Dr. Kaushik Chaudhary: Author, Columnist, Screenwriter, and Dental Surgeon

Meet Dr. Kaushik Chaudhary, a multifaceted individual with a profound spiritual perspective. He dons several hats as an author, columnist, screenwriter, and dedicated dental surgeon practicing in Gujarat.

In 2015, Dr. Chaudhary achieved a remarkable feat by introducing the first-ever integral theory of the multiverse in his debut book, “It’s not a Creation, It’s a Projection through Expression.”

His groundbreaking work attracted the attention of renowned scientists such as Prof. Stephen Hawking and Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, a former chairman of ISRO, who hailed it as the most significant achievement in connecting science and spirituality in the last 2000 years.

Dr. Chaudhary’s pioneering book was not limited to a single language; it became accessible to a wider audience with translations into Hindi and Gujarati. As a thought leader, he penned a column titled ‘Projector’ for the leading Gujarati daily, Gujarat Samachar, for a duration of two years.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Dr. Chaudhary has crafted thought-provoking film scripts, distinguished by their high-concept themes. Despite their brilliance, these scripts have yet to find their way to the silver screen due to the challenges of breaking into the industry.

His latest novel, “The Play of Justice,” originated from one of Dr. Chaudhary’s film scripts, conceived when he was just 21 years old. This remarkable story initially took shape as a screenplay during his college years, and after more than a decade, he has reimagined it as a novel.

This thrilling narrative seamlessly weaves together crime, thrill, action, justice, drama, romance, friendship, selfless love, vigilantism, idealism, crime, corruption, suspense, and excitement.

Currently practicing as a dental surgeon, he continues to share his insights on various subjects through social media articles and public speeches. His rich and diverse professional background includes dentistry, writing, acting, and film direction.

Dr. Kaushik Chaudhary resides in Palanpur, Gujarat, with his wife, parents, and two daughters. Apart from his passion for writing, he nurtures a profound interest in acting, filmmaking, and Hindu scriptures.

His literary influences encompass revered works like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, and the films of Christopher Nolan. Among his favorite books are the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Swami Vivekananda’s biography.

At bookGeeks, we count ourselves among the fortunate for the opportunity to partake in an enriching dialogue with the distinguished author.

Within this exclusive interview, we embark on a journey into his enduring ardor for written artistry, his deep-seated reverence for the world of spirituality, and, inevitably, his most recent literary creation, “The Play of Justice.”

Come, join us, as we extend to you an enticing peek into this enlightening exchange of ideas.

Tell us something about yourself. Who is Dr. Kaushik as a person? What are his likes and dislikes?
I am a dentist in Palanpur, North Gujarat, and I'm 35 years old. I began to discover my passion for acting in my second year of college. Even before that, I had been privately recreating scenes from films for two years. My friends also encouraged me to pursue a career in the Mumbai film industry, as they recognized my acting talent and my ability to portray substantial characters. The following year, I started making trips to Mumbai to meet with Bollywood producers.

Early on, I realized that breaking into the acting scene would be challenging for someone like me who was attending college elsewhere and was not interested in pursuing modeling or insignificant roles. Consequently, I began writing scripts for films in which I could play the lead role. I began pitching my ideas to producers and corporate houses. During my final year, I met Ramesh Taurani, the owner of Tips, and I also had negotiations with Eros and other production companies.

However, my concepts were profound and thought-provoking, while the prevailing trend in the entertainment industry at that time was centered on comedy and romantic comedies. Some individual producers showed interest in my "Play of Justice" script and even approached a star, but the star's fee was too high for them, and they struggled to secure corporate support.

Amidst this struggle, while I was completing my internship, I underwent some intense spiritual experiences in my hostel room. This was a turning point for me. After completing my graduation, I used these realizations to explore the truth of the universe. I integrated my newfound knowledge with modern science and developed a new model of the universe, which I presented in my debut book.

The book was published in 2015 and was read by Prof. Stephen Hawking at Cambridge and Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, our former ISRO Chairman. Following this, I became a columnist for a leading Gujarati daily and established myself as a thinker and writer.

