Durjoy Datta: The Author Crafting Love, Life, and Loss Through Fiction 

Durjoy Datta, who captivated the young readers’ hearts with his stories of love, romance, ambition, and self-discovery, is one of the most successful contemporary Indian authors and screenwriters. Launching a career at 21, Datta became one of the highest-selling authors in contemporary Indian fiction. 

What sets him apart is his unapologetic portrayal of the emotions that shape everyday life and his ability to turn them into stories that feel personal and relatable. Whether it’s your first love or first major heartbreak, Datta’s book will be your best friend, helping you navigate complex emotions. 

About Durjoy Datta: Early Life, Family, and Education 

Born on February 7, 1978, in Mehsana, Gujarat, Durjoy Datta has spent most of his life in New Delhi, which he famously calls “his love story”. Born and brought up in a Bengali family, Datta has often credited his parents for cultivating a love of reading books from an early age. 

Growing up in a household where literature and art are highly valued, Datta developed his passion for writing, which eventually shaped his career. 

After completing his schooling at Bal Bharti School, Pitampura, he went on to pursue mechanical engineering from Delhi Technological University, followed by post-graduation from Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon.

He also studied finance and marketing at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany. During his final year of college, he began writing, and finally, in 2011, he quit his job to become a full-time author. 

Here’s everything about Datta at a glance: 

Category	Details
Date of Birth	7 February, 1978
Age	39 Years (As of 2026)
Birthplace	Mehsana, Gujarat
Raised In	Delhi
Family Background	A Bengali family that placed a strong emphasis on education, literature, and art.
Schooling	Bal Bharti School, Pitampura
Undergraduation	Delhi Technological University (DTU)
Post-Graduation	Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon
International Education	Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany
Debut Novel/Television Show	Of Course, I Love You, Till I Find Someone Better (2008) Saada Haq – My Life, My Choices (2013)
Genre	Romantic Fiction and Youth-Based Stories

Career Trajectory: From Engineering to a Bestselling Author, Scriptwriter, and Co-Founder 

Durjoy Datta’s career trajectory has been impressive, from engineering graduate to a bestselling author, a brilliant scriptwriter and co-founder of a successful publishing company. Now one of the most famous authors and screenwriters, Datta’s literary success allowed him to pursue writing full-time. 

Here’s everything you need to know about Durjoy’s career: 

1. From Engineer to Bestselling Author 

Datta’s career trajectory did not begin with writing a novel. During his final year of graduation from engineering college, and pursuing blog writing with Miss Malini and That’s So Gloss, he was motivated by the people to write a book, which eventually turned out to shape his career. 

When his first book was launched, he was already serving at the top companies, including American Express, NIIT Ltd., and Siemens AG. Slowly developing his interest in writing, he focused on telling relatable stories that resonate with the readers, making him one of the most famous contemporary Indian romance authors. 

2. First Book and Publishing Breakthrough 

Datta’s first book, Of Course, I Love You, Till I Find Someone Better, was launched in 2008, and he instantly became a bestselling author at the age of 21. He was subsequently recognised as the Young Achiever by the Times of India in 2009. When he wrote his second book, it was then that he realised his obsession with writing books. 

The novel’s success made him a defining voice of Indian popular fiction, with readers appreciating his simple yet convincing storytelling and dealing with the emotions and stereotypes that are relatable and personal. 

3. Becoming a Full-Time Writer 

Considering the fact that he was good at academics, quitting a job to become a full-time writer did not come easily. Datta believed in having a backup plan, as he says, “I believe that every writer should have a backup plan, not only because it is a risky profession, but also because writers aren’t busy writing the whole day.” 

However, being a firm believer in his talent, he quit his job and continued producing bestselling titles that consistently appeared on popular reading lists. Dealing with everyday emotions and realistic characters, his novels helped him maintain his relevance over the years. He gave back-to-back hits: 

• Of Course, I Love You, Till I Find Someone Better (2008)   
• Now That You’re Rich (2009)
• She Broke Up, I Didn’t (2010) 

4. Co-Founding Grapevine India Publishers 

After completing post-graduation from MDI Gurgaon in 2011, Datta moved beyond writing and expanded his role within the publishing industry by co-founding Grapevine India Publishers with Sachin Garg, a bestselling author and entrepreneur. His fifth novel, You Were My Crush, was published by Grapevine Publishers. 

