journalist, author
Avirook Sen is an independent journalist based in Gurgaon. He has been a reporter and editor for 25 years, working in print, online and broadcast media. Sen launched the Hindustan Times’ Mumbai edition as resident editor, edited Mid-Day, and was executive editor of the news channel NewsX. He has written on a wide range of subjects, from cricket to terrorism and, most recently, crime. His work has appeared in India Today, Hindustan Times, The Express Tribune (Pakistan), New Scientist, NDTV, DNA, Firstpost, Mumbai Mirror and a number of other prominent publications.
His first book, ‘Looking for America’ (Harper Collins, 2010) was described by Vogue magazine as a ‘Kerouac-like’ travelogue, and enthusiastically reviewed.
His bestselling second book, ‘Aarushi’, (Penguin, 2015) has reignited a national debate on the criminal justice system, on media ethics, and Indian middle class attitudes. The book has been described as ‘masterly’, ‘disturbing’, ‘meticulous’ and ‘explosive’. Ian Jack has said: “Few accounts of modern India can match its compelling story and unforgiving light – it matters to the here and now as few books do. I found it unputdownable.”
Sen is an ardent admirer of Capote and Hitchens, and even more so of Hunter Thompson. He is also greatly inspired by Fela Kuti, the (late) Nigerian musician, whose line “I no be gentleman at all” resonates with him.
Sen was born and raised in Calcutta.
