What do you think?
Rate this book
INTERROGATION: Not a monster. Not a saint. Just a common man—crushed by justice gone blind in this republic.
The victim changes, yet the story repeats—an unending tale etched in silence and sorrow.
In June 2021, within the walls of a police station in Bengaluru, a young man's life took an irreversible turn. What should have been an ordinary day spiraled into a harrowing ordeal, driven by language, identity, and the invisible lines society often draws.
Interrogation is a deeply human story that explores the fragile intersection of power and prejudice. Through quiet suffering and silent endurance, it reflects on the cost of dignity and the unseen resilience of those who refuse to be forgotten. Amid moments of darkness, it reveals the unexpected light that emerges through connection, compassion, and love.
Though rooted in a single true event, this novel speaks to a larger a world where voices are silenced, where dignity is tested, and where resilience endures against all odds.
A tribute to the unheard.
A reminder of the cost of silence.
Truth, told as fiction.
In June 2021, within the walls of a police station in Bengaluru, a young man's life took an irreversible turn. What should have been an ordinary day spiraled into a harrowing ordeal, driven by language, identity, and the invisible lines society often draws.
Interrogation is a deeply human story that explores the fragile intersection of power and prejudice. Through quiet suffering and silent endurance, it reflects on the cost of dignity and the unseen resilience of those who refuse to be forgotten. Amid moments of darkness, it reveals the unexpected light that emerges through connection, compassion, and love.
Though rooted in a single true event, this novel speaks to a larger a world where voices are silenced, where dignity is tested, and where resilience endures against all odds.
A tribute to the unheard.
A reminder of the cost of silence.
Truth, told as fiction.
Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 30, 2025
"Interrogation" by Sagar Kumar is a powerful story that leaves a lasting impression. This packs immense emotion, subtle resistance, and raw truth into every scene.
Based on real events, the book depicts a young man's painful journey within a Bengaluru police station. Kumar's simple yet impactful writing conveys his fear and quiet strength, highlighting how deeply dignity can be hurt while showcasing the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The book truly gives a voice to people we don't often hear from. It doesn't push a particular message; instead, it tells a compelling story that gently brings home the huge importance of empathy and understanding. "Interrogation" is a deeply humane read that honestly, can be on everyone's bookshelf.
Based on real events, the book depicts a young man's painful journey within a Bengaluru police station. Kumar's simple yet impactful writing conveys his fear and quiet strength, highlighting how deeply dignity can be hurt while showcasing the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The book truly gives a voice to people we don't often hear from. It doesn't push a particular message; instead, it tells a compelling story that gently brings home the huge importance of empathy and understanding. "Interrogation" is a deeply humane read that honestly, can be on everyone's bookshelf.
May 2, 2025
Book: INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint
Author: Sagar Kumar
Publisher: Astitva Prakashan (2025)
Total Pages: 134
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
Author Sagar Kumar’s debut title, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is a hauntingly powerful and emotionally wrenching account that blurs the line between reality and fiction — not to mislead, but to reveal. Billed as biographical fiction, this book is not merely a thriller or a suspenseful narrative. It is a literary reckoning — a visceral, honest confrontation with the machinery of injustice, stitched together through the pain and silence of a real-life incident that unfolded in June 2021 at the Madiwala Police Station in Bengaluru. Besides, the manner in which the author had carried out the task of storytelling in his book is captivating enough to make the readers quench for more with every turn of the page, and this is something that actually makes this title reading worthy!
Author Sagar Kumar is a writer and a director based in Bangalore, originally from Shimoga. He is a B.E. graduate, and he had worked in the IT industry as an iOS developer for seven years before fully transitioning into the world of storytelling. Driven by a deep passion for truth & human narratives, he wishes to be known simply as a storyteller, regardless of the medium. Whereas, this particular title, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is published by Astitva Prakashan and is released during the period of April 2025. Also, the book is available in both paperback as well as in e-book format and the readers can find this title on all the top online marketplaces.
At its core, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is a story about identity, language and systemic violence. But it is not couched in grand abstractions. It is grounded in the crushing reality of one man’s ordeal — a man neither monster nor martyr, but someone who became the target of a system that turned blind when it needed most to see. This is not a tale of extraordinary crime or cinematic confrontation; instead, it is the very ordinariness of the man and his suffering that magnifies the horror. In author Sagar Kumar’s sparse yet lyrical prose, the mundane becomes tragic and the familiar becomes sinister. Over the course of ‘9 Searing Chapters’, the author unearths the grim truth of what it means to be a common man in a system that wields power with indifference and prejudice. The book does not entertain in the traditional sense — it disturbs, provokes and ultimately transforms the readers. The experience is less like reading and more like witnessing, being drawn into an emotional courtroom where the jury is the conscience of society itself.
On top of that the author’s storytelling is intensely intimate. Every chapter feels like a confession, every paragraph a fragment of a life broken under the weight of bureaucratic brutality. Yet what sets the narrative apart is its refusal to indulge in sensationalism. The violence is not embellished for dramatic effect. Instead, it is presented quietly, factually and devastatingly, with all the more power for its restraint. The reader is not spared the discomfort, nor are they allowed to look away. The book demands that we feel it and we sit with it, as the author implores and while doing so, it forces us to reckon with the dehumanising silence that often surrounds such injustices!
