The Mumbai International Crime Literature Fest 2026-27
MUMBAI
INTERNATIONAL
CRIME LIT FEST2026-27
The Case
Crime- the human frailty, that can be curtailed but never totally wiped out… Crime stories have been told since time immemorial. And after centuries of telling, they continue…in cities and countries, books and novels, films and series…
Bringing together celebrated novelists, police officers, screenwriters, journalists, film directors et al to discuss and deliberate real and reel life crime stories, Gray Atlas Media presents the Mumbai International Crime Literature Fest 2026–27- a two-day immersive literature festival dedicated entirely to the art and craft of crime writing, the marketing of crime and investigation stories and their adaptations to various visual formats.
Across panel discussions, masterclasses and book launches, this is a space to hear directly from investigators and storytellers shaping the genre. Here is where real-life cops can be asked what clue led them to the culprit… here is where writers can be asked what their writings didn’t seem to answer!
In its inaugural edition, the festival is hosted at the Radisson Blu, Mumbai, and is designed for anyone who has ever stayed up too late solving the quintessential whodunnit or finishing ‘just one more chapter!’
The Timeline
14th – 15th November 2026
Two intensive days of deep-dive interrogations, forensic case study panels, author tête-à-têtes, and underworld retrospectives across two simultaneous festival chambers at Radisson Blu, Mumbai.
Registration and Welcome Coffee
Registration and Welcome Coffee
Welcome Address: The Vision of MICL Mumbai
Evolution of real crime stories—from news reports to literature, film and series. By S Hussain Zaidi.
Formal Address and Felicitation Ceremony
Break
Break
Panel: Crime—The Eternal Genre
Despite the rise of genres like horror comedy, teen dramas and romantic dramas… why does the age-old chor police story continue to grip audiences? Panelists: Ashwin Sanghi (Acclaimed Author), Rakesh Goswami (Journalist & Author), Bilal Siddiqui (Screenwriter & Author), Sarita Patil (Producer). Moderator: Nikhil Sharma (Author).
Workshop on Cyber Crime
By Gautam Mengle.
From Page to Performance: How Actors Read a Crime Script
What an actor wants from a writer (a motive, a secret, a good first line), how performers research a role, and what changes between script and set. Panel: Avinash Tiwary (Actor), Zoya Afroz (Actor), Vineet Kumar (Actor), Aisha Ahmed (Actor) in conversation with Abhijeet Deshpande (Acclaimed Screenwriter, Director and Actor).
Break
Break
Panel: Murder She Wrote
The portrayal of women in crime stories. Stereotypical or fair? In real life—do women invite less suspicion than male counterparts? Women police officers in crime novels and stories. Recent portrayals: Darlings, Buckingham Murders, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dahaad, Mirzapur... Panelists: Sriram Raghavan (Award-winning filmmaker), Smita Singh (Screenwriter & Showrunner), Reshu Nath (Screenwriter), Aparna Purohit (CEO Aamir Khan Productions). Moderator: Ankita Kumar.
Talk: Blurring the Lines
Marketing crime stories that blend genres (crime-romance, literary thrillers, cozy mysteries) to cater to wider audiences and appeal to cross section of age groups: Ashwin Sanghi.
Chasing the Brigand
Padma Shri Former DGP TN Shri K Vijay Kumar in conversation with journalist Rakesh Goswami.
Book Launch: Rakesh Goswami
Rakesh Goswami in conversation with S Ramachandran. Launch by Sriram Raghavan.
HUMOUR IN HOMICIDE
Injecting wit, humour and irony in dark crime stories—how writers craft this to ensure gravitas of the crime is not diluted, yet elements are added to keep audiences engaged and involved in the screenplay. How actors use their craft to lend relief to dark stories without diluting their characters. Take of real-life investigators into the addition of such elements. Risk of glorification of crime, criminals and the underworld. Panelists: Jasmeet Reen, Bilal Siddiqui, Kirti Kulhari, Abhijeet Deshpande. Moderator: S Ramachandran.
In Conversation: Courage Under Fire
Featuring former NSG commando Lucky Singh Bisht and Kashif Mashaik.
Talk: Contribution to a Crime-Free Society
Talk by Sangram Singh on fighting crime and contribution of a citizen to a crime-free society.
Persons of Interest
The Mastermind
CASE DOSSIER #01
S. Hussain Zaidi: India’s foremost crime writer and veteran investigative journalist. He began his career with The Asian Age, and has gone on to build a body of work that has shaped India’s most acclaimed crime narratives on Mumbai’s underworld, organised crime and terror. His writings include the deeply researched and deftly written books Black Friday, Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia, My Name Is Abu Salem, Mafia Queens of Mumbai and Dawood’s Mentor . Several of his writings have been converted to films and series including hugely acclaimed films like Black Friday and Shootout at Wadala , series Bard of Blood, Scoop and Bambai Meri Jaan.
Beyond his own writing, Zaidi has mentored a new generation of crime and true-crime authors through Blue Salt Media, his publishing imprint run in collaboration with Penguin India.
It is this decades-long immersion in the genre of crime and investigation that has led Zaidi to envision the Mumbai International Crime Literature Fest. Through this fest, he creates and opens a stage of crime novelists, screenwriters, police officers and storytellers who continue to shape how India reads, views and understands crime.
#Notable Works
The Sleuths
INVESTIGATIVE LINEUPCONFIRMED GUEST WRITERS, FILMMAKERS & INVESTIGATORS // CASE DOSSIERS
Behind the scene
CORE FESTIVAL SQUADFESTIVAL DIRECTORS, ORGANISERS & EXECUTIVE SQUAD // CLEARANCE PROFILES
Register to Attend
Expression of interest in attending the Mumbai International Crime Literature Fest • 14 & 15 Nov 2026 • Hotel Radisson Blu, Mumbai
Delegate Registration Form
Authorized admission docket for delegates, writers, and crime literature enthusiasts.
Mumbai International Crime Literature Festival
Book your hotel
Secure festival quarters at Hotel Radisson Blu, Mumbai. Dedicated author and delegate suites.
Collaborate with us
Write to us to collaborate with us on the festival.
WRITE TO USNews
Evidence wall: Gallery
Photographic exhibits from case archives. Click any item to inspect under forensic magnification.
Press Coverage
Torn news wire despatches, crime reporter accounts, and editorial columns.
“Underworld history and investigative craft take center stage as India's celebrated crime storytellers assemble at Radisson Blu for MICLF 2026.”
“S. Hussain Zaidi creates a one-of-a-kind crucible where real-life sleuths and novelists deliberate on unsolved mysteries and reel crime adaptations.”