PENGUIN ANNOUNCES COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-PIRACY CAMPAIGN WITH DAN BROWN’S UPCOMING NOVEL

New Delhi, 09 September 2025: Penguin Random House India announced the launch of a comprehensive anti-piracy campaign to coincide with the worldwide release of Dan Brown’s forthcoming Robert Langdon novel, The Secret of Secrets, publishing globally on September 9, 2025.

Piracy continues to be a challenge for the publishing industry, affecting authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers alike. Unauthorized reproductions and online sharing can compromise the quality of a book and prevent readers from enjoying the full experience as intended by the author. Moreover, pirated copies often circulate with errors, poor print quality, or missing sections, undermining the relationship between authors and their audiences.

With The Secret of Secrets, Penguin is taking proactive steps to help protect creative work and ensure that readers have access to authentic, high-quality editions of the book. The campaign will involve a combination of measures, including monitoring online platforms, addressing unauthorized reproductions, and taking appropriate legal action where necessary. We have reached out to police officials in various jurisdictions all over India who have assured us that necessary actions would be taken against any instances of piracy. This is part of Penguin’s ongoing commitment to support authors and protect the integrity of the stories they tell.

Commenting on the campaign, Manoj Satti, SVP – Sales, Product and Marketing, Penguin Random House India, said, ‘The Secret of Secrets is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year. We want to ensure that readers enjoy the book as Dan Brown envisioned and that his creative work is respected. Industry estimates suggest that piracy results in losses of 20–25% of trade publishing revenues in India annually. This initiative is an important step in protecting the author’s work and the reading experience for fans. It is only the first step in a broader, sustained effort to combat piracy and safeguard the industry.’

With this campaign, Penguin reaffirms its goal to protect stories, safeguard authors, and deliver authentic reading experiences to millions worldwide. The Secret of Secrets marks not just one of the biggest global publishing moments of the year, but also a rallying point for the industry’s ongoing fight against piracy.

About the author:

Dan Brown is the author of eight #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol and Angels & Demons. He is also the author of the bestselling children’s book Wild Symphony. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages internationally, with over 250 million copies in print.

About the book:

Eight years since his bestselling Origin, the world’s most celebrated thriller writer returns with his most stunning novel yet – a propulsive, twisty, thought-provoking masterpiece that will entertain readers as only Dan Brown can do.

Accompanying celebrated academic, Katherine Solomon, to a lecture she’s been invited to give in Prague, Robert Langdon’s world spirals out of control when she disappears without trace from their hotel room. Far from home and well out of his comfort zone, Langdon must pit his wits against forces unknown to recover the woman he loves.

Against a backdrop of vast castles, towering churches, graveyards buried twelve deep and labyrinthine underground passages, Langdon must navigate a shadow city hiding in plain sight, a city which has successfully kept its secrets for centuries and will not readily deliver them. This is a battlefield unlike any he has previously experienced, one on which he must fight not for his only life, but for the future of humanity itself.

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About Penguin Random House India

Penguin publishes over 450 new titles every year and has an active backlist of over 3500 titles. With a strong fiction and non-fiction list, it publishes across every segment including biography, travel, business, politics, history, religion and philosophy, lifestyle, cookery, health and fitness, sports and leisure, visual books, and children’s books. The children’s titles are published under the Puffin imprint.

Penguin Random House India’s illustrious list includes Booker Prize-winning novels and winners of virtually every major literary prize, including the Nobel Prize, the Magsaysay Award, the Jnanpith Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. Several of PRHI’s authors are also recipients of the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, India’s highest civilian honours.

Penguin Random House India is also the exclusive distribution partner for several leading local and international publishing houses in India and the sub-continent.

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New Delhi, 2 September 2025: Penguin Random House India today announced a strategic investment in Maple Press, one of India’s fastest-growing children’s publishing companies. This partnership underscores Penguin’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent in the publishing sector and expanding its footprint in the fast-evolving children’s books market.

Founded with a vision to make high-quality, affordable books accessible to young readers across India, Maple Press has built an impressive catalogue that blends engaging storytelling with educational value. With this investment, Penguin Random House India aims to support Maple Press in scaling its reach, accelerating innovation in formats and distribution, and deepening its impact on the reading journeys of millions of children.

