Mumbai played host to a powerful literary evening with the launch of Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back, a gripping non-fiction book inspired by the real-life journey of a reformed criminal. Held at the prestigious Juhu Gymkhana, the event brought together authors, media professionals, digital creators, and notable personalities to celebrate a story centered on resilience, redemption, and transformation.
Authored by acclaimed crime journalists Vijay Shekhar, Raju Santhanam, and Calvin Joshua, Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back chronicles an extraordinary journey from the depths of the criminal underworld to the pursuit of reform and self-realisation. Backed by years of investigative journalism, first-hand accounts, and deep research, the book stands out for its raw honesty and layered narrative. It offers readers an unflinching look at crime, conscience, and the possibility of second chances, making it a compelling and socially relevant addition to contemporary non-fiction.
During the launch, the authors spoke candidly about their motivation behind documenting such a complex and sensitive story. They reflected on the challenges of earning trust, navigating ethical boundaries, and presenting the narrative with integrity, while also expressing their hope that the book would spark conversations around accountability, rehabilitation, and reform.
Actor Suniel Shetty, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, lent strong support to the authors and the book’s core message. Known for championing meaningful and socially driven narratives, Shetty praised the courage it takes to bring real-life stories of transformation to the forefront. Addressing the audience, he revealed that he has known Vijay Shekhar, one of the authors for over three decades and shared a significant announcement — he has expressed his desire to adapt Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back into a film and has conveyed to the authors that he is keen on acquiring the rights for the same. His statement was met with enthusiastic applause, underscoring the story’s cinematic potential and emotional depth. He said that after the success of movies like Dhurandhar and Border 2 Hindi cinema is back with a bang and he sees the movie made based on Black scorpion -to hell and back also becoming into the next blockbuster
In an engaging interaction during the event, Aarti Notiyal, journalist and Founder of Bubble Communication, asked Shetty about his career trajectory — particularly how, despite playing numerous heroic roles, his negative and grey characters have often garnered greater acclaim. Sharing an honest reflection, Shetty said,
“I have played many positive and heroic characters over the years, but a hero who is always right can sometimes become predictable. What excites me as an actor are layered characters — especially grey or negative ones — because they allow exploration of deeper emotions and inner conflict.”
His thoughts echoed the very essence of Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back, a story that challenges black-and-white morality and delves into the complexities of human choice and transformation.
The launch also saw enthusiastic participation from the digital creator community, helping amplify the book’s message among younger and socially conscious audiences. Prominent creators such as Shweta Rohira, Mekhala Bawsay, Samaira Paul, Subhojit Ghosh, Tarun Wadhwani, and Anchal Vaswani were present, engaging with the authors and sharing insights from the event across their platforms.
Curated and managed by Bubble Communication, the event carried special personal significance for its founder, Aarti Notiyal, who shares a long-standing professional association with all three authors. Having worked closely with Vijay Shekhar, Raju Santhanam, and Calvin Joshua as a former colleague, the launch marked a proud and emotional moment — witnessing a powerful story take shape after years of shared professional journeys. Author Vijay Shekhar emphasised that the book was not just about crime but also about redemption and unlike other books in the genre which are normally written from the police perspective this book for the first time was a first person honest narration of Shyam Kishore Garikapati on whose life the book is based. Shyam Kishore has been forthright about his crimes and the life he led and disclosed many unheard of information about the underworld and its Dons.
Speaking about the association, Aarti Notiyal said, “Stories like Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back deserve to be told with sensitivity, depth, and the right amplification. Having known Vijay, Raju, and Calvin for years, this launch was especially close to my heart. Their courage as journalists and authors is inspiring, and at Bubble Communication, our focus was to ensure that their voices and the integrity of this story remained front and centre.”
With its compelling narrative, strong endorsements, and growing buzz within literary and digital circles, Black Scorpion: To Hell and Back is poised to resonate deeply with readers seeking real-life stories that go beyond crime — exploring courage, change, and the power of redemption.