Amish Tripathi and Sonam Kapoor Discuss Books, Parenting, and Indian Heritage
Bestselling author Amish Tripathi and Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor came together for a candid live conversation on Thursday morning to mark the launch of Tripathi's upcoming children's book series, Dhruv-Tara & The Great Indian History Quiz. The discussion quickly expanded into an engaging exchange on parenting, mythology, heritage, and raising children who are curious about India's stories.
Tripathi, known for his Shiva Trilogy, Ram Chandra Series, and Indic Chronicles, is now turning his attention to a younger audience. The first book in the seven-book series aims to make Indian history exciting through storytelling rather than textbooks. The book is set to release on July 27 under Westland Books' Red Panda imprint.
Sonam Kapoor's Childhood Built on Stories
Sonam Kapoor shared how books and storytelling were a significant part of her childhood. She recalled Sundays spent with her grandmother. "My nani would read the Gita every day and then tell me mythological stories. She took us to concerts at NCPA, plays at Prithvi Theatre, and introduced us to Indian classical music and dance. That made me fall in love with our history and culture from a very young age," she said.
Those memories now shape how she raises her sons, Vayu and Rudra. "I want that richness of storytelling, imagination, and those lessons to be part of my sons' upbringing," she explained. Her home has become a place where mythology naturally finds its way into everyday conversations. She shared an anecdote about reading the story of Hanuman trying to eat the sun: "When Hanuman's father Vayu comes down to stop him, my son asked me, 'Am I Hanuman's dada?' I told him, 'No, you are named after him.'"
Making Traditions Feel Magical
Sonam acknowledged that children today naturally gravitate toward global celebrations like Christmas. Rather than resisting, she has found her own way of making Indian festivals equally exciting. "I've made Diwali into a gift-giving festival too. I tell him Lakshmi brings gifts," she shared. For her, it's about creating joyful associations with Indian traditions. "I want our culture to be inherent in his learning. I want him to be proud of who he is and where he comes from," she said.
Books are central to that effort. While four-year-old Vayu gets only about 15 minutes of television on weekends, books are an everyday feature. Even though baby Rudra is only three months old, Sonam says reading has already become part of his nightly routine.
Curious Minds Learn More
Vayu's favorite word these days is "why," and Sonam is happy he takes after his father Anand and grandfather Anil Kapoor. Tripathi believes that's exactly how learning should begin. Children shouldn't simply memorize history—they should be encouraged to question it. He noted that generations of students have often been taught a limited version of India's past, leaving many extraordinary stories untold.
Among the examples he cited was the famed Damascus sword, once regarded as one of the finest weapons in the world. "The steel used for it came from wootz steel made in Tamil Nadu. These are incredible stories, but they're not taught to us," Tripathi said. His new series attempts to fill some of those gaps, introducing young readers to subjects rarely covered in school textbooks—from ancient Indian currency and engineering marvels to architecture and civilization—all wrapped inside fast-paced adventures of around 25,000 to 30,000 words.
Rediscovering India's Forgotten Wonders
The conversation also turned toward heritage conservation. Tripathi spoke passionately about the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, the breathtaking monolithic structure carved downward from a single rock. Both agreed that awareness is the first step toward preservation. "If we show interest in our own culture, we'll also care more about protecting it," Sonam observed. Tripathi echoed the sentiment, adding, "The first step is simply to read about these incredible things that exist in India."
Stories Before Textbooks
As the conversation drew to a close, it circled back to its central theme: reading. Tripathi said, "You have to make it fun." Whether it's turning mythology into bedtime stories or weaving centuries of Indian history into an adventure novel, both believe the goal is the same—to spark curiosity.
