Author-Actor Advait Kottary Talks About 'Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became The Buddha' And His Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar Win

When author-actor Advait Kottary learnt that he had won the coveted Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar (English) for 2025 for his debut book, Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became The Buddha, he immediately called his parents. He says, “They’re the first people I turn to whenever anything significant happens in my life.”

A novelist like her son, mother Gajra exults, “I love that his book is written in a non-linear way, with two dimensions, one almost surreal and the other real, yet it’s easy to understand.” Father, Sailesh, ex-deputy editor of The Economic Times, analyses, “Advait’s experience as a stage director and actor brings the descriptive quality of screenplays into his writing!”

Advait Kottary talks about how his creative odyssey which encompasses engine designing to acting to directing to writing led to this prestigious award for his debut novel.

Excerpts from the interview:

How did you learn that you’d won a national award — the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar (English) for 2025?

I woke up to a message on my phone from someone at the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), asking if we could connect so they could congratulate me. I was in sheer disbelief for a few moments, but I responded after gathering my thoughts. Even now, it feels a bit surreal. It’s a humbling recognition that continues to sink in.

My publishers had mentioned they were going to nominate Siddhartha a few months ago, but I never really imagined it would come to fruition. While I had hopes, this is truly beyond anything I had anticipated.

For those who have yet to read your book, Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became The Buddha, could you summarise your book’s theme?

Siddhartha is a raw, emotional exploration of the human condition, told through the perspective of Siddhartha himself. It follows his journey, his struggles, and the profound questions he poses about life and existence. His questions about privilege, suffering, and justice are universal, and I believe they echo concerns many of us share today.

At its core, I would say it’s a story of an extraordinary human being. While rooted in the timeless narrative of Siddhartha’s life, I’ve sought to tell it in a way that resonates with modern sensibilities and sensibilities of empathy and self-exploration.

Is there a personal incident that propelled you to write on the Buddha?

The idea for the book arose from my own personal quest—about meaning, purpose, and the nature of suffering. I’ve always been drawn to the human side of Siddhartha’s journey. This connection, I believe, stems from my training as an actor. The practice of stepping into someone else’s shoes, cultivating deep empathy, made me more intrigued not just by what Siddhartha did, but how he felt. It’s the emotional and psychological fabric of his decisions that interested me most.

What is the predominant message you’re trying to convey through the book?

The book is deeply aligned with the Buddha’s timeless words: ‘Aapo Deepo Bhava’ (Be your own light). In today’s world, where convenience often masks true contentment, these words have a profound resonance. In a culture constantly flooded with information and external validation, the idea of seeking fulfilment from within feels more urgent than ever.

What reactions have you received?

There have been many positive reactions, which I’m deeply grateful for. One review referred to it as ‘Bollywood Buddha’, criticizing it for its cinematic quality, and I found myself oddly flattered! But the most touching response was from a woman, five months pregnant, who shared how reading the book had begun shifting her own perspective, hoping those changes would reach her child. That level of connection is beyond anything I could have anticipated.

You had made a career switch from being an engineer to a writer. Does this award bring validation from others and in your own eyes?

Receiving recognition for my work is incredibly humbling, but it doesn’t change the intrinsic value I place on both engineering and creative pursuits.

You have acted in films and TV shows. Do you still nurse the ambition?

Yes, absolutely. My last show, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, aired in the UK and US recently, and my film, Picture This, was released earlier this year. I’m also active in the London theatre scene. The drive for storytelling, in any form, is something that fuels me constantly.

'I Realised That I Had To Direct Mainstream Cinema To Make My Name Known,' Says Ananth Mahadevan

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on my second book, which will be quite a departure from my first. It’s a completely different genre, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Do you have a muse who inspires you?

I’m inspired by nature, beauty, and storytelling in all its forms — whether it’s through literature, film, or even video games.

Who are your favourite authors and which of them, if any, is your writing model?

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is one of my favourites, and The Little Prince holds a special place in my heart. My parents made sure that my sister and I read a wide variety of books, which was an invaluable part of my upbringing.

While I don’t have a direct writing model, I believe that great stories surround us everywhere, and they can be found in the most unexpected places.

What is your Facebook status? Single, ready to mingle or hooked?

Ha-ha, I’m seeing someone at the moment!

What occupies you besides your writing?

Fitness, cooking, and collaborating with a brilliant team on a short film I scripted. It’s set to be shot next month, so I’m quite excited.

Writer’s Corner

Do you have crumpled paper all around you when writing or you feed ideas straight into the computer?

I like to brainstorm on paper first. It helps me to clarify my thoughts before translating them onto the computer.

Is there a magic hour you reserve for writing?

I try to maintain consistency, but writing comes in waves, and inspiration can strike at any time.

What’s more difficult — generating ideas or the discipline of actual pen-pushing?

The discipline of sitting down and actually writing is more challenging for me. Writer’s block is real, and it can feel like an uphill battle at times.

Any writing ritual?

Coffee.