Ashima Chalia's The Chaos Within reflects upon many shades of college friendship. The author tells Karan Bhardwaj how writing fills the void in her life
She’s a woman of many talents. A lawyer by profession, a fashionista by persona and a cook by passion. However, she draws her creative satisfaction from writing. Meet Ashima Chalia, who recently released her debut novel The Chaos Within. At India International Centre, the young author was busy signing copies of her book which ran short of stock minutes after they were out for sale. “I think I’m lucky that I have got such response,” she said as she excused herself from a long queue of acquaintances.
Ashima graduated from National law University, Jodhpur with a law degree. Having successfully worked for over three years in corporate consultancy where she dealt with multinational and fortune 500 clients, she realised that her passion is writing. To pursue her passion, she gave up her flourishing corporate career and dedicated her time to writing.
She also has keen interest in fashion and holds a certificate from london School of Fashion. “I have been a lawyer, a cook and a fashionista but writing takes me on a different high. I always felt something was missing until the book happened. I have been an imaginative child and I find writing as a huge canvas where I can paint all my vivid imagination,” she told us.
The Chaos Within is a heartwarming story of best friends from college and how their lives change when they attend a college reunion. “It has an underlying message that in all our rage to be successful and be there at the top, we compromise on a lot of human emotions. When I started my own law firm, I had to cut off from my friend circle. I couldnt’ get time to meet them.
Once I established myself, I called them and had a reunion. During that period, I missed my friends as they were a true support system. That got me thinking about life sans well-wishers. Ultimately you will be left alone with your own small private life. Friends are core part of your life and they guide and encourage you at every step,” she said. The narrative is full of humour and drama but also highlights the mid-life crisis. “There are six characters, two of them are women.
It’s a close-knit college group which reunites after a gap of 10 years. What they talk about and what they ignore make a fascinating story. I believe that humans are never satisfied. Once they reach at the top, they tend to think ‘what’s nextIJ’ So there is always a battle within us. I have tried to highlight that situation where you confront too many questions about yourself. And when you look back, you introspect about your decisions and close associates. Most of the characters in the story are relatable,” she added.
Ashima reads a lot and seeks inspiration from authors like Sidney Sheldon and Khaled Hosseini. However, her all-time favourite is Harry Potter. “I know that’s juvenile but it’s important to keep the child within you alive,” she added. She has already begun working on her next novel which is a spy thriller. “It’s like fulfilling another dream since I always wanted to be a spy,” she said.