Mont Blancs, snobs and others-Prachi Bhasin

MEA spokesperson celebrates launch at his newest novel

AFTAB ISN’T particularly happy to be in the company of women wearing raw silks and ethnic danglers with Kohled eyes. And he is clearly as uncomfortable sharing social/party space with men who have Mont Blancs popping out of their NGO-type Kurtas. Well, that could sum up the essential difference between Aftab and his ‘creator’, MEA spokesperson Navtej Sarna, who read out excerpts from his new novel ‘We weren’t lovers like that’ at Taj Mahal hotel on Monday. Aftab is Sarna’s main protagonist, a man whose wife walks out on him on his fortieth birthday. But apart from the fact that Sarna’s smiling better half was very much on his side throughout the event, nothing could have illustrated the difference between the real and the fictitious man better than the fact that unlike Aftab, Sarna seemed very happy in the company of Mont Blanc-poppers. Signing autographs for them, that is. Ironically enough with the very Mont Blancs handed out to him by autograph hunters.

“These people getting their copies autographed with their Mont Blancs are the social reality of my life. You need to understand that these ‘NGO type’ descriptions are from the eyes of Aftab, not mine. The book isn’t my voice, ”Sarna told us, adding,” the book is not to give out any social message you see. It is a complete work of fiction.”

What will not be fiction on the other hand is Sarna’s next book, to come-out by the ‘end of this year.’ Let’s wait for that one then.