Anand Neelakantan stands as a pioneering figure in Indian mythological fiction books, renowned for his masterful retellings of epic narratives. With the Ajaya series, he boldly shifts the spotlight to the Kauravas, the unconquerable adversaries in the timeless epic of the Mahabharata. In this gripping saga set against the backdrop of India's most powerful empire, Neelakantan weaves a tapestry of honour, ambition, betrayal, and destiny.
Born in Kerala, Neelakantan's fascination with ancient epics led him to pen his debut novel, "Asura: Tale of the Vanquished," a bestseller that reimagined the Ramayana from Ravana's perspective. His subsequent works, including the Ajaya series, delve deep into the complexities of characters traditionally seen as antagonists, earning him a global readership.
In the Ajaya series, Neelakantan skillfully portrays Prince Suyodhana, the charismatic heir of Hastinapura, determined to claim his birthright amidst political upheaval. Against a backdrop of palace intrigue and philosophical discourse drawn from the Bhagavad Gita in English and the Mahabharata, Neelakantan explores themes of duty, honor, and the struggle for power.
Among his other notable works is the Baahubali trilogy, a prequel to S.S. Rajamouli's blockbuster movie. The first book in the series, "The Rise of Sivagami," released on 15 March 2017, continues to be a number one bestseller across charts and was on Amazon's list of top five bestsellers for 2017. Excitingly, S.S. Rajamouli has announced a mini-series based on Neelakantan's books, which will be made along the lines of ... See more
Anand Neelakantan stands as a pioneering figure in Indian mythological fiction books, renowned for his masterful retellings of epic narratives. With the Ajaya series, he boldly shifts the spotlight to the Kauravas, the unconquerable adversaries in the timeless epic of the Mahabharata. In this gripping saga set against the backdrop of India's most powerful empire, Neelakantan weaves a tapestry of honour, ambition, betrayal, and destiny.
Born in Kerala, Neelakantan's fascination with ancient epics led him to pen his debut novel, "Asura: Tale of the Vanquished," a bestseller that reimagined the Ramayana from Ravana's perspective. His subsequent works, including the Ajaya series, delve deep into the complexities of characters traditionally seen as antagonists, earning him a global readership.
In the Ajaya series, Neelakantan skillfully portrays Prince Suyodhana, the charismatic heir of Hastinapura, determined to claim his birthright amidst political upheaval. Against a backdrop of palace intrigue and philosophical discourse drawn from the Bhagavad Gita in English and the Mahabharata, Neelakantan explores themes of duty, honor, and the struggle for power.
Among his other notable works is the Baahubali trilogy, a prequel to S.S. Rajamouli's blockbuster movie. The first book in the series, "The Rise of Sivagami," released on 15 March 2017, continues to be a number one bestseller across charts and was on Amazon's list of top five bestsellers for 2017. Excitingly, S.S. Rajamouli has announced a mini-series based on Neelakantan's books, which will be made along the lines of Game of Thrones.
Neelakantan's talent is not confined to novels. He is also a prolific scriptwriter, contributing to popular Indian television series like Siya Ke Ram, Ashoka, and Mahabali Hanuman. His columns in prestigious publications such as The Hindu, Indian Express, Pioneer, and Washington Post further highlight his versatility and command over contemporary issues. His bi-weekly column "Acute Angle" in Sunday Express is particularly popular among readers.
In addition to his novels and screenwriting, Neelakantan is an accomplished cartoonist and writer in Malayalam, contributing regularly to leading Malayalam magazines. His multifaceted career reflects his deep understanding of Indian culture and mythology, making his works essential reading for anyone interested in these subjects. He has upcoming series planned with Discovery, Star TV, Netflix, and Amazon.
Anand Neelakantan’s works, including Ajaya book set, have been widely acclaimed and are among the best fiction books by Indian authors. For enthusiasts of Indian mythology, historical fiction, and bestselling novels, or if you enjoyed titles such as "The Immortals of Meluha" or "Ram - Scion Of Ikshvaku" by Amish Tripathi, "Chanakya's Chant" or "The Krishna Key" by Ashwin Sanghi, and "The Palace of Illusions" or "The Forest of Enchantments" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Kevin Missal books, or Devdutt Pattanaik books, you will find his novels equally if not more captivating. If you are new to the genre, but like lessons from mahabharata, gita, vedas, historical fiction books english, Devdutt Pattanaik books in English, then go ahead and choose your next Indian mythological novel from one of Neelakantan’s many acclaimed titles: .
Asura: Tale of the Vanquished AJAYA: Epic of the Kaurava Clan (Roll of the Dice Book 1), AJAYA: Rise of Kali (Roll of the Dice Book 2), Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva and Tara, Valmiki's Women: Five Tales From The Ramayana, The Asura Way: The Contrarian Path to Success, Nala Damayanti: An Eternal Tale from the Mahabharata, The Rise of Sivagami (Báhubali: Before the Beginning - Book 1), Chaturanga (Báhubali: Before the Beginning - Book 2), Queen of Mahishmathi (Báhubali: Before the Beginning - Book 3).
Neelakantan lives in Mumbai with his wife Aparna, daughter Ananya, son Abhinav, and their pet dog, Jackie the Blackie. His personal experiences and background in engineering bring a unique analytical approach to his storytelling, blending meticulous research with creative imagination.
Connect with Anand Neelakantan on social media at @itsanandneel for the latest updates on his projects and insights into his writing journey.
