INTERVIEW: With India’s J K Rowling – Chetan Bhagat

Bhavesh Bhimani, New Delhi: Chetan Bhagat does not need an introduction. The 39-year-old bestselling author of five novels is a household name today. 

There are many out there who also consider him the ‘J.K. Rowling of India’. That epithet isn’t too far-fetched. From metro cities to small towns, Chetan Bhagat is greatly considered to have brought readers back to books in India. 

He is primarily responsible for books getting relatable to the educated Indian middle-class; by pulling it down from its forced elitism. There was a time though, when Bhagat was rejected by a leading IT company, during campus placements, in his IIT days. The man has come a long way from those days of depression. Today he is an inspiration to many budding young writers and has his plate crammed with work. Apart from working on his new book, Bhagat keeps writing columns for a national daily, gives motivational speeches, hosts some TV shows and has also written the screenplay for the upcoming Bollywood movie Kick.

These days though, Bhagat is actively promoting the film ‘2 States’ (starring Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt), which is based on his novel by the same name. In an exclusive interview to The Indian Republic’s Bhavesh Bhimani, Chetan Bhagat elucidates on his involvement with the film, how he reacts to various criticisms, his views on competition from other Indian writers and much more. Read on.

Excerpts from an interview

The Indian Republic: How exactly are you involved in 2 States, the movie?

Chetan Bhagat: Well, in the initial stages of the film, I was involved in the choosing of the actors, the production house and the director as well. That was a nice experience. Now I am more involved in promoting the film from my end, as honestly as I can.

The Indian Republic: Have you seen the film? Compared to the book, do you think it’s good?

Chetan Bhagat: I have not seen the final cut, but yes, I did see the film and liked it a lot. I think people are going to connect to it and should enjoy the film. Even fans of the book will not be disappointed; I am quite sure of that.

The Indian Republic: The film is getting a tremendous hype isn’t it? And a major credit for that has to go to your book, from which it has been adapted.

Chetan Bhagat: That’s true. You know, I am feeling quite nervous really. Only a few days to go and the film has got a tremendous hype. People have unbelievable expectations from it. I keep getting mails and tweets from fans every day on how excited and hopeful they are for the film. Though that is good in a way, but it does add a lot of pressure on me. After all, at the end of the day, people are going to catch hold of me and tell me whatever they feel about the movie.

The Indian Republic: You have also written the screenplay for the upcoming film Kick. Do you, in the future, want to be more actively involved in the film-making process?  

Chetan Bhagat: No ya. I did enjoy writing the screenplay for Kick. It was fun, plus it was a big film with big stars like Salman Khan and all that. Occasionally, I might get into all this again, but I am more than happy in just being an author. I am comfortable with my books, giving motivational talks and writing columns. Those are the areas that I like to spend most of my time with.

The Indian Republic: Your fans haven’t really been very satisfied with the way your books have been adapted into films. Would you agree to that?

Chetan Bhagat: Yes, I agree to that. The first couple of films weren’t satisfactorily adapted, but Kai Po Che was quite good wasn’t it? I liked the way they kept the soul of the book in the film, despite the changes. We have learned from our experience and have started being more careful now. And I am sure people would really like 2 States.

The Indian Republic: Tell me honestly. What does it feel like; watching your own characters in a 70 mm screen? What is that experience?

Chetan Bhagat: It is quite surreal ya. It feels very weird and hard to believe that these are my characters; something which I imagined and wrote. I feel even stranger, when I sit and think that an entire team has worked years working on my story. It is quite unbelievable really.

The Indian Republic: Speaking of characters in your books. The story of the father and son in ‘2 States’ was, in my opinion, the most interesting part of the book. You have said that the book is inspired from your own life. So was the relation between the father and son influenced from your own life as well?

Chetan Bhagat: You are right; the story between the son and the father was indeed the most interesting part. It gave the story some emotional depth. Because otherwise, the story was a very simple wasn’t it? Even in the movie, the father-son relation has been portrayed very subtly. Though, not much was shown of it in the promos, when you watch the film, you will get to see it properly. I found that part of the movie to be the most emotional one. And coming to the inspiration part. Yes, that story has been taken from my life. Not in entirety, but a little bit, yes.

The Indian Republic: So now, wouldn’t it be natural that when you write a book, you would automatically think of how it would pan into a film? Wouldn’t you be inclined to carve your characters in a way that suits the cinematic medium?

Chetan Bhagat: No, not really. I can’t think of it that way. See, writing books is my passion and I would continue doing it irrespective of whether my books get adapted into films or not. Moreover, if my book is good, then filmmakers would automatically approach me to make it into a film. I wouldn’t have to do anything extra to do that.

The Indian Republic: You are not just recognized as an author anymore. You have very strong political views, you participate in debate shows and you are so actively followed on twitter. All your comments and actions are minutely scrutinized and many of them have also boiled into controversies. So do you wish to cut down in the extra things you do and just concentrate on your writings?

