At Sharjah Book Fair 2025, Prajakta Koli urged youth to separate real love from fictional romance and avoid toxic expectations.
SHARJAH: Popular YouTuber, actor and debut author Prajakta Koli delivered an eye-opening talk at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2025), cautioning young readers against confusing fictional romance with real-life relationships. Speaking to a largely Gen Z audience at Expo Centre Sharjah, Koli explored the need for self-awareness and realism in love.
Presenting her debut novel Too Good To Be True, Koli explained that characters like her book’s male lead Aman often embody idealised traits—wealthy, caring, and emotionally intelligent—that may set unrealistic standards. “Aman doesn’t have enough layers,” she admitted. “Characters in books should not be your benchmark for real partners.”
She added that toxic relationships, though often romanticised in novels, can be harmful in real life. “Beware of any relationship that holds you back or hinders your growth,” she advised.
Drawing inspiration from her own life and writing journey, Koli shared that the heroine Avni was partly inspired by her own personality. “I’m a shy writer,” she said. “There are things I hold so close that I find it hard to write them down.” She also mentioned she’d love to play Avni if the book were ever adapted into a film.
Reflecting on the creative process, she said the Covid-19 pandemic gave her the space to write long-form fiction. With guidance from her editor, she learned to simplify and structure her narrative effectively. “Having a support system made all the difference,” she said, crediting her family and friends.
Koli, who enjoys over 17 million followers online and has starred in Netflix’s Mismatched and Amazon Prime’s upcoming series Andhera, brings her characteristic authenticity and wit to the literary world. Her candid discussion encouraged young fans to prioritise emotional maturity and healthy expectations in relationships.
SIBF 2025, held under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’, is hosting over 300 cultural events and 750 creative workshops in Arabic and English, drawing authors and audiences from across the globe.
