The Spider

Forthcoming in June 2025.

A tale of mercenaries and myths, set amid the political turmoil of Bengal.

In the largely undocumented sphere of eastern Indian political violence, Qadir the Spider is a mythological killer and casanova, known for the various assassinations and liaisons he carries out across the region. His oldest son Rahim is the latest entry to the field. A 13-year-old killer, the boy bides his time like his father, killing, farming and getting high as the battles go on around him. In this world where they only follow orders, mutilation becomes their only expression, the nature of violence their only meaningful form of autonomy in the various power struggles of interior Bengal.

After his first year in the field, as the child is groomed by his father to carry on the ways of their mercenary clan, he begins to confront the various legends surrounding the Spider. However, while wandering the strange, spectral forests surrounding the town, his chance encounter with a pair of wandering musicians lead him to question the killings that pattern his life. As he searches for the answers around him, he is slowly led to confront the man his father truly is, as well as the man he knows he will become.