“Children’s publishing in India is at an exciting inflection point,” said Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House India, SEA & MENA. “Our investment in Maple Press is a vote of confidence in entrepreneurs who are passionate about stories, learning, and nurturing the next generation of readers. We’re proud to support Maple’s entrepreneurial vision and bring together our creative strengths to offer more books, better access, and richer experiences for India’s youngest readers.”

This collaboration will also create opportunities for shared expertise in editorial development, marketing, and distribution, while preserving Maple Press’s independent spirit and creative vision.

Saurabh Mittal, Director of Maple Press, says, ‘We are delighted to welcome Penguin Random House India on board as a strategic partner in our journey. Together, we look forward to creating meaningful new avenues of engaging with young readers across India and beyond. This pivotal partnership marks a significant milestone, strengthening our shared commitment to advancing literacy and purposeful publishing.’

This strategic move reflects a growing recognition of children’s publishing as one of the most dynamic segments of the Indian book industry—driven by rising literacy rates, increasing parental investment in early learning, and a burgeoning appetite for diverse, quality content.

Independent financing advisories, IMAP India and Aarayaa CFI-India, were instrumental in coordinating this strategic investment.

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About Penguin Random House India

Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Our publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books — from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.

We are home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices — including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of our authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.

Penguin Random House India also serves as the exclusive distribution partner for several major international and local publishers, bringing books to readers across India and the subcontinent.

About Maple Press

Maple Press is India’s leading children’s book publisher with over 2000 titles in the catalogue that include timeless classics, storybooks, biographies, and early learning books in English and Hindi languages.

The company, led by Pragya Mittal, Poonam Mittal and Saurabh Mittal, works with 300+ distributors and retailers across India and overseas, selling over 10 million books annually. In recent months, Maple Press has also introduced children’s books in regional Indian languages like Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam.

Maple Press also partners with various NGOs and supplies books to organisations like Samagra Shiksha, Special Olympics Bharat, Reliance Foundation and HCL Foundation to help support literacy initiatives and promote reading in India.

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Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce that The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, the long-awaited novel by Booker Prize–winning author Kiran Desai, has been longlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize for Fiction. The prestigious longlist of 13 titles was unveiled today by the Booker Prize Foundation.

Set to be published in India under Penguin’s Hamish Hamilton imprint in September 2025, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is Desai’s first novel since her beloved bestseller The Inheritance of Loss, which earned her the Booker Prize in 2006 and the National Book Critics Circle Award.

An epic love story following two Indians navigating lives between the United States and India, the novel explores themes of tradition, displacement, family bonds, race, class, and identity. At 667 pages, it is the longest book on this year’s longlist.

This is another milestone nomination for a Penguin title at the Booker Prize. Previously, we have secured wins with The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (1997), The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (2006) and The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (2022).

Commenting on the nomination, author Kiran Desai, says ‘I am surprised, happy and deeply honored.  And I imagine so are Sonia and Sunny, with their shy love story now out in the big world.’

Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief and Vice-President of the imprints Hamish Hamilton, Allen Lane, Viking, Penguin and Penguin Classics at PRH India, says, ‘To see The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny longlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize nineteen years after Kiran Desai won for The Inheritance of Loss is deeply meaningful. This novel dazzles with its ambition: intimate in its details, epic in its reach. It moves with clarity, wit and deep emotional intelligence through questions of class, migration and love. We are thrilled to publish it and proud to bring it home.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘It is a moment of immense pride and joy for us at Penguin Random House India to be the publishers of Kiran Desai’s extraordinary new novel. As an Indian publishing house, it is both an honour and a celebration of storytelling to be home to writers whose works shape the global literary conversation. We are deeply committed to championing diverse voices and transformative stories, and we take that role very seriously.‘

The 2025 longlist features authors from nine nationalities across four continents and was selected from 153 submissions, making it the most globally diverse list in a decade. According to judges’ chair Roddy Doyle, the chosen titles are “alive with great characters and narrative surprises” and “examine identity, individual or national”.