One of the Notable Strengths of this title lies in its tone, which is measured but unflinching. Author Sagar Kumar approaches his subject with a blend of empathy and controlled fury. He does not shout; he does not preach. Instead, he holds up a mirror to a society that too often turns its back on the voiceless. And in that mirror, we see not only the protagonist’s pain but our own complicity. The book is not a comfortable read and that is precisely what makes it necessary. Despite its darkness, ‘INTERROGATION’ also gives space to unexpected moments of light — acts of human connection, fleeting compassion and enduring resilience. These glimpses of warmth amidst the cold machinery of injustice remind us that even in the bleakest moments, the human spirit can resist, survive and assert its right to be seen and heard. The presence of these moments adds the emotional complexity and keeps the book from descending into nihilism. It is at its heart, a tribute to those who endure.
Stylistically, the author’s writing is stark, almost minimalist and yet deeply evocative. He avoids the overwrought prose, letting the gravity of the situation speak for itself. Dialogue is used sparingly but meaningfully, often highlighting the linguistic and the cultural fractures that lie at the heart of the protagonist’s mistreatment. The narrative is tightly constructed, and each chapter contributes to a cumulative sense of dread and injustice, building to a crescendo that leaves the readers both shattered as well as awakened in a very different manner!
Now, upon reaching the final part of the review, i.e. the Book Verdict, we can conclude that a title like “INTERROGATION: Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is for sure a reading worthy title. The book deserves a chance by the readers as it is an act of bearing witness. It is a cry from the margins, a testimony to the countless lives that are bruised, broken, or erased by systems meant to protect. Author Sagar Kumar’s fearless and deeply humane storytelling compels us to ask uncomfortable questions about power, silence and justice. The book does not offer easy answers, nor does it claim to. But, what it offers is something more vital — a chance to listen, to reflect and perhaps to change, which makes it a MUST READ one.
In addition, in a world where the stories of the oppressed are too often buried beneath the weight of the bureaucracy and apathy, this particular title insists that we remember, we speak and we certainly do not let the system crush another common man into silence!
Book’s Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9370020489
Author: Sagar Kumar
Publisher: Astitva Prakashan (2025)
Total Pages: 134
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
Author Sagar Kumar’s debut title, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is a hauntingly powerful and emotionally wrenching account that blurs the line between reality and fiction — not to mislead, but to reveal. Billed as biographical fiction, this book is not merely a thriller or a suspenseful narrative. It is a literary reckoning — a visceral, honest confrontation with the machinery of injustice, stitched together through the pain and silence of a real-life incident that unfolded in June 2021 at the Madiwala Police Station in Bengaluru. Besides, the manner in which the author had carried out the task of storytelling in his book is captivating enough to make the readers quench for more with every turn of the page, and this is something that actually makes this title reading worthy!
Author Sagar Kumar is a writer and a director based in Bangalore, originally from Shimoga. He is a B.E. graduate, and he had worked in the IT industry as an iOS developer for seven years before fully transitioning into the world of storytelling. Driven by a deep passion for truth & human narratives, he wishes to be known simply as a storyteller, regardless of the medium. Whereas, this particular title, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is published by Astitva Prakashan and is released during the period of April 2025. Also, the book is available in both paperback as well as in e-book format and the readers can find this title on all the top online marketplaces.
At its core, “INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is a story about identity, language and systemic violence. But it is not couched in grand abstractions. It is grounded in the crushing reality of one man’s ordeal — a man neither monster nor martyr, but someone who became the target of a system that turned blind when it needed most to see. This is not a tale of extraordinary crime or cinematic confrontation; instead, it is the very ordinariness of the man and his suffering that magnifies the horror. In author Sagar Kumar’s sparse yet lyrical prose, the mundane becomes tragic and the familiar becomes sinister. Over the course of ‘9 Searing Chapters’, the author unearths the grim truth of what it means to be a common man in a system that wields power with indifference and prejudice. The book does not entertain in the traditional sense — it disturbs, provokes and ultimately transforms the readers. The experience is less like reading and more like witnessing, being drawn into an emotional courtroom where the jury is the conscience of society itself.
On top of that the author’s storytelling is intensely intimate. Every chapter feels like a confession, every paragraph a fragment of a life broken under the weight of bureaucratic brutality. Yet what sets the narrative apart is its refusal to indulge in sensationalism. The violence is not embellished for dramatic effect. Instead, it is presented quietly, factually and devastatingly, with all the more power for its restraint. The reader is not spared the discomfort, nor are they allowed to look away. The book demands that we feel it and we sit with it, as the author implores and while doing so, it forces us to reckon with the dehumanising silence that often surrounds such injustices!
One of the Notable Strengths of this title lies in its tone, which is measured but unflinching. Author Sagar Kumar approaches his subject with a blend of empathy and controlled fury. He does not shout; he does not preach. Instead, he holds up a mirror to a society that too often turns its back on the voiceless. And in that mirror, we see not only the protagonist’s pain but our own complicity. The book is not a comfortable read and that is precisely what makes it necessary. Despite its darkness, ‘INTERROGATION’ also gives space to unexpected moments of light — acts of human connection, fleeting compassion and enduring resilience. These glimpses of warmth amidst the cold machinery of injustice remind us that even in the bleakest moments, the human spirit can resist, survive and assert its right to be seen and heard. The presence of these moments adds the emotional complexity and keeps the book from descending into nihilism. It is at its heart, a tribute to those who endure.
Stylistically, the author’s writing is stark, almost minimalist and yet deeply evocative. He avoids the overwrought prose, letting the gravity of the situation speak for itself. Dialogue is used sparingly but meaningfully, often highlighting the linguistic and the cultural fractures that lie at the heart of the protagonist’s mistreatment. The narrative is tightly constructed, and each chapter contributes to a cumulative sense of dread and injustice, building to a crescendo that leaves the readers both shattered as well as awakened in a very different manner!
