She graduated in English Literature and French from the University of Mumbai as a student of Ramnarain Ruia College in 1966.
Udaya Tara Nayar began her journalism career in 1967 at Screen, under the mentorship of editor Shri S S Pillai, her paternal uncle.
Pillai fostered an ethic of writing "from her conscience, adhering to facts and truths, treating all as equal, not hurting anyone, taking a detached, objective approach."
It was at this time that Dilip Kumar approached her to write his biography, The Substance and the Shadow,[1][2] which made the Amazon bestseller list within two weeks of its publication.
As of September 2014[update], Mrs Nayar is writing a book of short stories set in the southern India of her youth, dedicated to her grandchildren.