The shortlist of six will be announced on 23 September 2025, with the winner revealed at the ceremony in London on 10 November 2025.

About the author:

Kiran Desai is the bestselling author of two novels, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard and The Inheritance of Loss, which won both the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Born in India, she came to the US when she was sixteen and now lives in New York City.

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the launch of Penguin Eight, a new publishing imprint dedicated to books that explore the cultural and literary richness of Northeast India. The imprint is a significant step in Penguin’s continued mission to publish diverse, representative, and meaningful stories from across the country.

With a sharp editorial focus, Penguin Eight will publish works by both emerging and established writers—regardless of where they are from—whose narratives reflect the complexities, histories, and voices of the Northeast. The goal is to create a lasting platform for high-quality writing that engages deeply with the region’s unique realities and lived experiences. The name Penguin Eight draws inspiration from the eight states that comprise Northeast India. The imprint will release close to half a dozen titles annually to begin with, spanning fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, history, politics, folklore, and more.

As part of the launch, Penguin Random House India also unveiled the new logo for Penguin Eight, designed in-house by Aakriti Khurana. Inspired by the natural landscape of the Northeast, the logo features two stylised fiddlehead fern fronds—an organic and locally resonant motif found in the region. The design symbolizes growth, rootedness, and new beginnings—perfectly echoing the imprint’s ambition to amplify voices from a culturally vibrant and deeply storied part of the country.

Deepthi Talwar, Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘With Penguin Eight, we’re taking a deliberate step toward editorial inclusivity—ensuring that literature about the Northeast has a visible, committed platform within mainstream publishing. As programming director of Penguin Presents The White Owl Literary Festival in Dimapur, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to readers, authors, and thinkers from the region. This imprint is an outcome of those conversations, and of our belief that thoughtful commissioning and long-term engagement can play a transformational role in publishing. Our submissions are open, and we’re looking to build a list that is both accessible and enduring.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher & SVP – Adult Publishing Division, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Penguin Eight is an important milestone in Indian publishing—it is the first imprint by a major publishing house solely dedicated to the literature of a specific region. At Penguin, we are deeply committed to inclusive and representative publishing, and this imprint reflects that ethos in action. Over the years, we’ve steadily built a relationship with readers and writers from the Northeast—starting with key titles, then launching a dedicated literature festival, and now creating a lasting publishing home. Penguin Eight is a long-term investment in regional storytelling, one that will make these narratives more visible, celebrated, and accessible to readers across India and the world.’

About Penguin Random House India

Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Our publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books — from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.

We are home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices — including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of our authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.

Penguin Random House India also serves as the exclusive distribution partner for several major international and local publishers, bringing books to readers across India and the subcontinent.

Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce the publication of Amma’s Diary, the English translation of the Telugu literary phenomenon Amma Dairylo Konni Pageelu by acclaimed author Ravi Mantri. Slated for release later in 2025, under the Ebury Press imprint, this tender and introspective novel highlights the hidden interior lives of the women we call “Amma”.

At its heart, Amma’s Diary is an elegy for unspoken lives. In a culture that often celebrates the youthful adventures of men, but draws a veil over the pasts of women, Ravi Mantri’s novel asks: What if we dared to read the pages of our mothers’ forgotten stories? What might we learn if we saw them not as the silent anchors of our homes, but as individuals shaped by desire, heartbreak, and the hope of second chances?

Through the quiet voice of Sarika, whose long-lost love story is rediscovered by the next generation, Amma’s Diary becomes a chronicle of time, memory, and the inherited weight of choices made and unmade. It is a novel that speaks to the ache of things unsaid, and the healing that comes when old silences are finally broken.

Sharing his thoughts on the book, author Ravi Mantri reflects, ‘From the hearts of the Telugu states to the hearts of the nation — Amma Diarylo Konni Pageelu, the cherished love story of Sarika and Ram, is coming to life in English! I hope you are ready to experience the magic, now in a language for everyone.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘Amma’s Diary is a poignant and beautifully written narrative that captures the essence of human emotions, relationships, and experiences. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. We are thrilled to share this remarkable work with our readers, and I welcome Ravi Mantri to Penguin Random House India.’

