(The audio-video of the interview was completed in two hours on May 8th, 2011. But it took time to write it all down and do the editing. The italicized text within parenthesis are her reactions while answering the questions.)
MKRM related questions
Why the sudden ending of MKnRM, when you had already planned the divorce track? Now don't tell that you have given up on MKnRM because that's not the true answer! (by mithilalovesksg and anumeha_rajat)
Achha? Says who? That is the real answer! I've somehow got bored of MKRM. Yes, I had planned the divorce track, but then, when I re-read MKRM, MKnRM especially, I feel it has lost that spark. And I don't blame myself too. After 400 plus parts, any sane person would get bored of writing the same story! Moreover, there's no DMG to inspire me. Earlier, I used to write MKRM to satisfy my urge to write. Now I write MKRM to satisfy your urge to read.
I still haven't got the scene of Riddhima seducing Armaan. When am I getting that? (by mithilalovesksg)
I have thought all about how that would happen. (looking up at me, getting irritated at my grin) Oye, dont look at me like that! I mean, I've thought about how the scene would proceed. So Mits, if and when I will update next, you can expect a naughty Riddhima seducing poor Armaan! That would be somewhere between Part 435 and 436.
What is your inspiration behind writing MKRM n MKnRM? (by anumeha_rajat)
Hmm! Let me think. The real inspiration behind FFs as such, was and is, DMG only. If I had not been in love with Armaan-Riddhima, I would never have started writing my predictions, and MKRM might never have happened. MKnRM was totally inspired from the comments I received during MKRM, especially on the last part. If your love wasn't that overwhelming, and if the readers had not been so encouraging and persistent, I might not have thought about resuming MKRM.
Was there any specific reason why MKRM was named "Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me"? (by mkrmLuver)
Ahh! Yes! You see, I thought of my predictions as a journey, a journey of Armaan and Riddhima through the best and worst of times. I had no idea how it would end, I just knew that however rough it might seem, whatever might change, one thing that would be constant is their love. Moreover, I like the sound of the word "muhabbat", and hence, the name.
Why (and I stress on WHY), why does Armaan of MKRM has to be the best of everything? Why does he have to have all the qualities every girl wants in a man? Why? (by mkrmLuver)
So many "why"s! (laughs) I thought you all knew the answer! It doesn't take a genius to guess that! MKRM's Armaan is my ultimate dream lover! So, naturally, he has to be the best! (laughs again) He is everything I can ever want in my Mr.Right. MKRM's Armaan growed as a character, as I kept adding onto him everything I could dream of, everything I could ever desire in my man. I never really designed a character sketch for MKRM's Armaan. It would have put restrains on my imagination. (blushes)
Where would you have taken AR for their honeymoon, had you written that part in MKRM? (by x.inspire.x)
Well, I still have to write that part, so wait for the answer. Achha okay, if you really want me to answer that, then, umm... AR might have gone to Switzerland, or well, I really dont know. They can go to Canda too. Or maybe Kassauli. See, I'm really clueless! It all depends on the situation.
Suppose you have to resume MKRM. What storyline would MKRM have now? Would you give it a new name like "Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me-3"? (by x.inspire.x)
The storyline would be the same. No leaps! I would resume from the very next day and go for the divorce track and an entry of Armaan's past. But no name change. How old is MKnRM? Just 13 parts! That won't be fair na? Don't you like the name Muhabbat Ki (Nayi) Raahon Me? (laughs) Well, I am very bad at choosing the names.
When will you get MKRM book published for public? Please get it published na! Why are you saying no? (by x.inspire.x)
I won't get it published ever, sorry. Firstly, I dont think anyone would read it. And secondly, and most importantly, my AR are not for sale!
Define MKRM in one line and then in just one word. (by x.inspire.x)
One line: The ultimate saga of AR romance. Sorry... but that's all that's coming to my mind right now.
One word: Intense
Which song would choose for MKRM and MKnRM for the present track and why? (by Riddss)
- Muhabbat ho hi jaati hai, Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me
- Muhabbat Ki Raahon Me, Kabhi dill bichhadte hain
- Fir ek baar... Muhabbat Ki Nayi Raahon Me
There should be a new song! Thanks for reminding me! None of these suit the present track. If I really had to choose one, then I would pick the third, simply because it was written for MKnRM. (seeing me confused) The other two were for MKRM na.
