How a basement bookshop in Pune has been stocking tales from near and far

Book World cannot be seen from the road. You have to take the steps right down to the basement -- and open yourself to the magic of stories.

Jugal Chandan, Narendra Chandan, Anand Chandan & the Book World Team.

On FC Road, which bustles with the latest trends in fashion and lifestyle through the hours, there is a cosy bookshop where the clock appears to have stopped. You can find Book World if you are looking for it or you might stumble upon it like an adventure you didn’t expect.

Book World cannot be seen from the road. You have to take the steps right down to the basement — and open yourself to the magic of stories. Unlike chain stores packed with merchandise, the focus here is on the written word. The poetry of Charles Bukowski might greet you as you enter and you will encounter Nobel laureates Han Kang and Annie Ernaux, as well as RK Laxman, Jhumpa Lahiri and Richard Osman while there.

Readers walk around the shelves, picking up and reading blurbs and pages before deciding just as they used to do before books went digital.

Readers walk around the shelves, picking up and reading blurbs and pages before deciding just as they used to do before books went digital. As if busting a myth about reducing the appeal of printed books among the youth, Book World is almost always packed with students and young adults.

“After Covid, people shifted to reading print, possibly because they are tired of screens. We are surrounded by colleges and young people come looking for fiction or works of philosophy,” says Narendra Chandan, founder of the store. His business model is to focus on the reader and provide classics, literary works and even rare titles for the discerning reader.

The story of Book World starts with a raddi shop that was run by Chandan’s father, Dharsi Chandan, on FC Road. As a young man, Chandan saw that second-hand magazines and books were in demand among readers. He converted that store into a bookstore almost 45 years ago.

“Book World opened at its present location in 1996. During that time, Pune bookstores had a counter where people could ask for a title and shop assistants would hand these over. Book World decided to bring people into the store so that they could go around and pick up books to buy,” says Chandan.

He also put variety and quality over quantity, so that a cerebral work is given a better display than a trending bestseller. A number of out-of-print books are also painstakingly sourced and kept for readers. Book World also has a policy of maintaining a well-stocked old books section, which is a hit with student readers on a budget.

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E-commerce is a major challenge for standalone, old-school bookstores such as Book World. Online shopping has created a buying behaviour in which readers come across a title at a store, check the price online, where discounts are higher, and prefer to buy online than from a store. The charming book-buying experience at Book World landed the bookstore in difficult times around 2014. Chandan decided to clear the stock and pull down the shutters. Readers, however, opposed this move and encouraged Chandan to stay afloat.

Covid came with a twist in the tale and, though many small businesses sank, books saw rising demand. Book World was constantly getting calls and deliveries were going out across the city. “After that, people just kept coming to the store,” says Chandan.

Jugal Chandan, the son of the owner, is now planning the next chapters of the store. “There are challenges but we will always keep a good collection of books, including titles that you might not get elsewhere,” he says.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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