A quiet triumph of emotional storytelling, Amma’s Diary is not merely a translation—it is a reclamation. It affirms that the most powerful stories are often those hidden in plain sight, passed down not through proclamation, but through gentle remembering. This book invites us to see our mothers anew—not only as givers of life, but as women who once dared to live fully, love deeply, and write their own pages.

Originally published in Telugu by Aju Publications, an imprint of Sapien Stories Pvt. Ltd., the book quickly became a literary sensation selling nearly 200,000 copies within its first year. Its phenomenal success has not only struck an emotional chord with readers but has also inspired a renewed belief among Indian language publishers and writers in the power of culturally rooted narratives.

About the Author

Ravi Mantri was born in Andhra Pradesh, South India. He pursued his master’s degree from the JNTU College of Engineering before moving to Ireland for work. A business analyst during the day, Ravi’s nights in Ireland were spent reading and writing Telugu books. Ravi has penned several short stories that have been published in renowned Telugu magazines. He embarked on his literary journey in 2019 with his debut novel, *Amma Dairylo Konni Pageelu*. The novel became a national bestseller and won the hearts of many readers. An avid social media influencer, he actively creates relatable content for his followers. Ravi is currently working on his second novel.

According to Nielsen’s latest industry report, the adult fiction category emerged as the fastest-growing segment in India’s trade publishing market in the past year. Penguin Random House India’s adult fiction has seen a consistent rise in value—from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2024—demonstrating a strong and growing appetite for fiction. Popular sub-genres within Indian fiction, such as thrillers, romance, and mythology, are seeing a distinct uptick in value, reflecting both cultural resonance and increasing reader enthusiasm.

Recognising this momentum, Penguin has crafted a compelling campaign that brings together its most addictive voices in Indian popular fiction. Fiction Addiction Dhamaka, is a multi-pronged, six-month celebration of India’s most exciting voices in popular fiction. From heart-thumping thrillers and divine mythology to sweeping romances, this campaign puts the spotlight on the books and authors that have shaped, and are redefining, the pulse of modern Indian storytelling. The campaign is a celebration of the diversity and dynamism of Indian storytelling, rooted in the belief that homegrown stories can be as thrilling, moving, and unputdownable as their global counterparts.

Commenting on the strategy, Manoj Satti, SVP – Sales, Product, and Marketing Sales, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Fiction Addiction Dhamaka spotlights the stories and voices that readers are truly connecting with in present times. Our goal with this campaign is twofold: to deepen engagement with loyal readers and to bring in new audiences who may not yet see Indian popular fiction as their first choice. By driving discoverability, building cultural relevance, and establishing fiction as a key driver of growth, Penguin aims to create sustained impact, both in terms of topline revenue and building a stronger readership. We’re not just amplifying what’s popular, we are investing in what’s next.’

Running from June to December 2025, this initiative segments India’s most commercially successful and culturally resonant fiction into three clusters:

• Love, Lies, Laash: Thrillers that blend psychological suspense with gripping Indian narratives.
• India’s Mythoverse: Contemporary retellings and bold interpretations of India’s rich mythological heritage.
• Desi Romance: Stories of love, connection, self-discovery, and relationships set in today’s India

*The complete information about these themes can be found in the annexure.

Bestselling author Durjoy Datta says ‘When I wrote my first book eighteen years ago, I never imagined how deeply readers would connect with stories about love, drama, heartbreak, and hope. What’s changed over the years in India isn’t just the writing, it’s the readers. They have grown with us, asking for stories that are more honest, more real; stories that don’t have to be perfect, but ones that reflect their world and, at the same time, take them somewhere unexpected. There has been this incredible cultural shift where homegrown fiction isn’t just read, it’s celebrated. And that’s exactly what Fiction Addiction Dhamaka is all about: celebrating stories we can truly call our own. I am excited to see where this journey takes us next.’  A household name for millions of young Indian readers, Durjoy Datta has played a defining role in shaping the popular romance genre in India. For many, the love for reading began with the love for his stories, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian fiction.

