(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) Bestselling author Amish looks forward to reaching a wider audience as his works are picked up by Hollywood and Bollywood
WHAT MAKES A successful writer? Should you pander to trending tastes and pen a reader-friendly novel or channel your innermost thoughts and put yourself out there? What makes a great story great? In a chat with City Times prior to his appearance at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2014, Amish Tripathi (commonly referred to by his first name alone), bestselling author of the Shiva Trilogy, revealed some fixed ideas on the subject.
“You should write with the honesty of your heart. Don’t care whether others will like the book or not,” he said by way of offering advice to aspiring authors.
“Writing isn’t really a well-paying profession. There are just a lucky few who can make a living from it. So it’s a good idea to have a proper job to pay your bills. Thirdly, once you have finished your book, you must market it properly. A good book doesn’t sell itself. That’s a fallacy.”
Amish doubtless counts himself among those lucky few – the Shiva Trilogy novels - The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras have not only become bestsellers but have also been lapped up by both Hollywood and Bollywood for film adaptations, a commendable feat for a debutant writer.
Unlike many authors who fear that the essence of their work may be lost in reel translation, Tripathi doesn’t seem overly concerned about that happening to the Shiva Trilogy.
“The medium is different. The amount of time available to communicate a story is less in a movie. Therefore there has to be an adaptation. I understand that. As long as the movie captures the soul of the book, I don’t think any author will complain.”
TINSELTOWN CALLING
The author said he “feels delighted” about the Indian film industry picking up the rights to his work. “I’ve been told by Karan Johar (who has contracted the Indian language movie rights) that he will make a movie that is worthy of Shiva. I’m sure he will.”
How involved is he in the film adaptations?
“I am creative consultant for both the Hollywood and the Bollywood productions. But I am not writing the script. My attention is focused on my next book series.”
He believes it’s “the attractiveness of Shiva” that has contributed to the popularity of the books. “There is a mood of rebellion and anti-elitism in India and around the world. And Shiva is the original anti-elitist, rebellious deity!”
Does he feel films will help him reach a wider audience?
“Of course they will. And I am very excited by the prospect of my books being converted into films.”
Commenting on Bollywood opting for more offbeat storylines, he said, “Indian film producers did pick up books and adapt them into movies in the 50s, 60s and 70s. The tradition started dying out in the 80s and 90s when movies were driven more by the stars and music, rather than stories. But in the last few years, the importance of stories has been increasingly realised. The opening of multiplexes has also opened up a new distribution opportunity for story-driven offbeat films. This is certainly a good development. We should have all genres of movies - from ‘masala’ blockbusters to story-driven films with messages.”
MYTHOLOGY BECKONS
Amish, who gave up a 14-year career in financial services to concentrate on writing, did not have an easy time getting publishers to consider his work.
“My books were rejected by every publisher they were sent to. They said that it’s a religious topic and conventional wisdom said that the youth aren’t interested in religion. I was told therefore that my book had no hope of success. At the end of it, my first book was self-published in partnership with my agent,” he said.
He attributed his interest in mythology to his background. “I was born in a very religious family. My grandfather was a Pandit in Benaras and a teacher - he taught Mathematics and Physics at Benaras Hindu University. Both my parents are also very religious. So I learnt much of what I know about mythology and religious philosophies from my family.”
Currently working on a new project, Amish said he would announce it in due course. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you the subject as yet. But this book series will also be based on an interpretation of mythology and ancient history.”
‘I LOVE THE ENERGY OF THE UAE’
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, to be held from March 4-8 at InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, will see Amish participate in two workshops ‘Can You Change Your Life’ and ‘The Making of the Shiva Trilogy’.
“I have visited the UAE a few times and I love the energy and vibrancy of the country. My earlier visits were usually on business or personal trips. This is the first time I’m attending a Litfest in the UAE. I’m looking forward to interacting with readers and other authors,” he said.
Event Details
What: Can You Change Your Life? Experts explore the assumptions central to the idea of personal change
With: Amish Tripathi, journalist/author Oliver Burkeman, clinical psychologist Anita Papas and author Andy Lake
When: Thursday, March 6
Tickets: Dhs65
What: The Making of The Shiva Trilogy – what made this book series the fastest selling in Indian history
With: Amish Tripathi
When: Friday, March 7
Tickets: Dhs65
See http://tickets.emirateslitfest.com/v-437-amish.aspx for more details
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