The Story Behind Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal: A Fresh Reimagining of an Indian Legend
Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal is an original mythology-fantasy concept created by Indian writer Shrikant Vishwakarma, a well-known storyteller with over 14 years of professional experience in television, mythology, and fantasy writing.
The idea for the story was born during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Like many creators who found inspiration during that challenging period, Shrikant began exploring a fresh way to reinvent one of India's most beloved legendary tales—Vikram and Betal.
Instead of retelling the classic story in its traditional form, he imagined an entirely new concept: a young Prince Vikram and a child-like Little Demon Betal. Rather than portraying Vikram as a great king and Betal as the mysterious spirit from folklore, Shrikant reintroduced both characters as children, creating a magical adventure designed for modern readers while preserving the charm of Indian mythology.
This creative twist gave birth to Little Demon Betal, a playful yet mysterious young spirit, alongside Little Prince Vikram, a brave and intelligent child destined for greatness. The combination transformed an ancient legend into a fresh fantasy adventure suitable for children, families, and mythology enthusiasts alike.
At the time, very few writers had explored the idea of presenting both Vikram and Betal as child protagonists. Shrikant Vishwakarma developed this original vision into a complete novel and independently published it on Amazon Kindle, where the book has continued to find readers who appreciate its imaginative storytelling and unique interpretation of Indian mythology.
The journey of Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal took an exciting turn when the book caught the attention of an editor from Orbit, an imprint of the Hachette UK publishing group. After discovering the Kindle edition, the editor contacted Shrikant directly via email to express interest in the concept and discuss the possibility of publishing the work internationally.
According to the feedback shared with the author, the editor found the premise particularly distinctive. The idea of transforming both Vikram and Betal into young protagonists was considered a refreshing and original approach to a timeless Indian legend, demonstrating how classic mythology can be reimagined for a new generation of readers.
For any independent author, being approached directly by an international publishing professional is a memorable milestone. Large publishing houses receive countless submissions every year, making such recognition especially meaningful. The opportunity marked an important moment in the journey of Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal and reflected the growing global interest in original stories inspired by Indian mythology.
Beyond the novel itself, Shrikant Vishwakarma has always envisioned Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal as a much larger creative universe. The digital intellectual property (IP)—including potential OTT series, animated adaptations, and film rights—remains with the author, who has long planned to develop the story into screen entertainment while expanding its reach to audiences around the world.
With its imaginative world-building, youthful heroes, and fresh interpretation of a legendary tale, Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal represents a modern chapter in Indian mythology storytelling—one that bridges traditional folklore with contemporary fantasy for readers of all ages.
Independent Indian mythology and fantasy writer Shrikant Vishwakarma has reached an exciting milestone in his writing journey. His original children's fantasy novel, Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal, recently attracted the attention of an editor from Orbit, the renowned science fiction and fantasy imprint of Hachette UK.
The interest is particularly significant because the novel was originally self-published on Amazon Kindle after being conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
A New Vision of the Vikram-Betal Legend
While the legendary tales of King Vikram and Betal have been retold for generations, Shrikant Vishwakarma imagined something completely different.
His creative question was simple yet powerful:
"What if Vikram and Betal were both children?"
That single idea became the foundation of an entirely original mythology-fantasy adventure featuring Little Prince Vikram and Little Demon Betal. Instead of presenting Vikram as the legendary king and Betal as the ancient spirit, the story reimagines both iconic characters as young protagonists embarking on magical adventures.
This fresh interpretation gives classic Indian mythology a modern identity that appeals to today's young readers while preserving the spirit of the original folklore.
Born During the Pandemic
The concept was developed in 2020 during the coronavirus lockdown, when Shrikant spent months exploring new fantasy ideas inspired by Indian mythology.
Rather than simply retelling an existing legend, he created an original universe built around child versions of Vikram and Betal. The story was eventually completed and independently published as a Kindle edition on Amazon.
Since its release, the book has continued to attract readers who appreciate mythology, fantasy, and imaginative storytelling.
An Unexpected Email from Hachette UK's Orbit
One of the most memorable moments in the book's journey came when an editor from Orbit (Hachette UK) discovered the Kindle edition and contacted Shrikant Vishwakarma directly by email.
According to the author, the editor appreciated the originality of the concept and noted that turning both Vikram and Betal into child protagonists was a fresh and distinctive creative direction. The editor expressed interest in exploring the possibility of publishing the work internationally.
For an independent Indian author, receiving direct communication from a major international publisher represents an important professional milestone. Large publishing houses receive thousands of submissions every year, making such recognition especially meaningful.
More Than a Book
For Shrikant Vishwakarma, Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal has always been more than a novel.
From the very beginning, he envisioned the story as a larger entertainment franchise with the potential to expand into animation, OTT streaming series, feature films, graphic novels, and global publishing.
The digital intellectual property (IP), including OTT, animation, and film adaptation rights, continues to remain with the author.
A New Chapter Begins
Whether as a children's fantasy novel or a future screen adaptation, Chhota Vikram & Baal Betal demonstrates how India's timeless mythology can be reimagined for a new generation of readers around the world.
With international interest now surrounding the project, Shrikant Vishwakarma's unique vision of Little Prince Vikram and Little Demon Betal may soon begin an exciting new chapter beyond India, introducing one of the country's most beloved legends to a global audience through an entirely fresh perspective.
shrikantvishwakarmaa@gmail.com
