Chetan Bhagat over the years has carved a niche for himself in the field of contemporary literature. Renowned for his engaging and relatable storytelling, Bhagat has become a household name in India and beyond. With a knack for combining humor, drama and social commentary, Bhagat's works have not only dominated bestseller lists but have also inspired numerous Bollywood adaptations, further cementing his influence on popular culture.
In an innovative venture, the writer has extended his literary prowess to the realm of audio dramas. His latest offering, available on Audible, promises to captivate listeners with his signature narrative style, rich character development, and compelling plot twists.
During an exclusive interview with News18, the author not only talked about his latest work, but also shed some light on everything he is, everything he believes in, everything that is to come and more.
You have a new audio drama that was just released, 'The Girl In Room 105'. Could you talk a little bit about that and how you came up with it?
So, you know, there are audiobooks and a lot of people know what they are now, but now there's a new category, which is audio dramas, which is basically like watching a movie on audio, you can say, because there are actors, there's dialogue. , there's music, there's, you know, tension, all that stuff like it was produced as a movie apart from, of course, the cameras and everything, but there's casting done with actors, boys' voices and girls' voices. So now it's like an audio drama.
It was Audible's idea, I think they have done it very successfully in the West and they want to do it in India. And I always like new things, I always like to adapt innovative, new things, new ways of telling my story, whether it was a long time ago, it was turning books into movies. But now we live in a mobile revolution, where everyone has a phone. And everyone wants content in their own hands. And I think this is a great format, because you don't have to keep looking at the screen, you can do your thing, you can do at least simple tasks, like cooking, folding clothes, or going to the gym, going for a walk and cleaning your closet, and keep listening to this. So it's a great way to be productive and at the same time enjoy good entertainment, content, etc. So I loved it.
How different is it, you know, being part of the production of an audiobook, a podcast, or an audio drama for that matter, versus writing a novel? Can you tell us about the process?
The only thing is that the camera is not there, the makeup is not there, the art direction is not there. But I'm there, the dubbing is there, the editing is there, the casting is there, the script is there, you know, the production is there, the programming is there, the marketing is there, the release is there, everything is there, only the visual aspect is not there. there. And yes, it is very interesting.
Not just about this particular topic, but what really inspires you? And how is a topic decided? Because your works have been explored very well through films. And now, of course, through audio.
I think I'm a pretty curious person by nature. And what interests me most is the people. I am very curious about people. I feel like every time I see a person, I feel like they must have a story behind them. How did they grow up and how, you know, what makes them happy and what makes them sad? I am always very curious about people. And I think India is a fascinating country where there are so many different stories. So that's what inspires me. And when I look at the world around me, I travel a lot because I'm a motivational speaker. So I must visit at least 50 cities a year in India.
I have a very good idea of what people are like in India. What are they thinking? What are your conflicts? And naturally, a story like the one from then comes to mind. It is, I would say, a magical process, you can call it, or it is simply a process that occurs at the subconscious level.
And then I write it. And then usually that story connects and people like it. And once people like it in one format, like a book, usually the story will travel in other formats as well.
So that's been my journey so far. It's been 20 years. In fact, May 14 is when, 2004, is when Five Point Something, my first book, came out. So we are on a 20th anniversary. In reality, it has been a long journey. If I just think about it, I feel like it was now.
And you just mentioned that it's on a subconscious level that a story comes to you. But it is also very difficult to put words to your thoughts. How do you manage?
Yes, but that's the gift. Everyone feels things, you know? From what I have seen, every human being feels things. Very few people can turn those feelings into thoughts in the first place. They just feel something. They just feel uncomfortable, happy, sad, whatever. But some people can't even tell what it is. Some people can at least express it in their own head, in their thoughts. Some people can put it into words. And we call those people very expressive and wise in words. And some people can't. So some people can even express it in writing. Even when I use a pen or keyboard, it flows exactly as it is in my mind. And I think a lot of people can't do it.