What do you do in your professional sphere?
I have been running a private dental clinic in Palanpur for the past 10 years. Additionally, I have authored a book that bridges the gap between science and spirituality, providing a comprehensive model of the multiverse. This book is available in English, Hindi, and Gujarati. I contributed articles to a Gujarati daily for two years and also wrote for some magazines. Furthermore, I am actively involved in several think tanks and serve as the research head for one of them.

What can readers expect from your debut novel, "The Play of Justice"?
Well, I believe they can expect a true-to-life experience, one that mirrors the uncertainties we often encounter. As our lives unfold, especially when we aspire to higher ideals and truths, we often face opposition. This is precisely what our protagonist, Sunita Roy, embodies in her courageous journey. Her determination and resilience serve as an inspiring example.

"The Play of Justice" is a narrative that subtly promotes women's empowerment without explicitly addressing it. It demonstrates what an empowered woman looks like through the character and life journey of Sunita Roy.

Additionally, it delves into the crucial subplot of "Nyay," which represents the ancient concept of justice from Nyaydarshan. This concept had been obscured during the British rule in 1835 but is now reintroduced through the story in this book.

"The Play of Justice" began as a screenplay during your college years. How did the transformation from a screenplay to a novel impact the narrative and your creative process?
Yes, it was a challenging process for me. I have read very few books, mostly biographies of great people. However, I have watched numerous films, from Raj Kapoor's debut film "Aag" in 1947 to various Hollywood productions up to the present day. Consequently, whenever I come up with a new story idea, it's usually in the form of a visualized film.

I mentally create and direct the entire film scene by scene. But since I didn't come from a family of producers, I had to put it down on paper as a screenplay. Some great directors, like Raj Kapoor, often have the entire script in their minds while making films, without putting anything on paper. I'm that kind of person.

So, even writing a screenplay is a laborious task for me. When I had to adapt it into a novel, I faced difficulties for nearly three years. In a screenplay, we typically enter scenes based on their locations. However, I found in Amish Tripathi's novels that in novels, scenes are entered through the perspective of characters within them. This was a significant difference in the creative process.

Another challenge was the language required for a novel. I had previously written a non-fiction book on science and spirituality, so I had that vocabulary. But novels demand a broader literary vocabulary, which I lacked due to my limited exposure to literature. I struggled in this regard. Nevertheless, my enjoyment of the story and characters kept me engaged.

I relished the opportunity to delve deep into characters, situations, and conversations, which the book format allowed but the screenplay format did not. Screenplays must be compact and concise to fit within a three-hour film, whereas books have no length limitations. However, I've tried to maintain a close connection to the original screenplay in the novel.

Your book is rooted in the ancient Indian Nyaya Darshana system. Can you elaborate on how this system influenced the theme of justice in your novel and how it differs from contemporary understandings of justice?
Actually, up until 2020, the Nyaya Darshana system wasn't a part of the script. However, producers and directors in Mumbai found the script heavy and substantial. Then, around 2021, during a YouTube video, I heard mention of the six Darshans of ancient India, one of which was Nyaydarshan.

Given that this script was one of my personal favorites among the four I had, I became interested in exploring the ancient Indian perspective on justice. I acquired Nyaydarshan and read it. In the first 35 pages, I discovered a profound and astonishing difference between ancient and modern conceptions of justice in India. The Nyay concept was intricate and extensive, prompting me to incorporate it into the script as a subplot.

Subsequently, I learned about British efforts to eradicate it in 1835, following Raja Ram Mohan Roy's letter, through a video by Rajiv Malhotra. This led me to the decision to transform the script into a novel and rework it in accordance with the novel's themes.

The ancient Nyay concept began with a spiritual quest to understand the meaning of life. By comprehending the ten aspects of human life, including birth, soul, body, senses, mind, intellect, tendency, fault, ghosthood, grief, fruit, and salvation, one could grasp the essence and purpose of human existence.

I found this concept fascinating because many of us often lament the absence of justice for our actions, hard work, and merits. However, instead of waiting for justice in our actions, Nyay encourages us to examine our life story, our intentions as a soul, and other facets, which can lead to a profound spiritual awareness of our existence and its underlying purpose.

