7.8 Dharini & Rupleena: Interfaith Romance, Identity and Coming-of-age Stories of Women in India

Curious about how fiction explores the intersection of identity, memory, and love? In this episode of Books and Beyond, Michelle and Tara sit down with Dharini Bhaskar author of ‘Like Being Alive Twice’ and Rupleena Bose author of ‘Summer of Then’ to talk about the art of writing female coming-of-age stories. They dive into the challenges of creating relatable female characters and discuss how their personal experiences shape their storytelling.Dharini and Rupleena open up about their creative process, the intersection of identity and literature, and the power of poetry and resilience. From navigating the complexities of inter-religious dynamics in romance to portraying the impact of the pandemic on human interaction, they offer a glimpse into their unique perspectives.In this exclusive series in partnership with Penguin Random House India, we highlight two voices who are transforming the narrative around inter-religious romance and female coming-of-age stories in Indian fiction.Listen in as Dharini and Rupleena share their thoughts on the creative process, the challenges of portraying identity in fiction, and the deeper meaning behind their characters' journeys.Books mentioned in this episode: Leila - Prayaag Akbar Mother India - Prayaag Akbar My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa MoshfeghAugust Rush - Deborah LevyReal Estate: A Living Autobiography - Deborah LevyHow to Kill Your Family - Bella MackieThe Illuminated - Anindita GhoseBurnt Sugar - Avni DoshiMrs. Dalloway - Virginia Woolf Authors mentioned: Linda GregJeffery Carson Anne CarsonApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.