Now, upon reaching the final part of the review, i.e. the Book Verdict, we can conclude that a title like “INTERROGATION: Not A Monster. Not A Saint” is for sure a reading worthy title. The book deserves a chance by the readers as it is an act of bearing witness. It is a cry from the margins, a testimony to the countless lives that are bruised, broken, or erased by systems meant to protect. Author Sagar Kumar’s fearless and deeply humane storytelling compels us to ask uncomfortable questions about power, silence and justice. The book does not offer easy answers, nor does it claim to. But, what it offers is something more vital — a chance to listen, to reflect and perhaps to change, which makes it a MUST READ one.
In addition, in a world where the stories of the oppressed are too often buried beneath the weight of the bureaucracy and apathy, this particular title insists that we remember, we speak and we certainly do not let the system crush another common man into silence!
Book’s Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9370020489
May 29, 2025
"Interrogation" is not an easy book to read, but it’s one that needs to be read. Set in a police station in Bengaluru, it tells the story of a young man whose life is changed forever in a single day. He isn’t a criminal. He isn’t a hero. He’s just a regular person caught in a system that doesn’t always care about fairness.
What makes this book powerful is how quietly it speaks. It doesn’t shout, but it hits you deeply. It talks about the things we often ignore how language, identity, and prejudice can shape a person’s fate. The writing is raw but beautiful, and you feel the weight of every moment the character endures.
The Lady SI’s voice was filled with rage and said she won’t let Yogish and Sabastian’s colleague go and will ensure that he gets the maximum imprisonment. A lifetime in jail will make him see the error of his ways. Perhaps not. Such men are incorrigible pigs, they will never change. He came from another state and defiled our daughter. An outsider had the audacity to so this, I cannot believe it. As she shook her head in disgust and said such men have to be taught a lesson and we will make an example of him, so that others beware.
It’s heartbreaking to see how justice can be twisted and how dignity can be stripped away so easily. But there’s also a strange hope in the story in the small acts of kindness and human connection that shine through the darkness.
This isn’t just one man’s story. It’s a mirror to society. A reminder of the many unheard voices around us.
What makes this book powerful is how quietly it speaks. It doesn’t shout, but it hits you deeply. It talks about the things we often ignore how language, identity, and prejudice can shape a person’s fate. The writing is raw but beautiful, and you feel the weight of every moment the character endures.
The Lady SI’s voice was filled with rage and said she won’t let Yogish and Sabastian’s colleague go and will ensure that he gets the maximum imprisonment. A lifetime in jail will make him see the error of his ways. Perhaps not. Such men are incorrigible pigs, they will never change. He came from another state and defiled our daughter. An outsider had the audacity to so this, I cannot believe it. As she shook her head in disgust and said such men have to be taught a lesson and we will make an example of him, so that others beware.
It’s heartbreaking to see how justice can be twisted and how dignity can be stripped away so easily. But there’s also a strange hope in the story in the small acts of kindness and human connection that shine through the darkness.
This isn’t just one man’s story. It’s a mirror to society. A reminder of the many unheard voices around us.
May 30, 2025
The title of the story is "INTERROGATION: Not a monster. Not a saint. Just a common man—crushed by justice gone blind in this republic" is enough to give you intrigue and goosebumps for the upcoming journey we are going to witness. And I have to say the author gives justice to the story.
This is the story of Mani, a South Indian boy who is happy for his upcoming marriage with the girl he's in love with. Mani has a good job, a couple of good friends, and, most importantly, a good personality. But one night all these changes, and he stands in a situation where things can only go downhill from there.
In the beginning the author says this is a true story but written in a fictional way. So the impact of the story is going to be tenfold. This is that kind of story that is going to hit you hard and make you think about the situation, about the characters, and about the situation we are in for a long time.
In just 130 pages, the author intricately portrays how the people who should protect us by using their power abuse us, how society and our societal mindset never let us go above those thinking, and how corruption is in every corner of society, even in people's minds and hearts. But apart from this negativity, the story also shows the resistance and indomitable nature of a good human being and the friendship.
The story is so good and impactful, and the anticipation of what's going to happen is done so well that you would be engrossed in it from the beginning till the end. So I highly recommend it.
This is the story of Mani, a South Indian boy who is happy for his upcoming marriage with the girl he's in love with. Mani has a good job, a couple of good friends, and, most importantly, a good personality. But one night all these changes, and he stands in a situation where things can only go downhill from there.
In the beginning the author says this is a true story but written in a fictional way. So the impact of the story is going to be tenfold. This is that kind of story that is going to hit you hard and make you think about the situation, about the characters, and about the situation we are in for a long time.
In just 130 pages, the author intricately portrays how the people who should protect us by using their power abuse us, how society and our societal mindset never let us go above those thinking, and how corruption is in every corner of society, even in people's minds and hearts. But apart from this negativity, the story also shows the resistance and indomitable nature of a good human being and the friendship.
The story is so good and impactful, and the anticipation of what's going to happen is done so well that you would be engrossed in it from the beginning till the end. So I highly recommend it.
July 18, 2025
“He's not good, he's not bad. He's just you or me, stuck when the system stops caring about fair play.
Book: INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint
Author: Sagar Kumar
The narrative focuses on a young man, seemingly unremarkable, whose life becomes a nightmare within the confines of a police station.