Chetan Bhagat: I do actually. I seriously do. In fact, after the promotions of ‘2 States’ are over and the general elections have ended, I intend to do exactly what you said; just relax and concentrate entirely on my writings. I will continue with my books and columns of course, but will cut down on these ‘other’ things. Because all these things do get to you. It becomes hard at times to keep focus and not get distracted.

The Indian Republic: Your life must have completely changed upside down from what it was a decade back. Do you ever feel that you could get away from all this media glare and melee? Do you wish to go back to the quiet life of your banking days?

Chetan Bhagat: Not really. It is true that there are days when I do feel stressed and want to get away from all this. But those things can happen to anyone in any profession. I really enjoy the work I am doing. It has its own challenges, but I love what I do. So, I wouldn’t ever exchange it for anything else.

The Indian Republic: Talking about stress and challenges. The tiff you had with the makers of ‘3 Idiots’ grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons. A lot of time has now passed since that happened. How do you look back at it?

Chetan Bhagat: It was a tough time and it really did leave a bad taste in my mouth. But fortunately, that bad taste has now turned into good taste with all that is happening in my life now (chuckles). See, now they (the makers of 2 States-the movie) are even using the name of my book as the title of the movie itself. What more could I ask for? That ‘3 Idiots’ episode is a thing of the past and now I am eagerly awaiting many exciting things that are about to happen in my life.

The Indian Republic: But were you surprised at the amount of support you got? It seemed as if everyone had supported your stance then.

Chetan Bhagat: Oh yes, I was completely surprised by the amount of support that poured in for me from all quarters. You know, at that time I was really scared. I was taking on these biggies and it was my first time in Bollywood. I didn’t know what would happen. But the general public’s support was a massive help. I will never ever forget it. And now, I don’t have to prove anything. Now people know that it was my story. With ‘Kai Po Che’ and ‘2 States’, my point has been proved further.

The Indian Republic: You are not just brimming with supporters though. You have a fair share of critics as well who call you the ‘Ekta Kapoor’ of Indian writing? How do you react to that? Do you ever think over it?

Chetan Bhagat: I don’t even know what that means really. But Ekta is doing so well isn’t she? So that’s good then (chuckles). Arre its okay ya. Everyone can have their own opinion on anything. It did affect me at times. I even tried to think over changing certain things in my writing style. But then, you can’t change it beyond a point. Anyways, all I want to do is to entertain people in whatever small way I can. And I guess I do manage to do that isn’t it? In any case, I am not just an author. I also have my columns and other things to do. I try to aware people of social and political issues. So I do have a lot on my plate. That is more important to me than bothering to brood over these criticisms.

The Indian Republic:  Since your rise, there have been a number of similar writers who have come in the market. Some are also doing quite well. Do you keep a track on how your competition is doing? Do you feel threatened by the rise of other budding young authors?

Chetan Bhagat: I do keep an eye on other writers who are doing well, but no, I never feel threatened. I think there is enough space for everyone of us to survive here.  As long as people are reading my books and are happy with it, I am content. More importantly, it is essential that we give the readers something good and varied to read. Why can’t they enjoy all of us? The more, better writers are out there, the better it is for our country.

The Indian Republic:  Some rapid-fire questions now.  So what is Chetan Bhagat scared of?

Chetan Bhagat:  That I would lose focus and the balance I have created in my life. Fame is addictive. I don’t want it overpower me, make me lose my goal and cause a lot of imbalance. Nothing can be scarier than that.

The Indian Republic: One Indian novel you wish you had written?

Chetan Bhagat: (Thinks for a moment) Devdas I think. It is such a classic. The story has so much of emotional depth in it and has different layers. I would have loved to write something like that.

The Indian Republic: What inspired you to take up writing?

Chetan Bhagat: I just wanted to do something different other than banking. I wanted to have a hobby. And this (writing) is something that I liked. But I didn’t know that there would be so many people who would like my writing.

The Indian Republic: All the titles of your books have had some number in it? Do you use that deliberately?

Chetan Bhagat: Yes, I do. I was a banker in my past. And I do this (using numbers in the titles) as a trademark for my banking days.

The Indian Republic: Do you have any list of stories that you wish to write on?

Chetan Bhagat: Oh there are so many. I do not have a list as such. But I wish to cover the varied aspects of Indian life. That is something I really find intriguing. I hope I can do it as much as I possibly can.

The Indian Republic: Now the question that your innumerable fans are excitedly waiting for. When is your next book coming out? Could you tell us something about its plot?

Chetan Bhagat: It is coming out in October this year. I can’t tell you much about the plot, except for the fact that it is a rural Indian love story. It’s a little different from the ones I have written so far. I hope everyone likes it.

The Indian Republic: And would it have a number in its title too?

Chetan Bhagat: Yes it would. But I am not going to tell you what number it would be (laughs).