Many people keep a few things from their school days. It could be an old class photo, a farewell note, a report card, or a slam book filled with messages from friends. Years later, these small keepsakes bring back happy memories and remind people of classmates they have not spoken to in a long time.
For Indian-born author Nishant Kaushik, that simple idea became the heart of his novel, Bhadresh Mhatre’s Slam Book. The book begins with a forgotten school slam book and grows into a moving story about friendship, family, and second chances. It reminds readers that some people from our past can still have an important place in our lives.
What If an Old Slam Book Found Its Way Back?
Years ago, school slam books were very popular among students. Friends filled them with answers about their favourite subjects, dreams, hobbies, and messages for the future. Many promised they would always stay in touch, even though life often took them in different directions.
Nishant Kaushik looked at this familiar school memory from a different point of view. He imagined a man finding his old slam book after many years. What would happen if he decided to meet the friends whose names were written inside it? Would they remember him? How much would their lives have changed?
That simple question became the starting point for Bhadresh Mhatre’s Slam Book. The story follows a middle-aged widower who comes across his slam book from 1991. As he begins searching for his old classmates, he slowly rebuilds his relationship with his son. The search for old friends gives fresh meaning to his life and helps him look ahead with hope.
How a Film Script Became a Full-Length Novel
The story first began as a screenplay in 2019 for a short film competition. The script could not be entered because it did not meet the word count rules, but Kaushik believed the idea still had more to say.
During the Covid years, he turned the script into a full novel. The longer format gave him time to build the characters and their relationships in greater detail. The book was published in 2022 and soon found readers who connected with its simple and heartfelt message.
Sometimes a story finds its place after taking a different path, and that is exactly what happened here.
Remembering the Past, Living in the Present
Even though the novel begins with memories from school, its message is about life in the present.
Many people think about friends they have lost touch with over the years. Work, family, and moving to different cities often create distance. Still, a simple phone call or message can bring people back into each other’s lives.
Kaushik hopes readers finish the book with one thought: it is never too late to reach out to old friends. Time may change people, but care, kindness, and friendship can remain strong. A small step can lead to meaningful conversations and happy memories once again.
Stories That Speak to Readers at Every Stage of Life
Nishant Kaushik first became well known through Watch Out! We Are MBA, a novel that spoke to young readers trying to build their careers. He later wrote the Chaos Trilogy, bringing humour to office life and everyday work experiences.
With Bhadresh Mhatre’s Slam Book, he turns his attention to family, friendship, and the memories people carry through life. The story shows another side of his writing and brings out emotions many readers understand from their own lives.
The novel has also reached beyond the world of books. In 2024, its screen rights were acquired by a leading Indian film production house. Kaushik is now working on turning the novel into a feature film screenplay.
A forgotten school slam book may seem like a small thing, but in Nishant Kaushik’s hands, it becomes the beginning of a heartfelt story. Through this novel, he reminds readers that old friendships can still matter and that second chances often begin with one simple step.
