In “The Goa Gambit,” acclaimed author Anurag Tripathi invites readers into the dazzling, high-stakes world of Goa’s casinos. This gripping thriller weaves together power, ambition, and suspense as politicians, celebrities, and dreamers risk it all for fortune. With a blend of suspense, mystery, and romance, the novel promises a roller-coaster ride from beginning to end.
Let’s delve into the interview with Anurag Tripathi and discover his insights on the book.
Welcome to Indian Alsafari
1. Goa’s casinos are known for their allure and danger. How did you research this setting to ensure authenticity and capture the essence of the casino world in your novel?
When you are researching a book, it is important to experience the scenario first hand. As part of my research, I visited many casinos not only in Goa but also the rest of the world. I have been to casinos in Las Vegas, Deauville, Monaco, Colombo, Kathmandu and Singapore. Having spent a lot of time in them, I have observed how the glamorous world of casinos function. Over these visits I met and interacted with many gamblers including high-rollers to understand what makes them tick. But it was my interaction with casino staff that gave me an insight on what goes behind all the glitz and glamour. My characters are a combination of the people I have met.
2. In The Goa Gambit, a single roll of dice can change a character’s fate dramatically. How did you use this concept to drive the plot and build suspense throughout the story?
A single roll of dice can change a character’s fate dramatically is the very essence of The Goa Gambit which has a complex plot with multiple character arcs. Each of my characters is highly motivated and truly believes that the winner takes all. They are constantly at each other’s throats. They are not black or white but have several shades of grey. I deliberately kept the chapters short to keep the plot moving. There is a lot happening in the book with several subplots. The idea is for readers to unravel them. When I was writing the book, I wanted my reader to finish reading it in one go. There is enough and more happening in the book for them to keep turning the pages.
3. If you could spend a day with one of your characters from The Goa Gambit, who would it be and why? What would you want to learn from them?
One of the most interesting and yet difficult characters to write was Ruby, the transgender (ladyboy) who runs the escort service at the casino. I would like to spend a day with her as she feels that she is a woman trapped in the body of a man. I would like to know about her motivations, her life goals, the challenges she faces.
4. What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing The Goa Gambit, and how did you overcome it?
I began writing The Goa Gambit in the last quarter of 2019. In 2020, we faced the Covid-19 pandemic, an event that threatened the existence of mankind. It was challenging to write when you were surrounded by death, despair and darkness. Many bookshops shut down and many publishers went bankrupt. However, hope kept me going. I remained disciplined and focused, penning down 500 words every day. I am grateful to my publishers, Niyogi Books, who ensured that this book saw the light of day.
5. The novel’s plot involves high stakes and dangerous scenarios. How did you keep the plot engaging and unpredictable for your readers?
I write strong plots and create characters that are well fleshed out with complete backstories to explain their motivations and life goals. My characters are layered, like an onion. Their behavior is a function of both the circumstances as well as the stimuli.
I do a lot of research in understanding the world where the plot plays out. While writing the plot, I lay emphasis on the three-act structure of drama. However, I give leeway to my characters and don’t bind them. Sometimes the characters take a life of their own, and consequently the story is different from what I had originally envisaged. This ensures unpredictability.
6. Given the rise of online gaming and gambling, are you familiar with Stake, an online casino platform that’s legal in India? If so, do you consider it safe for players?
I am not aware about stake.com, an online casino platform.
7. As a top online gambling platform, Stake.com offers diverse casino games and sports betting. How does this variety affect the gambling experience compared to physical casinos?
Online casino platforms like stake.com provide a diverse variety of casino games that are generally not found at regular casinos. Further, they have helped to formalize the underground sports betting market in India, thereby adding to the Government coffers and facilitating nation building. While I have not gambled on Stake.com, it is my personal opinion that online gaming platforms cannot provide the same level of thrill or the environment found at a live gaming casino. It’s like watching a cricket match on television vis-a-vie watching the same match live at a stadium.
8. Can you share any interesting anecdotes or behind-the-scenes stories from the writing process of The Goa Gambit?
A few years ago, while on a flight to Goa, I bumped into a young fellow from a village on the outskirts of Delhi NCR. He had recently come into money by selling his land holding to a real estate developer. This young man was not carrying any luggage, just a bag full of money! He had made 15 trips to Goa that year and was addicted to gambling, and everything that came along with it. He told me that there were 40 other people from his village on that flight, all headed to Goa’s casinos to try their luck. He narrated the most fascinating stories about gambling, booze and sex, the three vices that have corrupted Gods and men alike from time immemorial. The story got me hooked and that’s how I started researching the captivating world of casinos, and the interesting lives of its patrons.
9. Do you have any upcoming releases we should look out for?
My next project will be a crime thriller. It is still in early stages and hence difficult to put a timeline to it.
You can find more information about the author below.
Anurag Tripathi is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business with a course in Advanced Creative Writing from The University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education, and a Master Class in Screenwriting from Aaron Sorkin. A keen observer of people, he is a master raconteur who draws on his vast reservoir of life experiences.
His debut novel on the art market in India was nominated for the Raymond Crossword Book Awards in 2017. Dalal’s Street, his second, was called the Indian equivalent of the iconic Liar’s Poker by stock market veteran Manish Chokhani. The Goa Gambit, his third, takes the reader into the seedy underbelly of Goa’s gambling scene.
Anurag lives in Singapore along with his wife and their fur baby. He is a foodie and suffers from a severe case of wanderlust, traveling and exploring worlds lesser known.
