Bitter Chocolate is a book written by journalist and author Pinki Virani, published in 2000.
We have adapted several case studies from the book and constructed a narrative-based
show with subtle performances.
Bitter Chocolate provides an unapologetic and honest look at the rampant problem of child
sexual abuse in our country. Both the book and the author Pinki Virani have won the National
Award. This book is the first of its kind in the Indian sub-continent not only on the subject of child
sexual abuse, but also including previously unrevealed case studies and long term side effects.
It has broken Indian publishing records in non-fiction by recently celebrating its silver jubilee
edition. Pinki Virani has also been lauded internationally for being the first person, and woman,
in the Indian sub-continent to stand up publicly and bravely talk about the sexual abuse in her
childhood which included incest and rape. She has worked with three central governments
and bureaucrats to ensure a set of strict laws against child sexual abuse. The law Protection of
Children from Sexual Offenses Act passed in 2012, includes four of her suggestions.