So I have realized that everyone feels, but the expression of those feelings varies between people. That's a very interesting way. I think if you stay a writer long enough, you become very curious about the process. How do stories come about? How can I do it? And some other people can't do it. And I think that's how things are. Maybe some wiring in my brain allows that to happen. Or maybe I don't have a filter. We all have a filter. We are afraid to express ourselves.
In a previous interview, you mentioned that you have three sides. One of them is Chetan, the entertainer. Could you tell us more about that side? How is it different? And do you think he is much less explored than Chetan, the writer?
You know, I've been lucky, you could say, that I also talk about national issues. On the one hand, I write love stories, modern stories, which are a very popular, commercial and best-selling type of fiction. But at the same time I also write editorials. So I think sometimes that's a different role.
People expect me to be some kind of role model and stuff like that. But when I write a love story or a modern story, it's very strange to be a role model. If I show my hero becoming an alcoholic because he's so in love, some people might say, what are you promoting? So I think it's always a difficult balance. There is the artist in me.
There is someone who talks about national issues, or you can call him someone who is an analyst. And then the third is that there is an entrepreneur in me who wants to do business and also make money. So it's always a balance of the three. Not everything I do can be for money, but not everything I do can be just for my expression. I have two children who go to university. I have to win with that. So yes, it is a balance. And that's the balance I was talking about.
How is that balance maintained? It's not easy to balance your sides, especially the two sides of yourself.
Yes, and I think we all have that. I think we all have a side that is practical. And we all have a side that is based solely on our emotions. And what we really want to do. Even in my motivational talks, I sometimes ask people: what is the job you would do even if you weren't paid for it? What work will you do for free? And I think that's often your passion. But at the same time we have to pay the bills. We have to be practical in life. So I think we all struggle with that balance.
And for me I think I have been very lucky. And now I'm older. I just turned 50 a few weeks ago. So I think I'm dedicating myself more and more to what I really want to do. And for me it's not about money anymore. Because to a large extent my children are older. Okay, they have a little bit of college left. But other than that, I see no reason why I should continue chasing money now. And I think that will also bring out my best work. Because, ironically, the best work comes, the most successful work also comes when you write it with the intention of not getting any results. I have often found that. If it were my first book, I had no idea it would become this big. So whenever we do something with a pure intention, that is, I just want to express myself, or I just feel it's important to share it with the world. I found that those become my most successful jobs. And every time I try to be entrepreneurial and say this will work and this will sell, it often doesn't work as well.
Two decades later, do you still think your “best work” is pending and you still haven't published it into the world?
That is a good question. And I think we should all think that. I think while it's easy to rest on the laurels of the past and say, okay, you know, I did Five PointSomeone, I did Two States and Three Idiots and all that. And that's how people often introduce me too. But it's no longer in my head. Is history. And for my part I will stop growing. If I believe that the best I have done already, I believe that my best work is yet to come. And I have reasons for it. As I said, the financial pressure is no longer there. And I am free to write. And I have consolidated myself. I have proven myself.
I think when I was young, I used to be very touchy about criticism or someone saying, you know, some people don't like your work or that person was trolling you. All these things, I'm over them.
I'm not 35. I'm 50. So yeah, I think there's no reason why I can't write more freely than ever.
But as a writer and public figure, you don't always get praise, do you? So how do you deal with the darker side of fame?
Now I have the papaya philosophy. It is not a food that everyone likes. Some people don't like it that much. Like mangoes, everyone likes them. Everyone likes bananas. But papaya is an acquired taste. Some people like papaya and some hate it. Now, is it the papaya's fault? It's not the papaya's fault. So I think I know who I am. I know I have some advantages. I have a certain attraction for some people. And to some people, I'm just a papaya that they don't like. So it's not the papaya's fault. And papaya should not try to be mango or banana. That's going to get really weird, you know? So I think you get to a point where being old may have some disadvantages, but it has some advantages. It's about reaching a level of comfort with who you are. And you know, okay, maybe it's not good enough for some people. Or maybe I just don't work for some people. And that's how God made me. That's how I am a papaya.
