Sameer Gudhate presents the Book Review of Ram c/o Anandhi by Akhil P. Dharmajan

Every now and then, a book comes along that doesn’t just tell you a story—it wraps itself around your heart, gently stirs up thoughts, and walks beside you long after the last page. Ram c/o Anandhi did that for me.

I picked up this novel with zero expectations—no buzz, no hype, just a curious title and a lingering instinct. Akhil P. Dharmajan, a fresh voice from Malayalam literature, pens this story with such cinematic ease that I wasn’t surprised to learn he’s been a screenwriter too. The book was originally published in Malayalam and translated seamlessly by Haritha C.K., retaining every ounce of its emotional weight.

At the heart of the story is Sriram Aravind—Ram—who arrives in Chennai hoping to become a filmmaker. But life, as it often does, has other plans. Ram finds himself sharing a rented house with four other strangers: Bineesh, Kiran, Reshma, and Vetri. Each comes with a backpack full of dreams, regrets, fears, and invisible wounds.

And then there’s Anandhi—practical, ambitious, emotionally elusive. Her presence is powerful, yet enigmatic. Their stories begin to entangle, not dramatically, but slowly and organically, like real life. What makes this book stand out isn’t a grand twist or a single love story—it’s how life unfolds through a web of quiet moments and unspoken truths.

Akhil’s writing is incredibly visual. Every chapter felt like a scene from a South Indian indie film—minimalist, raw, and intimate. The narrative voice is unpretentious. Short chapters move the story forward quickly, almost like film cuts, making it difficult to put the book down. The tone is grounded, familiar, and never forced. Haritha’s translation keeps it authentic, especially in its emotional cadences.

Now let’s talk characters—because this book lives and breathes through them.

Ram is thoughtful and observant, often caught between his dreams and the reality around him. But it’s Malli who truly stole my heart. An aruvani (trans woman) Ram meets at a railway station, Malli is one of the most sensitively written characters I’ve come across in recent memory. Her pain doesn’t scream—it simmers. Her dignity, humour, and emotional depth left me aching. I honestly found myself wishing the book was titled Ram c/o Malli.

The ideas explored—gender identity, urban loneliness, broken families, friendship, and unspoken love—are so tenderly handled, you never feel preached to. Just seen.

The plot doesn’t rely on big shocks—it thrives on emotional continuity. The structure is brisk, yet intimate. Each character arc opens up like a new room in the same house. The pacing works well, even though at times I wanted to stay longer in certain moments, especially those involving Malli.

This book is all heart. It speaks of human connection—messy, beautiful, incomplete. It questions gender norms without yelling. It shows how people, even strangers, can change each other’s lives in small, irreversible ways. And most importantly, it reminds us that everyone is carrying something they don’t talk about.

I’ll be honest—this book made me pause and think about the people I pass by without a second glance. Malli’s story stayed with me. So did Ram’s silent dilemmas and Anandhi’s tough exterior. I felt seen. I felt uncomfortable. And I felt deeply moved.

Character development is this book’s biggest strength. Every person feels real. The story never rushes to fix them—it simply lets them be. The setting—Chennai—isn’t just a location, it’s a character in itself. Also, the cover is vibrant and does justice to the tone of the book… though I wish Malli was there too.

If I have to nitpick, it’s the name ‘Anandhi’ being split awkwardly on the cover. And perhaps some chapters felt too short—like a beautiful conversation cut off mid-sentence. But these are minor things in an otherwise impactful reading experience.

This book found me at the right time. It reminded me why I read—not to escape life, but to understand it better. It made me want to be more present, more curious, more kind.

Ram c/o Anandhi is not just a debut—it’s a quiet revolution wrapped in everyday emotion. It doesn’t shout to be heard—it just whispers, and somehow, that stays with you longer. Akhil P. Dharmajan is a name I’ll be watching closely. And if Malli ever gets her own story, I’ll be the first in line.

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