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#YouBeneathYourSkin is on Its Way to the Screens!

readers loved You Beneath Your Skin

I began writing my debut novel You Beneath Your Skin in 2011, and finished the first draft in 2012. After about 8 drafts, I started sending queries and signed up with my agent in 2016. The book was published in 2019 by SImon &Schuster India, and the story has been read by a large cross-section of readers ever since.

Today Hollywood Deadline announced a deal with Endemol Shine to option You Beneath Your Skin for a TV drama.

You Beneath Your SkinEndemol Shine India has optioned Damyanti Biswas’s bestselling Indian crime novel You Beneath Your Skin to develop as a multi-part drama series, with all proceeds from the option going towards social enterprises in the author’s native New Delhi.

Set in contemporary New Delhi, the multi-strand narrative concerns an Indian-American single mother and her autistic teenage son, whose comfortable middle-class lives are turned upside down by a police investigation; a crime spree of slum women found stuffed in trash bags, faces and bodies disfigured by acid. Although a work of fiction, the novel tackles endemic problems in India: violence against women, slum poverty, and police corruption.

Abhishek Rege, CEO, Endemol Shine India, said, “You Beneath Your Skin is a is a crime thriller, layered with issues of poverty, misogyny and corruption. Taking a leaf out of the vast legacy of phenomenal women writers in the crime thriller genre – Damyanti’s book brings a sensitivity an otherwise violent genre. The protagonist is fascinating as she is a single mother and traversing an unorthodox life through the rather orthodox setting of Delhi. Gripping, relevant and hard-hitting, this is a story peopled with many characters, multiple fractured relationships, small intimate moments and effective back stories. This is a thriller with a family at the center of the plot. These are the stories that Endemol Shine India wants to bring to the fore.”

Dramatic rights were acquired by Endemol Shine India from agent Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock, working with Sidharth Jain at Mumbai-based agency The Story Ink.

I’m very pleased with this, of course, especially because my proceeds would directly benefit Project WHY and Stop Acid Attacks, the two nonprofits that have my heart.

Many have told me today that this is the result of hard work and perseverance.

I can tell you that both of them are a given, a bare minimum in any profession. In themselves, they bring very few rewards. An element of luck cannot be ignored, nor can the good wishes of friends and family. Which is why, I believe that at the end of the day, we keep on keeping on for the love of writing and storytelling. Any success that comes our way is an un-looked-for bonus–it is enough to be content to keep trying, keep failing, and failing better each time. Success or milestones are a bonus, not the end goal. Surviving against the odds, and contenting ourselves with the daily ups and downs is quite enough. Focused effort with no expectations is better than effort with focused expectations.

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Do you believe that effort and talent equal expected results? Have you read books and then watched them on screen? Which were the adaptations you liked? Have you read You Beneath Your Skin?

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Are you part of nay online or offline book groups? Founded any? What is the experience like? Do you think online book groups are similar to those offline?My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is making its way into the world.

It is available in India here.

Worldwide, here.

Reviews are appreciated–please get in touch if you’d like a review copy.

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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64 Comments

  • bikerchick57 says:

    This is wonderful news, Damyanti! How exciting to have your book come to life on the big screen. It’s simply more proof that you are an excellent author and I can’t wait to see what comes next for you.

  • robertcday says:

    Okay, I bought your book – how could I do anything else with the tsunami of praise that it’s garnering! And now I’ll have to get a move on and read it before the next wave comes along: the … what do you call it now *scrolls up to check* … ‘multi-part drama series’!! Wow, good things for you and for us too. 😀
    Well done, Damyanti!!
    Robert.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      That’s so kind, Robert! I look forward to you reading it.

  • Tooty Nolan says:

    Congratulations doesn’t come close. It’s wonderful to see that, once in a while, dreams can come true.

  • Amazing news… you must be so proud…

  • Jayanthy G says:

    I am so glad it is going to be adapted into a movie, Damayanti. I wish the same story is portrayed in the movie. I have not enjoyed many adaptations, but I want this one to be successful on-screen too. All the best to the crew performing this. I wish you luck throughout the completion of this!

  • Jemima Pett says:

    Brilliant news, Damyanti! I’m so happy for you. 🙂

  • dgkaye says:

    Oh wowww, I’m so happy for you girl. Am I surprised? No. When I read your book I couldn’t help but feel it was movie material!!! <3

  • firobertson says:

    Damyanti, this is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!!

  • literarylad says:

    Fantastic! I can’t pretend I’m not envious, but at the same time, happy for you. Your talent and hard work is reaping rewards.

  • JoAnna says:

    Congratulations! And thank you for the inspiration to persevere.

  • Congratulations! And a well deserved outcome for your excellent book, I loved it but it is a hard read so am glad you are supporting charities that can help prevent this cruel type of attack. Hopefully we will be able to watch it at some point.

  • Congratulations 👍😘💐

  • Big congratulations, Damyanti. I am so pleased and this is a just reward for hard work, talent and great compassion for others.

