Shahnawaz Choudhury Talks About His Book “Phir Bhi”

About the Author:

Shahnawaz Chaudhary’s interests lie in literature, philosophy, and the subtle processes that take place within the human mind—experiences that we often feel but struggle to put into words.

Rather than viewing life through fixed conclusions, his writing seeks to explore the questions and thoughts hidden within ordinary experiences. For him, writing is perhaps not about arriving at a final understanding of something, but about the process of looking at it with greater depth and perspective.

His first book, “Woh, Jo Reh Gaya”, focuses on memories, time, relationships, and the experiences of life that, despite their ordinariness, leave deep meanings within us.

“Phir Bhi” is his second book, in which his writing moves beyond external experiences and turns towards exploring the mind, thoughts, identity, and the process of understanding one’s own existence.

Exclusive interview with the author

Q: What Inspired You To Write This Book?

A: There was no single event that inspired Phir Bhi. It emerged from questions that had stayed with me over time—about identity, memory, absence, relationships and the ways in which we understand our own experiences. I have always been drawn to things that remain unresolved within us. The book grew out of a desire to explore those quieter, often unnoticed movements of the human mind.

Q: Can You Tell Us About The Book?

A: Phir Bhi is a collection of introspective and philosophical prose essays that explores the subtle complexities of human existence. Through ordinary moments, familiar spaces, fleeting observations and unexpected thoughts, the essays move towards questions of identity, memory, time, loneliness and uncertainty. The book does not attempt to offer definitive answers. Instead, it invites readers to reconsider familiar experiences and discover meanings that often remain unnoticed. At its heart, it is about everything that continues to exist within us, even when circumstances change.

Q: What Does The Title Mean?

A: Phir Bhi speaks of continuity amid uncertainty. It suggests that life does not always become clearer, relationships do not always find their conclusions, and every experience does not necessarily lead to resolution. Yet something continues. We question, reconsider, lose, change and sometimes begin again. The title holds that quiet persistence—the ability of life to continue, even when many things remain unexplained.

Q: What did you learn while writing the book?

A: I learnt that understanding something does not necessarily mean resolving it. Sometimes, the more closely we examine an experience, the more complex it becomes. I also realised that writing is not always about arriving at an answer; sometimes it is about learning to remain attentive to a question without rushing to settle it.

Q: Tell us about your first published book — what was the journey like?

A: Woh Jo Reh Gaya is my debut book, a bilingual collection of introspective prose essays exploring memory, relationships, absence and the quiet experiences that leave lasting impressions on us. It gave shape to thoughts and emotions that had long remained within me. Writing it was an attempt to understand the many things that remain with us, even as life moves forward.

Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

A: Most of my ideas emerge from observation rather than deliberate searching. Ordinary places, everyday encounters, conversations, silences and seemingly insignificant moments often become starting points for reflection. I am particularly interested in what lies beneath the surface of familiar experiences. Sometimes an idea begins with a visual detail; sometimes with a question that refuses to leave.

This book is published by OrangeBooks Publication. All rights are reserved with the author & the publisher.