Nona Uppal, one of India’s most exciting new voices in contemporary romance, says, ‘Desi Romance was an uncharted category a few years back—the pickings were great, but slim. As a young girl experiencing love so culturally rooted in Indian eccentricities, it was alienating to read romances where nothing fit: not the name, not the face, not the struggles. Now, at 26, getting to write romance for Indians—born out of my experiences with love and heartbreak in India—is not only a passion project. It’s also making possible what I desperately craved as a teenager (and still do). As long as I can fill that gap for one person, my work is done well.’

Her debut novel Fool Me Twice became a national bestseller in 2024, marking the arrival of a fresh, bold perspective that’s already resonating with a new generation of readers.

The strategy is rooted in a multi-channel, high-impact business growth approach that includes retail activation through independent and chain bookstores, targeted performance marketing, experiential events, influencer engagement, strategic brand partnerships, curated merchandise, and full-scale digital and media outreach.

At a time when storytelling is increasingly localised, visual, and immersive, Fiction Addiction Dhamaka underscores PRHI’s commitment to publishing compelling Indian narratives and bringing them to the forefront of cultural and commercial conversations.

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition of Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake, the debut novel by acclaimed poet and short story writer, Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe. The novel was recently awarded the 31^st Gratiaen Prize, one of the most prestigious literary honours for Sri Lankan writing in English. It is slated for publication in February 2026 under Penguin’s Vintage imprint.

Set on a lush, unnamed tropical island inspired by Sri Lanka, Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake masterfully intertwines two timelines, uncovering the enduring legacies of colonial exploitation, slavery, and rebellion. In the present day, Katharina Silvaria, a former war correspondent, retreats to an ancestral home and turns to baking as a form of survival and healing. When a wounded fugitive seeks shelter in her house, she is drawn into a fraught political uprising that mirrors the island’s long history of unrest.

Running parallel is the story of Santiago De Melo and Maria, his unconventional bride, who resist the colonial power of the 17th-century European Company that dominates the island’s economy and people. As the couple becomes entangled in the brutal politics of the pepper trade, their lives foreshadow the cycles of violence and resistance that echo into the future.

Richly atmospheric and layered with history, the novel explores themes of power, memory, food, and identity, offering a powerful meditation on the costs of empire and the resilience of those who live in its shadow.

Speaking about the book, Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe said, ‘Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake grew from a love of place and food. My own life on a tropical island is woven around cooking, pungent spices, and spaces that are beautiful and breathtaking. Yet, all these have, as a backdrop, disturbing links to colonialism and imperialism. Set in a fictional colonial fort, the novel links the past with the present as characters from different times navigate their day-to-day lives, their loves and loyalties, under authoritarian rulers. I am delighted that my novel found a home at Penguin Random House India and am excited to work with my editor and the rest of the team as we prepare the book for its launch.’

Rea Mukherjee, Commissioning Editor at Penguin Random House India, said, ‘A bold, atmospheric, and exquisitely crafted novel that explores the complex, enduring legacies of colonial exploitation and slavery, this novel peels back the layers that form a colonised country’s tumultuous past and its present. Beautifully structured and deeply evocative, I’m thrilled this remarkable book found its way to us at Penguin. Ramya is an exceptionally gifted writer, and I’m looking forward to working with her. I can’t wait for this to make its way to readers soon!’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake beautifully intertwines the past and present, exploring themes of love, resilience, and the enduring impact of history. Ramya Jirasinghe has crafted a narrative that is both poignant and evocative, capturing the essence of a postcolonial country’s rich cultural heritage. We’re thrilled to bring this remarkable story to readers and I look forward to publishing it.’

Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe lives in Sri Lanka, where she works for an international charity supporting child rights. She holds an MA in Comparative Literature from SOAS, University of London, and a PhD from the University of Colombo. She has previously published poetry, non-fiction, features, a play and short fiction.

Father Cabraal’s Recipe for Love Cake promises to be a landmark literary debut, heralding an important new voice in South Asian fiction.

One of India’s most respected historians joins hands for an unfiltered conversation with one of the sharpest public thinkers of our time

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition of Speaking of History: Conversations About India’s Past and Present, a landmark contribution to the public discourse on Indian history. This insightful work brings together two compelling voices of our time—eminent historian Romila Thapar and acclaimed writer Namit Arora—in a rich and engaging dialogue. The book will be published in November 2025 under the Allen Lane imprint.

