Aditya Magal
{{Short description|Indian writer, author and blogger}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
Aditya Magal (born 1985) is a writer, author and blogger from India who runs the satire portal Secret Journal of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. He has also been a columnist for HT Brunch magazine, the Sunday supplement of the Hindustan Times.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/brunch-stories/the-literal-dialogue/article1-863524.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601135442/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Brunch/Brunch-Stories/The-literal-dialogue/Article1-863524.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2012 |title=The literal dialogue |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 May 2012 |accessdate=29 November 2013}} and has written for Hindustan Times,{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/a-note-to-offenders-from-the-offended/article1-963929.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125133727/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/A-note-to-offenders-from-the-offended/Article1-963929.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 November 2012 |title=A note to offenders from the offended |work=Hindustan Times |date=25 November 2012 |accessdate=29 November 2013}} The Economic Times,{{cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/comments-analysis/budget-2013-this-budget-will-create-new-problems-says-the-law-of-jhunjhunomics/articleshow/18741662.cms |title=Budget 2013: This budget will create new problems, says the law of Jhunjhunomics |work=The Economic Times |date=1 March 2013 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217112757/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/comments-analysis/budget-2013-this-budget-will-create-new-problems-says-the-law-of-jhunjhunomics/articleshow/18741662.cms |url-status=live }} Outlook Magazine{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?280285 |title=Mind Over Money | Fake Rakesh Jhunjhunwala |publisher=Outlookindia.com |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001615/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?280285 |url-status=live }} and JAM among others. His first novel titled 'How to become a billionaire by selling Nothing' was released by Penguin Random House . He is currently the feature columnist for Bangalore Mirror.{{Cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/how-to-become-a-billionaire-by-selling-nothing-is-a-promising-debut/469216-40-101.html |title='How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing' is a promising debut - IBNLive |access-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711101626/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/how-to-become-a-billionaire-by-selling-nothing-is-a-promising-debut/469216-40-101.html |archive-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=dead }} His column Notes from the 560 has gained popularity for its op-ed pieces .
Career
Magal has gained popularity primarily as a humorist and satirist though he has written non-humorous material also which have been less popular. He ran the satire blog The Secret Journal of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala based on Legendary Indian Investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Most of his posts and tweets are funny outtakes on Indian life, politics and business. His sharp and incisive humour has attracted both laughter and criticism.
In 2009, a still anonymous Magal gave his first interview to Blogadda.com after nearly two years of blogging anonymously.{{cite news |title=Alter Ego of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Interviewed. Fake Jhunjhunwala talks in Part One. |url=http://blog.blogadda.com/2009/12/17/alter-ego-of-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-interview |work=BlogAdda Blog |date=17 December 2009 |access-date=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030447/http://blog.blogadda.com/2009/12/17/alter-ego-of-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-interview |url-status=live }}
In 2010, Forbes Magazine{{cite web |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/tipoff/will-the-cyber-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-please-stand-up/10502/1?id=10502&pg=1 |title=Forbes India Magazine – Will the Cyber Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Please Stand Up? |publisher=Forbesindia.com |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002243/http://forbesindia.com/article/tipoff/will-the-cyber-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-please-stand-up/10502/1?id=10502&pg=1 |url-status=live }} did a feature on him in their March issue which asked who Magal was. He was also featured on MoneyControl{{cite web |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/willcyber-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-please-stand-up_442841.html |title=Will the cyber Rakesh Jhunjhunwala please stand up? |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |date=22 February 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235309/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/willcyber-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-please-stand-up_442841.html |url-status=live }}
