The latest book from S. Hussain Zaidi tells the real-life story of Laxman Lucky Bisht, an NSG commando who was accused of a twin murder case and jailed for five years. A parallel narrative of Agent Lima, entrusted with the operation to nab the real killer, a national security threat, makes the narrative interesting and keeps the reader guessing if Agent Lima and Lucky Bisht are the same person. In a brief chat, Zaidi, who is known for non-fiction crime novels like Black Friday, talks about the story of Bisht with R.A.W Hitman: The real story of Agent Lima, which will be launched on July 4.
Given that you have been an investigative journalist, we are sure you were aware of the case. How was it taking up the charge to write a book on the incident?
As a journalist, I have been always searching for unique stories, stories that are different and path-breaking and which have not been written about. For the last 25 years, I have been writing stories that are different. When I met Lucky around two years ago with a group of people, I didn’t know that he was the brave and outstanding commando officer who had done such a fantastic operation. But at the end of the meeting when he was formally introduced to me I was surprised because he came across as a nondescript person. Then I was like why not hear the first-person account. So when he narrated the story it was different and the more I kept hearing the story the more fascinated I became. I thought of putting it on my YouTube Channel first and it fetched lakhs of views. Then I pitched it to my publishers and Simon and Schuster got back to me.
How was the experience of telling the story of Laxman Lucky Bisht?
All my life I have done stories of mafia, organised crimes and underworld dons like Dawood Ibrahim, Chota Rajan and Abu Salem, and I was looking for something different for my next book. I have done a couple of fiction as well but I was on the lookout for a non-fiction story and met Lucky Bisht. Initially, I had thought that I will finish the story in 10-20,000 words but when I sat to write I found out that there were so many layers and aspects to his story and that it was not restricted to one commando being wronged in one operation and suffering in jail. The entire process was enjoyable for me.
Lucky Bisht being felicitated by the Indian Army
How long did it take to write the book?
This book took me almost a year and a half. It was much faster because it was about one man and his struggle.
Is R.A.W Hitman a biography in any sense?
I wouldn’t call it a biography because the book focuses on one aspect of his life and we have not touched his personal life or his early life.
How true is the book to the real story? Does it have fictional elements as well to make it a thriller?
I would say the book is 99.25 per cent. Only 0.75 per cent could be fictional as I had to use my imagination to narrate some portions. To be specific, his stint in jail so I took creative liberty for that portion.
Were there any challenges?
Apparently Lucky has made a lot of enemies so the problem was to get an honest and straight account from them. Otherwise, things were smooth.
Has there been any interest to adopt the story for the screen?
A few directors have shown interest but it will take some time. Only after the story has been in the public domain for some time then the decision is taken.
What are you working on next?
My next is a non-fiction book and one of the most ambitious projects of my life. It’s the sequel to Black Friday. I am also working on another sequel. And then there’s also one fiction that’s inspired by real-life stories.
Pictures courtesy: Lucky Bisht