Why did you start writing from Shashank-Padma's marriage? Why did you not start a completely new FF? (by Jannat.Jaan)
I didn't even know that I was going to write an FF! It all started with a prediction. I was encouraged, so I continued it. The Shashank-Padma marriage track was boring for me and I wanted DMG my way! I got so attached to it, that I didnt stop even when the track changed. MKRM is really hard to get over!
Answer this from a reader's point-of-view: What do you think about MKRM? Do you love reading it? Is it your favourite FF? (by Jannat.Jaan)
Umm... yes, however haughty it may sound, MKRM is and will always be my favourite FF. (smiles) I loved reading it, but then, gradually I got bored of it. I feel like I have had an overdose of MKRM. I really cant read it anymore. It is an intense fanfic, too emotional at times, but worth reading once. (laughs) Hey, that sounds like I'm promoting MKRM!
Why do you include social issues in MKRM like Taj attacks, rape cases, smoking, polygamy, dowry, and more? I am not saying you shouldn't include them. I am just curious why you do that. Any specific reason? (by Jannat.Jaan)
I include them because they are "social" issues. I like to raise my voice against these issues, and I find myself lucky that I can do so through my fanfics. I know some readers would just read MKRM, appreciate or criticise it and then go to sleep. But others, who like to think about what they read, would surely give a thought to those issues. And a precious few would raise their voice against these issues. I am doing whatever little I can and I am trusting my readers to amplify my efforts.
How rich is Armaan in MKRM? No, seriously! I mean, no one supported him through college and even after that, he is just an intern at Sanjeevani. And he is married too now. He would need more money to support a family na? (by Jannat.Jaan)
(laughs) I don't know! He is rich enough to support a luxurious family life! When he was in school, he had started doing part-time jobs and this continued till college. He was hardworking and honest in his work, and got frequent promotions; you know, like an ideal situation. He has released two albums of his and has sung for a movie. He works at Sanjeevani, which is the best hospital out there in India. So, I guess, our Armaan is rich enough to be our prince!
Kya ab Shashank sudhar gaya hai? He wont create any more problems na? (by Jannat.Jaan)
(smiles) He is, at the moment, what you can call an ideal father-in-law. Who knows about the future?
You made Riddhima emphasise that Armaan is a damaad now, and he cant stay at Gupta house. Was it a latent message for Adi bhaiya? (by Jannat.Jaan)
Umm... no, certainly not. It was for Armaan only. Adi doesn't whine to let him stay at my parents' house.
Was that candle incident from "MKRM" inspired from real life? I mean the one where Riddhima writes Armaan's name from candle wax. (by Jannat.Jaan)
No. But I tried dropping candle wax on my palm after I wrote the scene. And it doesn't hurt at all! I should have tried it before writing, you know, should have done proper research. (smiles) But then it turned out to be a nice scene, so I won't complain!
It was a really emotional and romantic part! Nice is an understatement! (by Ammy)
Oh, umm... thank you. (smiles again)
It took 400 parts for the first AR kiss. Please tell me WHY? (by Jannat.Jaan)
I was 18 when I started writing MKRM. You can give me the benefit of doubt na, that I felt uneasy about writing certain scenes! (hesitates and almost blushes) I used to think that my AR dont need to kiss to prove their love. My mindset was like, you know, that any kissing scene would ruin the purity of AR love I was emphasising on. I had tried to write two one-shots that included a kissing scene each and I wasn't too happy with how they turned out to be like. But I know better now. (smiles and blushes) This last line isn't for the interview, Ammy!
State which is your: (by Jannat.Jaan)
- Favourite AR confession in MKRM
The last, in the fire escape.
- Favourite AR kiss in MKRM
The wedding one, after the pheras. That was the sweetest one in my opinion.
You didn't write that part! Or did you write and did not post? (by Ammy)
Oh, yeah, sorry. I wrote it I think in January this year but didn't get round to posting. Chalo then, my next favourite AR kiss would be the first one.
- Favourite AR fight in MKRM
The one where Riddhima splashes a jug of water over Armaan and then Armaan races her all through Sanjeevani, ending in the Fire-Escape.
