Mumbai LitFest 2025 to Host 100 Authors from 15 Countries, Quasar Thakore Padamsee Reveals the Secrets Behind Its Global Lineup

The 16th edition of the Mumbai LitFest is set to bring together over 100 authors from 15 countries, transforming the city once again into a vibrant hub of ideas, storytelling, and cultural exchange. More than just a literary gathering, the festival continues to celebrate the power of words, debate, and imagination, reflecting the vision of its late founder, Anil Dharker, who single-handedly turned an idea into an institution.

Quasar Thakore Padamsee, Festival Co-Director, who has been part of the LitFest since its inception, admits that the journey has been as inspiring as it has been challenging. “It was completely Anil’s idea,” he says, “and I was fortunate to be his Sancho Panza from the early days.”

As the festival enters its sixteenth year, it promises a wider spectrum of conversations, covering everything from literature and art to gender, wellness, environment, law, science, and contemporary politics. This year’s lineup also includes The Little Festival for children, ensuring that readers of every age find their corner of wonder.

Celebrating Literature, Ideas, and Imagination

At its core, Mumbai LitFest is about more than books. It is about ideas and achievements, performances and discussions, poetry and debates. The 2025 edition will once again host the signature Great Debate, this year themed around India and China, alongside a variety of sessions featuring distinguished speakers and thought leaders.

“The festival has always aimed to reflect the times we live in,” says Padamsee. “Our sessions this year cover a broad range, from society and social change to relationships, gender, environment, health, wellness, and inclusion.”
This approach has given Mumbai LitFest its unique flavour, part literary celebration, part intellectual playground, part cultural movement.

Balancing Literary Legends and New Voices

As festival co-director, Padamsee believes one of the LitFest’s greatest strengths lies in balancing the renowned and the emerging. “We’re always on the lookout for new writing and new books,” he explains. “The committee reads voraciously to identify works we want to feature.”

He finds special satisfaction in seeing debut writers from the festival go on to achieve major recognition. “It feels wonderful when a new writer featured at our festival later gets nominated for the Booker or another major literary prize. We feel validated,” he says.

Some winners of the Literature Live! First Book Award from earlier years have since become household names. “That blend of established and new authors keeps the festival dynamic and open,” Padamsee adds. “It allows our audience to discover emerging voices while still engaging with literary giants.”

The Selection Process: Books First, Always

With 100 authors participating this year, the festival’s programming logic remains refreshingly simple. “Our guiding principle is: Is there a book?” says Padamsee. “We look for interesting, recent books that deserve a spotlight. Some are even launched at the festival, this year, we’ll have eleven book launches.”

International collaboration plays a major role in curating the lineup. “We work closely with consulates and cultural institutes,” he explains. “This year, the Goethe-Institute, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Taiwan Consulate, Australian Consul-General, and Norwegian Consulate have all been instrumental in connecting us to authors from their countries. It’s what makes this festival truly international.”

 

Poetry in the Park: A Celebration of Voices

Among the festival’s standout concepts is Poetry in the Park, an open-mic platform that brings poets and audiences together in an informal, creative setting. “The festival has always engaged with the city’s literary communities,” Padamsee explains. “About two years ago, we were approached by The Poets of Mumbai, who wanted to collaborate. It made perfect sense, spoken word poetry has become such an integral part of the city’s cultural landscape.”

The result was Poetry in the Park, a space within the festival that celebrates Mumbai’s rhythm, energy, and poetic pulse.
 

Revisiting a Classic: 100 Years of The Great Gatsby

Each year, Mumbai LitFest features a Book in Focus session, a deep dive into a timeless literary work. This year, the festival celebrates the centenary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, one of the most enduring novels of the 20th century.

“The Great Gatsby explores themes of wealth, dreams, and disillusionment that still resonate today,” says Padamsee. “We’re hosting this in collaboration with Art Deco Alive, which feels especially apt because Mumbai is an Art Deco city. The aesthetics of the novel and the architecture of Mumbai connect beautifully.”

This interactive session will take the form of a participative book club, where authors and audience members discuss the novel’s relevance, style, and enduring symbolism.

Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Continuity

Running a festival of this scale is no small feat. “It’s always challenging,” Padamsee admits. “Keeping up with what’s being written and discussed globally, balancing choices and logistics, and anticipating what our audiences will enjoy, all of this requires constant attention.”

Yet, it’s the passion of the team and the loyalty of attendees that make it possible. “We’re lucky to have an experienced, dedicated team and long-standing supporters. Fundraising is never easy, but our sponsors and partners have always believed in the vision,” he adds.

Where Literature Thrives

Asked which cities he finds most inspiring for literature, Padamsee pauses. “There are several cities in India and around the world where literature truly thrives. The reasons vary, but the universality of good writing remains constant. People still turn to books, for enlightenment, entertainment, and solace, even if the format has changed.”

Closer to home, one place he finds fascinating is Bhilar, Maharashtra’s ‘village of books’, home to more than 35,000 titles. “It’s been on my bucket list for years,” he says with a smile. “I’d love to visit someday.”
 

The Spirit of Mumbai LitFest
 

Sixteen years on, Mumbai LitFest continues to be more than just an event. It’s a mirror of a city that thrives on ideas and dialogue, a celebration of thought that transcends genres, languages, and generations.

For Padamsee and his team, the mission remains clear, to make Mumbai a permanent fixture on the world’s literary map, while nurturing India’s own stories, voices, and ideas.