PRESS RELEASE
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, RAAZI
Penguin is delighted to announce the publication of Calling Shemat by Harinder Sikka. It is the extraordinary story of an ordinary girl who transforms into a deadly spy driven by the desire to fulfill her father’s wishes and extreme national fervour. A gripping saga, this novel is a testament to all those heroes of war who didn’t care about recognition or glory.
About the book:
The year is 1971
Tension is brewing between India and Pakistan
One secret could change the course of history . . .
It’s now up to her
When a young college-going Kashmiri girl, Sehmat, gets to know her dying father’s last wish, she can do little but surrender to his passion and patriotism and follow the path he has so painstakingly laid out. It is the beginning of her transformation from an ordinary girl into a deadly spy.
She’s then married off to the son of a well-connected Pakistani general, and her mission is to regularly pass information to the Indian intelligence. Something she does with extreme courage and bravado, till she stumbles on information that could destroy the naval might of her beloved country.
Inspired from real events, Calling Sehmat . . . is an espionage thriller that brings to life the story of this unsung heroine of war.
About the author:
Harinder S. Sikka is currently the group director, strategic business, Piramal Group. After graduating from Delhi University, he joined the Indian Navy. He was commissioned in January 1981 and took premature retirement in 1993 as a Lieutenant Commander. He recently produced a film, Nanak Shah Fakir, which won acclaim at the Cannes, Toronto and Los Angeles international film festivals. The film won three national awards including the Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on national integration.
Calling Sehmat is his second book and is being made into a film, Raazi, by Meghna Gulzar, scheduled for release in May 2018. Sikka lives in Delhi with his family.
Editor’s Statement: ‘This book is an extraordinary spy story that talks about the grit and determination of a young woman to save her country (India) during the 1971 war with Pakistan. It’s also poignant in its portrayal of the characters involved in the war showing the more human side of people and the choices they make—proving that heroes are not different people but they choose to do things differently.’ says Vaishali Mathur, Executive Editor and Head Rights and Language Publishing.
Author’s Statement: ‘I felt very strongly that Sehmat’s story needed to be told. Her amazing courage and fortitude are what need to be celebrated. I’m glad that the film and the book are coming out within short span of each other and each will in its own way tell this exceptional story.’ says Harinder Sikka
For media queries please write to Neha Punj at npunj@penguinrandomhouse.in
