Q. The books in the Halahala series aren’t typically sequels. So, what is the main theme/idea that you wish to continue and connect the books with?
A. I don’t like sequels. It’s this ‘in’ thing. Much like the dream in Aspyrus. Everyone’s asking me if it’s a trilogy, now that I have three books. They are independent stories/books set in the same universe of Halahala. And Halahala is not a city — it is that world, the mood, a mindscape and the stories itself. Appupen tells stories from that world. I connect the books through that world, some characters, brands and places. The thought of a ‘Trilogy’ makes me laugh.

Artwork courtesy/appupen, ASPyRUS (HarperCollins India)

Q. What first inspired you to build the city of Halahala?
A. I was in my 20s. I was figuring myself out and the world around me. I didn’t want to put my creative skills on hire — as much as possible. So, it started from elaborate drawings of this fantasy world, which became my escape. As I started spending more time there, it was bound to be more fleshed out and detailed. (George) Orwell and (Aldous) Huxley came to help furnish the place and I realised it was my version of a parallel world. I could enjoy this as much as I did Tolkein’s or Herge’s worlds, and perhaps more since I knew this place better.