Abhirup Dhar: Books, Biography, Interview & Reading Guide

Abhirup Dhar: Chronicling Fear, the Paranormal, and the Unknown

Abhirup Dhar has carved out a distinctive place in contemporary Indian writing by blending horror, supernatural investigation, and real-world paranormal cases into compelling narratives. Known for his bestselling books rooted in the work of the Indian Paranormal Society (IPS), Dhar writes with an eerie authenticity that resonates with readers curious about the unexplained.

Quick Facts

Name: Abhirup Dhar
Nationality: Indian
Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Non-Fiction, Supernatural Investigation
Notable Association: Indian Paranormal Society (IPS)
Based In: Mumbai (originally from Kolkata)

Biography

Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and discovered his passion for storytelling early in life. While pursuing a professional career in banking, he continued to write — first exploring general fiction and later moving into horror and the paranormal. Over time, Dhar’s horror novels and paranormal investigations have topped bestseller charts in India, earning praise from filmmakers and media alike.

Dhar’s journey into horror writing was marked by a shift from lighter genres to darker, more mysterious content. With the success of books like Hold That Breath! and The Belvoirbrooke Haunting, he established himself as one of India’s most prominent voices in horror. His work has been endorsed by filmmakers such as Vikram Bhatt and Sunil Bohra, and several stories have attracted interest from screen adaptation projects.

Writing Style and Themes

Dhar’s writing blends fictional suspense with documented paranormal investigation. He often collaborates with the Indian Paranormal Society — an organization founded in 2009 by paranormal investigator Gaurav Tiwari — to bring real cases of hauntings and unexplained phenomena into narrative form. The emphasis on actual investigative encounters gives his books a grounded yet chilling feel that sets them apart from conventional horror fiction.

Common themes in his work include the nature of fear, the unknown aspects of human experience, and the emotional impact of supernatural encounters. Rather than relying solely on sensationalism, Dhar’s stories often explore the psychological dimension of paranormal experiences, making them accessible to both horror fans and general readers.

Notable Works

Hauntings: Stories Based on Actual Paranormal Investigations

In Hauntings, Dhar curates some of the spine-chilling cases investigated by the Indian Paranormal Society. These stories span a variety of terrifying scenarios — from eerie high-rise buildings to small-town houses with unsettling histories. The book mixes narrative tension with the sense that many of these accounts are rooted in real investigation, making it a standout in Indian horror literature. You can read the book review here.

Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari — The Life and Legacy of India’s Foremost Paranormal Investigator

This book is both a biography and an exploration of paranormal research. Dhar collaborated with members of the IPS to document the life and work of Gaurav Tiwari, the organization’s founder. Through intimate accounts of some of their most unsettling cases, the book showcases Tiwari’s philosophy — “Knowledge cancels fear” — and provides a rare look at real paranormal investigation in India.

Screen Adaptations

Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Story on MX Player

The growing mainstream interest in paranormal investigation found a wider audience with the release of Bhay: The Gaurav Tiwari Story on MX Player. The series is inspired by the life and work of Gaurav Tiwari, founder of the Indian Paranormal Society, whose investigations reshaped how India viewed the supernatural — not as blind belief, but as a subject demanding inquiry, evidence, and rational thought.

Abhirup Dhar’s work plays a crucial role in preserving and contextualising Gaurav Tiwari’s legacy. Through books such as Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari — The Life and Legacy of India’s Foremost Paranormal Investigator and Hauntings, Dhar documented real cases investigated by the Indian Paranormal Society, many of which echo the themes and incidents depicted in the series.

While Bhay dramatises Tiwari’s journey for a visual medium, Dhar’s writing provides the deeper narrative foundation — exploring the emotional toll of paranormal investigation, the scepticism faced by investigators, and the philosophy that guided Tiwari’s work: that fear diminishes when confronted with knowledge. Together, the series and Dhar’s books offer complementary perspectives — one cinematic, the other literary — on a figure who continues to influence India’s paranormal discourse.

Earlier Horror and Fiction

Before fully embracing the paranormal genre, Dhar wrote works such as Once Again… With Love! and Stories Are Magical. He later moved into horror with Hold That Breath! and The Belvoirbrooke Haunting, both of which achieved commercial success and strengthened his reputation as a leading Indian horror writer.

Other Books by Abhirup Dhar:

Hold That Breath 2 – Review

The Belvoirbrooke Haunting – Review

Stories Are Magical

Karma

Indian Paranormal Society (IPS)

The Indian Paranormal Society (IPS) plays a central role in Dhar’s horror narratives. Founded by Gaurav Tiwari in 2009, IPS became one of the most recognized paranormal investigation groups in India, traveling across the country and beyond to examine haunting claims and unexplained phenomena. The society’s approach combines critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and field investigation, aiming to demystify the supernatural while documenting what remains unexplained.

In Dhar’s work, the IPS is not just a backdrop but a source of authentic paranormal lore that elevates his storytelling beyond fictional scare tactics.

Also Read: Author’s Journey: Abhirup Dhar

Cultural Impact

Abhirup Dhar’s writing has helped bring the paranormal investigation genre into mainstream Indian readership. His integration of real investigative work with narrative storytelling has broadened interest in supernatural themes and introduced new audiences to the idea of paranormal research grounded in documented cases.

His books have not only dominated bestseller charts but have also attracted attention from filmmakers and producers, with adaptation projects in development. Dhar’s dual role as writer and screenwriter further amplifies his influence across mediums.

Where to Start Reading

If you’re new to Abhirup Dhar’s work, a great place to begin is Hauntings: Stories Based on Actual Paranormal Investigations for its blend of real cases and narrative tension. Following that, Ghost Hunter: Gaurav Tiwari offers both biography and immersive paranormal investigation accounts. Together, these titles showcase Dhar’s unique approach to horror and the supernatural.

Legacy and Future

Abhirup Dhar continues to expand his repertoire, combining horror, real paranormal investigation, and cultural curiosity. His ongoing collaborations with filmmakers and interest in exploring the unknown ensure his place as a defining voice in Indian paranormal literature.

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