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Olivier Lafont Interview – Warrior Book

Do you remember this actor from the movie 3 Idiots? The fiancee of character Pia (Kareena Kapoor) also was known as money-mad man Suhas(Olivier Lafont). Yes we interviewed this great person who did a splendid role in the movie. He is not only an actor but an Author of the book Warrior.

He had done his schooling from the American Embassy School, New Delhi. He did secondary school diploma and International Baccalaureate diploma from Geneva. He is also a two time SAISA Basketball Championship winner and was in two time All-Star Team.

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior Book

He has done B.A. in English Literature and B.A. in Theatre from Colgate University, USA. He has been into the Dean`s List 1997-2001. He had received Theatre fellowship for acting, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cu Laude  and had done Film Studies focused on French and Italian Films. He was also a IT Consultant in 1998-2001.

His novel ‘Warrior’ shortlisted for Tibor Jones South Asia Prize 2013. He was a Screenplay Writer for international feature film ‘Hari Om’ directed by Bharatbala, produced by Bharat Bala Productions and Tips Films. He has won the People’s Choice Award for Most Popular International Film (Runner-Up) at Vancouver Film Festival (Canada) 2004. He won the Best Film Award at Salento International Film Festival (Italy) 2005. He also won Best Foreign Film Award at Tahoe International Film Festival (USA) 2005.

He won hearts of people and won Audience Choice Award For Best Film at Puchon International Film Festival (South Korea) 2005. He also won New Voices Award and Best Debut Filmmaker Award at Bangkok International Film Festival (Thailand) 2005. He won German Star of India at Bollywood And Beyond, Stuttgart (Germany) 2005. Another achievement of Audience Choice Award For Best Film at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (USA) 2005.

With immense pleasure and happiness, we would like to present actor Olivier Lafont and author for his book Warrior. Get to know about this amazing personality right in his own words.

What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always loved stories, right from my childhood. When my family moved from France to India I didn’t speak any English, and had to learn the language for school. I think that experience, of learning and understanding new words, grammar, language structure, developed my interest in reading and then writing. It was after reading Lloyd Alexander’s ‘The Chronicles of Prydain’, however, that I finally realised that I wanted to write.

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior Book

What did you like to read when you were a boy?

I naturally gravitated to fantasy fiction. I had always been drawn to heroes and heroic stories, and those are most unabashedly prominent in fantasy fiction.

What is the greatest challenge in writing a book?

I think in any work with a certain degree of complexity it’s coherence of structure, making sure all the plots, subplots, character arcs, etc. all tie in aesthetically and logically.

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior Book

How much research do you do before writing the book?

A good deal of research goes into acquainting myself with the background information of the various themes, ideas, plots, characters, etc. before I even start. Then once I’ve started a lot of research happens on the way, since I like to write organically and let the story surprise me. The story may take a turn that requires new research into a particular subject, so I have to balance the writing with the researching.

What motivated you to write the book “Warrior”?

Warrior’ was a feature film script I wrote more than a dozen years ago. I wanted to write a film that would have the same scale and special effects as the big Hollywood summer blockbusters of the time, but that would be an Indian story. I was also inspired by the Mahabharata. The Mahabharata has this really exciting juxtaposition of a very personal family feud at the centre, set against a backdrop of a world at war that involves gods and demigods. I created Saam, my hero, coming from a broken family, and then being drawn into a massive divine conflict, the end of the world.

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior Book

Can you tell us more about your latest book “Warrior”?

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior BookWarrior’ is an epic story, a heroic adventure and quest that has deep roots in Indian mythology, history, and thought. It’s the story of Saam, demigod son of Shiva, who has turned his back on his divine origin and powers and lives a deliberately mundane and simple life in Mumbai.

His past drags him back into war however, with catastrophic omens heralding the imminent end of the world. As the son of Shiva it falls upon him to go up against his father and stop him from destroying the universe, but Saam is reluctant to confront him.

The last time they met Shiva killed his mother, so Saam understandably has some murderous rage towards his father. ‘Warrior’ is a relentless adventure spanning three days, travels all over India and back to Mumbai, and takes place in the present day but brings up vivid memories from Saam’s life in medieval India.

How did you came up with the idea of writing Fiction genre book?

I was reading and writing from a young age, and have always read fiction, so writing fiction was a very natural progression.

Who are your favourite authors?

I mentioned Lloyd Alexander’s influence earlier. Aside from him my favourite authors over time were Brian Jacques (the Redwall series), Tad Williams (‘Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn’), Terry Brooks (the Shannara series), Ursula K. Le Guin (The Earthsea quartet), Robert Jordan (‘The Wheel of Time’ series), George R.R. Martin (‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series, also known as ‘Game of Thrones’), Susanna Clarke (‘Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell’) and most recently Mark Lawrence (The Broken Empire series).

Olivier Lafont Interview - Warrior Book

How much time do you dedicate for writing on a daily basis?

My writing fluctuates with my commitments, so I don’t write on a daily basis. I can go weeks without writing if I’m busy on other projects, acting or otherwise. Usually when I’m writing, whether fiction or a film script, I dedicate a large span of time (a few weeks to a few months) and work on it fairly steadily.

What words of wisdom would you like to give to aspiring writers?

The same wisdom that I try to write by, which is to write authentically, and to know what I’m writing and why. I wouldn’t want to write, say, crime fiction just because it’s what sells. I’ll write only what interests me, and I think that’s guided me well.

Warrior Book Trailer: 

You can buy his book now:

About Nikhil Narkhede

He likes to read inspirational books. He is a Professional Blogger, Entrepreneur and a power networker. By education he is a Computer Engineer and by profession he is an Online Marketer.

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