No alien to controversies, British author Jeffrey
Archer says he's not a provocative writer and "feels very safe" in India
when it comes to censorship issues.
"I
don't try to provoke. I am a simple storyteller. I feel safe in India,
very safe," he said. In contrast, he said, he had to go through a lot of
trouble in South Africa years ago because of his views. "I went on
television and defended (former South African President) Nelson Mandela
and criticised the apartheid system and they threw me out. But I felt
very strongly about it," Archer told IANS in an interview here.
The
best-selling author of over 35 books was in India to launch his book
"Mightier Than The Sword", the fifth in the seven-part Clifton Chronicle
series brought out by Pan Macmillan. The next book in the saga will
have eight chapters set in Mumbai.
"I think there is a genuine
affection here. I have met Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S.
Laxman and Rahul Dravid and I never sensed that they don't like the
English. They are friendly straightway and warm. One doesn't get that if
someone doesn't like your country," said the former politician.
Published
in 97 countries, in more than 37 languages, the 74-year-old conceded
that British novelist and screenwriter Ian McEwan and British-Indian
author Salman Rushdie are superior writers.
"I see differences in
the sense that I see Ian McEwan as a far better writer. I think Salman
Rushdie is also a far better writer, but it was the London Times and
your Times (Times of India) that said (I was) probably the greatest
storyteller in the world.
He also likes it when people compare him to Alexandre Dumas, one of the most widely-read 19th century French writers.
"You
feel (good) when you see that from the Times of London and from the
Indian times. And then The Washington Post came out after my 'Prisoner
of Birth' and said the English had found Dumas.
"So you do sit back and think about it," Archer mused.
On
his 11th visit to India, Archer interacted with audiences, particularly
wannabe writers, in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata,
hosted by the Crossword bookstores.
During his whirlwind tour,
the author met Indian entertainment entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala to
seek advice on a possible Indian partner for the television series on
'The Clifton Chronicles'.
Archer said it was Screwvala's nudge
that pushed him to say Bollywood filmmakers had "stolen" his works and
adapted them into films. He says 'Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less'
was made into 'Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl' and 'Kane and Abel' into
'Khudgarz'.
"That's the brightest guy I have met in a long time.
He is straight and he is sensible and he gave me a lot of good advice.
He almost gave me the courage to come out and say, which I haven't said
before, 'you have stolen my books'
Once he had said it, he
repeated it several times during his interactions in India: 'You have
stolen my books'. But he was surprised by the reaction his comment
attracted. "I thought Indians would be cross with that. The surprise is
Indians say 'you are quite right, we all know that'," said the author
light-heartedly.
Despite irritation with plagiarism, Archer is
keen to have his books adapted for films, provided it is with his
consent and the right person comes along.
"If anyone approached
me I would go to Ronnie and ask for his opinion immediately. If he says
that's a serious director I will accept it straightaway," Archer
asserted.
(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at [email protected])
