Radhika Agrawal Brings the Realities of Modern Mumbai to Life in Not Safe For Work

Journalist-turned-author Radhika Agrawal has returned with her second novel, Not Safe For Work, offering readers a story that blends romance, workplace challenges and the emotional journey of building a life in Mumbai.

Published by Harper Fiction India, the novel follows the success of her debut, Red Flags And Rishtas, and explores the complexities of adulthood through the experiences of a young professional navigating ambition, relationships and city life.

Speaking about the book, Agrawal describes it as both a contemporary romance and a deeply personal tribute to Mumbai—a city she says shaped her early career while presenting equal measures of opportunity and challenge.

Inspired by Corporate Life and the Spirit of Mumbai

Agrawal revealed that the idea for Not Safe For Work emerged while she was working a full-time corporate job.

Observing office culture, workplace hierarchies, meetings and everyday professional interactions inspired many of the scenes that eventually became part of the novel.

While Mumbai was always intended to be the setting, the city gradually evolved into one of the story’s central characters.

Drawing from her own years as a young journalist living in Mumbai, Agrawal wanted to portray the city with honesty rather than romanticising its struggles.

She explained that although the novel celebrates Mumbai’s energy and resilience, it also reflects the realities of high living costs, demanding careers and the emotional challenges faced by newcomers.

Fiction Rooted in Familiar Emotions

The novel’s lead characters, Kavya and Neil, are fictional creations, but Agrawal says their personalities were influenced by real emotions and experiences she has observed throughout her life.

Kavya’s determination and journey as someone building a career in Mumbai share emotional similarities with the author’s own experiences, although Agrawal emphasizes that the character is not autobiographical.

By grounding fictional characters in relatable situations, she hopes readers will see parts of themselves reflected in their stories.

Bollywood References Add Familiar Charm

One of the distinctive features of Not Safe For Work is its frequent Bollywood references.

A self-described lifelong Hindi cinema enthusiast and devoted Shah Rukh Khan fan, Agrawal says film dialogues and iconic moments naturally become part of her conversations with close friends.

That same playful cultural connection shapes the chemistry between Kavya and Neil, allowing readers familiar with Bollywood to recognize shared references without explanation.

Among the inspirations she mentions is the song “Iktara” from Wake Up Sid, which she associates not only with romance but also with self-discovery and the emotional experience of falling in love with Mumbai itself.

Balancing Romance, Workplace Drama and Mystery

Agrawal says one of the biggest challenges while writing Not Safe For Work was combining several storylines within a single novel.

Alongside the romance, the book explores workplace politics, family dynamics, social differences and a mystery surrounding its protagonist.

Managing all these elements while maintaining a balanced narrative required careful planning, particularly because suspense was relatively new territory for her as a writer.

A Writing Process Driven by Inspiration

Discussing her creative routine, Agrawal candidly admits she does not follow a strict daily writing schedule.

Instead, she often spends long periods developing ideas before completing large sections of the manuscript in concentrated bursts of writing.

The first draft of Not Safe For Work took just over a year to complete, although she estimates the actual writing occupied only a few months.

She also acknowledged experiencing self-doubt following the success of her debut novel, saying that overcoming imposter syndrome became one of the biggest personal challenges during the writing process.

Looking Ahead

With Not Safe For Work, Radhika Agrawal continues to establish herself in contemporary Indian fiction by combining relatable relationships, modern workplace experiences and emotionally grounded storytelling.

The novel is aimed at readers who enjoy character-driven romances set against the backdrop of everyday urban life, while also exploring themes of identity, ambition and belonging.

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