In a world where fiction often leans into either intense realism or complete fantasy, P. G. Bhaskar finds his sweet spot in the middle—serving up humor, heart, and a satirical mirror to the Indian middle-class dream. Based in Dubai, Bhaskar wears two hats with ease: one of a financial professional, and the other of an author who delights in chronicling the absurdities of modern urban life—especially from the perspective of the Indian diaspora.
His breakout novel, Jack Patel’s Dubai Dreams, is a light, witty take on the great Indian ambition—how to escape small-town realities and make it big in a glamorous city abroad. Through sharp humor and self-deprecating characters, Bhaskar offers an entertaining and quietly reflective commentary on aspiration, identity, and the global desi experience.
✦ The Man Behind the Words
Though not traditionally trained in literature, P. G. Bhaskar’s professional life has deeply influenced his creative output. With a background in finance and a career in wealth management, he brings firsthand experience to his fictional settings. His understanding of Dubai’s expat ecosystem—filled with Indians chasing dreams, juggling double lives, and navigating cultural contradictions—lends authenticity to his storytelling.
Bhaskar’s writing is unmistakably Indian-English, filled with local flavor, Hinglish expressions, and middle-class references that are instantly relatable to a vast audience of readers from the subcontinent.
✦ Jack Patel’s Dubai Dreams – A Satirical Coming-of-Age
★ Plot Summary:
The novel follows Jack Patel, a young man from a modest Indian background who lands a lucrative job in Dubai. He imagines a life filled with success, luxury, and prestige. But what awaits him is a rollercoaster of disappointments, misunderstandings, and laugh-out-loud scenarios. From fussy landlords and strange co-workers to romantic misadventures and culture shock, Jack’s life is anything but the dream he envisioned.
The book doesn’t rely on twists or suspense; its strength lies in character-driven humor and a plot that mirrors real-life expat struggles in a dramatized way.
★ Tone & Style:
Bhaskar’s writing style is breezy, sarcastic, and unpretentious. He doesn’t attempt literary flourishes; instead, he keeps things crisp and conversational. Think of it as reading the inner monologue of a witty friend telling you about his crazy office or his awkward date over chai. It’s this familiarity and warmth that makes his storytelling approachable and fun.
✦ Themes and Cultural Relevance
- The Great Indian Dream: Bhaskar taps into the collective Indian psyche—the urge to “make it big,” especially in the Gulf. Jack Patel is a representative of millions who leave home, only to find that dreams come wrapped in strange, often ridiculous, packaging.
- Middle-Class Aspirations: From rented apartments to second-hand furniture, and from nosy landlords to budget cooking, Bhaskar portrays middle-class life with authenticity and affection.
- Workplace Culture: The corporate world in Dubai, as seen through Jack’s eyes, is both absurd and believable. Office politics, power trips, and identity crises are painted with a comedic lens.
- Romance & Misadventure: Jack’s romantic attempts are hilariously awkward, echoing the confused desi male trope without becoming cliché.
✦ Bhaskar’s Broader Work
Following the success of Jack Patel’s Dubai Dreams, Bhaskar wrote a sequel titled Jack is Back in Corporate Carnival, which continues Jack’s journey in the corporate maze. He also penned So Who Says I’m Middle Class?, a humorous collection that reads almost like a stand-up comic riffing on Indian life. These works continue Bhaskar’s signature blend of self-deprecating humor, light satire, and slice-of-life realism.
✦ Final Thoughts
P. G. Bhaskar may not be a household name in literary circles, but he’s carved a niche as a chronicler of the everyday Indian dreamer. His fiction is a gentle nudge to laugh at ourselves, even when life doesn’t quite go our way.
Jack Patel’s Dubai Dreams is a perfect pick for readers who want something light, witty, and deeply rooted in Indian sensibilities. It’s not just a story about a man in Dubai—it’s about every Indian who’s tried to chase a bigger life, and the comic detours they find along the way.
