Bhopal: As
conversations around The Unbecoming gather momentum, author Kartikeya
Vajpai interacted with the media in Bhopal on his debut novel, published by
Penguin Random House India and featuring forewords by His Holiness the 14th
Dalai Lama and Swami Sarvapriyananda. The interaction explored the ideas
behind the book, the personal journey that inspired it, and a central question
it raises: what happens when the pursuit of success no longer provides a sense
of fulfilment?
A
lawyer, speaker and former state-level cricketer, Kartikeya spoke about the
experiences that shaped The Unbecoming, drawing from his journey across
law, sport and philosophy. The conversation delved into the novel's themes of
ambition, success, ego and the search for a deeper sense of self.
Speaking
during the interaction, Kartikeya said,
"Meaningful transformation does not require escaping the world. It
begins by turning inward and reconnecting with the relationship we often
neglect the most—the one with ourselves. The Unbecoming is the idea of moving
beyond the constant pursuit of "becoming"—the pressure to achieve,
acquire and become someone—and instead developing a deeper relationship with
oneself.”
The
novel follows a celebrated cricketer confronting the collapse of the life he
built around success, using his journey to explore identity, purpose and what
it means to live beyond external measures of achievement. The interaction also
saw an engaging exchange with journalists on the book's themes, its reception
since launch, and Kartikeya's journey from the courtroom and cricket field to
storytelling.
Kartikeya
also explores these ideas through his podcast, Insight Out, where he
engages with themes including science, artificial intelligence, ambition,
failure, purpose, leadership and relationships.
Podcast /
YouTube: youtube.com/@KartikeyaVajpai
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kartikeya-vajpai
Instagram: @kartikeyavajpai