Chetan Bhagat

For Indian bibliophiles, Chetan Bhagat is a name that needs no introduction. Though the first publisher he approached said his novel, Five Point Someone, wouldn’t sell a 1,000 copies’, it went on to sell 13 lakh copies. The movie based on his second novel tanked at the box office but the one loosely based on his first went on to become the biggest Bollywood film in terms of business. He believes one must choose carefully between risk and security, marks and personality, self and family, money and value, and competence and confidence. “People succeed not because they are geniuses, but because they have madness,” said Bhagat, who was in Bhubaneswar on Monday to deliver a lecture on “Motivation to succeed in IIT”. The Telegraph spoke to the author who enjoys a massive fan following.

Have you been a true destiny’s child?

See, no one from my family knew about IIT but I decided to attempt it. Later, I wanted my book to get published. Ironically, a publisher told me ‘Indians don’t read books’ while another suggested ‘Why don’t you write textbooks?’ Failures and rejections are part of anybody’s life who has done something worthwhile. Later, the film adaptation of my book turned out to be a disaster. When you fail, people flood you with suggestions while when you succeed you go on spreading the gyaan. People credited the success of 3 Idiots to Aamir Khan, so this time around we decide to make the next — Kai Po Che — with newcomers. Life is all about taking pangas.

Have you left behind the panga with Vidhu Vinod Chopra?

Yes, it’s long gone. Kai Po Che is like redemption where there was a lot of positive vibes. It’s a fresh start with a new beginning.

While so many Indians are busy reading you, what is your current read?

I read a lot. Presently I am reading a lot about politics. I want to write on politics. I will not join a political party because I want to have a neutral voice. I want to create awareness among the youth. People like me play the role of creating that awareness. The Gandhi family didn’t feel the need to come out and speak for the last 8-9 years but today they are forced to take notice of the anger among the youngsters. If people demand, the politicians will be forced to change.

Though a master storyteller, you are accused of creating substandard literary works also known as ‘100 rupee literature’

Just because they are low in price, doesn’t mean they lack quality. I want to reach Indian people. Only 0.1 per cent of people understand critically acclaimed literature. I write to bring change and for that change to come, I need people from interiors of the country to read me. I am scripting Kick for Salman Khan to reach the masses. My journey is different.

The Chetan Bhagat brand of writing is being followed by a lot of upcoming writers.

Everybody should have a voice. Writing is not just about books. It can be journalism, advertising, scripts etc. It’s good that more and more writers are coming up.

 

How was your Bhubaneswar experience?

Odisha will be the next story of revival like the state of Bihar. It has a lot of potential. IIT has 10,000 seats, the number of Odia students clearing JEE must increase manifold. Also, I was surprised that people are so aware about movies and novels here.