Need to change stand on morality: Chetan Bhagat

Kolkata: Voicing concern over incidence of attacks on women, writer Chetan Bhagat today said there is a need to first change the stand on morality.

"To curb rise in incidents of rape and help in averting gender abuses we must do a re-check on our morality stand," he said at the `Mind Rocks` Youth Summit here. "I believe women need to be given the extra space in life since they are facing the brunt in society and this is not just because of the `Nirbhaya` incident. That is one reference point of how much brutal, horrific things may turn to," he said. Three of his novels have already been translated to the big screen but Bhagat said he is still learning as a scriptwriter. "Bollywood follows certain norms while adapting a story going by the popular demand. I am still picking up," he said and expressed happiness at the way script of `Kai Po Che` dealt with his novel `The 3 Mistakes of My Life`. `Kai Po Che` is the latest film based on his work and has been feted at the Berlin Film Festival. His eight-year-old son Ishaan has made his acting debut in the film. "Ishaan has done a neat and good job as told by director Abhisek Kapoor. Those who watched the movie were happy with the way he handled the subject of my book," Bhagat said. Bhagat, who shot to fame with his book `One Night at the Call Centre`, also said he is aware how the younger generation is surrounded by the internet and apps. "For them I try to incorporate a little of everything - a message so as not to get overawed and intimidated by failure." He wondered why books cannot be enjoyed by everyone if all sorts of music can be. "Reading books is also a form of entertainment," he said. The `Mind Rocks` Youth Summit was hosted by India Today. PTI