Gajra Kottary

An eminent script and screenplay writer, an acclaimed author, a prominent journalist, and what not, Gajra Kottary is indeed an aspiration for many. Born in Delhi, Gajra Kottary completed her schooling from Convent of Jesus and Mary, and she joined Lady Shri Ram College College for her higher studies. Her father laid her the foundation to become a writer. So she chose to pursue her post-graduate degree in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Gajra Kottary not only passed the exams with flying colors but also topped the batch by winning The Hindu Gold medal. But all the way along, she was more inclined to fictions and so Gajra Kottary wrote short stories and fiction works for several magazines. Gajra Kottary had a brief stint as a journalist at the English daily, The Statesman, and the Magna Group.

After marriage with Sailesh, a journalist, Gajra Kottary, moved to Mumbai, and the couple has two children- Advait, an actor, and Aastha. While enjoying the phase of motherhood, she reoccupied herself with fiction and started writing again. In 1996, she got her first-ever collection of women-centric short stories, Fragile Stories published, which paved the way for her success and achievements. Gajra Kottary’s first novel, The Broken Melodies got released in the year 2011 along with its Hindi Translation Bikhre Sur. Following the success of her debut novel, she got her next novel Once Upon a Star published in 2014. Girls Don’t Cry, the latest novel by the author, which got published in 2017.

Gajra Kottary got her breakthrough as a writer when she got the chance to associate with Mahesh Bhatt Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt created a niche for himself >> Read More... in the movie Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar, which subsequently led to the television serial Hamare Tumhare, in which she wrote the story and screenplay. The show Hamare Tumhare made her realize what she wanted to do and so she worked on her next critically acclaimed project Astitva – Ek Prem Kahani.

Gajra Kottary got her career breakthrough in the television industry when she worked on Colors’ daily soap Balika Vadhu. She broke the stereotypes of the television industry when her writing focused on Child Marriage. Balika Vadhu, is the longest-running show for over eight years, fetched her numerous awards and made her place in the television industry relatively strong. Gajra Kottary’s other memorable works include  Ek Veer ki Ardaas – Veera, Jyoti, Godh Bharai, Panaah, Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka and Baarish. Her recent avatar as a producer for the shows Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par and TV Ke Uss Paar in Zee’s Zindagi Channel is also victorious.

Having explored all forms of writing, including journalism, short stories, movies, and television, Gajra Kottary proves how devoted she is to her work.