THE PEN, THE PASSION, THE POWER: NILESH MAMGAIN TELLS ALL

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | DE MODE OF LITERATURE MAY 2025 V1 GLOBAL ( VOLUME VIII, ISSUE LXV)

Article Published on: 27TH MAY 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

PRADHAN MANTRI - BY AUTHOR NILESH MAMGAIN

Pradhan Mantri is a gripping political thriller set in Indian politics, where ambition meets betrayal. A strategic, suspenseful tale where every move counts—but who’s really controlling the game?

At the heart of this gripping narrative is Rajiv—mocked as a political clown, dismissed as a sideshow. But as a chilling assassination plot unfolds, his true nature emerges: calculating, enigmatic, and possibly far more dangerous than imagined. With enemies lurking and allies uncertain, the nation teeters on the edge as unseen forces manipulate events. Mamgain brilliantly uses chess as a metaphor for politics, each character a piece on the board. Yet the true power lies not with the players, but with the shadowy mastermind who controls the game.

The cast of Pradhan Mantri is complex and compelling. Rajiv, underestimated by many, is always several steps ahead. Sasha exudes quiet power, her presence tied to every twist. Manthan, Ramakant, and Hegde are ruthless politicians driven by ambition and secrets. At its heart is a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister, unfolding with calculated precision. No one is innocent. With every alliance and betrayal, the truth becomes harder to grasp. Mamgain’s sharp, cinematic prose makes this a smart, intense thriller that grips and provokes in equal measure.

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JOURNEY OF THE AUTHOR NILESH MAMGAIN

NILESH MAMGAIN

Nilesh Mamgain is an author driven by curiosity, intellect, and a deep love for storytelling. His debut novel, Pradhan Mantri, is a gripping political thriller that explores a bold conspiracy theory, who truly governs a nation: its elected leaders or an unseen force pulling the strings? The narrative reflects Nilesh’s inquisitive mind and his fascination with hidden power structures. What sets his writing apart is the blend of vivid imagination with profound philosophical and scientific inquiry. He doesn’t just tell stories, he provokes thought. Nilesh is currently immersed in his next project, which journeys through the captivating worlds of Quantum Entanglement, Quantum Tunnelling, and Singularity. With this, he continues his exploration of Quantum Physics, weaving scientific wonder into compelling fiction and revealing his passion for understanding the complex, mysterious beauty of the universe.

Originally from Dehradun and schooled in Allahabad, Nilesh pursued a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications before starting his career as a C++ developer in Navi Mumbai. After the 2008 financial crisis ended his software stint, he ventured into marketing and sales before finding his true artistic path. In 2013, Nilesh discovered a profound passion for acting. He trained in theatre and has performed in plays like Ashad Ka Ek Din, The Last Audience, and Angry Juror. His screen work includes notable appearances in the web series Apharan, Pop Kaun, and the OTT film Dial 100. While acting remains close to his heart, writing allows him to channel his thoughts and theories into compelling narratives. For Nilesh, art-whether literature, cinema, or theatre, is storytelling in its purest form. He sees every stage performance, film scene, or written word as a narrative waiting to unfold. To him, each artistic expression carries the power to connect, question, and inspire, making storytelling the thread that binds all creative forms together.

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INTERVIEW OF AUTHOR NILESH MAMGAIN WITH DE MODE

Q: Your journey from a software developer to actor and now author is fascinating. What inspired you to make such a dynamic shift in careers?

A. Since childhood I have always been intrigued by stories and Poetries. I remember I was very fond of reading poetries by Wiliam Wordsworth, Shri Ramdhari Dinkar ji, Shri Haribansh Rai Bacchan ji, then the stories from Panchatanra, The Jungle Book to the stories from Tolstoy. Though to make a stable career I opted for a career in Software. Then after falling out of Software career because of 2008 recession I tried my hands in Sales and Marketing but it never gave me inner satisfaction, this gave me a chance to introspect about where my real happiness lies that was storytelling in the form of Actor and then an Author.

Q: Your book Pradhan Mantri reads like a political chessboard. What sparked the idea behind this power-centric thriller?

A. Pradhan Mantri is the product of an idea that came to my mind that BJP forms the government with full majority and Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minster. The idea that was as absurd as it, was just pursued for fun, then the thought, a conspiracy theory that came across my mind as to who rules us, the government or there is an unseen force which even controls the government and thus rules us. Thus the metaphor of chess. In chess a pawn can become the Queen but who decides which pawn will become the queen and who all will be sacrificed for it. This is decided by the master, the player who plays the game.

Q: The theme of manipulation and control runs deep in Pradhan Mantri. Was there a specific real-world event or figure that inspired the character of the “master”?

A. Yes, it’s from a video I saw—can’t reveal more, but the master will be unveiled in the book’s second edition.

Q: How did your experience in acting, particularly in intense dramas like Apharan, Aar Ya Paar, and Trial by Fire, influence the way you wrote the characters in your novel?

A. In acting, characters tell the story so is in writing. The story drives the characters, it is the story that shapes the character as to how they will behave in particular circumstance, but then will always retain their true nature. Acting experience does help the author to understand the psychology of the character better and hence the behavior whereas in Acting the story/ script helps an actor understand the psychology of the character.

Q: The narrative suggests that even a Queen is just a piece. How do you interpret this metaphor in the context of real-world politics?

A. This is not the subject of interpretation but of perspective. It is just an imagination that what if the person at the topmost most post of a country or for that matter the individuals in pursuit of it are under the influence or obligation of some higher power who for their self-interest manipulate the dimension of power, more it can be of the greed to be at the helm of power at any cost no matter what. This thought process could easily be manipulated by anyone who doesn’t want to be at the forefront but want to control and curtail the power dynamics for achieving their goals.

Q: You’ve created multiple complex characters with political ambitions. Was there one character that challenged you the most as a writer to develop?

A. The Character of Sasha was a bit difficult one just for the reason that she is a woman. There was a constant struggle within me as to how to show a woman in such an evil state, but then I would always draw the motivation from the fact that though she is evil but is a very strong woman. The thought process was that what a woman or a man would be or become with so much power. Beside this, the character of Cersei Lannister from Games of Thrown inspired me to keep going.

Q: Many readers are intrigued by the mystery behind who the master is. Without revealing too much, how did you approach building suspense throughout the book?

A. Some stories from the past and more of my imagination fueled this character of the master. The suspense building is a natural process. When one writes a story, the story itself guides the writer, I believe the writers must not resist it and go with the story. That is my take on it.

Q: As an actor and writer, how do you differentiate between developing a character for screen versus one for a novel?

A. They both complement each other the Actor narrates the perspective of the character whereas the story commands the behavior of the character in particular situation. Actually the actor helps in building the story and thus helps the author.

Q: What lessons from your previous career in software development—perhaps analytical thinking or problem-solving—have helped you in writing or acting?

A. My previous career in software development have helped me in dwelling deep into any subject and not to only explore on the surface. This has help me in navigating the character diving deep into its psychology and do the psycho analysis. This further helps to understand the situation that contribute at any point in story writing.

Q: Do you envision Pradhan Mantri being adapted into a web series or film, and if so, would you like to act in it or direct it?

A. Yes, I’d love it to be a web series—Pradhan Mantri began as a script, the second season is ready, I’d like to play Ashok, and while I lack directing experience, I hope to direct my next book Fractals as a movie.

Q: What can your fans expect next—from your pen or from your performances on screen?

A. I’m soon releasing Fractals, a sci-fi psychological thriller based on quantum physics. Pradhan Mantri's second edition is due, and I’ll share updates on my next acting project soon.