Manikandan, a South Indian boy brimming with joy, has his perfect life within reach—a loving fiancée, a steady job, and loyal friends.
He was just a regular guy, teaching kids for free, when suddenly, he's hit with an unthinkable charge.
But a single night flips his world upside down, landing him in an impossible situation where his only path is downward.
This is the gripping tale of a young man ensnared by the powerful forces of language, identity, and societal bias.
The protagonist's pain and confusion are palpable, as he's forced into a reality beyond his wildest nightmares.
This is a novel that will stir your emotions and challenge your perceptions by revealing the unseen workings of the justice system.
It was gut-wrenching to see language twisted into a weapon, not just hindering speech, but actively eroding one's very humanity.
From the first page, the author establishes a masterful, dark suspense, drawing you into a realm of dread.
This book lays bare a living truth—a reality for far too many, even today.
"INTERROGATION"—it's designed to challenge and awaken you. This book is crucial for giving a voice to those silenced by broken systems.
It’s the kind of book you carry with you long after finishing it.
Book: INTERROGATION — Not A Monster. Not A Saint
Author: Sagar Kumar
The narrative focuses on a young man, seemingly unremarkable, whose life becomes a nightmare within the confines of a police station.
Manikandan, a South Indian boy brimming with joy, has his perfect life within reach—a loving fiancée, a steady job, and loyal friends.
He was just a regular guy, teaching kids for free, when suddenly, he's hit with an unthinkable charge.
But a single night flips his world upside down, landing him in an impossible situation where his only path is downward.
This is the gripping tale of a young man ensnared by the powerful forces of language, identity, and societal bias.
The protagonist's pain and confusion are palpable, as he's forced into a reality beyond his wildest nightmares.
This is a novel that will stir your emotions and challenge your perceptions by revealing the unseen workings of the justice system.
It was gut-wrenching to see language twisted into a weapon, not just hindering speech, but actively eroding one's very humanity.
From the first page, the author establishes a masterful, dark suspense, drawing you into a realm of dread.
This book lays bare a living truth—a reality for far too many, even today.
"INTERROGATION"—it's designed to challenge and awaken you. This book is crucial for giving a voice to those silenced by broken systems.
It’s the kind of book you carry with you long after finishing it.
May 29, 2025
As a law student, I have read countless case files, judgments, and books on human rights violations, yet I cannot help but feel that no textbook has ever been able to instill anything inside me which feels other than intellectual: the legal principles of justice, dignity, and equality had been felt in the flesh with great shattering of the heart. I find myself one hundred percent sympathetic to that young person; his fear, his confusion, and his eventual quiet acceptance questioned the entire system I have studied to be a part of. Kumar_accused not_in a_shout but whispered devastating truths to be echoed: the commonplace place in which this began-a police station in Bengaluru, June 2021-isrogue in making a deeply moving narrative about prejudice, identity, and power relations. It showed me that injustice is the drying of soft institutionalized cruelty rather than loud acts of violence. Yet, this is a story that does not ask for pity, for it will earn it through silent endurance. Most disturbing was the realisation-given just how easy it could be someone I know, or even me. Even beyond the law, Interrogation is a conscience changer. It spurs me on to think about ways in which the law has become yet another mechanism that dehumanizes. This isn't just a novel. It's a moral bell-ringer. Something Sagar Kumar has written that should go in every law syllabus.
June 4, 2025
"Interrogation" by Sagar Kumar is a powerful story that leaves a lasting impression. Every scene is packed with a lot of emotion, subtle resistance, and the raw truth.
Based on real events, the book depicts a young man's painful journey within a Bengaluru police station. The author's simple yet impactful writing conveys his fear and quiet strength, highlighting how deeply dignity can be hurt while showcasing the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The book does not entertain in the traditional sense — it disturbs, provokes and ultimately transforms the readers. Being drawn into an emotional courtroom where the jury is the conscience of society itself is more like witnessing than reading, and the author's storytelling is extremely intimate.
Every chapter feels like a confession, every paragraph a fragment of a life broken under the weight of bureaucratic brutality. Yet what sets the narrative apart is its refusal to indulge in sensationalism.
The violence is not embellished for dramatic effect. Instead, it is presented quietly, factually and devastatingly, with all the more power for its restraint.
The book demands that we feel it and we sit with it, as the author implores, and while doing so, it forces us to reckon with the dehumanising silence that often surrounds such injustices!
Highly recommended!
Based on real events, the book depicts a young man's painful journey within a Bengaluru police station. The author's simple yet impactful writing conveys his fear and quiet strength, highlighting how deeply dignity can be hurt while showcasing the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
The book does not entertain in the traditional sense — it disturbs, provokes and ultimately transforms the readers. Being drawn into an emotional courtroom where the jury is the conscience of society itself is more like witnessing than reading, and the author's storytelling is extremely intimate.
Every chapter feels like a confession, every paragraph a fragment of a life broken under the weight of bureaucratic brutality. Yet what sets the narrative apart is its refusal to indulge in sensationalism.
The violence is not embellished for dramatic effect. Instead, it is presented quietly, factually and devastatingly, with all the more power for its restraint.
The book demands that we feel it and we sit with it, as the author implores, and while doing so, it forces us to reckon with the dehumanising silence that often surrounds such injustices!
Highly recommended!
May 27, 2025
If you think justice is always fair, “Interrogation” might shake that belief. This book takes a simple, relatable man and shows what happens when he’s crushed under a system that’s blind not just to truth, but to humanity.
