Abhirup Dhar is a Kolkata-born bestselling author and has lived in various cities and towns. His books include ‘Once Again… With Love!’ and ‘Stories Are Magical’ after which he delved into horror with ‘Hold That Breath!’ which went on to top the Amazon bestseller charts for months since the very first day of its release and was among its Best Reads. His next books ‘The Belvoirbrooke Haunting’ and ‘Hold That Breath: 2’ topped the Amazon charts again. Abhirup has also been endorsed by renowned filmmaker Vikram Bhatt.
‘Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari’ (first published by Westland) has been phenomenally received by readers, topped the Amazon charts too and the book was endorsed by notable film producer Sunil Bohra who also acquired it for screen adaptation much before its release. The major web series has been created by some prominent names in the Indian film industry and will be releasing in 2025 – ‘Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Mystery’. Recipient of various awards and honour for his notable works, all his other works are also being represented and considered for screen adaptations.
Mid-Day calls him ‘the most acclaimed name in Indian Horror Writing…’ Zee5 has called him ‘the biggest Indian horror writer in the country and one of the most renowned authors who keeps us holding our breath’! As per The Times of India, he is ‘a distinguished figure in the realm of horror literature, celebrated for his mastery of the genre’.
‘HAUNTINGS’ published by Rupa Publications topped the charts again and was received well. ‘Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari’ was republished by Rupa too and it continues to be a benchmark for the Indian horror and paranormal genre. His latest and ninth book is 'Karma', which has been published by Om Books International. There are many more works to come, both books and on screen.
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Inside India’s Paranormal Stories | Abhirup Dhar on Bhay, Karma and Real Ghost Encounters | OCLF
On 22nd Nov 2025 04.00 PM To 04:40 PM
The session "From the True-Life World of Bhay to the Haunting Layers of Karma" featured horror author Abhirup Dhar in conversation with publisher Dipankar Mukherjee. The discussion explored the intersection of real paranormal encounters, supernatural fiction and the psychology that shapes fear.
Abhirup Dhar spoke about the real-life world of Ghost Hunter Gaurav Tiwari and how true investigations often inspire the narrative arcs in his books. He explained how cultural beliefs, personal experiences and emotional vulnerability shape fear, making horror one of the most reflective genres. The conversation examined how writers must balance authenticity, ethics and imagination when dealing with paranormal themes.
The audience engaged actively, asking about real ghost encounters, how to differentiate superstition from experience and how fear can be used as a powerful storytelling tool. The session closed with the reminder that horror is not only about the unknown — it is a mirror to human vulnerability, belief and the subconscious.