MEET LAVANYA
DDLJ FOREVER!
Lavanya Lakshmi’s Leave and Come Back takes its inspiration from the Bollywood blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge aka DDLJ. Image credit: KAREN MA.
Name: Lavanya Lakshmi. Lavanya means unique in Sanskrit – my parents loved the name!
Currently: My novel Leave And Come Back has been published recently. It is the story of Simran, who is returning to her family home for the first time in seven years for her cousin’s two-week long wedding. When her new boyfriend accidentally crashes the wedding and immediately gets on the wrong side of the family matriarch, Simran, Leo and her cousins devise a plan that they copy from DDLJ. She and Leo will pretend to be strangers while he wins over the entire family before they reveal they are together. Hijinks ensue, as do emotional revelations as the reasons for Simran’s estrangement and events in the seven years since she’s been gone come to light.
My life in 50 words (or less!): Tamil family, born in India, grew up all over the world, including China, college and my master’s degree in the US, moved to Toronto six years ago and call it home now!
The writer in me took flight when: I was eight years old and wrote my first story – a horror novel called There’s Something Spooky that ended on a cliffhanger! I’ve since become a certified scaredy-cat so I stick to family drama and romance in my writing.
The romantic in me wishes: That everyone finds the kind of love that fulfills them, not just from one person, but from their friends and family as well!
My favourite line in poetry: “Instructions for living a life / Pay attention / Be astonished. / Tell About it.” Mary Oliver.
Favourite colours: Rani pink will always be iconic!
Favourite designer: I always gasp when I see a Sabyasachi design.
Favourite movies: Too many to name but, a few: DDLJ, Ponniyan Selvan, Interstellar, Dil Dhadakne Do, Nayagan, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, Notorious, Shawshank Redemption, Singing in the Rain, Andaz Apna Apna, Sholay, and more and more and more.
Favourite book/author: Again, way too many to name! But a book that has always stuck with me is Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things.
Favourite TV shows: Fleabag, Brooklyn 99, Superstore, Made In Heaven, Paatal Lok, Top Chef – I’ll watch almost anything!
Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi is published by Doubleday Canada, $26.95.
Favourite ice cream flavour: Coffee.
Favourite cuisine: Always Indian food – South or North or otherwise!
Favourite restaurant: Depends on the cuisine!
Favourite activities: Being a foodie, writing, reading, watching movies, quality time with family and friends, amateur crafting.
I hang out: In restaurants. I love a long meal with lots and lots of yapping and gossip.
I’m freaked out by: The dark!
I need: My loved ones, sunshine, and ways to engage my brain.
My role models: My parents – loving, kind, gracious!
Tip to save the planet: Look at what you have before buying more!
In a perfect world: Every soul on this planet would have access to basic needs – food, water, healthcare, education, freedom of expression.
Be a Desi Star! If you’d like Desi News readers to ‘meet’ you, call 416-695-4357 or email desinews@rogers.com to arrange a photo session! It’s fun and it’s free!