Prajakta Koli generally maintains a rational demeanour; however, there are moments when she conceives such unconventional ideas that she feels compelled to act on them. This includes her transition from a middle-class girl in Mumbai to a viral content creator, her evolution from a successful YouTuber to an actress, and now, her transformation from an actress to the author of a romance novel. The title of her inaugural book perfectly reflects the essence of her unique journey – Too Good To Be True.

Of books and love at the bookstore

The narrative centres on Avani, a romantic at heart, and Aman, a textile magnate, who serendipitously encounters her at the bookstore where she is employed. This story unfolds in a manner reminiscent of a Notting Hill-style romance, showcasing the intersection of two vastly different worlds that complement each other amidst the library's shelves and the allure of vintage books. For Prajakta, who has been an avid reader for many years, this setting is familiar. This familiarity is precisely why the launch of her debut novel feels both “reassuring” and “self-validating.”

“I never imagined that I would possess the courage to write, actually publish, and be comfortable sharing my work with the world. I have been a creator for nearly a decade, but this is the most I have exposed myself to the audience. Writing reveals so much about the author that one might not discover through YouTube videos or other projects I have undertaken,” Prajakta shares with me at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

One significant challenge faced by Prajakta was ensuring that both Avani and Aman received equitable representation and voice, given that the narrative is presented from dual perspectives. As she developed their characters and allowed them to evolve, Prajakta found herself losing her objectivity. She reflected, "What does Prajakta want to do after some time? It becomes a situation where they dictate the narrative. Often, while crafting their dialogues, I would write something intended for Aman, only to hear a voice in my mind suggesting, ‘No, that sounds like Avani.’ This raises the question of where Prajakta fits into the equation."

This struggle is precisely why Prajakta encountered difficulties when composing the dedication at the beginning of the book—how does she position herself within this narrative? Is she merely an observer? A silent presence? Or perhaps a voice within someone else's thoughts? If so, whose thoughts are they? The dedication encapsulates the frustration Prajakta experienced with her characters: “Thank you to the characters in my head for guiding me through this process. Next time, write it yourselves.” Prajakta chuckles and sighs as I read the dedication aloud as if these sentiments originated from an external source.

Now that Prajakta has gained some distance from the internal voices that once troubled her, she recognizes the valuable lessons she has absorbed from both Avani and Aman. "Looking back, I learned from Avani that it is perfectly acceptable to embrace a positive opportunity when it presents itself and to take a risk on it. That perspective is something I truly appreciate about her. From Aman, I admire his resilience; he exemplifies the lengths one should go for the people they care about," she reflects.

In the epigraph that follows her dedication, Prajakta encourages her readers to elevate their romantic standards to such heights that any potential partner must bring a ladder to their first date. However, she clarifies that, unlike her character Avani, she encountered no difficulties in aligning her immediate circumstances with her high expectations. Last year, she became engaged to her long-term boyfriend, Vrishank Khanal, whom she confesses she "kind of fell in love with" the moment they met, despite the risk of sounding clichéd.

Prajakta recounted a moment from her past when she confided in her friend Radhika, stating, "I have decided to marry this young man." Radhika responded with surprise, exclaiming, "Are you out of your mind? You are only 18, and he is 22. Take a step back and see how life unfolds." Fast forward 13 years, and Prajakta reflects, "That is precisely how my life has evolved." She continued, "I never established specific criteria for my partner. I did not envision a checklist for selecting my life companion. We have matured together, and my affection for him has deepened repeatedly as we have come to understand one another better."

The only physical attributes she desired in her future husband were brown eyes and dimples, characteristics that Vrishank possesses, similar to Aman, the character in her book. She likens the hue of Aman's eyes to her favourite shades of brown—reminiscent of coffee and the wooden shelves found in bookstores. In the opening chapter, she draws a comparison between romance and the monsoon season in Mumbai, illustrating how love, much like the rains, is eagerly anticipated each year yet often becomes a source of inconvenience. "I am not particularly fond of the monsoon. I find it troublesome right from the very first drop," Prajakta remarked.

Of watchers and readers

Prajakta, much like Avani, finds herself deeply intertwined with the ecosystem surrounding her. However, the notion that diminishing attention spans might hinder her aspirations of authoring a book has never crossed her mind. “Honestly, I don’t think there was a voice that cautioned me against it. That’s the challenge of lacking foresight. I don’t consider myself astute enough to plan that far ahead,” she remarks with a smile. Nevertheless, she is aware that not every member of her audience will be inclined to purchase her debut book.

“I had my concerns. I recognized that a significant portion of my organic audience did not naturally gravitate towards reading. Many would reach out to me whenever I mentioned my books, asking, ‘Can you suggest something to help us start reading or develop a reading habit?’ This made me somewhat anxious,” Prajakta admits. Consequently, she decided to launch a complementary project, a music video titled Saanvare, to entice her audience into the atmosphere and themes of her book.

Prajakta expresses her belief that music serves as a captivating medium for capturing attention. Additionally, she emphasizes her reliance on music as a reader, likening it to adding imagery to a narrative. "When visuals are incorporated, I feel immersed in the story. There is a depth beyond the written words," she remarks. Her aspiration to write romance is also influenced by the lack of quality romantic content available on screen. "This is why Mismatched holds a special place for me. I believe this connection is what resonated with the audience. I genuinely miss romance, which fuels my desire to create it—abundantly. I wish to both write and perform in it," she states.

When asked if she is considering the development of films and shows, she responds, "Honestly, I am uncertain. None of this was part of a plan. We will address that when the time comes. I find myself somewhat anxious about my unusual calmness. I expect it will hit me soon." Prajakta attributes her tranquility to her difficulty in multitasking rather than her skill in it. "I cannot focus on the book while on set preparing for a scene. I reserve my writing for my days off when I am alone in my room. Consequently, the two projects do not overlap, as I lack the mental capacity to engage with two distinct concepts simultaneously," she explains.

Prajakta is grateful to her team for helping her maintain her sanity. "My team has been instrumental in this regard. I rely heavily on colour coding and scheduling. Without colour-coding, I struggle to manage my tasks. It is the only way I can navigate my responsibilities," she concludes. Although she is unsure of what color to add to her calendar, she is certain that, like her character, she will not dismiss something positive as being too good to be true.

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