Deviants is a multi-generational story of gay men.
Santanu Bhattacharya is one of the most relevant novelists in the literary world.
His novel, Deviants (2025), tells the story of three generations and explores themes of homosexuality and acceptance.
Told from the viewpoint of several characters, the novel is a thought-provoking and engrossing read.
DESIblitz proudly interviewed Santanu Bhattacharya as he delved into Deviants as well as his impressive writing career.
In this article, you can also hear his responses, which explain why he is among the most essential voices of creativity.
Play each audio clip and you can hear the actual interview answers.
What is Deviants about, and what inspired you to write it?
Santanu Bhattacharya explains that Deviants is a multi-generational story of gay men in India.
The book explores their journeys in homosexuality and the queer movement for each generation.
Santanu wished to convey his own experiences as a gay man in India.
However, he also wanted to pay tribute to gay men who lived before him.
What do you think can be done to decrease the taboo of homosexuality?
Santanu believes that the world is becoming more conservative.
He says that homosexuality needs more legal cover in countries that still criminalise it.
The writer adds that we need to increase visibility and make alternative sexualities a subject to openly talk about more.
His book is an attempt to do just that.
How do you think writing from three different viewpoints aids the narrative?
Santanu Bhattacharya wanted to tell Deviants in three distinct voices because the experience of each character is different.
For example, the oldest character was written in the third person as he did not have the tools or words to discuss his sexuality.
In contrast, the youngest character, Vivaan, is told in the first person, as there is more acceptance in his time.
What inspired you to become an author?
Santanu highlights that being an author is a very demanding calling.
Therefore, it is very important for one to be passionate about that.
Santanu has always loved language and storytelling. He comes from a family and a culture where oral storytelling was a prevalent aspect.
He pays tribute to his mother who planted the seed for storytelling in Santanu.
What advice would you give to Desi gay people who are afraid to come out?
Santanu acknowledges the difficulty with advising as everyone has a different situation.
However, he encourages people to do soul-searching as actions have consequences.
Everyone must act according to what is best for them.
From Santanu’s personal experience, being gay was criminalised when he was growing up.
He began to come out to people when he was in his early thirties, but coming out was very liberating in the end.
Santanu encourages people to generate a trustworthy support network that will celebrate them.
What do you hope readers will take away from Deviants?
For LGBTQ+ readers, Santanu hopes that Deviants will help them feel visible, reassured, and touched.
He would like them to feel happy as a result of reading this book.
For non-LGBTQ+ readers, Santanu hopes that they will get an insight into LGBTQ+ struggles, identities, and joys.
He also hopes to connect with parents who strive to support their children.
From Santanu Bhattacharya’s words, Deviants is a must-read for readers from all walks of life.
The novel is a unique testament to the pride of the LGBTQ+ communities of the world.
Santanu continues to think about new horizons and projects and is looking to explore translation as a result of his language proficiencies.
We are all eager to witness and support Santanu Bhattacharya as he challenges stereotypes and inspires millions.
You can order your copy of Deviants here.
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