The story is based on a real event, but it reads like a deep, emotional journey. It doesn’t focus on action or drama. Instead, it focuses on feelings—fear, confusion, helplessness, and, above all, the quiet strength it takes to survive injustice.
I found myself pausing often while reading, not because I was bored, but because I needed to breathe. The way the author shows how identity like the language you speak or where you’re from can decide your fate is haunting.
Mani vowed that he owed his life to Sebastian and Yogish. If there’s ever anything you want, please do not hesitate to contact me. He said he would help them or do it for them. Sebastian advises him to rest and heal first by getting same sleep and taking pain killers.
Still, there’s beauty here too. Even in the darkest parts, the story finds light through compassion, unexpected friendships, and the strength of the human spirit.
If you want a book that opens your eyes and touches your heart, this is it. A hard but honest read.
The story is based on a real event, but it reads like a deep, emotional journey. It doesn’t focus on action or drama. Instead, it focuses on feelings—fear, confusion, helplessness, and, above all, the quiet strength it takes to survive injustice.
I found myself pausing often while reading, not because I was bored, but because I needed to breathe. The way the author shows how identity like the language you speak or where you’re from can decide your fate is haunting.
Mani vowed that he owed his life to Sebastian and Yogish. If there’s ever anything you want, please do not hesitate to contact me. He said he would help them or do it for them. Sebastian advises him to rest and heal first by getting same sleep and taking pain killers.
Still, there’s beauty here too. Even in the darkest parts, the story finds light through compassion, unexpected friendships, and the strength of the human spirit.
If you want a book that opens your eyes and touches your heart, this is it. A hard but honest read.
May 30, 2025
"Interrogation" by Sagar Kumar is a fictional story, but this is also the story of hundreds of people who are suffering the injustice of our system.
The story starts with a horrifying scene of a jail where some police officers are trying to make someone confess their crime, but the man keeps saying he's not the culprit. Then we go back in time to see how the man ended up in the situation and then how cruel the situation becomes.
This is a short story, but each chapter is powerful and will make you question, and you will feel the helplessness of the character yourself. The story also shows friendship in its truest form as well as the corruption and the abuse of power. This also shows how a small thing can change a lot of people's lives forever. While we see our main character get his solace at the end of the story, it comes with a huge cost from which none of them will be able to come back.
I absolutely hate the open ending, but this ending speaks louder than anything. This story is going to be with me for a long time. I think this story should be read by every reader.
The story starts with a horrifying scene of a jail where some police officers are trying to make someone confess their crime, but the man keeps saying he's not the culprit. Then we go back in time to see how the man ended up in the situation and then how cruel the situation becomes.
This is a short story, but each chapter is powerful and will make you question, and you will feel the helplessness of the character yourself. The story also shows friendship in its truest form as well as the corruption and the abuse of power. This also shows how a small thing can change a lot of people's lives forever. While we see our main character get his solace at the end of the story, it comes with a huge cost from which none of them will be able to come back.
I absolutely hate the open ending, but this ending speaks louder than anything. This story is going to be with me for a long time. I think this story should be read by every reader.
June 1, 2025
Interrogation by Sagar Kumar is a rough, brutal, and heartbreakingly human story about how an instant can undo a life in its entirety. The story is set in a police station in Bengaluru, in June 2021. It is the story of a young man caught in the crosshairs of language, identity, and societal bias. With great restraint, Kumar tells the story without resorting to melodrama but with deep emotional content. What could have been just another ordinary day--transforming into a silent tragedy--is as if echoing through countless untold stories of many unheard souls. The endurance of the protagonist, in silence, is deeply moving. Kumar has a writing style that is straightforward and intimate and does not shy away from pain that is not abused. The book took me back to those invisible lines drawn by lookers who live to carve others into lifelong wounds. Quiet suffering is loud enough above a thousand protests. Interrogation is a salute to those denied a voice, dismantling the very notion of a novel in honor of truth, humanity, and inviolable dignity. It is a book to read for anyone who cares about justice and empathy.
June 18, 2025
📖 Book Review 📖
Book Review: Interrogation by Sagar Kumar
Interrogation is a haunting, powerful novel that left a lasting impact on me. Set in a police station in Bengaluru in June 2021, it tells the story of a young man whose life is shattered by injustice. Sagar Kumar’s writing is raw yet deeply sensitive, capturing the quiet pain of someone trapped by prejudice, language, and identity.
The novel doesn’t rely on melodrama—instead, its strength lies in restraint and emotional truth. The contrast between brutal reality and tender memories makes the story all the more moving. The protagonist’s silent endurance speaks louder than words, representing countless unheard voices.
Kumar paints a vivid portrait of systemic failure without losing sight of the humanity at its core. The book is not just about pain, but also resilience, love, and dignity. It honors the voiceless while asking tough questions about justice and empathy.
This is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. Interrogation is fiction grounded in truth, and it deserves to be read, remembered, and talked about.
Rating: 4/5
Happy Reading 📚
Book Review: Interrogation by Sagar Kumar
Interrogation is a haunting, powerful novel that left a lasting impact on me. Set in a police station in Bengaluru in June 2021, it tells the story of a young man whose life is shattered by injustice. Sagar Kumar’s writing is raw yet deeply sensitive, capturing the quiet pain of someone trapped by prejudice, language, and identity.
The novel doesn’t rely on melodrama—instead, its strength lies in restraint and emotional truth. The contrast between brutal reality and tender memories makes the story all the more moving. The protagonist’s silent endurance speaks louder than words, representing countless unheard voices.
