Actor now turns writer-illustrator

Actor-director Ramesh Aravind wears many hats — actor, director and a TV host.

And now he has written a bookIt’s No Fun Without You, a collection of his musings brought out by Peak Platform Publications.

Speaking to presspersons after the launch, Mr. Aravind said the book was inspired by his own status messages uploaded on a social networking site through his smartphone.

In fact, he sort of expanded them, besides penning some verses, experiences in the industry and travel impressions.

Baby turtles

The book begins with a piece on baby turtles, inspired by a visit to Sur Beach in Muscat where he saw hundreds of turtles laying eggs. “It was then I learned about baby turtles, which fend for themselves from day one.”

This prompted him to name the article ‘Self-start Yourself’.

Fascinating experience

Describing the entire journey of writing as “a fascinating experience”, he said his articles are not short stories that can be developed into feature films. “But each article can be made into a short film.”

He said he was inspired by Kannada literature and Alan Fletcher’s The Art of Looking Sideways, adding he was a fan of management and motivational books.

His own illustrations

The 70-page book even has illustrations done by him. . “I felt no one can illustrate exactly what’s there in my mind, so I gave it a try.”

Publishers A.S. Sridhar and wife Geraldine Rose from the United Kingdom were there at the launch.

Mr. Sridhar is Mr. Aravind’s classmate from his days at the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering here. Mr. Sridhar said he had recognised his friend’s writing talent early on.

“He always postponed writing. When I gave him a deadline, he complied finally!”

Ms. Rose said the publishing house aimed at representing Indian authors in international markets.