True Crime in Urban India: The Human Stories Behind the Headlines

What if every city carried the memory of its darkest moments, and the crimes that shaped them?

In this gripping episode, Host Mohua is joined by journalist and author Mayabhushan Nagvenkar, whose latest book Murder in the City: Deadly Crimes that Rocked the Nation uncovers chilling urban murders that left a permanent mark on India’s metro cities.

Drawing on decades of experience as a crime reporter, Mayabhushan shares why some cities amplify the impact of a crime, how passion—not just violence—drives many of these stories, and what it means to write true crime with empathy, depth, and grit.

They delve into the haunting case of Shamim Rahmani in Lucknow, the radical idealism of George Reddy in Hyderabad, and the eerie mystery of Ramar Pillai—who claimed to have invented fuel from plants before vanishing from the public eye.

With reflections on media ethics, courtroom drama, and the emotional toll of chronicling real murders, this episode is a rare behind-the-scenes look into the making of a true crime book in a post-pandemic world.

If you’ve ever been drawn to the shadowy corners of a city—or to the human stories behind the headlines—this conversation is for you.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Mayabhushan believes cities themselves are witnesses—and even participants—in urban crimes.
• How his book Murder in the City explores crimes that not only shook the nation but also defined the cities they occurred in.
• The haunting story of Shamim Rahmani in Lucknow—a crime of passion shaped by place and culture.
• The radical life and violent death of George Reddy, and what his story says about idealism and dissent in Hyderabad.
• The unsolved mystery of Ramar Pillai, the man who claimed to make fuel from plants—and then vanished.
• How the media can influence investigations, trials, and public perception—for better or worse.
• What it was like to write a true crime book during the COVID lockdowns, when access to archives and people was cut off.
• The emotional and ethical toll of chronicling real murders—and how years of crime reporting shape a writer’s psyche.
• His reflections on co-authoring the biography of Manohar Parrikar, and the challenges of documenting a public figure’s life.
• Why crimes of passion, class conflict, and city structures all intersect—and what readers can take away from these hidden truths.

Connect with Us

Mohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/

The Literature Lounge: https://www.themohuashow.com/the-literature-lounge/

Connect with Mayabhushan Nagvenkar

Mayabhushan Nagvenkar: https://www.instagram.com/mayabhushan/

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For any other queries, email

hello@themohuashow.com

Chapters:

00:00 Highlight
00:59 Introduction to Mayabhushan and His Work
01:42 Inspiration Behind 'Murder in the City'
04:16 Personal Connections to Chilling Crime Stories
08:21 The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception
11:11 Challenges Faced During the Writing Process
13:09 Emotional Navigation in Crime Reporting
14:13 Comparing Biographies and Crime Writing
15:45 Key Takeaways from 'Murder in the City'

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