Mahabharata or Sci-fi? Amish Tripathi keeps readers guessing on his next series

A heady cocktail of time travel, gaming and alien life or perhaps a fresh take on epic war of Mahabharata, best-selling author Amish says he has "too many ideas" to delve in for his next series.

man behind smash hit 'Shiva Trilogy' will take a call on wher he will stick to his tried-and-tested mythology genre or make a splash in sci-fi, after concluding 'Ram Chandra' series.

"My problem is I have too many ideas, but t time to write on m," a beaming Amish said, when asked what could fans expect from him in coming days. "Mahabharata is perhaps my next work after 'Ram Chandra' series. It will be a very long series, as re is a deeper concept in Mahabharata... war isn't what you  think it is, re's actually a much deeper conflict, which is what story will cover," he told PTI in an interview.

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Amish said he will focus on epic battle in his take on Mahabharata, as he feels it wasn't a mere war between two groups of cousins.

"If it was just so, assumption is that it could have been averted. I think re was way war could have been stopped," he said.

44-year-old author is simultaneously harping on a a "very interesting" idea, which he might as well put to words before Mahabharata series.

"... I could take up something that is set in modern day. idea has captured my mind. story will include elements of time travel, gaming, and some form of extraterrestrial life," Amish said.

popular velist was in city recently to promote his latest book 'Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta', third instalment in 'Ram Chandra' series. On why he chose to write on Raavan at a time when 'Jai Shri Ram' chant is stoking a controversy, Amish said his version of demon king is nuanced and balanced.

"It's t that faith and belief in Lord Ram is anything new in India. I won't comment on politics... Lord Ram, Lord Shiva are part our bones, our genes. re isn't any fear of backlash because I am neir eulogising Raavan r demonising him. My take on Raavan is nuanced, closer to ancient versions of Ramayana," he said.

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banker-turned-author, widely credited to have revived interest in Hindu mythology, especially among youth, said publishers had, in fact, unanimously turned him down for 'Immortals of Meluha', his first vel. He eventually had to self-publish work, which became an instant best-seller.

"When my first book was going around, it was rejected by every publisher and everyone told me that it is a guaranteed flop, youth aren't interested in this subject.

"I think Indian youth wants to hear liberal modern messs, but from our own gods, goddesses and traditions, t from a western or westernised voice, that irritates m," Amish said.

Stories about mythology never go out of fashion, as y are always alive, in different forms, versions and interpretations, author added.