In these timely and thought-provoking conversations, Romila Thapar and Namit Arora explore the method and practice of writing history—and its vital role in shaping India’s present. They reflect on the distortions of history in our public discourse, and unpack the many forces driving it. Ranging across themes like caste, gender, nationalism, Hindutva, and mythology, this expansive yet accessible discussion challenges the politicisation of the past and powerfully defends cogently reasoned, evidence-based scholarship. At a time when credible history is under siege from organized disinformation and ethno-nationalist mythmaking, this book offers a breath of intellectual clarity, scholarly rigour, and an unwavering commitment to reclaiming history as a space for curiosity, complexity and critical inquiry.

Speaking about the origins of the book, Professor Thapar says, ‘The idea for this book arose after a spontaneous discussion we had about why history was so misunderstood in some circles. We decided to have an extended conversation to clarify some key points and see where it might lead. We started by looking at how historical scholarship began in India and how it has evolved through the use of the historical methods and interdisciplinary approaches. From there, the conversation naturally flowed into a wide range of topics, connecting the past to the questions we’re still grappling with today.’

Reflecting on his journey with the book, co-author Namit Arora said, ‘My goals for this exchange were similar to Prof. Thapar’s: to discuss different facets of the discipline of history, especially for a general audience. We explored how scholars research and write history today, what makes it credible, and why it has become such a contested space in our public life. We also delved into some of the most debated aspects of India’s past and present, spanning caste, patriarchy, religion, migration, invasion, violence, cultural change, identity, power, and nationalism.’

Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief and Vice-President, Hamish Hamilton, Allen Lane, Viking, Penguin and Penguin Classics, PRH India, adds, ‘In these remarkable conversations, Romila Thapar and Namit Arora navigate the fraught battleground of India’s past with both scholarly sense and narrative flair. Through layers of historical scholarship on topics of urgent contemporary relevance, they illuminate how and why history has spilt out of academic halls to become a potent force in today’s culture wars. What emerges is more than a defence of the historical method—it is a powerful reminder that approaching history in all its complexity is a radical act in an age determined to simplify it into comforting myths and convenient fictions. I am delighted that they have chosen Allen Lane as the home for this brilliant and necessary book.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘Speaking History is a brilliant exploration of India’s past, providing a nuanced and insightful perspective on the historical narratives that have shaped the nation. Romila Thapar and Namit Arora have crafted an engaging and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reconsider and reflect on the complexities of history. Their meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this book an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the rich tapestry of India’s heritage. I am proud to publish the book.’

Speaking of History promises to be a definitive work for anyone interested in Indian history, the politics of memory and storytelling, and the power of critical inquiry in times of polarisation.

About the Authors

ROMILA THAPAR is Emeritus Professor of History at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is a Fellow of the British Academy and holds an Hon D.Litt each from Calcutta University, Oxford University, and the University of Chicago. In 2008, Thapar was awarded the prestigious Kluge Prize of the US Library of Congress. She has authored over 25 books.

NAMIT ARORA is a writer and the author of three books, including Indians and The Lottery of Birth. Though formally trained in science and technology, he has been learning the humanities, history, and other social sciences for over three decades. In his role as a public historian, his most recent work is a ten-part web series titled Indians: A Brief History of a Civilization.

Penguin Random House India is pleased to welcome Ayesha Chenoy, Founder and Chairperson of RepIndia, to its External Advisory Committee. This committee, comprising industry leaders and experts from diverse fields, is focused on shaping the future of publishing in India through strategic insight, digital foresight, and operational innovation.

A trailblazer in India’s digital ecosystem, Ayesha brings with her a wealth of experience in brand building, digital strategy, and creative innovation. Under her leadership, RepIndia has become one of the country’s most awarded independent digital agencies, transforming how some of India’s biggest brands connect with audiences. With a global perspective, a deep understanding of the digital landscape, and the rare distinction of being a published author, Ayesha offers a unique and valuable lens to support Penguin’s evolving goals.

