Kevin Missal Shares The Dark Mythology Behind His New Audible Thriller, 'Aghori'

Hinduism and mythology in India have become a foundation for creating stories that fascinate readers. Kevin Missal is one such author who has recently written Aghori, an audiobook for Audible.

The audiobook revolves around Mara, a demon trying to distract Lord Buddha with the help of his three daughters. You meet Paroosh who wants Mara to meet his strayed daughters through sacrifice. You meet Dhanraj Sarkar, an elite Aghori and a professor who serves humans by killing them. You meet Rudraman Maurya, Proteeti Roy and Viraj Gurthu whose lives change when they find a girl nailed to a peepal tree. And their entire lives change.

As a listener, you go through human trauma’s deepness and look into cerebral Indian society through the thrilling chapters. Missal speaks about the book in detail.

Excerpts from the interview:

The premise of Aghori sounds interesting. Do tell us about it.

My audiobook Aghori is an interesting occult thriller based around a serial killer inspired by Buddha’s demon—an Aghori baba who has concealed his true intentions within the realm of civilisation—delving into a story that follows three college friends who get interwoven, ultimately changing their perception of reality. Aghori plunges listeners into the deepness of human trauma, the flaws and the cons of what disturbs this reality. With short thrilling chapters and an insight into the cerebral Indian society.

But why a topic like this? What was the mindset behind picking it?

I wanted to write about the recent frenzy of Maha Kumbh. I found the

history of Aghori very interesting. I thought of mixing them both with a modern tale wrapped.

Your research behind the book must have been interesting.

Since I have been a student of History at St. Stephen’s College, research of these materials is in my blood. I learnt interesting aspects of Aghoris, how they live, how they came to be and what is their rule of thumb in life that I believe I have done justice in the book.

What made you consider writing it for Audible? What was it like working for the platform?

I felt Audible has always taken bold steps and this was a bold story. It’s been a ride working with them.

How do you think audiobooks are changing the way we connect with literature and books?

I feel audiobooks provide the convenience of space and make a story more interactive; I feel coming forward, Audiobooks are going to make a rave like no other medium.

Your favourite audiobooks.

I listen to whatever Stephen Fry narrates!

What next from your pen?

A new spin on folk tales. Can’t disclose anything more (laughs). 

Published on: Sunday, June 15, 2025, 12:00 AM IST