Kumar paints a vivid portrait of systemic failure without losing sight of the humanity at its core. The book is not just about pain, but also resilience, love, and dignity. It honors the voiceless while asking tough questions about justice and empathy.
This is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. Interrogation is fiction grounded in truth, and it deserves to be read, remembered, and talked about.
Rating: 4/5
Happy Reading 📚
May 26, 2025
Interrogation, written by Sagar Kumar, dares to speak of what many would turn their backs to. Describing one painful day in a Bengaluru police station, the life of a man slowly disintegrates put under scrutiny, not based upon his actions but rather mere assumptions. This is not just a book but an emotional experience. There are no grand gestures or impassioned speeches: silence, a stare, and moments that feel painfully real are the tools with which Kumar paints his world. The young man in the center turns into any person who has ever been pushed aside, misunderstood, or erased. The emotional heft of that book derives from its restraint. Kumar does not grant easy villains or heroes—only a cold, unused mirror to the harshness of the world. I found myself grappling for breath through much of the novel, bound by a gripping rawness. Interrogation represents a quiet revolution. It reminds that dignity is not granted by systems; it is claimed through the act of surviving. The tale remains etched in memory, an unforgettable dialogue of grief, resilience, and silent hope.
May 29, 2025
Interrogation is a short yet powerful book that captures the emotional weight of being trapped in an unjust system. The main character is a young man who, while living in Bengaluru, is taken in for questioning at a police station. What follows is a quiet, powerful journey through fear, confusion, and loneliness.
Sagar Kumar writes with restraint, allowing all the weight to come from the situation itself. The main character doesn't protest loudly—he endures, and that quiet, persevering strength seems to be what makes the book powerful. You feel the tension of every moment and the heartbreak of every silence.
The book makes no effort to supply easy answers. It touches upon the quiet cruelty associated with prejudice and the resiliency of the human spirit. It makes no judgments about heroes or villains- everything lives in the gray.
Interrogation is brutally honest, emotionally intense, and profoundly moving. It stays with you—and causes you to listen like few books actually do.
Sagar Kumar writes with restraint, allowing all the weight to come from the situation itself. The main character doesn't protest loudly—he endures, and that quiet, persevering strength seems to be what makes the book powerful. You feel the tension of every moment and the heartbreak of every silence.
The book makes no effort to supply easy answers. It touches upon the quiet cruelty associated with prejudice and the resiliency of the human spirit. It makes no judgments about heroes or villains- everything lives in the gray.
Interrogation is brutally honest, emotionally intense, and profoundly moving. It stays with you—and causes you to listen like few books actually do.
May 25, 2025
There are books that leave behind an impression, and then there are books that actually alter the emotional landscape. Interrogation is a very thin novel with a few scenes, but every one of them is loaded with emotion, subtle resistance, and truth. Kumar chronicles, with painful clarity, the misadventures of a young man trapped in a Bengaluru police station. Kumar doesn't push any particular agenda; he just tells a story-and in the telling, he unfolds so many others. Language, identity, and the silent machinery of prejudice all collide in this compact yet expansive in its emotions. What I found remarkable was Kumar's skill in drawing our sympathy without even asking. He demonstrates the protagonist's strength not by resisting but by quietly enduring. This book broke my heart-and, in some ways, rebuilt it with deeper understanding. Interrogation is a rare gift: truthful, unflinching, and deeply humane. And it belongs in every bookshelf-and in every conscience.
June 10, 2025
Reading Interrogation felt like being quietly handed a mirror—one that shows the uncomfortable truths we often ignore. The story, though set within a police station in Bengaluru, echoes a reality many are afraid to confront. As someone who’s lived in a multilingual, multicultural city, the struggle with identity and acceptance resonated deeply. The way language becomes a barrier—not just to communication but to humanity—was gut-wrenching. What struck me most was the silent suffering of the protagonist; it wasn’t dramatized, just real, raw, and painfully still. I found myself pausing often, absorbing the weight of each chapter. The novel didn’t shout—it whispered truths, which made them even more powerful. It reminded me of those around us who suffer silently, who are never heard, yet whose lives demand recognition. This book stays with you, not because it resolves anything, but because it dares to expose what remains unresolved in society.
June 10, 2025
There are books that entertain, and then there are books like Interrogation—books that haunt you. I read it slowly, not because it was heavy, but because it was sacred. The story may center around one incident, but it unearths generations of systemic silence. As someone who’s been on the margins—linguistically, socially—I found this narrative painfully relatable. The feeling of being judged before you speak, before you explain, is soul-crushing. The novel gives space to that experience, treating it not just with empathy but with urgency. What stays with me is the portrayal of endurance—not flashy, not dramatic, but human. The writing is graceful yet unsparing, filled with quiet rage and deep reflection. Interrogation is not a story you simply read. You live with it, you wrestle with it, and ultimately, you emerge changed. I’m grateful to have come across it. I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.
June 10, 2025
As someone who often seeks comfort in fiction, Interrogation was a sharp, necessary departure. It doesn’t comfort—it confronts. It made me feel helpless, angry, and yet, strangely hopeful. The narrative around a single incident in 2021 grows into a broader truth that’s impossible to ignore. What moved me most was the dignity of the protagonist, maintained even through unjust suffering. That quiet endurance spoke louder than any scream. I saw reflections of people I’ve known—those who’ve been labeled, judged, or dismissed because of who they are or the language they speak. The writing is restrained yet intense; it demands your attention, not with action but with emotion. It’s the kind of book you carry with you long after finishing it. A stark reminder that stories like these are not just fiction—they are fragments of lives around us. And perhaps, that’s what makes this novel so painfully beautiful.
