Delhi: Priyanshu Modi launches debut poetry collection at reading

Priyanshu Modi launched his debut poetry collection, *Poems For Cigarettes*, at a Delhi reading on August 14, marking 13 years of wanting to publish poetry.

The filmmaker, writer and creator said the evening brought friends and family together for an exchange of ideas and perspectives. “My book, *Poems For Cigarettes*, is all about empathy, intimacy, and everything personal,” Modi said.

The collection brings together poems written at different points in his life. It explores loneliness, relationships, mental health, dreams and hope through everyday moments and personal emotions, rather than conventional poetic forms.

Ahsan Vazir, Tanya Bedi, Tanishka Bahl, Aashi Sahni, Hardik Arora, Ruchika Methwani and Arshan Ahmed were among those at the reading.