Working with Nilesh Oak
How an interest in archaeoastronomy became a mentorship — and how Nilesh Oak came to be executive producer on the 10 Indic Films Project.
The Collaborator
Nilesh Oak is a researcher in archaeoastronomy and the scientific dating of ancient Indian texts, best known for establishing timelines for events in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana using astronomical data.
My collaboration with him began as an interest in that research and grew into a sustained mentorship. Oak now serves as executive producer and intellectual guide on the 10 Indic Films Project.
Why It Matters
Research-driven historical narrative work carries a burden ordinary storytelling does not: the history has to hold. Scripts dealing with the Mahabharata and the Ramayana work with material where dates, sequence and astronomical detail are actively contested, and where a single unsupported claim undermines the whole film.
Oak's methodical approach to studying ancient Indian history through the lens of astronomy challenges many conventional narratives. Building films on that foundation meant the work had to be defensible against the same standard of evidence he applies to the texts.
How It Grew
From correspondence to mentorship. What began as admiration for Oak's research evolved into something more substantial. We first met in person at a Ramayana conference in Jabalpur, and that meeting turned an online correspondence into a genuine mentorship.
Historical accuracy built into the scripts. His guidance has been invaluable in ensuring historical accuracy in my narrative scripts, rather than being applied as a review step after the writing is done.
A role beyond advisory. Oak's involvement extends past an advisory credit. As executive producer and intellectual guide on the 10 Indic Films Project, he is a constant source of inspiration for research-driven historical narrative work.
Where It Stands
The collaboration continues through the 10 Indic Films Project, bringing scientifically grounded stories about India's ancient past to modern audiences.
Oak's research opened new pathways for understanding India's civilisational heritage, and the partnership exists to carry that understanding into film.