Love the story of Vikram and Betaal? An audio book takes you on a new journey

Kevin Missal

Try as one may, one can never get enough of the stories of Vikram and Betaal. First aired on DD national over 35 years ago, the television show was based on Baital Pachisi: Stories of trick questions posed by ghoul Betal to King Vikramaditya. In a catch 22 situation, if the king answered correctly, Betaal would fly away; if he didn't, he would be executed. Now, bestselling mythology fiction writer Kevin Missal reimagines these two popular characters in his new audiobook Vikram and Vetaal.

Running for over five hours and 30 minutes, and narrated by Derek Denzil and Asif Ali Beg, the audio series opens on the battlefield. Here, we learn about the bravado and might of Vikramaditya, the king of Avantika, who can tame a tiger and vanquish even the mightiest of armies. His victory in Avantika is overshadowed by the arrival of the Vetaals on Mahashivratri, to seek revenge against an ancient custom led by a sadistic demigod.

This was the one festival when the Vetaals were allowed to possess human corpses to honour Mahadev. Only this time, they had decided to enter the lion's den - the Maha Kaal temple in Vikramaditya's palace. Leading this pack is the marble-skinned, frightening giant Jwaala. To fight these dark forces, the king needs an ally - the original Vetaal himself. Will the man who "speaks in riddles" extend a helping hand to Vikram? This audio book is gritty at its best, with enough bends, and twists and turns to keep you hooked.

Audible