Bollywood actor, author, and filmmaker Jugal Hansraj has confirmed that the third book of his young adult fantasy fiction trilogy with HarperCollins will be released in the first half of 2026. The book, he revealed, draws inspiration from Nichiren Daishonin’s guidance based on the Lotus Sutra.

In an exclusive interview with South Asian Herald during his visit to Boston, on August 10, Hansraj shared, “I’m doing a trilogy for HarperCollins, and this is young adult fantasy fiction. I have two books I’ve already released. They’ve been very well received.”

Hansraj debuted as an author in 2022 with The Coward and The Sword, followed by the sequel The Jewel of Nisawa in 2024. “I’ve written it more out of straight from the heart, not taking commercial considerations,” he said. “I wrote the first book, and then I went to publishers to pitch it, because I wanted to write it not with anyone sitting on my head and telling me what I should write.”

Although set in imaginary kingdoms with fictional characters, Hansraj said the themes are deeply influenced by his study and practice of Buddhism, as well as the writings of Daisaku Ikeda. 

“I’ve tried to take one particular theme in each of the three books, and from there weave a whole story and adventure around it with young protagonists and their own fears and own lack of confidence,” he explained.

He said the first book was inspired by a quote from Nichiren Daishonin’s writings that struck a profound chord with him: “A sword is useless in the hands of a coward.” Hansraj reflected, “Everything begins within yourself. All the solutions to the problems we face are actually within ourselves. The other things are just tools and just means to overcome them, but actually what you need is the courage from within.”

According to him, the second book tackled the self-confidence struggles many teenagers face, rooted in another Daishonin quote: “They not only mistake mere stones for jewels, but, faced with jewels, call them stones.” 

Hansraj explained, “A lot of people without value are considered to have value, and people with real value are not. So, there’s always no way to spot the difference and believe in your own value. You don’t need validation from someone else. That was one of the themes of the second book.”

Aimed at readers aged 12 and above, Hansraj said the trilogy is designed for those formative teenage years. “That’s when you need some affirmation, some kind of positive direction to lead, which I got quite late in my life with the writings of Daisaku Ikeda. But, I wish I had them earlier. This is my humble way of putting one drop in the ocean, of taking lessons I have learned from and trying to condense them in a very entertaining format.”

Open to speaking about his books at side events during the United Nations General Assembly in September, Hansraj believes the themes have universal resonance. 

“The first book has an anti-war theme, and the second book deals with a lot of elements of greed and what it does to the environment and to the human spirit,” he said.

Hansraj has also been busy in front of the camera. “Post-COVID I’ve been acting quite actively,” he said. In 2021, he appeared alongside Anupam Kher in Shiv Shastri Balboa, filmed in the U.S., and later joined the cast of Netflix’s hit teen series Mismatched, playing a “very fun part” in seasons two and three.

Earlier this year, he starred in Nadaaniyan, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, sharing the screen with Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhry, and others. “It was a wonderful experience, and people appreciated me for whatever I did in the film. So that’s encouraging for me,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Hansraj said he has three more projects lined up, including Family Man Season 3, premiering on Amazon Prime in October, along with additional releases in 2026.

Reflecting on his work from the 1980s and 1990s, Hansraj said, “I think two or three films that really resonate even today, going by the reaction I even got amongst the Indian community during the Boston Independence Day celebrations.” Hansraj was the grand marshal 4th International India Day Parade hosted by the Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA) – New England on August 10, in Boston. 

Talking about patriotic songs played during the Independence Day celebrations, he also fondly recalled his role in Subhash Ghai’s patriotic epic Karma, featuring Dilip Kumar, Nutan Samarth, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, and Anupam Kher. “I played the youngest son in the movie,” he said.

Hansraj also reminisced about Masoom (1983), directed by Shekhar Kapur. “I think everyone considers it a classic. I’m just so happy to be a part of Indian film history. People still remember that movie very fondly.” He also cited Papa Kahte Hain and Mohabbatein as memorable films as well.

“Now all this stuff I’m doing, which is more for the younger generation, on Netflix and Amazon Prime. It’s been an interesting journey with ups and downs,” he said.

Hansraj lives in New York with his wife, Jasmine Hansraj, an investment banker, and their seven-year-old son. 

“I moved to New York after my son was born and went back to freelance acting. I’m also an author. Whenever there’s an acting assignment, I fly down to wherever the location might be. I do my bit, and I come back home to my family and lead a regular life, which I really enjoy,” he shared. 

Related posts:

FIA-NE’s 4th International India Day Parade Unites Communities in Celebration of Freedom, Unity, and Heritage Bollywood Star Jugal Hansraj to Lead FIA-NE’s 4th International India Day Parade in Boston  Abhaya: Breaking the Silence About Crimes Against Women A Kids Book About Diwali – the Festival of Lights