Top News

Jigna Vora 's journey has not been an easy one, from a journalist to an undertrial prisoner, a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss , and now a tarot card reader, astrologer, and writer who is known to bring forth real stories. But for her, writing was never about expressing herself on paper; rather, it was a mode of survival, strength, and healing.


Talking about her journey as a writer, which started during her time in the Byculla Jail , Mumbai. She said, "I have written two books so far. My first book, Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison, was my own story. More than anything, writing it was a healing process for me. There were certain things I couldn’t share with others, especially my family, because they would have felt sad knowing what I went through in jail. Writing became a way for me to process those experiences and find strength in them.”


While the book created a stir, the on-screen adaptation became a phenomenon. She said, "Honestly, I never thought my book would be adapted into a web series, but it happened. Scoop made my story reach millions, but I still insist that people should read the book itself because it’s truly the story of a strong woman."


"Seeing my personal journey translated on screen was overwhelming and surreal," she added.


Her second book, Bano: Bharat Ki Beti, is also getting an on-screen adaptation as Haq. She said, "I feel proud that these stories of resilience and strength are finding larger platforms."


Talking in detail about her book, she said, "Bano is based on the famous Shah Bano case of 1985. I was just 11 years old at that time and had faint memories of it, but it always struck me as the story of a strong woman. Shah Bano was abandoned at the age of 62 by her husband, and despite her circumstances, she stood up for her rights and fought a case."


"Politically, that case created a storm and changed many scenarios in India. For me, it was never about religion—it was about justice and women’s rights. My message through Bano is clear: no woman should be abandoned, and women have immense strength within them to fight for themselves, even without support," she added.


Jigna is always drawn to real stories, rather than fictional ones. She said, "Real-life stories come naturally to me because they are full of raw emotions. Around us, there are so many untold stories—everyone is going through something we may never know. If you asked me to write a paragraph of fiction, I admit I would be clueless."


"Our lives are made of highs and lows, and I feel strongly about capturing those emotions. I am currently working on my third book, which again is based on a real-life incident from my own life. Let’s see how it shapes up,” she added.


She stressed that these stories are lived experiences, and thus they connect well with readers. "When you’ve been through something yourself, you don’t need to make it dramatic—it already carries the power to engage. My effort is simply to narrate it truthfully, with all the emotions intact, because I believe authenticity always touches the heart," Jigna concluded.