A Q&A session with Chetan Bhagat.
The New York Times called him the ‘the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history’. TIME magazine listed him amongst the ‘100 most influential people in the world’ and Fast Company, USA listed him as one of the world’s ‘100 most creative people in business’. Who is he? He’s Chetan Bhagat.
Besides being a bestselling author, he writes columns for leading Hindi and English newspapers, focusing on national development and youth issues. Chetan is also a screenplay writer and a motivational speaker.
Chetan Bhagat quit his international investment banking career in 2009 to devote his entire time to writing and making change happen in the country. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Anusha, an ex-classmate from IIM-A, and his twin boys, Shyam and Ishan.
His latest book, “Half Girlfriend”, deals with relationships we have in today’s world. Dealing as they do with issues close to our hearts, it comes as no surprise that Chetan’s books have remained bestsellers since their release. Four out of his five novels have already been adapted into successful Bollywood films and the others are in the process of being adapted as well.
Team Abraxas caught up with Chetan Bhagat for a quick Q&A.
Do you like the fact that because of your easy style of writing and subjects that touch the hearts of the young many young people have once again started reading books?
It’s great to know that youngsters are reading books again, though I am sure it cannot be attributed only to me. However, I do feel happy about it. My aim is to write good books that people like to read, that’s what I concentrate on and if that leads to a spurt in reading habits, then that’s a bonus.
Why do you convert your book into movies?
I do it to give the book a wider reach. Even if a person can’t read, he can connect with the book through movies – that way you can reach so many more people.
Are happy with the way your books were filmed?
Yes. I am quite happy and all the films have done very well at the box office. I am pretty much hands off when it comes to the actual filming, I just drop in on the sets a couple of times.
How did you manage to achieve success?
You achieve success by not giving up. You keep at it till you succeed, even though you may feel hurt, disappointed, and frustrated.
Why did you become a writer?
I like telling stories and I wanted to do more than a desk job.
Do you like participating in talk shows? You have been on so many.
I like to be part of the discussion on national issues and I find people like my views so I will be doing more shows whenever I can.
What inspires you? How does a book start in your mind?
Whatever I see around me gives me a constant supply of ideas. Then I reject some ideas and keep the best ones. The one that survives the filtering becomes my next book.
How much of your own life goes in your books?
Some books are from my personal life like 2 States and Five Point Someone, but the rest are not.
What’s with the numbers in the titles? Is Chetan Bhagat you into numerology?
The numbers are a connect back to my banking days.
What next?
A break from any kind of creativity.
What’s on your bucket list?
It’s pretty much complete. I just want a sustained period of happiness and peace.
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