‘This is news to me’

British author Jeffrey Archer will be in Delhi on March 12 to launch his book Only Time Will Tell as part of the uRead With Jeffrey Archer initiative. The writer was in the news just recently when it was widely reported that one of his books would be adapted to make a movie on the life of jewellery designer Nisha Jamvwal, starring Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “This is news to me,” says a surprised Archer when asked about the film. During his last India trip, Archer had said that he was looking for a director to do a Bollywood film, but his plans seemed to have reached nowhere, “I would love to have one of my books or short stories made into a Bollywood or Hollywood film, but although I’ve been approached, nothing has come of these plans yet.”

The author seems to be well versed with Bollywood cinema. “I have seen a lot of Hindi movies. My favourite Bollywood film is Lagaan, because it combines two of my favourite things – my love of cricket and a very good story,” he reveals.

Love for cricket
Talking about cricket, Archer is known for his love for the game and was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club back in the UK. He’s also a self-confessed Arsenal fan. “I am mad about cricket, and would love to see a couple of matches while I’m in India. I would particularly enjoy seeing an Indian match, just to experience the crowd,” he says. “Yes, I’m an Arsenal fan too, but I rarely get to see any of their games. Archer paints a bleak picture for his home country’s chances in the ongoing ICC World Cup, saying, “Sadly, England’s chances are not very good. I think they will be lucky to reach the semi-finals. I think the final will be India vs South Africa, but after the England match, I feel South Africa are the new favourites.”

Archer first came into limelight in 1977 with the Kane and Abel series, though his first literary work was Not A Penny More Not A Penny Less in 1976. Since then, he’s had best-sellers on a regular basis, even writing while he was serving time in a perjury case. “There is no formula behind a best-selling book,” he says. “You write, and then you pray that the public will enjoy it.”

Old fashioned
It’s also a well-known fact that Archer handwrites his work. “I still write every word in my books by hand, which is physically and mentally a strain, but as I don’t know how to use a computer, I have no choice. Though I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he adds.
Over the decades, Archer has always courted controversy, whether it was allegations of insider trading or investigations into the disappearance of millions of pounds from his Kurdish charity. But Archer remains firm when asked if controversies affect him or his fan base. “Over the years, my fan base hasn’t eroded due to all the controversies surrounding me. Neither have they affected my writing.”

Three lucky winners across India will get a chance to be invited for the launch of Jeffrey Archer’s new book ‘Only Time Will Tell’ on March 12, 2011 in Delhi.

25 others will get signed copies. For further details log on to www.uread.com before March 6.