About Dhaval Birajdar
Dhaval Birajdar is an engineering professor at DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering and a rising Indian author known for his Rank-1 novel Mumbaii Expeeriment. His storytelling blends human emotion, urban complexity, and psychological depth. Alongside writing, he actively mentors students and contributes to academic and creative communities.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Dhaval Birajdar: My latest novel is a Mumbai-based crime thriller that follows Inspector John as he navigates a murder case that is far more personal than it first appears. What begins as a routine investigation slowly unravels into a psychological maze connecting the present crime with fragments of John’s college life and his unresolved relationships with Priya and Nishali. The book blends suspense, emotion, and memory, showing how past choices often haunt present realities.
The journey of writing this novel has been one of the most rewarding phases of my creative life. I wrote it in the middle of a demanding academic schedule, early mornings before classes and late nights after lectures. Every chapter required me to step into my characters’ minds, their fears, desires, and flaws and that made the process both challenging and deeply fulfilling. The story evolved through multiple rewrites, and each draft pushed me to refine the plot, sharpen the suspense, and humanise the emotional conflicts.
In terms of content, the book isn’t just a murder mystery. It explores themes of loyalty, guilt, ambition, and the emotional cost of truth. Readers can expect layered characters, a fast-paced investigation, and a narrative that shifts between present-day Mumbai and John’s past. It’s as much about solving a crime as it is about understanding the people involved.”
This book has already Ranked #1 in Kindle Store, #1 in Crime, Thriller and Mystery Category and #1 in Action & Adventure Category.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Dhaval Birajdar: The title carries a hidden significance that ties directly into the plot. It’s something readers will only realise when the final pieces fall into place. So yes, one has to read the book to understand why it’s called Mumbaii Expeeriment.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Dhaval Birajdar: I studied in an English-medium school where English was never the first language, and my mother tongue is Marathi. When I moved to Jai Hind College for junior college, everything changed. Suddenly, English was the primary language of communication inside classrooms, in conversations, everywhere. That shift was challenging, and because my English wasn’t fluent back then, I was even bullied for it.
But instead of letting those moments define me, they motivated me. I started reading more, writing more, and slowly discovering my own voice. Writing became a space where I didn’t feel judged. It became my way of expressing myself freely.
In many ways, that journey from a Marathi background to an English-dominated environment, facing the discomfort, the bullying, and the self-doubt, is what shaped me as a writer. It taught me that language may set the stage, but it’s passion and persistence that decide the story.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Dhaval Birajdar: Ten years from now, I hope to be someone who has grown both as a writer and as a teacher. I want to write more books, reach more readers, and continue learning from the stories I create. Even as my journey expands, I want to stay connected to the teaching community, mentoring students, encouraging creative thinking, and helping young writers express themselves with confidence.
If, in the next decade, some of my stories find their way to respected publishers or get adapted on screen, that would be a blessing. But more than any milestone, I want to remain grounded and committed to creating meaningful work. My aim is simple: to grow as an author while giving back to the community that shaped me.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Dhaval Birajdar: For me, both the quality of a book and its marketing are equally important, and my own journey with Mumbaii Expeeriment proved that. The book reached Rank 1 not just because of visibility, but because readers connected with what was inside.
Quality is what keeps readers reading. It builds trust, creates emotional impact, and turns first-time readers into loyal ones. But marketing is what brings them to the book in the first place. Without the right outreach, even the best-written stories can go unnoticed in today’s crowded world.
I look at marketing as a bridge between a book and its readers, not as hype. When strong storytelling meets smart, authentic promotion, you don’t just get sales, you build a community. That’s precisely what helped Mumbaii Expeeriment climb to Rank 1, and it’s a lesson I carry forward as an author.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Dhaval Birajdar: As an engineer-turned-writer and a teacher, my message is simple: creativity and logic can coexist. I want my writing to encourage students and educators to think beyond textbooks, to explore storytelling, and to see that expression is a powerful form of learning. If my work inspires even a few young minds to write, question, or dream differently, I’ve done my job.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Dhaval Birajdar: Outside of writing, I’m an engineering professor at DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering. I work closely with students, teaching, mentoring, and helping them discover their strengths. My time on campus keeps me connected to real people and authentic experiences, and that balance between education and writing keeps me creatively grounded.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Dhaval Birajdar: For me, writer’s block is just a signal that my mind needs a new input. So I read something different, watch a documentary, or revisit old notes and observations. I treat it like recharging my creative battery. I don’t fight the block, I feed my curiosity, and the creativity comes back on its own.
LiFT: What if your story were to be adapted into a movie? Who would you want to work as the director or actors in it?
Dhaval Birajdar: I honestly feel blessed just imagining the story on screen. If it ever happens, I’d want a director who respects the emotional core of the book and actors who can bring authenticity to the characters.
Whether it’s an established name or a fresh talent, I’d be happy as long as the essence of Mumbaii Expeeriment remains intact. For me, the story matters more than the star cast.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Dhaval Birajdar: Yes, I’ve started working on my next book. Writing is a continuous journey for me, so the ideas never stop. The new story has a deeper emotional core and a mystery that builds slowly. It’s still early, but I’m excited because this book pushes me out of my comfort zone as a writer.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Dhaval Birajdar: As someone who teaches at DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering, I always tell my students: clarity comes from practice. Whether you write poems or stories, focus on your basic grammar, structure, and flow. Read authors who inspire you, experiment with different styles, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Growth happens draft by draft, not overnight. And above all, stay curious. A writer who observes life deeply always writes better.
Click here to order Dhaval Birajdar’s Book – Mumbaii Expeeriment
