This international crime novelist wears many hats
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Thiruvananthapuram: Hari Menon won’t tell you he is the author of two noted novels in English. The senior talent development manager with SunTec in Technopark wants his works to speak for him.
Menon has published two crime fiction novels. His debut, 'The Golden Touch', published by Penguin Random House, has sold more than 22,000 copies. 'Sky on Fire' has sold more than 8,500 copies. He is already working on his third novel.
The professional from Kozhikode was always enamoured by the world of books. He was such a voracious reader that he could hardly devote time to studies. He stopped his academic life after earning a BA English degree from the Malabar Christian College.
His parents, writer Jayasree Kishore and businessman K V Kishore, let him pursue his passion. His uncle Bhasi Mankuzhi, a movie producer and screenplay writer, nudged him to be a writer.
Menon eventually joined American Online, starting a career that would take him through various Indian cities. He was working with the Bank of America in the United States when he completed his first novel. His second novel established him as a writer in demand.
Menon is not choosy about the place to write. He is comfortable with any place except office. He completed 'Sky on Fire' in a coffee shop at Vazhuthakkad in Thiruvananthapuram.
While working on his third novel, an idea dawned on him. Why not write a movie script based on a character in 'The Golden Touch'. He is working on the novel and the screenplay simultaneously. “It’s like living in two places at the same time,” he said.
Menon is not a newcomer to the movie industry. He has acted in Shibu Gangadharan’s 'Rudrasimhasanam'. He has been offered several roles after that. He hopes to return to the field when he is able to take a break from work.
Menon is married to Reshmi, a company secretary. Their twins, Arav and Arnav, go to the kindergarten.