  • inkspeare says:

    Congratulations!!! Great news. Wishing you much success. May God continue blessing you abundantly without limits.

  • ccyager says:

    Congratulations, Damyanti! Now you’ll get to go through the film development, screenwriting, and production experience. Be sure to take deep breaths when you feel crazy, because at least in America it can be crazy-making process. By the way, I think a lot of success comes not only from luck but from help and support from others. I haven’t seen your review of my novel, “Perceval’s Secret,” at Amazon or Goodreads which you promised months ago. Surely you would have a few minutes now to post one? Thank you. I appreciate your help and support. And good luck, best wishes, for the film adaptation!

  • Prachi says:

    This is superb news!! Congrats Damayanti! I think it’s time for me to order a copy of the book to read☺️

  • Pam says:

    So well deserved, Damyanti!! Congratulations and a million blessings on the project!! xo

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks so much, Pam, and thank you for your support for the book!

  • floralia889 says:

    Great news Damyanti! How exciting and such a worthwhile cause. Congratulations!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thank you very much, and I’m very pleased for both the causes.

  • Billybuc says:

    Congratulations of course! I am in awe that this happened for you. I’ve never known anyone famous. 🙂 Again, seriously, congratulations! I like it when good things happen to good people.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hhahahaah I’m no one famous and I do not want to be. Thanks for your kindness, and I hope good things do happen to the causes the book supports.

  • Wonderful news! Congratulations!

  • Congratulations.

  • hilarymb says:

    That is just brilliant … I am so pleased for you – very well deserved … very well deserved … and yes I’ve read it … now I can’t wait to see it on screen.

    Just congratulations and a big big hug – from a huge distance … I’m going to read Anjali’s and Jatin’s story again … Hilary

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thank you so much for reading and all your support since, Hilary. I hope it turns out well on screen.

  • I totally agree- for a writer, it’s just the love of writing that should matter, with no expectations of writing a bestseller or making good sales. We are not salespeople! If someone genuinely enjoys my book, I’m happy. Congratulations on getting your story onto the small screen, and I commend your noble gesture of giving all proceeds to your acid victims’ projects.
    PS: I’ve downloaded your book and it’s on my TBR list!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks so much for downloading the book! The gesture is not noble at all—I’m able to survive without it and they need it more.

  • setinthepast says:

    Well done!

  • Lynn Love says:

    Congratulations Damyanti! Just wonderful. And yes, I think talent had a rule to play in success, but hard work and perseverance are just add important if not more so. Enjoy your success – you earned it

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Lynn. Perseverance is a basic requirement in this business. Not sure I have any talent–I just keep working at it.

  • writershilpa says:

    Congrats, again, D! And, as my mom always says, “Good things always happen to good people!” 😛 And you are good!
    God bless and best wishes for everything in life! <3

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hugs, Shilpa. As a friend, you’re biased, and i love you for it lol 🙂

  • Wow! Congratulations! That is extremely impressive, and I wish you the best of luck on working out all the details. 🙂 Very deserving next phase for an excellent book.

  • HUGE congratulations.
    I am in the minority here I think. I cannot watch the movie of books I love – it takes away/clashes with the images in my head.
    That said I hope that your book AND the movie do really, really well, for the most excellent cause and for you.
    Hard work and talent certainly have a part to play but I believe there is an element of luck too.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks so much, Sue, for all your support to the blog over the years. The book is set to be adapted for a series, but I tell myself that part of the journey is not mine–I’ll be in the audience, watching. There’s a huge element of luck, and I’m taking all of this with a pinch of salt. My job is to keep writing, and that’s what I’ll stick to 🙂

  • rolandclarke says:

    Congratulations, Damyanti – and those worthy causes will benefit again.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks, Ronald, I’m mostly pleased for them. They deserve our support.

  • Congratulations Damyanti, you deserve all the fame you can get for your hard work and your unselfish support of worthy causes. Looking forward to the success of this new venture.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thanks Ian. I’m fame-averse, but would take the money, thank you very much lol–it will really help both PWHY and SAA pay much-needed salaries. Thanks so much for all your support!

  • This is an amazing accomplishment, Damyanti. I’m thrilled for you and wish you all future success, and of course, much joy as you continue to write your heart into your stories. Congratulations!

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thank you so much, Sharon! Really appreciate your support down the years.

  • Juneta says:

    Wahoo, so proud for you. WTG! Congratulations.

  • You are amazing, Damyanti! Congratulations!

  • toconnell88 says:

    That’s huge! Congratulations! Must be very gratifying. I hope it turns out great 🙂

  • Many, many congratulations to you!

  • Widdershins says:

    EMEGHERD!!! This is glorious news!!! 😀 … does it feel real to you yet? … congratulations!!! 😀

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Thank you so much :). I’ve known about it for months now, so have had time to get used to the fact. I was not allowed to talk about it earlier.

  • Congrats! So excited for you…if you thought you were busy before…hahaha

    You deserve this, you’ve worked hard to get here. Enjoy the ride!