In a way, it is another path to living the principles of Karm Yoga as described by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

The reviewer mentions that "The Play of Justice" is practically begging to hit the big screen. Are there any plans or aspirations to adapt your book into a movie or web series, and how do you envision that process unfolding?
Yes, indeed, I am fully committed to the idea. The review has been instrumental in helping me understand how others perceive the project. My grand vision for this adaptation is to cast Priyanka Chopra in the leading role, for two compelling reasons.

Firstly, she is a perfect fit for the character. Secondly, she has achieved global recognition, making it a tremendous opportunity to convey a message to the Western audience: "You attempted to extinguish this profound concept two centuries ago, but we are now resurrecting it on a grand scale."

Through this, we can impart the message encapsulated in the novel's final dialogue and script, which emphasizes that Nyay, the concept that was erased by the British, should have been spread and shared with all of humanity. We can convey to them that this was the true path for the betterment of humanity, as opposed to what transpired.

However, if I am unable to realize this vision, Kangana is also a talented actress who could effectively portray the role. Let's see how it unfolds.

Many authors draw inspiration from real-life experiences. Are there any personal anecdotes or events that influenced your writing or the themes in your books?
Yes, indeed. However, it's not based on specific incidents. Instead, all four main characters, namely Sunita, Rohan, Akshara, and Black Court, embody my personality and emotions. I am present within each of them, shaping their behavior and expressions in their respective situations. I may not align with the extreme actions of Black Court, but the inner emotions and idealism are reflective of my own. The same holds true for Sunita Roy.

In fact, during the initial five years when I pitched the story to producers, the protagonist was male, named Sujit Roy, and I had written the character with the intention of playing that role myself. All three other characters were also crafted with the idea that I could potentially portray one of them. As I mentioned earlier, I began writing films because I wanted to act in stories that resonated with me.

Can you tell us about your writing process? Do you have any specific routines or rituals that help you get into the writing zone?
I don't really have any specific rituals. What I do is manage my time carefully, ensuring I have a block of uninterrupted hours when I sit down to write. My key approach revolves around what I mentioned earlier: I've already visualized the entire story as if it were a film in my mind. When I sit down to write, I immerse myself in that world and expand upon it by creating new elements and details.

Are you a reader yourself? If so, which are some of your favorite books?
I read relatively little. In fact, aside from a few biographies and spiritual books, I have only read Amish Tripathi's Shiva and RamChandra series. Therefore, my favorite books include Swami Vivekananda's biography and a compilation of his lectures delivered in India, along with Amish's works, Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha," and Paulo Coelho’s "The Alchemist." That's the extent of my reading experience.

So, what's next for Dr. Kaushik Chaudhary? Are there any upcoming projects or future writing endeavors you'd like to share with your readers?
At the moment, my primary focus is on adapting my scripts and this novel into films or web series. Additionally, I'm working on the second edition of my first book in English, as the Hindi and Gujarati editions of the book have expanded beyond the original English version.

A few words for bookGeeks.
Oh, I liked it. Very professional, yet honest and heartfelt. You can feel the truthfulness and finesse in the work. I was skeptical about the review since it was the first time I had put out my fiction work or my script to the world.

Some individual producers had liked it years ago when the story was much lighter than it is today and tried to make a film. Since then, I have expanded and deepened it further. It was the first time someone other than me was reviewing it, so the review gave me confidence once again.

I have this tendency to be impressed and mesmerized by my own work because I invest a lot of hard work and dedication into it. Consequently, very few works by others manage to excite me, which worries me at times. I wanted someone qualified enough to assess my work, and the review was in sync with what I feel about the story. So, thank you for the kind and honest review.

Dr. Chaudhary’s overarching aspiration as an author is to bestow upon the world the precious gift of profound insights and lucidity across a diverse spectrum of subjects.

You can connect with him on his social media handles

Social media platforms you are active on and your handles –

facebook.com/kctoworld

youtube.com/@kctoworld

instagram.com/kctoworld/

twitter.com/chaudhryKaushik

goodreads.com/author/show/13453373.Kaushik_Chaudhary

To immerse yourself in his literary offerings, explore and acquire his book by following this link.

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