Yann Martel on Life of Pi and the stories we tell ourselves

Feb 15, 2026

Yann Martel, Canadian novelist best known for Life of Pi, discusses faith, storytelling, translations, and new books. He revisits Life of Pi’s two endings and how age and technology might reshape Pi’s voice. He reflects on his shift from rationalism to spiritual openness, the challenges of translation, and experiments with form and memory in upcoming projects.

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INSIGHT

Two Stories Force A Reader's Choice

The novel intentionally offers two competing interpretations to force reader judgment.
Martel frames Life of Pi as a democratic novel where readers 'vote' on faith versus rationality.

ANECDOTE

India Changed His View On Faith

Yann Martel recounts becoming interested in religion after a trip to India, shifting from hardcore rationalism.
That experience softened his stance and opened him to faith and 'magical thinking' in art.

INSIGHT

Material Wealth Can Erode Spiritual Life

Material wealth risks overshadowing spiritual depth as societies modernize.
Martel hopes India finds balance and warns unchecked materialism harms environment and soul.

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Canadian author Yann Martel talks about his Booker Prize winning novel, Life of Pi, a fantastical and philosophical tale of a boy stranded on a boat with a tiger, the power of faith, and how stories help us make sense of the world.

What happens when a boy, a Bengal tiger, and the vast Pacific Ocean become an unlikely story of survival and faith? Canadian author Yann Martel revisits his Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi and discusses what it may look like if written today. Pi would be in his sixties - how might he tell his story with the wisdom that comes with age? This is The Next Edition of one of literature's most beloved stories.

Foreword: Yann talks about how his novel has been received. He discusses the debates readers have between the two endings, and if there’s a “right” one.

Epigraph: Once a hardcore rationalist, a trip to India opened Yann to faith and spirituality. In this episode, he reflects on the novel’s origins, imagines how Pi’s story might shape up in today’s world, and expresses increasing concerns about the rise of materialism and makes a quiet case for holding on to faith.

Author’s Note: Winning the prestigious Booker Prize helped Yann connect with readers across the globe. He talks about keeping Life of Pi alive through its many iterations – on the screen, on stage and in translations.

Epilogue: What's next? Can technology nurture creativity? What different formats is Yann experimenting with in his writing? And, will Pi return to India someday?

Featured Clips in this episode:

Life of Pi (2012), directed by Ang Lee

Credits:

Host: Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.

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This is a Maed In India Production

Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Producers: Rachna Sukuru, Meghna Gulati

Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar

Artwork: Alika Gupta