Chetan Bhagat over the years has carved a niche for himself in the realm of contemporary literature. Renowned for his engaging and relatable storytelling, Bhagat has become a household name in India and beyond. With a knack for blending humour, drama, and social commentary, Bhagat’s works have not only dominated bestseller lists but have also inspired numerous Bollywood adaptations, further cementing his influence in popular culture.
In a groundbreaking venture, the writer has expanded 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 spoke not just about his newest work but also shed some light on all that he is, all that he believes in and all that is to come forth and more.
You have a new audio drama that has just been released, ‘The Girl In Room 105’. Could you talk a little 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 there is a new category now, which is audio dramas, which is basically like watching an audio movie, you can say, because there are actors, there is dialogue, there’s music, there is, you know, tension, all those things like it’s been produced like a movie apart from the, of course, cameras and all, but there’s a casting done with actors, boys voice, girls voice. So it’s like an audio drama now.
It was Audible’s idea, they have done this very successfully in the West, I think, and they want to do it in India. And I always like new things, I always like to adapt innovative things, new, new ways to tell my story, whether long ago, it was turning books into movies. But now we live in a mobile revolution, where everybody has a phone. And everybody wants content in their own hands. And I feel this is a great format, because you don’t have to keep watching the screen, you can do your thing, you can do at least simple tasks, like cooking, or folding your clothes, or going to the gym, going to a walk, and cleaning your closet, and keep listening to this. So it’s an excellent way to be productive and yet enjoy good entertainment, content, etc. So I loved it.
How different is it, you know, being a part of producing an audiobook or a podcast or an audio drama for this instance, as opposed to writing a novel, can you talk to us about the process?
The only thing is, camera is not there, make up is not there, art direction is not there. But I am there, dubbing is there, editing is there, casting is there, scripting is there, you know, production is there, scheduling is there, marketing is there, launch is there, everything is there, only the visual aspect is not there. And yeah, so it’s very interesting.
Not just about this particular subject, but what is it that truly inspires you? And how do you decide upon a subject? Because your works have been explored so well through movies. And now, of course, through audio.
I think I’m quite a naturally curious person. And the thing I’m most curious about is people. I’m very curious about people. I feel like whenever 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, what makes them sad? I’m always very curious about people. And I think India is a fascinating country where there are so many different stories out there. So that’s what inspires me. And when I observe the world around me, I travel around a lot because I’m a motivational speaker. So I must be visiting at least 50 cities a year in India.
I get a very good sense of what people in India are all about. What are they thinking? What are their conflicts? And naturally, a story like then comes to me. It’s quite a, I would say, magical process, you can call it, or it’s just a process which happens 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, it 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, 14th May is when, 2004 is when Five Point Someone my first book came out. So we are at a 20 year anniversary. It’s been a long journey, actually. If I just think about it, it feels like it was just now.
And you just mentioned that it’s at a subconscious level that a story comes to you. But it’s also very difficult to put words to your thoughts. How do you manage?
Yeah, but that is the gift. Everybody feels things, you know. From what I’ve seen, every human being feels things. Very few people can firstly turn those feelings into thoughts. 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 express it in words. And we call those people very expressive, words wise. And some people can’t. Then some people can even express it in writing form. Like even when I use a pen or a keyboard, it flows out exactly the way it is in my mind. And I think a lot of people cannot do it.
So I’ve come to realize that everybody feels, but the expression of those feelings varies among people. So 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? How am I able to do it? And some other people are not able to do it. And I think that’s just the way it is. Maybe some wiring of my brain allows that to happen. Or maybe I don’t have a filter. All of us have a filter. We are scared to express ourselves.
In a previous interview, you mentioned that there are three sides to you. One being Chetan, the entertainer. Could you talk to us more about that side? How is it different? And do you think he’s much less explored than Chetan, the writer?
You know, I’ve been lucky, you can say, that I also talk about national issues. On one hand, I’m writing love stories, modern histories, which are very popular, commercial, best-selling kind of fiction. But at the same time, I also write editorials. So I think that’s a different role sometimes.
People expect me to be some kind of a role model and things like that. But when I write a love story or a modern history, that’s very weird to be a role model. If I show my hero becoming an alcoholic because he’s so in love, some people may say, what are you promoting? So I think that’s always a tough balance. There’s the entertainer in me.
There is somebody who talks about national issues, or you can call it somebody who is an analyst. And then the third is 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 about money, but not everything I do can be just for my expression. I have two kids going through college. I have to earn on that. So yeah, it’s a balance. And that’s the balance I was talking about.
How do you hold on to that balance? It is not easy to balance out your sides, the two sides of yourself, especially.
Yeah, and I think we all have that. I think we all have a side which is practical. And we all have a side which is just based 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 didn’t get paid for it? What is the job you’ll do for free? And that I think is 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’ve been very fortunate. And I’m older now. I just turned 50 a few weeks back. So I think I’m becoming more and more about what I truly want to do. And it’s not about the money anymore for me. Because largely, my kids are grown up. Okay, they have a little bit of college left. But other than that, I see no reason why I should go on chasing money now. And I think that will bring out my best work also. Because ironically, the best work comes, the most successful work also comes when you write it with the intention of no outcome. I’ve often found that. Like whether was my first book, I had no idea that it’ll become so big. So whenever we do something with a pure intention, which is, I just want to express myself, or I just feel this is important to share with the world. I found that those, that becomes the most successful work of mine. And whenever I try to be the entrepreneur and say this will work and this will sell, it often doesn’t work as well.
Two decades down the line, you still think that your ‘best work’ is due and you are yet to put it out in the world?
That is a good question. And I think we should all think that. I think while it’s easy to rest on your past laurels and say, okay, you know, I did Five Point Someone, I did Two States and Three Idiots and all this stuff. And that’s how people often introduce me also. But in my head, it’s gone. It’s history. And for me, I will stop growing. If I think that my best has already done, I think my best work is yet to come. And I have reason for that. Like I said, the financial pressure is not there now. And I’m free to write. And I’ve established myself. I’ve proved myself.
I think when I was young, I used to get very touchy about critics or someone saying, you know, some people don’t like your work or that this person trolled you. All these things, I’m well past all that now.
I am not 35. I’m 50. So yeah, I think there is no reason why I cannot write with more freedom than ever before.
But as a writer and a public figure, it’s not always compliments that come your way, right? So how do you deal with the darker side of fame?
Now I have the papaya philosophy. It’s not like a universally liked food. Some people don’t like it so much. Like mangoes, everybody likes. Bananas, everybody likes. But papaya is an acquired taste. Some people like papaya and some people 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 pluses. I have certain appeal to some people. And to some people, I’m just a papaya they don’t like. So it’s not the papaya’s fault. And the papaya should not try to be a mango or a banana. That will become really weird, you know? So I just like, I think you reach a point, being old may have some disadvantages, but it has some advantages. Is that you reach a level of comfort with who you are. And you know, okay, maybe I’m 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’m a papaya.
