I didn't want to become some embittered old hack getting his revenge for the rest of my life. And I didn't want to become some scared creature cowering in a corner. I remember telling myself not to carry the hatred around, although I know where it is. I have it in a trunk in storage.

I didn't become a writer to write about me.

Writers have been in terrible situations and have yet managed to produce extraordinary work.

There needs to be a thorough examination, by Muslims everywhere, of why it is that the faith they love breeds so many violent mutant strains.

I want more than what I want. (Vina Apsara)

[My work] is a love song to our mongrel selves.

The Muslim population in India is, largely speaking, not radicalised. From the beginning, they were always very secular-minded.