A share trader buff himself, Aditya Magal considers Rakesh Jhunjhunwala his guru in the trading world. But a relatively unknown name in share market became a known name in the blogosphere through his blog http://www.rakeshjhunjhunwala.in/  where he writes as a fake Jhunjhunwala on various topics. He has more than 80 thousands followers on Twitter and is known for his witty one liners. On the launch of his debut novel “How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing” The Book World got a chance to chat with him. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

TheBookWorld: Congratulations for your newly released book “How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing?”. How was your journey so far as writer? Did you struggle getting your novel published or the fake Jhunjhunwala fame came in handy?

Aditya: Thank you! My journey as a writer has just begun and it has been challenging with my first book. I’ve tried to make people laugh and have had to learn a lot about writing and storytelling so it has been interesting. My previous efforts with the ‘Jhunjhunwala’ blog did help but writing a story that publishers are interested in took a lot of learning and doing.

TheBookWorld: Tell us more about your book “How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing?”. Does it carry any special message for the readers?

Aditya: The book is a spoof on success and the role of money in our lives. It takes a look at the things we strive to obtain even if they are inherently worthless. Hence the term ‘NOTHING’ which the main character in the book Ramakant, tries to sell. The message is one the reader has to figure out after reading. I don’t want to give it away just yet!​​  

TheBookWorld: You are known for your witty one liners on Twitter. What prompted you to become a writer from a blogger? Was becoming a writer your destiny or planned?

Aditya: I have always wanted to write and tell stories. I started blogging to ​find an audience to read my material and twitter is an extension of that. They are all aspects of the same desire to tell stories and entertain people. ​

TheBookWorld: There are many including me who want to know the real face behind fake Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Tell us something about your real persona.​

Aditya: I’m 28, live in Bangalore, work as a stocks trader to earn an income and write for a passion. I’m an ordinary guy fueled by dreams and affected by inflation like everyone else!​

TheBookWorld: How did you got the idea of the secret journal of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and why did you chose Rakesh Jhunjhunwala specifically? 

Aditya: Yes,I am a trader with an interest in equity and commodities. Mr. Jhunjhunwala has been a role model for a lot of people in the share market. It was no different for me.​

TheBookWorld: How much of the fake persona percolates into your real life? How does your near and dear ones react to it.

Aditya: Not much. The fake persona belongs to the people. It is only because of their interest that he is around. The online persona has enriched my life and helped me interact with a lot of cool people which, I normally would never have under ordinary circumstances. As far as near ones go, they are cool with him as long as he doesn’t cause them any trouble! ​

TheBookWorld: You have personally met Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. How was the experience?

Aditya: It was a fantastic experience. He was very warm and kind. He was frank with his interactions and also sporting enough to take a few jokes.

TheBookWorld: Humor seems to be your forte. Will you continue to tickle our funny bones with your writing or will you try some other genre as well.

Aditya: I will definitely write more humor but I also want to try other genres. To develop as a storyteller and a writer,dabbling in other genres is necessary. Let us see what happens. I hope whatever genre I attempt, the readers like it.8) Co- authoring books is very much in trend at the moment? Will you be interested in taking up if somebody approaches you.Definitely!​

TheBookWorld: Will you be interested in writing international stories or will stick to writing Indian stories?

Aditya: Fiction as such has no bounds. A story in itself is universal even if situations and characters are Indian. I hope to write stories that resonate with every type of reader.​

TheBookWorld: We have heard that you are a big foodie. Is it true? What are your other interests?

Aditya: Yes,I am a HUGE foodie. Apart from eating I enjoy reading, writing of course and watching TV. I am addicted to comic books and videogames. Test Cricket is a passion​.

TheBookWorld: A request – How will fake jhunjhunwala describe the dismal election results of Congress and triumph of BJP in his trademark witty one liner.​

Aditya: BJP – Ab ki baar Modi Sarkar, Congress – Ab ki baar,ghar jao yaar!

Read the review of How To Become Billionaire by Selling Nothing by Aditya Magal