New Delhi - Author Chetan Bhagat, known for campus novels and subsequent film adaptations, has returned to writing romance after a 12-year hiatus, sparking discussion about the evolving landscape of love stories and the role of literature versus cinema in Indian society.
In a recent interview, Bhagat addressed his return to the genre, stating, “People love my love stories and that’s as there’s no formula in them. Each time its a fresh take on fresh issues.” He highlighted his previous work, 12 Years, as a bold attempt at age-gap romance that prompted his return.
Bhagat was candid about the perceived importance of film adaptations of his work,noting,”That carries an assumption that I care a lot for the screen. I don’t care; Indians care as they don’t read books.” He further elaborated, “they are always asking me, ‘When is the movie coming?’ As if movie is the ultimate Nobel Prize! They believe that in Indian society films are up in the hierarchy of art forms; but it’s not. Films are the lazy man’s form of art consumption.” Bhagat has had five of his works adapted and participated in six film projects, acknowledging the meaningful time commitment involved. He contrasted the experience of reading with watching adaptations, stating, “Ultimately, the joy you get from reading 2 States, you’re not going to get from watching the movie.”
The author also discussed adapting his writing style to reflect contemporary relationship dynamics, including the prevalence of “situationships.” “When my first book came out,there were no smartphones or even cellphones… Today,everybody has a phone in their pocket and is constantly entertained. So I had to change my plots too,embrace videos and social media and maybe that’s the reason I’m still around.” He admitted struggling to understand modern dating trends like “ghosting,” describing it as ”very rude” according to his personal values, but expressed a commitment to understanding the current generation “non-judgmentally.”
Bhagat, 51, is currently writing a story about a 33-year-old man falling in love with a 21-year-old woman, acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation and emphasizing the need for sensitivity in its execution.He believes his 21 years of writing experience equip him to handle such narratives responsibly.