Anthony at 19:09, 11 April 2026

2026-04-11T19:09:36Z

New page

{{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''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> and has written for [[Hindustan Times]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[The Economic Times]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook Magazine]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In 2010, [[Forbes Magazine]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> did a feature on him in their March issue which asked who Magal was. He was also featured on MoneyControl<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

He has been featured in publications such as [[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Outlook Magazine,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Mid-day]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> JAM Magazine,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Hindustan Times,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> [[OPEN Magazine, India|Open Magazine]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Pune Mirror,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/getpage.aspx?article=yes&pageid=20&sectid=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&sectid=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 }}</ref> [[DNA (newspaper)|DNA]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and [[Business Standard]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

In 2013, he was once again featured in the edition of 23 October of the Hindustan Times Business section.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite book |title=How to Become a Billionaire by Selling Nothing |id={{ASIN|8184004346|country=in}} }}</ref>

As of 2016 he has started writing for [[the Times Group]]'s ''Bangalore Mirror''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://twitter.com/jhunjhunwala Aditya Magal] on Twitter
* [http://www.adityamagal.com Website]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Magal, Aditya}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian male bloggers]]
[[Category:Indian columnists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:Indian satirical columnists]]
[[Category:Indian humour columnists]]
[[Category:Indian political artists]]

Aditya Magal - Revision history

Anthony at 19:09, 11 April 2026