Indian flavour: Three authors and a judge at the Bookers

INDIA ON TOP: Kohli, who is of Indian origin, is a columnist for various national dailies.

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London: Three Indian authors are on the Booker Dozen or the Longlist for this years Man Booker Prize. Amitav Ghosh, Arvinda Alaga and Salman Rushdie. However, this time around there's another Indian connection Hardeep Singh Kohli who is on the panel of judges.

"Of the many things you do in life, its an absolute privilege. The sort of thing you never really miss but when the call comes, its hard to say no," says Kohli.

Kohli, who is of Indian origin, is a columnist for various national dailies. He is also a popular face on TV and radio circuits in Britain.

As booker judge, Kohli feels this years longlist is balanced and the shortlist will be interesting.

"I think there will be a few spots of blood on the carpet for the shortlist. There has to be. I don't want to be part of a book competition that isn't passionate. However, I think I am halfway in deciding what my shortlist is because there are certain books that have changed my perspective. Getting it down to six will be interesting," he says.

Kohli's own book, Indian Takeaway has recently released in the UK and will be available in India by the year end. This year's shortlist for the booker prize is to be announced next week.

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