Take No. 2020

TAKE NO. 2020By Puneet SikkaThis is an immensely gripping novel with a most original storyline and writing style. Two stories run parallel yet blend together too, one of the strugglers in Bollywood, as also the Movers and Shakers there, and the reality of the Covid year 2020 that we have lived through.The lockdown stunning the artistes, wannabes, spotboys, those employed on the periphery, the poor unemployed and the alcoholics, all their stories, even the turnaround in the fortunes of some are very well narrated. The transition of the characters as they grow and mature is delicately nuanced.Puneet Sikka has the qualities of a seasoned storyteller, with controlled emotional armour, using the dramatic relief very effectively. Her dedication to detail, her rich vocabulary and lucid paraphrasing make the read a visual delight as well.A most promising first novel, gives hope that many more will follow.Satbir Chadha-19-07-2024Novelist, poet, short story writer.Delhi

Take No. 2020 by Puneet Sikka is a wonderful fictional book with a sense of realism in it which keeps the readers glued to it!The story is woven beautifully by portraying four major characters in the book. The first one, Meera who is a desired actress stuck in the IT sector of Chennai. The second being Dabloo who also works hard to make the ends meet. The third one, Jayesh who is a TikTok star. And the fourth one is Micky Taneja who gets ravelled in allegations so severe that they can tear down his image.The story blends when the paths of all these characters collide. The most powerful aspect of the book is how the author shows each character of its own independence, yet makes the latter meet. Overall, it’s a great book!

This book has a fictional story with the main characters from the different forms of the entertainment industry. The story includes elements of romance, thriller, struggles, and contemporary themes. The narration of the book felt very realistic while reading, and the vocabulary used was rich and well-suited to the story.

I loved the book Take No. 2020 since it captured the real essence of complex human life and relationships. Several characters with their own stories to tell get intertwined with each other in every step. The plot has a constant flow with enough space for reflection.

The fictional novel presented here "Take No.2020" is penned by Author, Puneet Sikka in around 274 pages. The book is parted in 3: first being LIGHTS, CAMERA!!, second being ACTION & third one as CUT.It is a beautifully portrayed novel with multiple characters working in some kind of entertainment industry. The book presents the scenario of B- Town somewhere which is both inspiring yet disheartening.The story follows Meera, Dabloo, Jayesh & Mickey. Meera, who after lots of struggles & despair landed her first big Bollywood movie; Dabloo, who was struggling to get casted; Jayesh, an aspiring Tiktok star & Mickey Taneja, who was somewhere stuck in #Metoo allegations. Through the ups & downs, through the lost & found projects, every character grows & outshine in their own way which is compelling.The narration is bit fast paced but the character development done is outstanding. The author have well-maintained the storyline of every character. The book also blend together the covid scenes from 2020, so the title seems apt to the story. The details given, vocabulary & lucid description makes the read delightful. The novel contains stories with in a story, giving themes of love, struggles, broken relationships, drama, romance, responsibilities & much more.Overall, a good fictional read.Recommended to all fictional lovers who like to read drama.

This book starts out as the story of one character, but gradually expands to feel as if it's our own. People struggle and they prevail, not as larger than life heroes, but as human beings- flawed and vulnerable.To create so many memorable characters, to draw us into their lives and to do it so lightly and deftly is testament to Sikka' s craft

I happen to read Take 2020 by Puneet Sikka. Puneet is from the media industry and hence could navigate through the treacherous territory of the dark underbelly of bollywood with so much panache. Her writing is flawless as she exposes the truth of bollywood through the lives of strugglers, me too movement and much more in this narrative. It is humourous and penned with unflinching honesty diving into the highs and lows of bollywood.

It’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s hope, it’s frustration, it’s endearing and oh so real!Every character well etched, every storyline well rounded…just a really beautiful unputdownable book set in 2020. And without any spoilers here, I’d just like to add that I absolutely loved the end! What a story weaver Puneet Sikka has proven herself to be! Looking forward to more such gems and hoping to see this one on OTT too!