Mad Dreams by Rohit Ramachandran

What a reading journey that was! Mad Dreams by Rohit Ramachandran is one of the best black comedies I’ve ever read!

Do you remember watching The Hangover for the first time and thinking, “What did I just watch?” That was exactly my reaction — page after page, I kept wondering, “What am I reading?!”

For starters, this isn’t your typical sanctimonious novel. But then again, our lives aren’t that pure either, right? Mad Dreams is an unfiltered reflection of the dark, relatable twists and turns of life — where hope sometimes shatters, leaving you as the laughingstock or scapegoat in the rat race we call life.

The story is narrated by Manu Manohar, who talks about his recurring, bizarre dream. His inner voice becomes a character of its own in this novel — and what a character it is!

Manu comes from a middle-class family and dreams of becoming an ad filmmaker. But, as we all know, middle-class parents often view chasing dreams as madness and prefer the safety of a salaried job. You can’t blame them — life has molded them that way.

Against all odds, Manu continues to dream. And what comes his way? College — that chaotic playground of hope and reality. Manu’s college offers opportunities, but their true scale and cost are revealed only at the end of graduation.

Through Manu, Rohit brilliantly exposes how many professional colleges scam students under the guise of “campus placements.” He also shows how this degree traps us in the chains of education loans — debts that weigh heavily once we’re thrown into the real world.

Then comes the corporate circus — where we all have to dance, whether we like it or not. Rohit captures the toxicity of office politics and how it destroys the potential for a healthy work environment.

His observations about people climbing the corporate ladder are sharp and merciless.

You’ll encounter some raw language and uncomfortable truths in this novel — but that’s what makes it real. Life doesn’t always hand you lemons; sometimes it squeezes them right into your eyes. Mad Dreams is one of those rare stories that demand you to step into Manu’s shoes. When you read it, you become Manu — confused, cornered, yet surviving. His unfiltered thoughts and mind voice make the story brutally honest.

Not everyone has faced darkness like Manu, but at some point, we’ve all been him. Sometimes, we are Manu.

There are only a handful of characters in the novel, but one that stands out is Manu’s friend — a beautifully written portrayal of genuine friendship amidst chaos.

If you’re ready to drop your prejudices and face the raw, unpolished world as it is — without the illusion of brightness — this is one hell of a novel you shouldn’t miss.

Rohit’s humor is refreshing; it makes you laugh while also inspiring you to chase your mad dreams. It challenges the middle-class mindset and pushes you to pursue your passions with everything you’ve got.

His writing style flows so smoothly that you don’t even realize how quickly you’re turning the pages.

Overall, it’s a guaranteed entertainer. Pick it up — you won’t regret it. You might even thank me later for recommending it.

Happy Reading — and may your mad dreams come true!