Kainaz Jussawalla, acclaimed author of the bestselling novel "Coffee Days, Champagne Nights and Other Secrets," is a literary force with a diverse background. Graduating as a university topper from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, her journey has taken her through the realms of journalism, where she has contributed her skills to esteemed publications such as Magna Publications and the Times of India.
Known for her versatility in storytelling, Kainaz's narrative style traverses a spectrum from bold and humorous to dark and edgy. Beyond her literary pursuits, she wears multiple hats as a Reiki Master and a mental health activist. Her advocacy for body positivity and self-acceptance has led her to speak at various forums, including prestigious institutions like AIIMS Delhi and Health First UK.
A recipient of several accolades, Kainaz has been honored with the Shiksha Ratna, Asian Literary Society Award, and the Fuzia Woman Influencer of the Year. Her impactful presence on social media as a micro-influencer has been recognized, further cementing her status as a notable figure in the literary and online spheres.
Kainaz's venture into the world of digital media includes hosting the celebrity chat show "Break Free" on her YouTube channel, aptly named ‘Chai with Kai.’ Here, she engages with prominent personalities, providing audiences with insights into their lives.
Beyond her literary and media pursuits, Kainaz is also the founder of the social initiative ‘Be a Friend,’ a commendable effort dedicated to supporting, engaging, and entertaining senior citizens. Her commitment to social causes reflects a compassionate dimension of her personality.
Her latest literary offering, "Who Wants To Marry Kai Juicewalla?: One life, Many loves, Endless (Mis)adventures," stands as a testament to her wit and storytelling prowess. The book chronicles the life of Kai Juicewalla, a foodie with a penchant for Shah Rukh Khan movies and a romantic feminist at heart. Born a Parsi, she embodies a delightful blend of unconventionality within conventional norms.
The book humorously explores Kai's quest for love amidst a slew of quirky characters and misadventures. From gold diggers to unrequited love interests, the narrative unfolds with racy candor, showcasing Kai's resilience against bullies, bulges, and badmash company. As she navigates through a plethora of failed romantic pursuits, the story takes an unexpected turn, leading Kai to rediscover the most important relationship of her life—the one with herself.
"Who Wants To Marry Kai Juicewalla?" promises a no-holds-barred assault on the reader's funny bone, emphasizing the universal truth that the journey is often more significant than the destination. With its mix of humor, romance, and self-discovery, Kainaz Jussawalla continues to captivate audiences with her unique narrative voice and compelling storytelling.
1. Congratulations on your new book, "Who Wants To Marry Kai Juicewalla?" Can you give us a brief overview of the story and what inspired you to write it?
>It's about a not so young woman searching for the perfect man, and how she kisses proverbial human- frogs to find her prince charming. This woman is me and it is my life story. It’s sprinkled with stories of my girlfriends and their lives and our friendship through all of it. You all must have heard this line....Men and boys change, friends don't!
It is also about my years as a bollywood journo and an air hostess for an international airline, so several anecdotes about the celebrities I met, my adventures and masti when traveling abroad. It’s fun, it is uninhibited, larger than life, bold, with a good dash of parsi-ism thrown in and crazy, just like I am.
What inspired me is that I realised eventually that self-love is so important in today's age where all of us are obsessively searching for the 'better half ' to fill the void and there is nothing ‘better’ about them. We are the only ones who can complete ourselves.
2. Your previous book, "Coffee Days, Champagne Nights and Other Secrets," was a bestseller. How does your new book differ in terms of style and theme?
>It's my life! Full of hits and misses. It’s about me comes close to settling down and then all becomes gas. Hence the title. Who wants to marry....as in Who?!
More of an exclamation mark than a question mark. In the entire book I am only hoping and praying some love relationship works out. I even end up with a closet bisexual and a dubious Italiano stud. Not to mention a maniac. As you grow older, your radar for red flags gets better but so does your desperation to seek the perfect partner.
So, after all the drama and masala in my life, I finally decided let's just write a book and put it out in the world - Who wants to marry me?
Sounds a bit sad but it's self-depreciating humor which is me in real life too.
3. Kai Juicewalla, the protagonist of your latest book, seems like a fascinating character. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind her character and how much of yourself you see in Kai?
>My first book Coffee Days Champagne nights was dark and edgy. It was pretty gruesome too. From a call girl just selling herself as a hobby and not for money, to a murder thriller with adultery and scandal mixed in, to a woman faking pregnancy to please her father; a bag of psychotic stories; one even darker than the other. I had no idea I had such a twisted mind until I wrote it. One got picked up for a web series but it didn't take off.
This recent book published by Om books international and represented by The Book Bakers is a memoir, and because my life has had several challenges including childhood body shaming and making bad relationship choices and is something we all go through at some phase in our lives, I found myself wanting to voice myself. To give strength to those who want to stand up for themselves but are afraid to do so.
It's written in a very candid manner and hence comes across as light and breezy. I have made fun of myself which is a natural thing to do and the best things is that it doesn't make the reader feel sorry for me yet it gives me that vulnerability and honesty that one should have as a protagonist.
Then we have the SRK love angle that simply adds to it.
I want readers to feel comfortable and relate to me. Which they have. We all go through physical issues and emotional ones and we all want to feel loved. I want readers to also feel inspired to live their best life in whatever way it is. If I can help them laugh and get through life, or simply find the courage within themselves to speak their truth, it's good enough for me. I don't give gyaan and I don't like gyaan, I rather set an example.
4. The title of your book is intriguing. What's the significance behind "Who Wants To Marry Kai Juicewalla?" and how does it reflect the essence of the story?
>It really has been amazing. Online is the way ahead. You can't go from one bookshop to another to hunt for your readers but you can do it on social media. If people like you, they may want to read more about you. But it's not set in stone. Most followers are not readers. So, it is tough. I don't actively promote that much, I do my own branding rather than that of the book.
But as an influencer I am responsible for making sure I do not sell products that I haven't tried and tested; I won’t misguide you if I am given free stuff to market and I won’t make you spend your money in places which I don't like to go. I can't be bought! So yes, I am micro because to be the macro, you have to ben your values and I won't do it.
5. Your storytelling has been described as ranging from bold and humorous to dark and edgy. How would you describe the tone of this new book, and what emotions do you hope to evoke in your readers?
>Yes, I have included my initiative in my book too in the last chapter. How giving and living for others can make you a better person. You go through life searching for a partner when the real person to stick by you is yourself. You wait for a king or a queen but that's within you.
Then you meet these lonely people whose kids have abandoned them and you feel is it really worth it?
You spend most of your life caring for your kids and sacrificing everything and then you end up signing your property away and spend your golden years in a senior home? Is it fair? Is that love? Or is that what love does?
So, after being an advocate for body positivity and even winning an influencer of the year award for it; this is the other topic I am ready to go to war for. Treatment to the elders!
And as a writer we have a voice which not only reflects in my books but even my columns do.
As for interviewing celebs, the lockdown gave me a chance to do something different as those days we were all locked in. Vidya Balan I interviewed because of our common interest in the body confidence. Boman was the parsi funny angle. Priya Dutt for her social work , Jehan Daruwala for being a young car racing star, Shaan was my first guest and he helped me kick start my show on a musical note.
Each one I interviewed on Break Free was because they meant something to me and added value to my channel Chai with Kai.
At the end of the day we all want recognition but never superfluous easy fame. I would like to be known as someone who inspires and motivates people.
‘Keep it real’ and stay humble is the mantra.
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