Mumbai: The prestigious 19th Crossword Book Awards was held at the LaLit Mumbai on 3rd December, 2025. Shanta Gokhale, a literary powerhouse whose work as a writer, translator and theatre critic has immensely shaped Marathi literature and enriched Indian literature at large was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Presenting the Award to her was Bachi Karkaria, the celebrated journalist and a close friend of Gokhale. This tribute makes her the fifth recipient of the Crossword Lifetime Achievement Award, joining an illustrious list that includes Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murty, Shashi Tharoor and Amitav Ghosh.
Showcasing the diversity and ambition of Indian storytelling today, the Jury Awards winning titles range from a 920-page recreation of 1940s Calcutta to a powerful examination of the evolution of modern Hindu identity – Great Eastern Hotel by Ruchir Joshi (fiction), Gods, Guns and Missionaries by Manu S. Pillai (Non-fiction), Just a Mercenary? by Duvvuri Subbarao (Business and Management), The Wall Friends Club by Varsha Seshan, illustrated by Denise Antao (Children’s Books), and The Day the Earth Bloomed by Manoj Kuroor translated by J. Devika (Translations).
A total of 15 jurors—three representatives for each category—served on this year’s Jury panel. Several of them, including Vaishna Roy, Mandira Nayar, Poonam Saxena, Deepak Dalal, Sonu Bhasin, and Sruthijith KK, were present at the ceremony to present the awards.
The Popular Choice Awards, determined entirely by readers’ votes, highlighted some of the year’s most talked-about and widely loved titles —from Prajakta Koli’s candid coming-of-age debut Too Good To Be True (fiction) to Thomas Mathew’s insightful portrait Ratan Tata: A Life (Business and Management), Sudha Murty’s charming Grandpa’s Bag of Stories (Children’s Books), Sadhguru’s contemplative Enlightenment (Mind, Body, & Spirit), and Mohar Basu’s biographical Shah Rukh Khan.
Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Book Stores, commented on the event’s success: “We are thrilled by the range and depth of talent recognised this year. The awards stand as a definitive benchmark for literary discovery, celebrating voices that are original, impactful and essential reading. We believe these titles will spark conversations, shape perspectives and inspire an entire generation of readers.”
Making the moment more special, Nidhi Gupta, Director of Crossword Bookstores, shared, “Tonight was a mesmerising reminder of the enduring power of storytelling. These books open windows into worlds we might never otherwise encounter. We are honoured to offer a platform where such profound and transformative literary contributions can be recognised, celebrated and shared with readers everywhere.”
The star-studded ceremony, recognising the finest literary contributions of the year and the vibrant ecosystem of Indian storytelling, saw key figures from the Indian publishing and writing world in attendance, including shortlisted authors Prahalad Kakkar, Roopa Pai, Anand Neelkatan, Arunava Sinha, as well as Anupama Chopra, Ambi Parmeswaran, Suvir Saran, and many others.
With the announcement of its 2025 recipients, the Crossword Book Awards has successfully delivered the definitive guide to the year’s most impactful Indian titles. Crossword Bookstores encourages all readers to explore the works of these exceptional authors, furthering the awards’ mission to connect quality literature with the widest possible audience.
The Winners of the Crossword Book Awards 2025:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Shanta Gokhale
Jury Awards
Fiction: Jury Award: Great Eastern Hotel by Ruchir Joshi, HarperCollins Publishers India
Non-fiction: Gods, Guns and Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity by Manu S. Pillai, Penguin Random House India
Children’s Books: The Wall Friends Club by Varsha Seshan illustrated by Denise Antao, HarperCollins Publishers India
Business & Management: Just a Mercenary? Notes from My Life and Career by Duvvuri Subbarao, Penguin Random House India
Translations: The Day the Earth Bloomed by Manoj Kuroor translated from Malayalam by J. Devika, Bloomsbury
Popular Choice Awards
Fiction: Too Good To Be True by Prajakta Koli, HarperCollins Publishers India
Non-Fiction: Shah Rukh Khan by Mohar Basu, HarperCollins Publishers India
Children’s Books: Grandpa’s Bag of Stories by Sudha Murty, Penguin Random House India
Business & Management: Ratan Tata by Thomas Mathew, HarperCollins Publishers India
Mind, Body & Spirit: Enlightenment by Sadhguru, Penguin Random House India
About the Crossword Book Awards:
Instituted in 1998, the Crossword Book Awards stand among India’s most prestigious and enduring literary honours, dedicated to celebrating the country’s finest authors and stories across a wide spectrum of genres. The award endeavours to recognise the finest of Indian writing in English and actively promotes Indian authors and their books, while also fostering a culture of reading and dialogue among book lovers nationwide.
The 2024 edition spotlighted a diverse range of voices, from celebrated authors like Ruskin Bond to rising talents such as Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari. By celebrating established authors alongside fresh perspectives, the Awards continue to reflect the dynamism of India’s literary landscape. Over the years, the platform has become a trusted benchmark for quality writing, a champion of diverse voices, and a mirror of India’s evolving literary fabric.
