.” Any perceived resemblance to actual newsrooms or media personalities is entirely coincidental—the product of touching universal human experiences rather than specific real-world inspiration.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In When the Boss is Not Right, I aimed to explore the complex interplay between power, morality, and identity in the high-pressure world of journalism. One of the primary themes that emerged was the struggle for integrity in a corrupt system, where the pursuit of truth is often compromised by personal gain or institutional pressures.
The book also delves into the nuances of mentorship and its impact on personal and professional growth. The toxic dynamic between Satyajit and his superior serves as a catalyst for exploring the blurred lines between guidance and exploitation, highlighting the devastating consequences of unchecked power.
Furthermore, the novel touches on the theme of resilience and resistance in the face of adversity. The journey of the characters serves as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to persevere and adapt, even in the most challenging environments. Perhaps most importantly, the story examines resilience not as simple perseverance but as the complex process of reconstructing personal identity after disillusionment.
Ultimately, the book is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, encouraging readers to reflect on their own values and the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. By weaving together these themes, I hoped to create a narrative that would resonate with readers and spark meaningful conversations about the importance of integrity, accountability, and personal agency.
What message or emotional response were you hoping readers would walk away with after finishing the book?
With When the Boss is Not Right, I hope readers would walk away with a profound sense of empathy and understanding for those navigating toxic work environments. I wanted to ignite a spark of recognition, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.
As readers close the book, I envisioned them carrying with them a renewed sense of purpose and conviction. I hoped they would be inspired to challenge unjust systems, to support those who are marginalized or oppressed, and to cultivate workplaces that value integrity, compassion, and respect.
Ultimately, I desired for readers to experience an emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page is turned. I wanted them to feel the weight of Satyajit’s struggles, the sting of injustice, and the triumph of resilience. By sharing this story, I aimed to create a ripple effect, inspiring readers to become agents of positive change in their own lives and communities. In doing so, I hoped to leave a lasting impact, one that would continue to resonate with readers long after the book is finished.
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When the Boss is Not Right
When the Boss is Not Right is a gripping, raw, and surprisingly emotional journey through the chaos of newsroom politics, toxic mentorship, and moral courage. Set in the heart of Mumbai’s media world, the book follows Satyajit Kumar, a small-town journalism rookie who crashes headfirst into the cold bureaucracy and corrupt soul of a high-powered newsroom. Through his eyes, we witness not just the emotional grind of navigating ruthless bosses and office politics, but the very real cost of speaking truth to power.
One of the most immediately striking aspects of the book is its visceral and immersive writing style. Rather than merely describing Mumbai, Dash thrusts the reader into its chaotic heart. In the opening chapter, Satyajit’s first encounter with the city is portrayed with the intensity of a storm. Phrases such as “The station was a cathedral of chaos” and “Truth’s a luxury here” are particularly memorable, not simply for their rhetorical impact, but for their authenticity. The narrative does not attempt to romanticize or sanitize the city’s complexities. Instead, the prose is saturated with the sweat, ambition, and heartbreak that define urban life. This raw honesty, rather than elegance, is what I found most compelling.
But beyond the city, it’s the relationship with Deep Kakarpathi, the boss from hell, that gives this story its fire. Deep is smug, manipulative, and emotionally abusive in a way that made my skin crawl. The power games, the humiliation tactics, the weird mood swings, if you’ve ever had a nightmare boss, this will hit home. There’s a scene where Deep berates Satyajit for arriving late to a seminar he was informed of at the last minute. My gut twisted reading it, because Dash nailed how powerless you can feel when someone misuses authority to belittle you.
What really pulled me in emotionally was the human cost of this toxicity, especially through Bhagyashree’s arc. Her relationship with Deep is disturbing, complex, and uncomfortable to witness. It’s clear she’s caught in something deeper than office politics. There’s one moment where she avoids eye contact after an event, holding a folder to her chest like armor. That image haunted me. And later, when the corporate exploitation spills over into Satyajit’s own family in Lohardaga, his childhood home literally burned down, it stopped being a workplace drama and became something else: a story about systemic rot and the price of integrity.
I found When the Boss is Not Right to be equal parts catharsis and cautionary tale. It’s not an easy read. It’s not meant to be. The writing is unfiltered and emotional, the pacing relentless, and the characters, especially the villains, are so real it’s uncomfortable. But it’s also hopeful. Satyajit’s evolution from wide-eyed intern to investigative editor feels earned, not forced. He gets bruised, burned, and broken, but he doesn’t bend. That’s the win.
I’d recommend When the Boss is Not Right to anyone who’s ever been crushed by a bad boss, anyone who loves journalism stories, or, honestly, anyone curious about how personal courage can stand up to power. It’s messy, angry, heart-wrenching but it’s also real. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need in a book.
Pages: 37 | ASIN: B0F23KL8C6
LITERARY TITAN 