I don’t believe in the concept of love: S Hussain Zaidi

Former investigative journalist S Hussain Zaidi has written a number of books on Mumbai mafia and organised crime including Black Friday, Dongri to Dubai, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, My Name is Abu Salem and Mumbai Avengers among others. Now, along with IPS officer Brijesh Singh, Zaidi has written Dangerous Minds, that delves into the complex and intricate lives of some of the most talked-about terrorists in the country. Excerpts from a conversation with the author...

What was the thought behind writing this book? 

This book was at the back of my mind for several years but since I was working on books on organised crimes, I could not pay attention to this particular idea. Once I was discussing with Brijesh Singh about how these guys think. These terrorists are a law unto themselves. When man does something wrong, but considers it right, then that man is dangerous. We have profiled seven-eight people who are the most dangerous of the lot. Some of them are almost worshipped by the youngsters. We wanted to tell them that these guys cannot be your role models. And that’s how the book started.  

Do you ever feel like writing on lighter issues? 

Once in a while, I get tired of writing non-fiction. So after working on six non-fiction books, I wrote one fiction Mumbai Avengers, which was the book that Kabir Khan based his movie Phantom on. That was a break from all those dark subjects. I just wanted a light subject and this book gave me that. Then I thought now I’m ready to write non fiction again. If I feel tired, I will go back to writing fiction again.

But even that fiction novel was in the same space... 

That’s the problem. Ek lohar zindagi bhar loha hi todega, aur ek sunar zindagi bhar sona hi todega. I have a specialisation only in subjects like terror, mafia and organised crime. I don’t believe in the concept of love because I think love doesn’t exist. It’s only in the books and in romcoms. And what I don’t believe in, I can’t write about it with conviction.  

Are you working on a new book? 

Yes, I am. It’s a prequel to Dongri to Dubai, about the man who mentored Dawood and who made him what he eventually became.