- Favourite couple (other than AR) in MKRM
Gazal and Maan. They have a lot of potential, it's time I used them in a better way.
If you are not planning to write any more, please tell me what all had you planned to write? Whose divorce? Who was Armaan's past? Was there to be anymore of bollywood? When will you update? (by Jannat.Jaan)
I want to write more. You know what the storyline was going to be. I can't tell you the secrets, but no, I hadn't planned on writing Bollywood stuff. I will try to write after completing JDM.
"Armaan: Riddhima... please mat ro. tumhare aansun mera dil cheer dete hain. Mujhe bahut takleef hoti hai. Main tumhare aansun nahi bardasht kar sakta." Is this sentence related to your real life too? Or had you put this because it is related to your real life? (by Riddss)
Yes it is related to my real life, but I didn't put it because of that. Adi likes to copy dialogues off MKRM and repeat them at the most irrelevant times. (smiles).
Why did Armaan make AR tattoo in his chest? Is there any specific reason behind that? (by Riddss)
This can be interpreted as three different questions. Why did Armaan make a tattoo? Well, Armaan gave the answer to Riddhima. Why did he make the "AR" tattoo? Well, because AR stands for Armaan-Riddima, doesn't it? He wanted to keep them together, forever. Why did he make the tattoo on his "chest"? He wanted to secure his and Riddhima's name near his heart, therefore he chose the chest. And a tattoo on the chest gives a very masculine and romantic feeling, doesn't it?
When Riddhima had made a fake boyfriend, why did you choose to give him the name of Aditya Kashyap? Why not any other name? (by Riddss)
(laughs) That is a very good question Riddhi! Adi used to tell me that he was so in love with MKRM's Riddhima and he wanted to be cast opposite her. So I, kind of, put him up opposite Riddhima. (laughs) Well, I couldn't put Armaan aside na, so I made Adi the only "boyfriend" Riddhima has ever had. Moreover, it helped me remember the name of the character.
According to you, what are MKRM's plus points? What are the minuses? (by obvious)
Plus points: The dialogues and intensity of the scenes, and yes, of course, MKRM's Armaan.
Minus points: It's too lengthy!
Name any one part of MKRM that always makes you cry. And one part that always makes you smile. (by obvious)
Part that makes me cry: The AR reunions.
Part that makes me smile: All the cute romantic parts.
You have had an 8-year old to a 60-year old reading and appreciating MKRM. Why do you think MKRM appeals to the masses? (by obvious and Ammy4ever)
You tell me. I would like to know because I really have no idea. Everyone tells me different reasons. Some like the characters, some feel they can connect to it, some say they can imagine it all happening in front of their eyes like a movie and some are in love with the dialogues while others are in love with MKRM's Armaan.
Don't laugh, okay? Tell us, why did you have to make MKRM so addicting? (by obvious and Ammy4ever)
(smiling) It is addicting, is it? I dont know why you find that, but I can give you an advice. You should not read more than one part a day, that would make it easier. (laughs inspite of my warning)
How was the experience of writing 433 parts? Tiring? (by Ammy4ever)
It was awesome mostly! Those days, I had a super sonic speed and could write nearly 10 parts a day if anyone wanted me to. I didn't feel tired or bored till I reached 420 parts. And then, the plagiarism came into my notice. The discussions on Star forums and Asma's incredulous answers just marred my interest in my writing. And after that, yes, writing MKnRM hs been tiring. I take a whole day to write one part and usually, I dont even want to write. I really dont know why it happens only with MKRM because I do write other stories and feel enthusiastic about them. Maybe I've really got bored of MKRM. I think how I have ended it is the best I could, because none of the parts from 421 to 433 were as good as the previous ones.
You don't want to reach the landmark of 500 parts? (by Ammy4ever)
(laughs) I wont mind reaching it. But for that, I would have to write 67 parts! You should have asked me whether I want to reach the 450 mark or not. That would have been a more realistic target!
But no fan-fic writer has ever reached the 500 mark! (by Ammy4ever)
So? Okay, I got your point but you know, I am not really competing with anyone. I want to write at my own will, at my own pace. But yeah, you can remind me when someone reaches the 300 mark. (laughs) I would think about resuming MKRM then.
Edited by Ammy4ever - 12 years ago
