Author Ritika Anand and the Power of Resilience in Storytelling

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | DE MODE OF LITERATURE SEP 2025 GLOBAL

Article Published on: 06TH OCT 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

"Being Selfish: A DreamChaser’s Way Home" - By Author Ritika Anand

Being Selfish: A Dream Chaser’s Way Home is not just a memoir or a motivational tale—it’s a radical rethinking of what it means to live fully. In a world that often equates selfishness with arrogance or greed, this book reclaims the word as a strength, a discipline, and a doorway to true freedom.

Through the lens of a dream chaser’s journey, the book shows that chasing dreams—whether fame, love, or achievement—brings only momentary satisfaction. The peace, joy, and fulfillment we seek outside ultimately point us inward. Every dream realized whispers the same truth: our highest potential is not found in the world, but in ourselves. Here, selfishness becomes the courageous act of turning inward, of choosing one’s path without apology, and of peeling away the masks of ego and identity. By being selfish in the truest sense—claiming space for one’s authentic self—we paradoxically arrive at the most selfless place of all: an ego-less, identity-less state where we touch boundless potential.

Being Selfish is both a confession and a guide, offering insight into why selfishness is not a flaw to outgrow, but a necessary trait to cultivate. For only by daring to be selfish can we finally arrive home—free, whole, and capable of love that asks for nothing in return.

DIRECT LINK TO BUY 'Being Selfish: A DreamChaser’s Way Home' - CLICK HERE 

JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR RITIKA ANAND

Ritika Anand’s journey is not a straight line but a beautifully woven tapestry—threaded with courage, creativity, and an unshakable belief in the transformative power of storytelling. She began humbly, creating small, socially driven films that whispered of change, sparked empathy, and sought to awaken awareness in audiences often unaccustomed to such themes. From those intimate beginnings, her path leapt into bold and uncharted terrain with JL50, India’s first serious exploration of science fiction and time travel. Taking on the dual challenge of producer and lead female actor, Ritika dared to claim a genre long dominated by the West and firmly root it in Indian soil—blending cosmic imagination with cultural depth, tradition, and resonance. JL50 became more than a series; it was a declaration that India could dream the universe in its own language. Today, she continues this daring spirit with new projects poised to expand horizons.

As an author, her book Being Selfish: A Dream Chaser’s Way Home redefines the very idea of selfishness, reframing it not as a flaw but as a hidden strength and an empowering choice. It presents a profound paradox: by turning inward and claiming the right to be wholly and unapologetically oneself, one actually arrives at the most selfless state—ego-less, identity-less, and ultimately limitless. The book suggests that authentic giving and true compassion can only flow when the self is first nourished, fairly healed and conscious. On stage, Ritika carries this vision with rare honesty and vulnerable clarity. As a TEDx speaker, including at the prestigious IIT Gandhinagar, she has touched audiences deeply with her lived truths—about chasing dreams against all odds, surrendering gracefully to impermanence, and discovering that the deepest and most transformative journey is always inward. Her path merges artistry with spirituality, dissolving philosophy into lived experience and reflecting ultimate truth flowing through all beings, stories, and creation.

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INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR RITIKA ANAND

Q: What inspired you to write Being Selfish – A Dream Chaser’s Way, and how does it mirror your journey?

Being Selfish was born from catharsis. I chased many dreams, tasted fleeting joys, and realized the search outside never lasts. Writing was my way inward, a mirror to see myself more clearly. It reflects the truth I found—that real fulfillment is only discovered within, in turning inward to meet myself.

Q: How do you balance your roles as actor, author, TEDx speaker, and producer?

I do not seek balance. I simply show up where life calls me, with full presence and holding my truth. Acting, producing, writing, or speaking are just roles—different masks of the same essence. To me, they are all threads of one purpose: reflecting truth through storytelling. It is surrender, not balance.

Q: What does “being selfish” mean to you in terms of personal growth and success?

Being selfish means listening deeply to my own truth, without apology. It is the courage to honor myself, even when the world pulls otherwise. In that space, growth happens naturally, and selflessness arises. Real success is not outward recognition—it is the freedom of living aligned with one’s own soul.

Q: How does public speaking through TEDx differ from writing and storytelling?

Public speaking is alive. You feel hearts beating with you, silence breathing between words. Writing is solitary, tender, and reflective—truths shaped quietly in stillness. Both are storytelling, but TEDx demands courage in front of others, while writing is courage with myself. Each is sacred, each a different path to truth.

Q: Which moment in your acting or producing career shaped you as an author?

Acting or producing did not shape me as an author. That journey stands apart. Yet years of filmmaking taught me the soul of cinema is the script, the power of words. Knowing that, I challenged myself to write. That challenge, not a moment, shaped me—and became the doorway to authorship.

Q: What key message do you hope listeners take away from Being Selfish?

That selfishness is not weakness but doorway. By daring to turn inward and honor your truth, you dissolve into selflessness. Dreams may bring fleeting joy, but deepest fulfillment lies within. Our highest potential waits in silence, revealed only when we come home to ourselves, where nothing is missing, nothing lacking.

Q: How does storytelling differ between writing a book and producing a film?

Writing a book is solitary—you weave a world from silence, word by word. Producing a film is collaborative, shaped by many voices and visions. A book offers raw, unfiltered truth, while a film requires truth to pass through many hands. Both are storytelling, but their journeys unfold in different rhythms.

Q: What challenges did you face while creating Being Selfish as an audiobook?

The greatest challenge was vulnerability. Speaking the words aloud meant reliving emotions once held on paper. Writing offered distance, but narration demanded raw honesty. Rhythm mattered too—finding a voice both strong and gentle. In the end, it became catharsis, transforming the book into a lived and

felt experience.

Q: What, in your opinion, makes a conversation truly meaningful?

A conversation becomes meaningful when it goes beyond words and touches the heart to create silences. It is not about convincing or impressing, but about honesty, vulnerability, and presence. When both people show up authentically, masks fall away. In that space, even silence becomes the deepest and most eloquent exchange.

Q: How do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?

I return to silence and presence. Burnout comes when I lose myself in noise. By meditating, stepping back, or being with nature, I realign. Inspiration flows not from content but from life itself. When rooted inward, creativity becomes light again—less effort, more play, a natural rhythm of being.

Q: What advice would you give to those struggling to prioritize their dreams?

Listen inward, for dreams are not demands but invitations. They whisper from the soul, waiting to be honored. Silence the noise of expectation, hear your truth, and take the smallest step now. Each step builds devotion to yourself, and in that devotion, the path opens, carrying you gently home.

Q: What exciting books, films, or projects can we expect next from you?

Two film projects are in the works. Through my foundation, I’m creating The Game of Life—a board game born from an Oracle Deck. I’m also building a travel and lifestyle digital series, retreats, and seminars. Ahead lies another book, The Timeline Jumper, a work of fiction I will write next.