He has been featured in publications such as Mint,{{cite web |author=Nesil Staney |url=http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/eIiouGDuJHunqXsWNqbyLO/Stocks-take-a-beating-cult-status-still-intact.html |title=Stocks take a beating, cult status still intact |publisher=Livemint |date=11 May 2009 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010458/http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/eIiouGDuJHunqXsWNqbyLO/Stocks-take-a-beating-cult-status-still-intact.html |url-status=live }} Outlook Magazine,{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279280 |title=Status Update? Bad | Debarshi Dasgupta |publisher=Outlookindia.com |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002038/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?279280 |url-status=live }} Mid-day,{{cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2010/sep/050910-fake-bloggers-humour-spoofs.htm |title=Blogs go faux |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=5 September 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313071629/http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2010/sep/050910-fake-bloggers-humour-spoofs.htm |url-status=live }} JAM Magazine,{{cite web |url=http://www.jammag.com/fake-this/ |title=Fake This! |work=Jam Magazine |date=23 April 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011340/http://www.jammag.com/fake-this/ |url-status=live }} Hindustan Times,{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid-news/celebwatch/Fake-Twitter-profiles-make-for-a-great-laugh/Article1-514338.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203190222/http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid-news/celebwatch/Fake-Twitter-profiles-make-for-a-great-laugh/Article1-514338.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2013 |title=Fake Twitter profiles make for a great laugh |work=Hindustan Times |date=2 March 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/tech/Make-them-laugh-in-140-characters/Article1-625930.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118091113/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/tech/Make-them-laugh-in-140-characters/Article1-625930.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 November 2010 |title=Make them laugh in 140 characters |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 November 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013}} Open Magazine,{{cite web |url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/jhunjhunwala-s-real-bull-run |title=Jhunjhunwala's Real Bull Run |work=Open Magazine |date=23 February 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204010258/http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/living/jhunjhunwala-s-real-bull-run |url-status=live }} Pune Mirror,{{cite web |url=http://www1.lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?article=yes&pageid=20§id=edid=&edlabel=PMIR&mydateHid=26-09-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar02000&publabel=MM&max=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625141459/http://www1.lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?article=yes&pageid=20§id=edid=&edlabel=PMIR&mydateHid=26-09-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar02000&publabel=MM&max=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 June 2011 |title=ePaper Lite – Times of India Publications |publisher=.lite.epaper.timesofindia.com |accessdate=29 November 2013 }} DNA{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-twitter-when-the-fakes-beat-the-originals-1430155 |title=Twitter: When the fakes beat the originals – Lifestyle – DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203025256/http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-twitter-when-the-fakes-beat-the-originals-1430155 |url-status=live }} and Business Standard.{{cite web |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/devangshu-datta-www-thatsnotme-com-110081400057_1.html |title=Devangshu Datta: www.thatsnotme.com |work=Business Standard |date=14 August 2010 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003115/http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/devangshu-datta-www-thatsnotme-com-110081400057_1.html |url-status=live }}
In 2012, after nearly four years of blogging anonymously his identity was revealed in a front page feature in the 7 June edition of The Economic Times where he was reported to have had a wonderful meeting with the real Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.{{cite web |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/how-parody-blog-the-secret-journal-of-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-writer-aditya-magal-impressed-rakesh-jhunjhunwala/articleshow/13877181.cms?curpg=1 |title=How parody blogger Aditya Magal impressed Rakesh Jhunjhunwala |work=The Economic Times |date=7 June 2012 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106180730/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/how-parody-blog-the-secret-journal-of-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-writer-aditya-magal-impressed-rakesh-jhunjhunwala/articleshow/13877181.cms?curpg=1 |url-status=live }}
In 2013, he was once again featured in the edition of 23 October of the Hindustan Times Business section.{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/SocialMedia-Updates/ |title=Meet Aditya Magal, the fake Rakesh Jhunjhunwala on Twitter – Hindustan Times |publisher=www.hindustantimes.com |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=29 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115165346/http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/socialmedia-updates |archivedate=15 January 2014 }}
In April 2014, Magal announced that his first book titled 'How to become a billionaire by selling Nothing', a fiction novel would be released in May that year. The book was published by Penguin Random House India and was well received for its humour and satire content. The book has been charted on the Amazon Bestsellers list but has also received adverse criticism] for views on consumerism.{{cite book |title=How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing |id={{ASIN|8184004346|country=in}} }}
As of 2016 he has started writing for the Times Group's Bangalore Mirror.{{cite news |title=The Times Group |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/others/notes-from-the-560-bengalureans-know-it-all-about-olympics/articleshow/53777783.cms |work=The Times of India}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://twitter.com/jhunjhunwala Aditya Magal] on Twitter
- [http://www.adityamagal.com Website]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Magal, Aditya}}
Category:21st-century Indian writers
Category:21st-century Indian novelists
Category:Indian satirical columnists