Hello Vignesh! Congratulations on the success of your book, The Devil’s Autopsy.
Readomania: Each novella in The Devil’s Autopsy is based on true events. How did you approach adapting these stories while incorporating supernatural themes?
Vignesh : All the stories in The Devil's Autopsy are inspired by real-life incidents with a twist: each case was left unresolved, steeped in a supernatural mystery that defies logical explanation and reveals unsettling aspects of human nature. As an author, I found that weaving in supernatural elements offered a fitting way to fill these gaps and bring each story to a haunting conclusion.
Readomania: Can you share one particular novella or character from The Devil’s Autopsy that holds special meaning for you?
Vignesh: The final story, ‘A Disturbing Death’, features a character close to my heart: Ira Patil. This tale is inspired by a real-life incident that made headlines with the chilling title—A Disturbing Death. It involves the sudden, mysterious disappearance of a young girl from a hotel elevator, rumoured to have been attempting the eerie "elevator game," which is said to summon malevolent entities. Ira’s character brings depth to this unsettling mystery, adding a powerful dimension to the supernatural chaos that unfolds.
Readomania : The supernatural often involves themes of mystery and the unknown. How did you keep these elements fresh across five different novellas?
Vignesh : I’m constantly exploring new sub-genres within horror. In The Ten Commandments of Evil, each of the ten stories delved into a unique horror sub-genre. In The Devil’s Autopsy, supernatural elements blend naturally into the narrative, featuring spirits, ghosts, science-fiction horror, psychological horror, and even demonic possession! This approach keeps the stories fresh and adds depth to each tale’s eerie atmosphere.
Readomania : Your stories delve into supernatural chaos. How do you create believable, multi-dimensional characters in such extraordinary situations?
Vignesh : To create believable characters, I follow three guiding principles:
Real People in Unreal Situations: Inspired by Stephen King, I place real-life personalities in extraordinary situations, which creates organic, compelling conflict.
Deep Empathy: I immerse myself in each character's mindset, fully feeling their emotions and reactions in the scenarios I create.
Reality Over Fiction: With so many complex, multi-dimensional people around us, I find it unnecessary to invent characters when I can draw from real life.
Readomania : Which writers or books have influenced your work the most?
Vignesh : Writers I admire include Stephen King, Khaled Hosseini, RK Narayan, Anees Salim, and Arundhati Roy. Some of my favourite books are The Shining, The Exorcist, The Kite Runner, and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with countless others.
Readomania : What do you think sets Indian horror apart from Western horror?
Vignesh : Western horror – be it books or movies are top-notch! Indian readers must recognize horror as a challenging creative endeavour on par with any genre. Indian horror writers, in particular, have a unique opportunity to experiment with culturally rich themes that naturally blend into horror, bringing fresh perspectives and depth to the genre. When both of these occur, we can also see good Indian horror!
Readomania : Horror stories are often passed down as folklore or myths in India. How do these influence your writing?
Vignesh : While I incorporate folklore and myth into my stories, they’re not my primary focus. I write horror to delve into the essence of fear itself—how we experience and confront it. That sense of curiosity is what keeps the suspense alive, allowing fear to unfold in powerful, unexpected ways.
Readomania : Do you believe that your personal experiences influence your portrayal of horror? Are there real-life moments you draw from?
Vignesh : Yes! Some of my worst nightmares—like seeing a giant monster or a screaming, terrifying, gore effusing woman—fuel the supernatural elements in my stories. One haunting experience from my teenage years was witnessing a man set himself on fire, a scene so disturbing that it often resurfaces in my writing. These vivid, unsettling memories add a raw intensity to my horror stories.
Readomania : What other genres or themes interest you, and do you see yourself exploring them in the future?
Vignesh : I’m drawn to the dark genres—thriller, horror, suspense, and mystery are my favourites. I’d also love to venture into romance, dark comedy, and fantasy in the future, exploring new layers within these styles.
Readomania : Why should readers read The Devil’s Autopsy or your previous work The Ten Commandments of Evil?
Vignesh : In a phrase: It’s horror like never before! Both of my books promise a terrifying experience that will leave readers utterly stunned—I can guarantee it!
Thank you for talking to us, Vignesh! We wish you all the best for your literary journey.
Comments