May 26, 2025
Sagar Kumar's Interrogation gripped my heart from its first page and held it tight until its last. What starts like a seemingly standard event soon turns into a chilling analysis of society's treatment of those on the margins. The setting of the narrative may be limited to a police station, but the story it conveys is immense. Kumar's prose is about a quiet eloquence, never manipulative, yet bearing so much weight that more than once, I found myself stopping for a deep breath. The protagonist's suffering pales in loudness and spectacle, slow, real, and utterly heartbreaking. The letting down of false hope was the greatest punch; instead, the book chose honesty. Interrogation is a compassionate, powerful novel that should be read by everyone who believes in justice, or wants to. Sagar Kumar has given a voice to those too often silenced. And it echoes, long after the last word.
June 4, 2025
The captivating story “Interrogation” by Sagar Kumar is one of those stories which I believe will keep the audience glued to the screen from the very first scene. The examination encompasses the psychological and emotional detailsof tension let loose in an interrogation room that it is not just a room, but a battleground of truth, fear, and manipulation. Mr. Kumar’s writing style cannot be termed very elegant. It seems much more useful than it is sophisticated. Not a single sophisticated phrase. No flashy words. Just a presentation of situation that is raw and uncomfortable, yet so awkward it is hard to look away. Each line appears intentional, especially with the slow unraveling of a tapestry where oscillation occurs in regard to the interrogator and the interrogated. Most notable is how the story builds tension without action or drama, with tone, expression, silence, and nuances.
Building on what has already been said, one of the most remarkable aspects of the work is its realism. The characters themselves do not appear to be overly exaggerated. They are remarkably and beautifully deep. This is helpful with much exposure to the surroundings. The social phenomenon of a person witnessing an interrogation takes a surreal turn. It seems that we are in the very room and every single spoken word makes the tension higher.
Building on what has already been said, one of the most remarkable aspects of the work is its realism. The characters themselves do not appear to be overly exaggerated. They are remarkably and beautifully deep. This is helpful with much exposure to the surroundings. The social phenomenon of a person witnessing an interrogation takes a surreal turn. It seems that we are in the very room and every single spoken word makes the tension higher.
May 29, 2025
Sagar Kumar's "Interrogation" is deeply plotted and thrills to tremendous, and terrifying, depths regarding the frailness of truth, justice and Humanness. This is an intense and dogged interrogation in which it is unclear who's guilty, who's innocent, and who has the moral upper hand. Readers will be balanced on the edge of their seats until the final moment. The two greatest strengths of the story are the increasingly dramatic tone and modern English delivered by the characters. Although Kumar lights the fuze in the interrogation room, he takes a deft approach to the dramatic tension. Characters feel well rounded, including with justifiable motives and backstories with incremental revelations. However, what is so interesting in the interrogation and interrogation process is that they engage in numerous layers outside of tactical moves
May 29, 2025
Interrogation is a moving, powerful story about one man caught in a system that fails him. Set in a police station in Bengaluru, the novel is about how quickly life can change when justice is out of reach
The writing is quiet yet full of meaning. Sagar Kumar doesn't write dramatic scenes - he lets silence, fear and smaller moments create impact. This makes this book moving. You can feel the main character's pain and confusion, pushed into a situation he never imagined
What I found powerful is how real it felt. It's not just a story - it is a situation that could happen to anybody.
It makes the reader think critically about truth and power, and how easily people can be misunderstood. It is sad, yes, but necessary. Interrogation is a short read and lasting read. It is exceptional - deserving of being read and considered.
The writing is quiet yet full of meaning. Sagar Kumar doesn't write dramatic scenes - he lets silence, fear and smaller moments create impact. This makes this book moving. You can feel the main character's pain and confusion, pushed into a situation he never imagined
What I found powerful is how real it felt. It's not just a story - it is a situation that could happen to anybody.
It makes the reader think critically about truth and power, and how easily people can be misunderstood. It is sad, yes, but necessary. Interrogation is a short read and lasting read. It is exceptional - deserving of being read and considered.
May 29, 2025
Interrogation is a short but strong book about a young man put in a frightening situation. Caught up in a police station in Bengaluru, he finds himself in a place where people care more about answers than the truth.
It is a simple story, but it is emotional. You feel the fear, confusion, anger, and isolation the main character goes through as he is questioned. He is not a hero, a common citizen undergoing something unlucky.
What makes the book special is how true it feels. The author does not dramatize. He just tells the truth; which is enough.
The novel does not scream; it whispers. But it will stick with you. You will think about justice, humanity, and kindness. Interrogation is a story that is quiet, honest, and powerful, and it lives with you long after closing the book.
It is a simple story, but it is emotional. You feel the fear, confusion, anger, and isolation the main character goes through as he is questioned. He is not a hero, a common citizen undergoing something unlucky.
What makes the book special is how true it feels. The author does not dramatize. He just tells the truth; which is enough.
The novel does not scream; it whispers. But it will stick with you. You will think about justice, humanity, and kindness. Interrogation is a story that is quiet, honest, and powerful, and it lives with you long after closing the book.
