I am an entertainer who believes in change: Chetan Bhagat

Aman Kanth

Jaipur: He comes from the hallowed precincts of IIT, IIM and was an investment banker much before he bartered his successful career for writing. He is the man behind ‘Five Point Someone’, ‘One Night @ the Call Center,’ ‘The Three Mistakes of My Life,’ 2 States: The Story of My Marriage,’ and ‘Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition.’ He is a columnist, motivational speaker and conscious keeper of the society. Yes, he is Chetan Bhagat. On Day 2 of DSC Jaipur Literature Festival 2012¸ Asia’s leading literature event¸ fiction writer Chetan Bhagat was at his jovial best when he shared his views on literature and his brand of writing, which is often termed as a ‘brand’ rather than literature. Simple and unassuming, Chetan Bhagat has come a long way from a shy writer who used to doubt his very presence at literary festivals. Well, he is not your typical hoity-toity writer; in fact, he is a common man who thinks like a common man. A runaway bestseller, who has sold over five million books and has a readership of twenty crore, Chetan surely knows the pulse of the nation. Chetan feels that his writing is ninety percent entertainment and ten percent avant-garde, whose aim is to entertain and bring a positive change in the society. He is no political activist or Anna Hazare and he is surely not a high priest of literature but his work is successful in touching the right chord with the people. “I have never said Tagore and Chetan the same thing. Nor I have said that I am the best writer,” he said. Taking accolades and brickbats in his stride, Chetan reiterated the fact that he has never ever said that he is the best writer. Interestingly, there was no clear mention about Salman Rushdie but the young writer made a point when he said that “one should not make heroes out of those who create hatred.’’