Laksh Maheshwari Interview
Stories are not just meant to be told—they are meant to be lived, to change us, and to remind us of the truths we often forget.
Q. You call yourself a ‘Story Archeologist.’ For readers discovering you for the first time, how do you define that, and what inspired you to embrace this title?
I call myself a “Story Archaeologist” because, like an archaeologist digging into the earth to uncover hidden treasures, I dig into people’s lives, emotions, and experiences to uncover the stories buried within them. Every person, every moment, every silence carries a story, we just need to listen closely enough to bring it to light.
The inspiration came from my own journey. After wandering through multiple professions, I realized that stories had always been at the core of everything I did. They were my constant companions, waiting to be unearthed. Embracing this title was my way of honoring the depth and beauty of storytelling, because it’s never just about creating a story, it’s about discovering the ones that already exist within us.
Q. Your trilogy, The Descendants, moves between mythology and sci-fi. What draws you to ancient stories in futuristic contexts?
What draws Me and Ashish Kavi to mythology is its timeless wisdom, and what excites us about sci-fi is its limitless possibilities. When we bring the two together, we get to explore how ancient truths can shape futuristic worlds.
The Descendants trilogy does exactly that. It reimagines age-old myths in a world of advanced technology and cosmic battles, showing that no matter how far humanity evolves, our oldest stories continue to guide, challenge, and inspire us.
Q. Born with one arm and fearlessly owning it—what role does physical limitation play in shaping the power and authenticity of your storytelling?
Being born with one arm has never felt like a limitation, it has been a lens. It taught me early on that strength isn’t about appearances, it’s about perspective. When I step on stage, I don’t hide it; I own it. That honesty creates an instant connection because the audience doesn’t just hear my stories, they feel the lived truth behind them.
In many ways, my difference became my authenticity. It reminds people that imperfection is not a weakness, it’s a story in itself. And perhaps that’s why my storytelling resonates: it comes from a place where vulnerability and courage walk hand in hand.
Q. What’s the most surprising or life-changing story you’ve stumbled upon in your research?
The most life-changing story I stumbled upon wasn’t in a book, but in a small village where an old man told me, “We don’t die when our body stops, we die when our stories stop being told.” That single line reshaped how I look at storytelling. It reminded me that stories are not just entertainment, they are a way of keeping people, cultures, and memories alive. Since then, I’ve seen every story as a form of immortality.
Q. Your performances like Ishq Sufiyana and Main Tenu Phir Milangi feel soul- stirring and meditative. What is the alchemy that makes a story not just heard, but deeply felt?
The magic of storytelling lies in visualization. A good story isn’t something you just hear. It’s something you see unfolding inside your mind. When I perform pieces like Ishq Sufiyana or Main Tenu Phir Milangi, I don’t just narrate words, I paint pictures. I want you to see the lover’s eyes, feel the silence between two breaths, or walk through the landscapes the characters inhabit.
The alchemy happens when words stop being words and become emotions, images, and sensations. That’s when a story shifts from your ears to your heart. Storytelling is not about performing to an audience, it’s about creating a space where they can live the story with you.
Q. In a world that’s always scrolling, how do you make poetic, slow-burning stories thrive among clips and trends?
It’s true—we live in a world of reels, swipes, and 30-second trends. But what I’ve learned is that even in this fast-paced culture, people secretly crave depth. Poetic, slow-burning stories thrive because they offer something rare: stillness.
While trends give momentary excitement, stories give lasting resonance. I don’t try to compete with the scroll. I create an oasis within it. When someone pauses to listen, even for a few minutes, they realize the calm and connection they didn’t know they were missing. That pause is where storytelling wins.
Q. As someone who unearths old tales, if you could preserve just one forgotten tale for the next 500 years, which would it be and why?
If I could save one story for the next 500 years, it would be the forgotten love stories, those that were never written down but lived quietly in people’s hearts. Stories of two people who loved deeply but never made it into history books.
Because no matter how much the world changes, love is what keeps us human. And I feel that even 500 years from now, people will still need the reminder that in the end, it’s not power or success, but love that truly lasts.
Q. And for fun—if your storytelling were a cinematic genre, what would it be, and who would play you on screen?
If my storytelling were a movie, it would be a mix of drama and magic, where real life meets something a little dreamy. A film you don’t just watch, but also feel in your heart.
And if someone had to play me on screen, I’d choose Ayushmann Khurrana. He brings honesty and emotion into every role, and that’s what I try to bring into my stories too.
Bio:
Laksh Maheshwari, known online as Single Handedly, is a renowned Story Archeologist born in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, who transformed from a finance analyst into India’s most magnetic storyteller. With soulful performances like Ishq Sufiyana and Main Tenu Phir Milangi, he weaves tales that make time slow and hearts open. Laksh’s minimalist yet powerful narratives—rooted in mythology, poetry, and human emotion—have won him a dedicated audience and a growing literary presence through his Penguin-published trilogy, The Descendants, now poised for a screen adaptation.
Interviewed by: Divya Darshini
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