Known for helping scale brands across sectors, RepIndia has led digital launches for companies like Burger King and GAP and services a wide portfolio that includes Canon, Viacom, Kajaria Tiles, JSW, Tata Trusts, and the Adani Group. Ayesha holds an Economics degree from Cambridge University, where she received the Adam Smith Prize—previously awarded to Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen. She began her career in investment banking in London, before returning to India to revolutionize the digital marketing space. A bestselling Penguin author, her book The Bravest Person I Know is acclaimed for its powerful take on mental health and resilience.

Commenting on the newest addition to the advisory board, Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO of Penguin Random House India, SEA & MENA, stated, ‘Ayesha is a vital addition to our advisory committee, especially as we evolve in a rapidly transforming digital world. With emerging technologies, shifting trends, and new modes of online engagement, her expertise offers us an edge in adapting to change, resolving digital challenges, and preparing for an AI-driven future. Her dual perspective—as a digital strategist and an author—will help us navigate this evolution thoughtfully and efficiently.’

Commenting on her nomination to the advisory committee, Ayesha Chenoy added, ‘I am honoured to be a part of this distinguished Advisory committee and work with Gaurav as he leads one of the most exceptional publishing teams in Asia. As someone who has digital running in her veins, I hope to add strategic insights in a world where powerful stories can now garner even more engagement and reach, through technology and the use of AI in an evolving media landscape.’

As Penguin continues to explore innovative ways to strengthen its relationship with authors, deepen reader engagement, and future-proof its business, the insights and strategic guidance of the advisory committee remain key to charting this transformative path.

Penguin Random House India is proud to announce that Banu Mushtaq’s short story collection Heart Lamp, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi, has been awarded the International Booker Prize 2025. This is the first time that a Kannada translation and an Indian origin translator has won the prestigious award. The book also received the English PEN Translation Award in 2024.

This achievement marks a historic moment, with Heart Lamp becoming one of the very few Kannada-language works to be recognised at this level. It is also a significant milestone for Indian literature in translation and for Penguin, following the 2022 win for Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree and the 2023 longlisting of Pyre by Perumal Murugan.

Originally written in Kannada, Heart Lamp explores the complexities of womanhood, love, loss, and the weight of tradition in contemporary South India. The stories are deeply rooted yet universally resonant, making this collection a moving and unforgettable literary experience.

Moutushi Mukherjee, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House India, said,
‘I am, to say the least, thrilled and excited that Indian literature has had such a big win. It has been an exhilarating journey for us at Penguin following the journey of this book with Banu and Deepa over the last year. Can’t wait to see it being read and loved by people.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher & SVP, Adult Publishing Division, Penguin Random House India, said, ‘This is an incredible moment for Indian publishing and Penguin Random House India. We are overjoyed and proud of our book Heart Lamp that has touched so many hearts across the world. My heartiest congratulations to our author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi on this outstanding achievement.’

The International Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, celebrating the best fiction from across the globe that has been translated into English. It recognises both the author and the translator equally, acknowledging the vital role of translation in global literature.

The 2025 judging panel is chaired by Max Porter, acclaimed author of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers and Lanny, with poet and filmmaker Caleb Femi, writer and Publishing Director of Wasafiri Sana Goyal, Booker Prize-shortlisted translator Anton Hur, and singer-songwriter Beth Orton completing the panel.

About the author

Banu Mushtaq is a writer, activist and lawyer from Karnataka, southern India. Mushtaq began writing within the progressive protest literary circles in southwestern India in the 1970s and 80s. Critical of the caste system, the Bandaya Sahitya movement gave rise to influential Dalit and Muslim writers, of whom Mushtaq was one of the few women. She is the author of six short story collections, a novel, an essay collection and a poetry collection. She writes in the Kannada language and has won the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Daana Chintamani Attimabbe awards.

About the translator

Deepa Bhasthi is a writer and literary translator based in Kodagu, southern India. Her columns, essays and cultural criticism have been published in India and internationally. Her published translations from Kannada include a novel by Kota Shivarama Karanth and a collection of short stories by Kodagina Gouramma. Her translation of Banu Mushtaq’s stories has won her the English PEN Translates award.