"My writing has changed me as a person" - Utkarsh Srivastava
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
कानपुर शहर में जन्में उत्कर्ष श्रीवास्तव ने अपनी स्कूलिंग गोरखपुर से की और कोलकाता में मरीन इंजीनियरिंग में ग्रेजुएशन की डिग्री प्राप्त की| ग्रेजुएशन के दौरान दूसरे वर्ष में उन्होंने लिखना शुरू किया| चार खण्डों में फ़ैली रणक्षेत्रम शृंखला उनके लेखन करियर का आरंभ है| साथ ही उन्होंने कई नाटक भी लिखे हैं, जिनका मंचन हुआ| वर्तमान में उत्कर्ष फिल्म और टीवी के लिए स्क्रीनराइटिंग कर रहे हैं|
INTERVIEW:
Q. When did you first realize you wanted to write the Rankshetram Series?
It was started ten years ago when I wrote an amateur comic book type story and just kept it aside. After four years in 2015, I was so upset when I failed to gain a place in my college cricket team because that was my first love and will always be. Thereafter, for forgetting those harsh moments, and just for distraction, I decided to do something creative. I recalled those old characters which I had used in 2010 to write a novel kind of thing, and it was a friend named Aditya Narayan Sarkar who suggested a title named Rankshetram, after reading that story.
Q. Rankshetram Series is about Myths, Legends, and Sagas. What makes it so special?
Although I have written so many stories within the last two years, but in Rankshetram, I am not just using the knowledge of mythical and some thriller stories, but also the experience I had in my life. And that makes it so special for me. Regarding special things about stories, let the audience decide it.
Q. What was your experience of writing the Rankshetram Series?
Being honest, I would like to say that Rankshetram is not just a series, It is a life lesson for me, which has developed my character. When I published my first novel in 2016, I thought that I am the best, and there was no one who criticized my work.
And you know, pride is fuel to jealousy which could destroy you. But while writing continuously, reading other books and appreciating them, gradually reduced the level of vanity in me. When I began understanding human emotions in a better way, I concluded that part 1 which I had written earlier was so childish. Thereafter, I tried to develop myself being my own critic, and that’s how I decided to rewrite part 1 while writing part 3. Now, everyone is appreciating Rankshetram series, which is available only in Hindi. Because nowadays I don't get enough time to translate it. And I am honestly saying, last three years of writing is the reason, that I am a changed person now.
Q. What inspired you to write Mythology? Why not any other genre?
I was quite fond of Ramayana, Mahabharat, Chandrakanta since my childhood. These are stories that are fascinating for a child, as well as life lessons for adults. And that’s the beauty of mythical stories. So I am trying my best to have a balance of both of these beauties in my books.
Q. What does your family think of the Rankshetram Series?
To be honest, none of them has read a single chapter of my book. But I would like to say my parents still believe in me.
Q. How do you create your characters in the book?
Well, it’s a quite tricky question. I could write two or more pages. But in short, It’s just the blurb and some characters that I have before starting. I would like to say that I develop them as per the situation of the story. Because before starting any book, I don’t know what exactly I’m gonna write. And my motto is that my character should be real humankind. For example, Meghvarna is the protagonist, but he too has some bad qualities, like his hatred for the mentor who trained him since childhood.
Q. Your books are very engaging and thrilling. How do you manage to add so much excitement to your books?
Yeah, for this one thing I would like to appreciate myself. Adding so much suspense, drama, action, unique war strategies, especially in Part 3. I am a fan of Sherlock, and I used to watch other detective stories which is so much thrilling which inspired me a lot. I just use one simple law for writing, that I don’t write those things which bore me, so it won’t bore the audience too.
Q. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
It’s my schedule to write 5 pages daily. Sometimes, it takes 4-5 hours, but sometimes it takes more than 10 hours, depends on the intensity of the plot.
Q. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
After completing my daily mission, I like to spend my time watching some good web series or reading a book in this lockdown. Generally, I work as a translator for Hollywood movies and series.
Q. Out of all the books that you have written. Which is your favorite one?
Till now it’s part 3. But I assure you, part 4 will be much more than that.
Q. What’s the best way to market your books?
If I would have known the best way, Rankshetram would be a best seller by now. Honestly, I don’t think there is any best way to promote a book. There are lots of websites, paid or unpaid which can promote your book. Also, an author could himself do that by spending endless amounts of money, such as making video trailers, and many more ways. And many authors in my contact have done that.
I too spent lots of money promoting it on Amazon, Facebook, Instagram. But I have a limit on spending. And at last, it’s the content that matters.
Q. Future of SALISMANIA.com through your eyes.
I’ve known you for four years, and I would like to say that Salismania has enhanced so much. Salismania is definitely going to be one of the leading sites of book promotion in India.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
रणक्षेत्रम के पहले भाग में पाँच दिनों के महासमर और दूसरे भाग में इस महागाथा के सबसे मुख्य पात्र ‘दुर्भीक्ष’ की वापसी होने के बाद अब प्रस्तुत है रणक्षेत्रम श्रृंखला का तीसरा भाग जो दुर्भीक्ष के जीवन के सभी भेद खोलकर रख देगा| दुर्भीक्ष और दुर्धरा की प्रेम कथा, रीछराज जामवंत के साथ द्वंद्व, गरूड़ों का श्राप, त्रिगर्ता की यात्रा, और दुर्भीक्ष का एक बार फिर दुर्दांत हत्यारा बन पाँच सहस्त्र गंधर्वों की बर्बर हत्या जैसी अनेक घटनाओं को समेटे यह भाग श्रृंखला का सबसे महत्वपूर्व खण्ड होने जा रहा है| वहीं दूसरी ओर सदियों के उपरांत द्रविड़ प्रजाति अपनी मातृभूमि को वापस प्राप्त करने के लिए लौट आई है| ऐसा कौन सा असत्य था जिसने सुर्जन को फिर से दुर्दांत हत्यारा दुर्भीक्ष बना दिया? क्या रहस्य है गरूड़ों के श्राप का? हिस्सा बनें रक्तसागर से सनी एक श्रापित प्रेमगाथा का|
PUBLISHER: Anjuman Prakashan
GENRE: Myths, Legends & Sagas