5. Television and Screenwriting Opportunities 

In 2013, Datta’s debut show, Saada Haq – My Life, My Choices, a youth-based show that featured engineering students, premiered on Channel V, subsequently increasing the channel’s TRP to an all-time high. 

He was selected to be a screenwriter for this groundbreaking show, considering his background as an engineering student and hands-on experience of writing youth-based novels. 

Beyond Books: Durjoy Datta’s Television and Screenwriting Career

Apart from being a successful novelist at the age of 21, Durjoy Datta has also established an impressive career in screenwriting. He has contributed to over 12 Indian television shows, featuring 1000+ episodes. 

Debuting his television career with Saada Haq – My Life, My Choice, which premiered on Channel V in  2013, was the highest point of his life, demonstrating youth-based writing across multiple storytelling formats. 

As television and screenwriting require writers to tell stories distinctively, Datta believes, “change in me is for the good, as now the end result will be quite good. One will see a difference in my writing”, strengthening his understanding of character development and dialogues. 

Popular Durjoy Datta’s Television Shows include: 

• Saada Haq – My Life, My Choices (2013) 
• Million Dollar Girl (2014) 
• Ek Veer Ki Ardaas..Veera 
• Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aise Bhi (2016) 
• Never Kiss Your Bestfriend (2020) 
• Pyar Paisa Profit (2025)
• Ek Farzi Love Story (2025) 

Durjoy Datta’s Notable Works: Books, Television Shows, and Audio Books 

Durjoy Datta has gained massive popularity among the young-adult audience for his works, whether it is books, television shows, or audiobooks. 

Here are some of his notable works: 

Books: 

Release Year	Book Name
2008	Of Course, I Love You, Till I Find Someone Better
2009	Now That You’re Rich
2010	She Broke Up, I Didn’t
2011	Oh, yes, I’m Single You Were My Crush
2012	If It’s Not Forever, It’s Not Love Till The Last Breath The English Teacher (Short Story)
2013	Someone Like You Hold My Hand
2014	When Only Love Remains
2015	World’s Best Boyfriend
2016	The Girl of My Dream
2017	The Boy Who Loved The Boy With the Broken Heart
2018	The Perfect Us
2019	Wish I Could Tell You
2021	A Touch of Eternity
2022	When I’m With You
2023	World’s Best Girlfriend
2025	While We Wait

Audiobooks: 

• The Last Boy To Fall in Love (Hindi Edition)
• The Last Girl to Fall in Love (Hindi Edition) 
• The Opposite of Love 
• The Last Boy to Fall in Love (English Edition) 

Awards, Achievements, and Recognition Gained by Durjoy Datta 

Durjoy Datta has gained immense popularity and has been recognised with various literary and industry achievements, from the Young Achiever Award to the Zee Gold Awards. With one of the largest readerships among contemporary Indian fiction authors, Datta has contributed significantly to the industry. 

Here are some of these achievements:  

1. Literary Awards 

• 2017 Crossword Book Award- Popular Choice Award (Fiction) for Our Impossible Love
• 2018 Crossword Book Award – Popular Choice Award (Fiction) for The Boy Who Loved 

2. Achievement and Industry Conditions 

• 2009 Young Achiever Award: Received the Young Achiever Award from the Times of India 
• 2011 Young Achievers Award: Received the Young Achievers Award in Media and Communication by Whistling Woods International 
• 2012 Teacher’s Achievement Award: Recipient of the Teacher’s Achievement Award for the success of Indian Literature. 

3. Television and Screenwriting Accolades 

• 2014 Zee Gold Awards: Won Youth Show, Fiction Category for Saada Haq – My Life, My Choices. 
• 2014 and 2015 Indian Telly Awards: Won the Best Youth Show

4. Recognition for Bestsellers 

1. Hindustan Times Bestseller: 
   • No. 3: You Were My Crush (2011)
   • No. 6: If It’s Not Forever (2012) 
   • No. 3: Till the Last Breath (2012) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Sources:

• Durjoy Datta – Penguin Random House India: Penguin Random House India
• Durjoy Datta – India Speakers Bureau – India Speakers Bureau 
• I do not write for a greater cause: Durjoy Datta – National Herald