Author: Vish Dhamija
Publisher: Pan Macmillan India
Have you heard of the concept of “Prisoner’s Dilemma” in Game theory?
Prisoner’s Dilemma by
Vish Dhamija explores the story of Bipin Desai and Anuj Shastri, who are two
best friends who lead equally pointless lives, but that doesn’t stop them from
dreaming big and getting rich fast. Together they concoct a plan to rob a van
full of cash and manage to get away with loot of over one crore rupees. But the
van belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Delhi, which means there is
pressure on the police to solve the case quickly. The two are arrested within
days, but the cash is still nowhere to be found. The officer-in-charge, Senior
Inspector Arfy Khan, has forty-eight hours to make Bipin and Anuj confess to
their crime by convincing one of them to go against the other. The two friends
only have to keep their calm and their stories straight in front of the police
officer. But there is one major obstacle: SI Khan isn’t allowing Bipin and Anuj
or their lawyers to see or talk to each other. Will the two survive the test of
their friendship? Or will they choose personal freedom in the face of a twisted
dilemma?
This book is based on the idea of the titular concept prevalent in Game
theory, and the basic idea of two people recounting incidents, specially when
they are lying. The storyline is excellently done, and the magic lies in its simplicity.
The story moves in two parallel tracks, one that explores the stories of Bipin
and Anuj as they faced life, and another inside an interrogation room in a
police station in Gurgaon. As you read the story, you realise that the in the
particular story the devil lies in the details and the way the entire heist is
planned and executed is commendable. Another thing I really loved about the
book is that the cards are kept very close till the very end and as a reader you
are compelled to keep the pages turning to find out how the characters come out
of the pit they have dug themselves in. There are minute and fine details that
Vish has used to make sure that the reader is convinced about the plot. Right
from the car models to the planning of the heist, I could visualize the events
and that is what made the ride enjoyable for me. The buildup to the climax is
impressive and as you realise that the book has ended, you realise the mastery
of the craft and deception that Vish has.
This story is based on a concept that relies on the trust the reader
places on the characters and the story they are narrating, and the way in which
the characters in this book are sketched, you start connecting and empathizing
with the situation they are in. In the case of Bipin and Anuj, their journey to
make their life worthwhile is something all of us have felt at some point or
the other. I liked how Vish creates this trio of friends who stick through thick
and thin, and the way their lives turn out, it is a story of friendship that
usually anyone would love to have. Another interesting character is that of SI
Arfy, and the mannerisms that Vish builds in his character from being forgetful
to the stumbling, I liked how his story is told, specially towards the end.
Overall, the idea of using this concept for a story that primarily takes
place inside a room with nothing else is quite amazing and a definite
recommendation for anyone who loves a well baked thriller. The book scores a
4.69/5 for me.
I goy my copy from Kunzum Delhi, and you can get your copies wherever books are sold or Amazon India.
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