June 5, 2025
This story is a hauntingly powerful narrative that blurs the line between fiction and stark reality. Set against the gritty backdrop of a Bengaluru police station, it follows Manikandan’s harrowing descent into a world where justice forgets, and power prevails. The novel masterfully transforms pain into prose, illuminating the invisible scars left by prejudice, systemic failure, and social apathy. Like a thunderstorm that breaks the calm of a summer day, Mani’s story strikes with sudden, devastating force—raw, real, and unforgettable. The emotional depth and the quiet resilience of the characters act as flickers of hope in a landscape otherwise shrouded in darkness. This is not just a book; it is a mirror held up to society, reflecting the cost of silence and the courage of those who dare to endure. A deeply human tale that deserves not just to be read, but remembered.
Rating: 4.8/5
Rating: 4.8/5
June 10, 2025
I’ve always turned to literature to understand the world better, and Interrogation is one of those books that doesn’t just help you understand—it helps you feel. Set against a real-life incident, the novel is a quiet storm. It portrays the fragility of identity in a society eager to define and divide. I found myself emotionally invested in the protagonist—not because he was heroic, but because he was human. His quiet strength, his refusal to collapse despite the injustice, was both heartbreaking and inspiring. As someone who writes occasionally, I was in awe of the author’s ability to say so much with so few words. The writing is sparse but powerful. It lingers. This novel doesn’t wrap things up neatly, and that’s exactly why it works. It leaves you unsettled—in the best way possible. If you’ve ever felt powerless or invisible, this book will sit with you like an old friend.
June 10, 2025
When I picked up Interrogation, I didn’t expect it to pierce through so many layers of my own memory. I grew up in a household where silence was a survival strategy—and this book gave voice to that silence. The story of the young man’s unjust treatment, driven by something as fundamental as language, made my heart ache. But it wasn’t just about the injustice—it was about the emotional aftermath, the burden of being misunderstood. The author does a brilliant job of showing how systems fail us, and how people still find ways to reclaim their voice. What moved me most was the soft moments of humanity that crept in between the pain. They were reminders that love and kindness still persist, even in the harshest places. This isn’t just a book. It’s a tribute. A call. A mirror. I don’t think I’ll ever read anything quite like it again.
June 10, 2025
Every once in a while, a book comes along that changes how you view the world. Interrogation did that for me. It’s not loud or dramatic, but it cuts through your comfort with quiet urgency. I’m someone who grew up speaking a regional dialect and faced subtle mockery because of it. This book brought back those memories—the shame, the confusion, the silence. But it also brought something else: understanding. The protagonist’s experience is deeply personal, yet universal in its essence. It reminded me of how language can be a wall, a weapon, or a lifeline. The prose is so elegantly restrained—it mirrors the pain of someone who’s been silenced. And yet, within that silence, you find strength, even love. It’s the kind of book I’ll return to during difficult times. Because it reminds me that even when the world is unjust, dignity can remain intact. A poetic masterpiece in prose.
June 10, 2025
Interrogation is one of the most powerful books I’ve read in recent years—not because it shocks, but because it whispers truths so often left unspoken. As someone who journals regularly about social experiences, I found this book raw, reflective, and emotionally intelligent. It doesn’t force empathy; it earns it. The way the story unfolds—through pain, silence, and brief flickers of hope—feels deeply human. It reminded me of conversations I’ve had with people who felt alien in their own homeland. I think what truly broke me was the subtle detail—the everydayness of prejudice, the bureaucracy of injustice. And yet, the resilience of the human spirit shines through, even if faintly. I wouldn’t call this book a tragedy. It’s a truth. A truth that many have lived, and continue to live. It’s a book for readers who want more than a story—they want an awakening. I’ll never forget it.
June 10, 2025
Reading Interrogation was like being hit by a wave you never saw coming. It begins with quiet, almost clinical detail, and soon you’re knee-deep in the emotional wreckage of someone else's life—someone who could be anyone. That’s the terror of it. It’s not a far-fetched tragedy—it’s horrifyingly plausible. I work in education, and I couldn’t help but think of my students—those who struggle with language, culture, belonging. This book made me rethink how deeply society punishes difference. The story, though bleak, also has glimmers of human connection. It reminded me how crucial it is to listen, to stand up, to see the people often overlooked. I wasn’t prepared for how deeply this story would affect me, but I’m glad it did. It’s a necessary ache—a reminder of what happens when we stop paying attention. And also, what can happen when we start. Powerful. Essential. Unforgettable.
June 10, 2025
I finished Interrogation with a lump in my throat and questions swirling in my mind. This is not just a novel—it’s an act of remembrance. The portrayal of power dynamics within a system meant to protect was devastatingly honest. I’m from a small town and moved to a metro city, and I’ve often felt that unspoken discomfort of not belonging. This story gave words to that silent experience. What amazed me was the balance—there was pain, yes, but also a quiet resistance, and even moments of unexpected grace. The love and compassion that sneak into the story are subtle but essential. It reminded me that even in the bleakest places, humanity can survive. This book doesn’t offer easy solutions, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s real. It’s raw. And it demands to be felt. I urge every reader who believes in justice—or questions it—to read this story.
June 10, 2025
Interrogation shook me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It’s not just a story—it’s a stark revelation. The narrative unfolds quietly, but with each page, the tension builds, not from action but from the weight of invisible injustices. I kept thinking about how easy it is for someone to be misunderstood—especially in a world divided by language, power, and assumption. The young man’s ordeal felt all too real; I wanted to reach into the pages and tell him he wasn’t alone. The book is deeply emotional, not in a sentimental way, but in a haunting, reflective one. It made me question systems I’ve trusted, and it made me ache for the people caught within them. This novel isn’t just a tribute to one story—it’s a call to notice those who fade into the background of society. A must-read for anyone willing to confront hard truths about identity, silence, and survival.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews