KathrinChick016: adding basic post basic info

2026-03-03T12:31:16Z

adding basic post basic info

New page

{{short description|Indian author and screenwriter (born 1981)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox writer
| name =
| image = File:Satyarth Nayak.jpg
| caption = Nayak in 2015
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1981|10|29}}
| birth_place = [[Cuttack]], [[Odisha]], India<ref name="incredibleorissa">{{cite web|last=Incredible Orissa|title=Odisha's Satyarth Nayak writer of Sony's Porus|date=16 August 2017|url=https://incredibleorissa.com/satyarth-nayak-writer-sony-tv-series/}}</ref>
| occupation = Author, screenwriter
| alma_mater =
| notableworks = {{unbulleted list|''The Emperor's Riddles''|''[[Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess]]''|''Porus''}}
| awards =
}}
'''Satyarth Nayak''' (born 29 October 1981) is an Indian author and screenwriter known for his bestselling novel ''[[The Emperor's Riddles]]'', authoring the biography of [[Sridevi]]<ref name="TimesOfIndia">{{cite news |last=Times of India |title=Micro review: 'Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess' by Satyarth Nayak|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=4 January 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/reviews/micro-review-sridevi-the-eternal-screen-goddess-by-satyarth-nayak/articleshow/73081611.cms}}</ref> and for scripting Sony's historical television epic ''[[Porus (TV series)|Porus]]''. ''The Emperor's Riddles'' was a thriller<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news|last=The Hindu|title=Well Received|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 July 2014|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/well-received/article6177327.ece}}</ref><ref name="times1">{{cite news|last=Times of India|title=Satyarth Decodes Mysteries of Indian History |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=31 March 2015 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/Satyarth-decodes-some-mysteries-of-Indian-history/articleshow/46675375.cms}}</ref> that the media called "a hit with young readers".<ref name="express1">{{cite web|last=New Indian Express|title=When His Love For Writing Took Shape|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029154042/http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> ''Porus'' was one of the most expensive and acclaimed shows on Indian television.<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web |last=IndiaToday |title=5 reasons we are looking forward to watch the most expensive show of Indian TV, Porus|date=25 July 2017 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/5-reasons-we-are-looking-forward-to-watch-the-most-expensive-show-of-indian-tv-porus-lifetv-1026177-2017-07-25}}</ref> Satyarth's biography of screen Sridevi titled ''[[Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess]]'' published in 2019 by [[Penguin Random House]] was highly praised.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{cite web |last=NewIndianExpress |title=Sridevi's biographer Satyarth Nayak on the rise of the superstar |date=17 August 2019 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2019/aug/17/sridevis-biographer-satyarth-nayak-on-the-rise-of-the-superstar-2020192.html}}</ref><ref name="firstpost">{{cite web |last=Firstpost |title=Adulatory but insightful, Satyarth Nayak's biography of Sridevi goes deep into the world of the late superstar|date=7 February 2020|url=https://www.firstpost.com/living/adulatory-but-insightful-satyarth-nayaks-biography-of-sridevi-goes-deep-into-the-world-of-the-late-superstar-8007961.html}}</ref> Nayak has been named one of the Top 51 Indian authors to follow on Facebook.<ref name="writingtipsoasis">{{cite web |last=Writing Tips Oasis |title=51 Top Indian Authors to Follow on Facebook|date=11 May 2015|url=https://writingtipsoasis.com/51-top-indian-authors-to-follow-on-facebook/}}</ref>

==As author==
===''The Emperor's Riddles''===
[[File:Satyarth with Shobha De at Bangalore Lit Fest 2014.jpg|thumb|Satyarth with Shobha De at Bangalore Lit Fest 2014]]
The idea for ''The Emperor's Riddles'' was born out of a random Internet search by Nayak after reading the [[Dan Brown]] thriller ''[[Angels & Demons]]'' to find out if there was something similarly esoteric and mysterious hidden in the history of India. The yielded a conspiracy theory involving one of the greatest Emperors of ancient India. Nayak was intrigued by the Emperor's legend and the imperial secret believed to be still alive and functioning and decided to capture this story.<ref name="times1" /> The first draft took about six months and was ready in 2011. The manuscript was accepted by Red Ink Literary Agency and subsequently underwent another round of editing. The book was published by Amaryllis in 2012. The book was first released at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] in February 2014.<ref name="thehindu1" /> The book was praised by other mystery writers, with [[Amish Tripathi]] calling it "a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery", and [[Ashwin Sanghi]] describing it as "Intelligent, Intriguing, Imaginative, Intense". While ''[[The Times of India]]'' called it a "history meets mystery",<ref name="times1" /> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' called it "a gripping tale of intrigue" and lauded the book for its "taut narration and interesting climax".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hindustan Times|title=The Emperor's Riddles : A Book For Believers|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/the-emperor-s-riddles-a-book-for-the-believers/article1-1218341.aspx}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''HT Brunch'' magazine included the book in its Summer Reading List of 2014, calling it "a celebration of our great Indian civilisation and its scientific genius" and recommending it for those who like "riddles and cool mythological references".<ref>{{cite web|last=HT Brunch|title=The Brunch Summer Reading List|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527115734/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> [[Yahoo]] praised the book as an "extraordinary tale of riddles".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yahoo|title=Many hues of myths, mysteries and history|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/many-hues-myths-mysteries-history-050215073.html}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' described it as a "concoction of mystery, thriller, legend"<ref name="thehindu1" /> and a "national bestseller"<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news |last=TheHindu |title=Well Received|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 July 2014|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/well-received/article6177327.ece}}</ref> while ''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)|The Pioneer]]'' lauded how "history is being explored by the new-age writers like never before".<ref>{{cite web|last=The Pioneer|title=Thrilled To Bits|url=http://archive.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/2014-05-18-48261.html}}</ref> The ''[[New Indian Express]]'' declared the thriller "a hit with young readers" and said it "opened a completely different avenue for budding writers to experiment with".<ref name="express1" /> While ''[[English Vinglish]]'' director [[Gauri Shinde]] called the book "an acclaimed thriller" via [[Twitter]], the ''SpectralHues'' book review said the thriller's "shock twist towards the end makes you feel so ignorant" and that "a Christopher Nolan of the West or our very own Anurag Kashyap can pretty well give it a thought to bring The Emperor's Riddles to life on screen".<ref name="spectral">{{cite web |last=SpectralHues |title=A review of The Emperor's Riddles|date=3 December 2014 |url=http://www.spectralhues.com/books/book-reviews/2014/12/review-emperors-riddles/}}</ref> Since its release, ''The Emperor's Riddles'' has been likened to the mystery novels of [[Dan Brown]].<ref name="times1" /><ref name="thehindu" /> In an interview with ''[[The Times of India]]'', Nayak stated that "the fact that the book's earning comparisons with Dan Brown is overwhelming" and "If Brown has codes, my book has riddles."<ref name="times1" />

===''Venom''===
''Venom'' also won positive reviews. ''[[Times of India]]'' said that "the pure imagination behind the tale is riveting and the different elements of contemporary India the author includes just makes it more than a mytho-fiction",<ref>{{cite news|last=Times of India|title=Micro review Venom|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=7 January 2021 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/reviews/micro-review-venom-by-satyarth-nayak/articleshow/80136080.cms}}</ref> and ''[[Free Press Journal]]'' said that the book "slowly (but positively) spreads its poisonous tentacles of a gripping thriller that keeps readers hooked while checking on Google for the mythology references. It's thrilling!"<ref>{{cite web|last=Free Press Journal|title=Satyarth Nayak's Venom is a gripping thriller with a dash of Indian mythology|url=https://www.divicast.com/watch-tv/watch-law-and-order-special-victims-unit-1999-online-free-39517.2206624}}</ref>

===''Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess''===
[[File:Sridevi- The Eternal Screen Goddess (book launch in Delhi).jpg|thumb|Delhi Launch]]
[[File:Satyarth Nayak with Karan Johar.jpg|thumb|Satyarth Nayak with Karan Johar]]
In 2019, Nayak announced his first non-fiction book on India's superstar [[Sridevi]].<ref name="timesnow">{{cite web |last=TimesNow |title=Satyarth Nayak to write a book on legendary actor Sridevi|date=13 August 2019 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/news/people/article/satyarth-nayak-to-write-a-book-on-legendary-actor-sridevi-will-title-it-sridevi-girl-woman-superstar/468120}}</ref> The book ''[[Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess]]'' was published by [[Penguin Random House]] and backed by [[Boney Kapoor]]. ''The Times of India'' called it "a treat for any Bollywood fan"<ref name="TimesOfIndia"/> and ''[[The Hindu]]'' called it "an eminently readable account".<ref name="TheHindu">{{cite news |last=The Hindu |title='Sridevi, The Eternal Screen Goddess' review: Chronicle of a distant life|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 March 2020|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/sridevi-the-eternal-screen-goddess-review-chronicle-of-a-distant-life/article31050159.ece}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' described it as "rooted in honest love for its subject",<ref name="IndiaToday">{{cite web |last=Requiem for Her Dream|title=Requiem for Her Dream|date=6 June 2020 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20200615-requiem-for-her-dream-1685862-2020-06-06}}</ref> and ''[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]'' as "a convincing retelling of the actor's life".<ref name="theweek">{{cite web |last=The Week |title=Decoding an enigma|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2020/06/12/decoding-an-enigma.html}}</ref> ''[[Mid-Day]]'' described it as "diligently researched, deeply felt".<ref name="MidDay">{{cite web |last=Mid Day |title=Mystique That Lives On Still|date=26 February 2020|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/mystique-that-lives-on-still/22641273}}</ref> ''[[Vogue India]]'' called it "a rare insight into Sridevi"<ref name="VogueIndia">{{cite web |last=Vogue India |title=Sridevi's biography shares a rare insight into the late Bollywood actor's life|date=23 February 2020|url=https://www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/sridevi-biography-special-excerpt-bollywood-celebrities}}</ref> and ''[[Firstpost]]'' praised it as "that one work of literature one might seek out to decode Sridevi".<ref name="firstpost"/>

===''100 Tales from the Puranas''===
In July 2020, Nayak announced his first book on Indian mythology titled ''100 Tales from the Puranas'' to be published by [[Westland Books|Westland Press]]. Deepthi Talwar from [[Westland Books|Westland Press]] told the media "We're very excited about the collection that Satyarth has put together. He takes us through popular legends and lesser known stories from the Puranas, delving into the minds of several characters to psychoanalyse their actions."<ref name="TimesOfindia">{{cite news |last=Times of India |title=Satyarth Nayak's next book on Indian mythology to be published by Westland|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 July 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/satyarth-nayaks-next-book-on-indian-mythology-to-be-published-by-westland/articleshow/76852475.cms}}</ref> In October 2020, ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' featured the book on their list of highly anticipated books of 2021 saying "Dabbling into Indian mythology this time, he promises to write stories from the Puranas that still find resonance in today's time and impart the wisdom that can find relevance in our lives. Deep research has always been the base of Nayak's books so one can hope that this time too, he will not disappoint."<ref name="TheTelegraph">{{cite web |last=The Telegraph |title=A few books scheduled for 2021 that have us excited|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/a-few-books-scheduled-for-2021-that-have-us-excited/cid/1792616}}</ref> After [[Westland Books|Westland Press]] closed down in 2022,<ref name="EconomicTimes">{{cite news |last=Amazon shuts down the ‘homegrown’ Westland Books: Is it an alarm bell for India's publishing Industry, ask readers|title=Amazon shuts down the 'homegrown' Westland Books: Is it an alarm bell for India's publishing Industry, ask readers |newspaper=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/amazon-shuts-down-the-homegrown-westland-books-is-it-an-alarm-bell-for-indias-publishing-industry-ask-readers/articleshow/89294422.cms}}</ref> the book was then acquired by [[HarperCollins India]] who issued the statement that "We at Harper are excited to be publishing Satyarth's upcoming book based on the Puranas. The magnum opus will be a treat for fans of Indian mythology."<ref name="TimesofIndia">{{cite news |last=Satyarth Nayak's mythological magnum-opus to be published by HarperCollins|title=Satyarth Nayak's mythological magnum-opus to be published by HarperCollins - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 July 2022 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/satyarth-nayaks-mythological-magnum-opus-to-be-published-soon/articleshow/92752300.cms}}</ref>

==As screenwriter==
===Porus===

In 2017, Nayak joined [[Swastik Productions]] to write the screenplay for [[Porus (TV series)|Porus]] based on the story of [[Porus the Elder|Porus]] (King of [[Pauravas]]) and [[Alexander the Great|Alexander The Great]] ( King of [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]]).<ref name="orissadiary">{{cite web |last= |title=Satyarth Nayak from Odisha appointed as a lead writer for Sony's upcoming mega-budget historical TV series PORUS|work=Odisha Diary |date=14 August 2017 |url=http://orissadiary.com/satyarth-nayak-odisha-appointed-lead-writer-sonys-upcoming-mega-budget-historical-tv-series-porus/}}</ref> The show aired from 27 November 2017 to present on SET India. It is India's most expensive series with a budget of INR 500 crores (US$70 million).<ref name="midday">{{cite web |last=Midday |title=Porus: The most expensive Indian television show with a budget of Rs 500 million|date=25 July 2017 |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/porus-most-expensive-television-show-budget-500-million-alexander-television-news-mumbai/18452171}}</ref> It became India's first Global-TV series and also first Indian series to reach Japan. It has been dubbed and subbed in many languages and is already sold to over 11 countries and 14 territories. In Sri Lanka, it airs on [[Sirasa TV]], dubbed into [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]] under the name ''Digvijaya''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/production-house/post-production/porus-launched-as-digvijaya-in-sri-lanka-180202|title='Porus' launched as 'Digvijaya' in Sri Lanka|date=2 February 2018 |accessdate=February 2, 2018}}</ref> The rights to the drama have also been sold to Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.televisionpost.com/after-sri-lanka-swastik-productions-porus-travels-to-thailand/|title=After Sri Lanka, Swastik Productions' 'Porus' travels to Thailand|work=TelevisionPost |date=26 February 2018}}</ref> It is also dubbed in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as [[Maaveeran (1986 film)|Maaveeran]] which currently airs on Sun Life channel, [[Sun TV Network|Sun TV]] network from October 2018 onwards. The Malayalam version is titled ''Porus'' which currently airs on [[Surya TV]] from January 2019.

==Awards==

* Youth Inspiration Award (Literature) 2017<ref>{{cite web|last=orissadiary|title=Seventh Odisha Living Legend Award conferred|date=24 December 2017 |url=http://orissadiary.com/seventh-odisha-living-legend-award-conferred-dr-prativa-satpathy-dr-subash-pani-chaturbhuj-meher-kartik-majhi-etc-among-recipients/}}</ref>
* Shri Award for Men Achievers (Literature) 2016<ref>{{cite web|last=Pioneer|title=Men Achievers Felicitated in the City|url=http://www.pragativadi.com/7th-odisha-living-legend-award-conferred/}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nayak, Satyarth}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Cuttack]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]

Satyarth Nayak - Revision history

KathrinChick016: adding basic post basic info