Vikram Chandra's Sacred Games out now

Mumbai: Vikram Chandra's much-awaited book Sacred Games is finally out.

A few words from the 900-page novel were enough to get the crowd at the formal launch of Sacred Games going gaga over it. And throughout the event, Chandra's family stood firmly by his side.

Said his sister and filmmaker Tanuja Chandra, "I knew this book was the big one. I told my mom so."

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who was also present at the launch said, "He's very good and even if he writes a book of 1000 pages, I'll try reading it. It's wonderful that we are a family of talented people."

Seeing the support that his family gave him, Vikram Chandra said, "I know it sounds a bit disgusting to say this, but we are a mutually supportive family."

So getting back to the book, should it be judged by its cover or by its size?

"Only the writer should judge the book by its cover and size," said writer and Vikram Chandra's sister Anupama Chopra.

"For me, when I look through the book, if something grabs my attention, that's my judgment point," added Vikram Chandra.

However, Tanuja Chandra was quick to add that the cover of the book was nothing less than fabulous.

But, everyone - the crowd at the launch and the family - agreed on one thing that the book was a big book.

The book, which has come out after six years of intensive research, takes forth the story of Sartaj Singh and is set in the murky underworld of Mumbai.

So readers can expect a great deal of tragedy and drama out of Sacred Games.