PVLF 2025

Interview With Balraj Juttla Author of “Delhi Vice

Delhi Vice is a gripping crime thriller set in the heart of Delhi, where two unlikely allies risk everything to uncover the truth in a world of power and corruption.
on Feb 21, 2025

Frontlist: What inspired you to write this particular story set in Delhi?

Balraj: I’ve always been fascinated with Delhi and its rich history. Modern Delhi, like modern India, is incredibly complex and difficult to define, where privilege and poverty coexist in stark juxtaposition. It's impossible not to be intrigued and want to discover more about it. When I set out to write a crime novel, Delhi was the first thing to come to mind; even before I had a plot or characters, I knew it needed to be set in Delhi. Perhaps because of its long history as the seat of power and the bloodshed, corruption, and political games it has witnessed, Delhi has a darker side that lends itself to crime fiction.

Frontlist: Rajesh and Jaskiran form an unlikely alliance in the pursuit of truth. How did you develop the dynamics of their relationship in such a high-stakes environment?

Balraj: I wanted the central characters to be different from your traditional crime fiction protagonists. Rajesh and Jaskiran are not crime-fighting geniuses who can look upon a crime scene and deduce who the culprit must be, nor are they grizzled veterans who have been through such events before. I wanted more relatable characters, weighed down by self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the burdens of their personal lives. Their dynamic grew naturally from their shared goal of uncovering the truth amidst enormous personal and professional risks. The tension between trust and self-preservation in such an environment shaped their relationship. I wanted their journey to highlight how alliances are often forged in adversity and how shared purpose can bring people together

Frontlist: Delhi plays a pivotal role in the book, almost like a character itself. How did you capture the essence of the city’s contrasts in your storytelling?

Balraj: Delhi is a city of contradictions, and I wanted to capture both its vibrancy and darkness—from modern mansions and grand lobbies of luxury hotels to the back alley bars and shelters for runaways. I wanted to capture every side of the city. It was important for me to make Delhi more than just a passive backdrop and you can tell much about the characters from the locations we find them.

Frontlist: The book tackles the dark underbelly of power and influence. How do these themes resonate with the realities of urban India today?

Balraj: Urban India today mirrors the themes of Delhi Vice—a place where rapid modernization often clashes with deeply entrenched systems of corruption and inequality. Power and influence frequently dictate outcomes, while those seeking justice face systemic barriers. These realities inspired the book’s exploration of how individuals, despite being caught in this web, can challenge these forces. It’s a reflection of the resilience needed to confront an imperfect system.

Frontlist: What role do personal resilience and self-care play for Rajesh and Jaskiran as they navigate the dangerous world of investigative journalism?

Balraj: For Rajesh and Jaskiran, resilience isn’t just a trait; it’s a survival mechanism. Both characters face personal and external pressures that test their limits, yet they persist because they believe in the power of truth. Their moments of reflection and camaraderie serve as their anchors, whether in fleeting moments of humor, reflection, or reliance on each other to keep going in the face of overwhelming odds.

Frontlist: Do you see Delhi Vice as a cautionary tale about unchecked power, or is it more a story of hope and resilience?

Balraj: It’s both. Delhi Vice is a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked power and the damage it can inflict on individuals and societies. At the same time, it’s a testament to the strength of those who dare to stand up against it. Through the determination of Rajesh and Jaskiran, I wanted to show that even in the face of systemic corruption, integrity and resilience can drive change.

Frontlist: What do you hope readers take away from Delhi Vice about the role of love, connection, and personal integrity in confronting a corrupt world?

Balraj: Just like Delhi itself, people are complex and are hard to define. Human connections give us the strength to confront the challenges of a corrupt world. Love and trust, whether between friends, colleagues, or family, serve as guiding lights in difficult times. Personal integrity is the cornerstone of this fight—it’s what separates those who give in from those who persevere. And yet it is often those same human traits, such as love and self-preservation, as well as the pressures of modern society to be seen as a 'success,' that drive people onto the wrong path. Here, morality is relative, and personal integrity can be bought for a price. People justify their actions to themselves. While it is easy to point at particular characters and call out their corruption and wave away their justifications, it is not so easy with others. I hope Delhi Vice captures this duality and the difficulty in ridding society of corruption.